Hawaii: O‘ahu, Family Vacation Ideas, Hike, Bike, Shop and Surf.  Enchanting and awesome, diverse and dynamic, the island is loaded with good stuff for families. Kiss a fish or pet a ray; sing with a dolphin or snorkel over a crater; sail with the wind or ride in a jungle mobile; practice the hula or giggle at a pachyderm; gaze at the stars or build a sand castle. Sip fresh squeezed pineapple juice or taste luscious cocoanut candies. Better yet greet a sunrise or walk on the beach at twilight. On Oahu the choices for fun are endless.   

Golf, bike, hike, fish, dive, swim sail or shop. Do everything or do nothing. No two vacations are the same on Oahu. Naturally we have our family friendly list of suggestions.

Go all Hawaiian. The grand dame of the island, The Bishop Museum, recently opened a new Science Adventure Center designed to engage young visitors with interactive activities. The new facility offers extensive exhibits on the islands' natural history and cultural heritage. This is the place to feel the heat of a volcano; hear Hawaiian creation chants; see a new island being created on the ocean floor; learn about the delicate balance of flora and fauna. The museum is not-to-be-missed and the new addition makes it even better.  

Create your own day adventure. Located along the north shore about 40 miles from Waikiki is Waimea Valley Adventure Park an 1800-acre park. Surrounded by thousands of shades of green and punctuated by brilliant color, visitors can enjoy mini tropical adventures and learn of island lore. The blast of a conch shell announces the advent of cliff divers about to plummet to the sea. Pleasantly remarkable is the Butterfly Encounter. At the heart of the Jungle Trek is a treehouse. Bonus points: For energetic families or independent teens, try the trails using all-terrain vehicles or mountain bikes; horseback or kayak.

Snorkel a in a crater. Another picture-postcard stop is the sunken volcanic crater otherwise known as Hanauma Bay, on the southeastern tip of the island. A semi-circular beach opens to the ocean, and the bay teems with fish, even some that gently touch their human visitors. Float, snorkel, SCUBA, SNUBA (a cross between snorkeling and diving, where you have an air supply without strapping on a heavy tank), people-watch, build sand castles, or catch up on your reading in this unforgettable setting. 

Navigate a maze, ride a train. The Pineapple Garden Maze, created within the Dole Pineapple Plantation is recognized by Guinness Book of World Records as the world's largest the maze. The giant puzzle, created from plants including hibiscus, heliconia and plumeria, was planted in the shape of a super large pineapple. For kids the challenge is to try and better the fastest time through the intricate pattern of twists and turns locating the six secret stations along the way. Bonus Points:  They offer a 20-mile, 20-minute fully narrated pineapple train tour. Learn about the history of pineapple and agriculture in Hawaii, hear the fascinating story of James Dole and enjoy the ride.

Look for fish tails. The Waikiki Aquarium, designated a Coastal Ecosystem Learning Center for the Pacific Island Region, has a new look with many more ways to engage young visitors. See rare monk seals sunning and swimming; count speckled clown fish; watch endangered green sea turtles. Hawaiian native reef dwellers such as reef lion, butterfly, and squirrel fish thrive. Better yet: Each paid admission includes an audio tour wand. Bonus points: From time to time they conduct night walks on the reef. Aquarium staff encourages participants to wade up to their knees in night water and learn about coral reef natural history, reef conservation and safety.

Go to the zoo. The Honolulu Zoo is the home to Mari and Vaigai, two Asian pachyderms, very popular with the local kids. As the stars of Elephant Encounters, their antics entertain and delight all ages. Squeals and giggles occur when one of them places a tropical lei on an unsuspecting child.  Bonus points: Throughout the year they offer families a unique opportunity to sleepover. “Snooze in the Zoo” offers participants a chance to discover the zoo’s nightlife. Enjoy a night filled with storytelling, campfire songs, walk-abouts and fun. Participants may pitch their tents on the back lawn or sleep out under the stars. Better yet: Keep your hotel bed but make a trip to the zoo at almost sunset. Twilight Tours are conducted the weekend closest to the full moon. It's a fun evening filled with insider looks at zoo life. Best of all families are welcome and the tours are geared towards children ages 5 and older.

See the sea life. Surrounded by the sea the Hawaiian Islands abound with fascinating and diverse sea life. At Sea Life Park on Makapuu Point, about a twenty-minute drive from Waikiki, science and entertainment go hand-in-hand. See Humboldt penguins, whales and dolphins and a one-of-a-kind "wholphin," the world's only offspring of a dolphin and whale. Watch turtles and birds at play and learn about sea life in balance.  Bonus points: Interactive programs include swim with the dolphins, dive with the dolphins, touch tanks, and penguin encounters. Better yet: No need to get wet. Descend three fathoms into the 300,000-gallon Hawaiian Reef Tank. You will walk among and hand feed schools of colorful tropical fish.  

Experience time travel Polynesian style. The Polynesian Cultural Center, a 42-acre living history park is pure fun. Costumed interpreters present living history lessons in the recreated villages of Samoa, New Zealand, Tahiti, Fiji, Old Hawaii, the Marquesas and Tonga. The commentaries and demonstrations are anything but boring.  Visitors are invited to play the nose flute, twirl poi balls, weave baskets, carve tikis and blow conch shells. Bonus points:  Night time entertainment includes shows at the IMAX theater and enchanting luaus.

Dive and stay dry. This is the perfect outing for three generations. The voyage starts on the good ship Discovery, the shuttle boat that takes passengers from the Hilton Hawaiian Village to rendezvous with the sub. Enjoy a sea view of Diamond Head and Waikiki before transferring to the sub for the dive adventure. Inside everyone gets a front row view as the sub descends to a depth of 120 feet. On this unique adventure see sunken ships and airplanes along with both natural and man made reefs. Bonus points: Audio headset narrations are presented in English, Japanese, Korean and Chinese.

Burn energy and see the island. On the 4,000-acre Kualoa Ranch multi-sport adventures set the pace. Guided horseback rides (walking only, no trotting) lead guests along marked pathways through lush green landscapes. Mountain biking/hiking tours ascend to dramatic points overlooking Kaneohe Bay. Swimmers enjoy uncrowded beaches the calm waters off Kualoa's private island. 

Take the tykes to their own place. The Children's Discovery Center, a new 37,000-square foot facility located near the waterfront between the Aloha Tower and the Ala Moana Center, makes everyone feel like a kid again. Created for children younger than 12, the facility offers oodles of engaging displays and activities. The kid-sized Your Town has a firemen's pole, a post office and a police station. The island connection provides little ones with a sense of place by providing a mini island tour via video. For action kids are invited to load cargo on a container ship or pretend to live in an island plantation house. Bonus points: The museum has an interesting array of online activities accessible from their cheerful website.

Visit Pearl Harbor. The U.S.S. Arizona Memorial is in the not-to-be-missed category. Located in the Pearl Harbor Naval Base, Pearl City, visitors may secure a free ticket to the floating memorial that marks the location of the U.S.S. Arizona. The ticket provides timed access to the small museum, which explains the dramatic incident that resulted in many casualties and propelled the US into WWII. Prior to taking the boat to the floating memorial there is a short film which sets the stage, explaining the background and the surprise attack on the U.S. fleet. Bonus points:  The USS Arizona Memorial Junior Ranger Booklet can be obtained for free at the visitor center front desk. The guide is intended for youths (Ages 7-12). A Junior Ranger badge will be given upon completion.  Better yet: From the floating memorial it is possible to see part of the rusty hull of the sunken ship.  

Not your yellow submarine, but. The Submarine Memorial Park, adjacent to the Arizona Memorial Visitor Center, has filed trip potential. Most remarkable is the USS Bowfin, a WW II submarine. For get being claustrophobic and tour the vintage vessel. Though parts may be a squeeze, the narrow passageways below the deck pass through sleeping quarters and alongside big torpedo tubes. Topside the museum showcases submarine life, vessel deigns and purpose. Bonus Points:  On display a Japanese (one man) submarine torpedo designed for suicide missions.

The Details
The Bishop Museum. Here’s the deal. They offer special rates for kama‘āina, seniors and military; children under 4 years and Bishop Museum Members are free. 1525 Bernice Street, 1(808) 847-3511 or www.bishopmuseum.org  

Polynesian Cultural Center. 55-370 Kamehameha Highway Laie, Hawaii (HI) 96762. Toll free from the mainland U.S. at 1-800-367-7060, on Oahu or international dialing 1 (808) 293-3333 or www.polynesia.com   

Waimea Valley Adventure Park. 59-864 Kamehameha Highway, Haleiwa . 1(808) 638 8511, toll free 1-800-548-6262.

Pineapple Garden Maze. Central Oahu area, 64-1550 Kamehameha Highway, Wahiawa, HI  96786.  1(808) 621-8408 or www.dole-plantation.com

Waikiki Aquarium. Located in Queen Kapiolani Park, on the southern shoreline of the island of Oahu, at 2777 Kalakaua Ave. on the Diamond Head (east) end of Waikiki Beach. 1(808)923-9721, Waikiki Aquarium Education Department at (808)440-9007 or www.waquarium.org

Honolulu Zoo 151 Kapahulu Avenue Honolulu, HI 96815. 1(808) 971-7171, education office 971-7195 or www.honzoosoc.org  

Sea Life Park.  41 – 202 Kalanianaole Highway, Suite 7 Waimanalo, Hawaii 96795. Toll free 1 (866) Dolphin (365-7446), 1(808) 259-7933 or www.dolphindiscovery.com/hawaii  

Atlantis Submarine.  Hilton Hawaiian Village pier. Toll free 1-888-349-7888, local or international 1(808) 356-1800, or www.atlantissubmarines.org    

Kualoa Ranch. 49-560 Kamehameha Highway Kaaawa, Hawaii 96730. 1(808) 237-8515, reservations 1(808) 237-7321, toll free 1-800- 231-7321 or www.kualoa.com  

Children's Discovery Center. 111 Ohe Street Honolulu, Hawaii 96813. 1 (808) 524-KIDS (524-5437) or www.discoverycenterhawaii.org  

U.S.S. Arizona Memorial. 1 Arizona Memorial Place Honolulu, HI 96818. 1(808) 422-0561 or www.nps.gov/usar/ and www.arizonamemorial.org

U.S.S. Bowfin Submarine Memorial Park. Located next to the Arizona Memorial. 1(808) 423-1341 or www.bowfin.org 

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Hawaii: Oahu, Hotels & Resorts with Children’s Programs.  Oahu is an amazing island with plenty of family friendly sleeping options. From upscale mega resorts and grand vacation clubs to condominiums, B&Bs and campgrounds, there is truly something for everyone. For parents looking for organized children’s programs the menu is rich with choices. From surfing lessons to learning about Oahu’s rich cultural history at world-class museums, there are various activities offered that were especially created with kids in mind. With mom and dad around or not, these fun-filled programs will be sure to keep the kids entertained. More

Read about It

A Child's View of Pearl Harbor From Attack to Peace (Kansas City, MO: Woodson House Publishers, 1993). Written by Dorinda Makana Onalini Nicholson, who was a child during the attack, this book presents the war from her viewpoint including trying to escape the bombs, and searching for her dog who was left behind in the initial hurry to flee.

 Content updated from original trip during 2000. Images courtesy of Hawaii Tourism Commission and Oahu Tourist Board.. 10/2005