Hawaii-bound: Share your advice please!

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Do you have a dream destination in mind? Somewhere that you dream of traveling to?

Mine used to be the Maldives. That was before kids. And now it’s Hawaii.

Hubby and I started dreaming up a trip for next year, because it’s been a dream of ours for a very long time. We were working on budgets, and savings plans, and dates… and then an email popped into my inbox and we were invited on a work trip, and it was happening. Like the Universe picked up on our dreaming and thought it would take care of it all for us. So, later this month we’re lucky enough to be traveling to Hawaii, all four of us.

I can’t wait.

Well, I can wait for the flight part… because I don’t know how I’m going to keep Lulu entertained for 10 whole hours up in the air, but beyond that… good times.

If you’ve been lucky enough to experience Hawaii, please tell me everything we need to see, do and eat. Please. And if you’ve ever traveled with a 1 year old who hates being held and loves exploring, please tell me how to survive that?

I decided that they should invent little sound-proof pods that you can jam your family into {inside the plane} and let them run wild, only to emerge once landed. Wouldn’t that be cool? I think the worrying about annoying everybody else is a big part of the problem.

Share all your advice please! Tell me all the things.

Beautiful image by Jake Givens.

29 thoughts on “Hawaii-bound: Share your advice please!”

  2. I always wrap some gifts for the kids to open on the flight. Crayons, snacks, goo, those party bag fillers – just small things. They pack them in their own carryon and the anticipation builds! When I travelled with an 18mo he spent the flight cleaning the plane with wipes! Hours of fun 😉

  3. Oh how exciting! My sister and her four and two year old are there right now! They have rented a house and hired a car and are doing lots of day trips to the various beaches. The plane trip was not great as the little one vomited most of the way, but beside that they’re having the time of their lives. I will see if I can get onto her today and find out any tips from her. Have a lovely time x

  4. EAT>> garlic shrimp from the food trucks on the north shore.loco moco at Rainbow Drive In, shave ice, an acai bowl malasadas, poke (pronounced po-kay)

  5. I have never been to Hawaii – but it’s on my bucket list! So I’m not much help with Hawaii tips. But we did go to Japan, which is a 10hr flight, with a 4 year old and a 12 month old. And to my surprise the flight wasn’t so bad! Ryder had just learnt to walk – thhose very wobbly, very unstable, learning-to-walk phase and all he wanted to do was practise his walking 🙂 So him and I did MANY MANY laps up and down the plane aisle. Was kinda exhausting for me – but kept him happy and busy and quiet 🙂 Then make sure you have iPads, toys and lots of snacks 🙂
    YAY I’m so excited for you! The universe works in mysterious & wonderful ways sometimes!
    C x

  6. We are going next year as well with the kids so I’m looking forward to hearing some things to do!

    We got married in Hawaii 5 years ago yesterday and were there for 4 weeks so we did everything there was to do but not with kids! One great thing was a movie tour with a place called Kos Tours. They drove us around the whole island for a day showing us all the tv and movie locations but we basically got to see the whole island at once and it was in a hummer with just the two of us so we could stop when we wanted and take extra time at places we liked!

    The sea life park is great for kids as well!

    We stayed at the Hilton Village and it had so much to do that there were days we didn’t need to leave the village and it was still in walking distance to the main part of Waikiki!

    You will love it! There is so much to see and do, or not do if you want to relax! Lots of kids clubs too if you need a rest 🙂

    Oh and I did this for Colby’s first big plane trip and it totally buttered them up so they didn’t care when he was loud and roaming! http://polkadotprintsstudio.blogspot.com.au/2012/04/travel-passenger-gifts.html

  7. Fantastic! We went to Hawaii in April and stayed for 5 days in Waikiki and 5 days at Aulani Disney Resort. We stayed at the Moana Surfrider right on the beach at Waikiki and loved it. Definitely a dinner or lunch at the Cheesecake Factory is needed, a cocktail at Dukes and of course a wander to check out the shops. H&M was fun as we don’t have it in Sydney. Noah was 2 and we were lucky that he was entertained with the ipad and snacks as he didn’t sleep at all! Heres my post I wrote on it x http://honeynfizz.blogspot.com.au/2014/04/our-hawaii-trip-part-1.html

      • Ko Olina has great kid-friendly beaches. I live a few miles away and I would go all the time with my daughter before our 3-month old was born. Monkeypod over there is a good restaurant with locally farmed foods and a great bar. The character breakfast at aulani is good if your kids like Disney (Mickey, Minnie, and goofy only) and the food is good (though pricey). Waimea valley has a good farmers market Thursday afternoon, with a lot of grass for kids to run around and good food to eat. And lots more. If you need any more suggestions, just ask! And have fun!

  8. Excuse the cap locks but… OMG I AM SOOOOO JEALOUS!!! I LOVE HAWAII WITH A MASSIVE CAPITAL L!! I haven’t been since having kids but am chomping at the bit to get back there. Nobu and Taormina (in the heart of Waikiki) are great restaurants in to have a date night at. The Cheesecake Factory is a family favourite. Cheeseburger is Paradise is also an easy family fav. For the diner experience you have to have breakfast at Denny’s at least once. Kona coffee at the front of the Moana Surfrider was good for real coffee and a bagel for breakfast. I noticed that Bills has opened in Hawaii… check out http://www.billshawaii.com and I imagine that is worth a look. The shopping is awesome…esp for cosmetics!! Hitting up the Ala Moana is a no brainer. I’m beside myself excited for you. Phoodie (www.phoodie.com.au) has just come back from a family holiday with her two kids and she is always full of good info. Drop her a line and no doubt she will help out. I also have other friends that used a sitting service whilst over there with their little one with great success, so if you’re interested let me know and I’ll get the details from her. Happy planning. Jx

  9. hi Chantelle, I was in Hawaii in May this year and it was fabulous. Agree with everything said by Jess above and also recommend hiring a car and seeing other parts of Oahu. The colour of the water in Lanakai will take your breath away, and take some snorkelling gear and you and hubby can tag team as my daughter snorkelled there with turtles. Such a beautiful part of the world. Enjoy x

  10. My advice – make the effort to go to Opel Thai. It’s about 30 minutes drive from Honolulu, and very well worth it. When he asks “do you want me to make you some food?” Say yes, and let me “create” a meal for you from the list of things you like.

    Seriously, best Thai I’ve had outside of Thailand, he is excellent.

  11. Aloha Chantelle,

    So so excited for you!

    We’ve been two years in a row with miss 5 and master 3 and it’s become our fave destination. There’s something special about the Aloha way of life. You will LOVE it! Something for everyone.

    Last trip in May, we stayed 7 nights in Waikiki and the last 3 at Aulani Disney resort. Kids loved it! The year before that we did Waikiki and Maui. Amazing!

    I’ve just actually emailed you a list… A little something I prepared earlier for a friend and sharing the Aloha love.

    I’m completely envious and can’t wait to read all about your adventures and see your beautiful photos!

    Shannon
    Xxx

  12. Aloha! We were there 8 years ago on honeymoon. We loved the Cheesecake Factory (but beware of the giant portions!) and cocktails/breakfast/dinner at Duke’s. You can’t really go wrong in Hawaii, it’s all kinds of awesome. My advice is kick back, relax and enjoy! I can’t wait to hear all about it when you get back xx

  13. we were in hawaii earlier this year in March… it was FABULOUS!!!! I think you’ll have a ball and so will the kids as its an amazing place. LOVED cheeseburger and ate there a few nights in a row as it was so good! we stayed at the sheraton on waikiki also amazing! Try going to the Dole Plantation pineapple farm, pineapples to eat, train rides for the kiddies, lots to see and do. all I can say is ENJOY!!!!

  14. How exciting! We travelled to Hawaii with our then 21 mth old a few years ago, night flight out and the little guy slept for 3 hours only. The rest of the time Fireman Sam was playing on the iPad. There will be lots of other families on the flight,so don’t stress out about that. Another vote for cheesecake factory, though go early if you can, the waits can be long. The things i’d recommend, hire a car and drive along the East coast up to the north shore, stop at turtle bay, the surf will be up I think. Have a great time!

  15. Perfect timing for me to read all this information too and I will be hanging on for your post when you return!! I am going in November with hubby and a 13 month old so am wanting as many tips on flying too!! All I can say is ENJOY ENJOY ENJOY – I figure that we are lucky enough to be going on holidays so how bad can the flight be 🙂 🙂

  16. Perfect timing for me to read all this information too and I will be hanging on for your post when you return!! I am going in November with hubby and a 13 month old so am wanting as many tips on flying too!! All I can say is ENJOY ENJOY ENJOY – I figure that we are lucky enough to be going on holidays so how bad can the flight be 🙂 🙂 haha, I am sure I won’t say that if the flight is a nightmare!!

  17. I can’t really remember names of places to recommend but what I can say is be prepared for some of the best shopping in the whole of the US! The Ala Moana Centre in Waikiki is some of the best exercise a credit card can get.

  19. I have been there more times than I can count. My daughter lived there for a few years. I have two favorite spots in Waikiki. The Royal Hawaiian Hotel for a taste of old Hawaii (order their famed Pink Palace and a Pupu Platter out on the Mai Tai Lounge). Another fabulous place is at the Room Without a Key at the Halekalani Hotel. They have lovely local musicians and dancers at sunset. For good history you cannot beat the Polynesian Cultural Center, good for the kids too. It’s an all day cultural immersion. Whatever you do, you will have a wonderful time. It is a wonderful place to visit.

  22. I’d go anywhere like Maldives, Seychelles, Hawaii, Thailand etc. Only ever ever been to European countries except for new York. But with soon 2 children I might have to wait until I’m retired

  23. Argh! Very jealous!
    We travelled to the UK when our daughter was 13 months old. The best things we found to entertain her were stickers, a magnetic scene board & books. Oh & lots of snacks. Good luck, I’m sure it will be amaze balls!

  24. Chantelle, one question… do you like to shop? Ha! The shopping in Hawaii is out of this world. Please please go to the Waikele Premium Outlets. It’s a short-ish drive from Waikiki and you will come home with suitcases full of stuff for the girls (and hopefully yourself). There’s also the Ala Moana shopping centre in Waikiki which is brilliant. Make sure you catch a Trolley there. Ding ding!

    As for travelling with a one year old? Umm…. good luck…..

  25. Oh yay, no advice for Hawaii, that is very high on our to do list.

    We travelled to Europe when Sadie was 2 and 1/2, to say I was stressed about how I would keep her occupied in a confined space for over 20 hours was an understatement, add a 6 hour flight delay and I was almost on the edge. She was totally sweet, I had packed a huge array of things to entertain her and in the lead up brought lots of little things (mini lala-loopsy’s and plastic animals) for her to play with, but the one thing she got the biggest kick out of was the blue-tak I had packed in there to keep things in place.
    She’s a little weirdo but hey what ever floats your boat!!!!

    The only other tip I can share is SNACKS SNACKS SNACKS!!!!!

    Enjoy xx

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