Oahu Mom

Curious George at the Children's Discovery Center

noreply@blogger.com (Oahu Mom) — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 08:13:00 +0000

I finally made it to the Children's Discovery Center to see the visiting Curious George exhibit. If you haven't seen it yet, hurry over for a visit before Valentine's Day when the exhibit will travel to another museum.

My kids are fans of the original Curious George books and I enjoyed seeing many of the scenes from the books portrayed in the exhibit. Curious George and a rocket, Curious George washing windows, the market where he shopped with his friend, etc.

As would be expected in a children's museum exhibit there are lots of hands-on opportunities for kids. They can play mini golf, use fans to blow various windmills, "shop" and "work" at the market and use pulleys to help George get up the side of a building. A big hit with our school field trip group was the conveyor belt. It was fun to see the kids working together as a team to load the belt, crank the wheel to get the blocks up, and catch them as they came down the other side.

There are also educational aspects to the exhibit including a number of hands-on experiments with light, shadows and color.

I almost missed the part of the exhibit that is in the museum's lobby. It's a section that tells more about the creators of Curious George and their personal and literary history and I learned a few things.

All in all, a fun little exhibit. Too bad it won't be around forever but go see it while you can!

Do it yourself on Oahu

Location: Hawaii Children's Discovery Center, 111 Ohe Street, Honolulu, Hawaii 96813

Hours: The museum is open Tues.-Fri. from 9am to 1pm and Sat.-Sun. 10am to 3pm; Closed Mondays

Cost: General Admission $10, Kama'aina & Military with valid ID $8, Senior Citizens (62+ with ID) $6, Children under 1 are free.

Parking: Free parking in the adjacent Kaka'ako Waterfront Park parking lot.

Facilities: Restrooms and drinking fountain available in the lobby. Elevators available.

Other: Strollers are not allowed.

More info: For more information on the rest of the museum, check out my post on the Children's Discovery Center.

Contact the Discovery Center: 808-524-5437

Scenic Sunday: Sunset on the North Shore

noreply@blogger.com (Oahu Mom) — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 07:50:00 +0000

Scenic Sunday...because I never get over the beauty of these islands.

January 28 & 29, 2012: Weekend Events

noreply@blogger.com (Oahu Mom) — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 08:54:00 +0000

In addition to the Pro Bowl, there is a lot going on this weekend. You can get free admission to the USS Missouri, watch a puppet show, attend a giant bounce house event, tour a traditional fish pond, listen to a concert or two and have another chance to watch a lion dance. These details for all of these events are listed on the Weekend Events Page which I just updated.

I hope you have a wonderful weekend!

2012 Great Aloha Run & Keiki Run

noreply@blogger.com (Oahu Mom) — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 00:07:00 +0000

My husband and son just decided to do the Great Aloha Run this year, the annual event that begins at the Aloha Tower and ends at Aloha Stadium. Some readers may remember they did the Great Aloha Run a couple years ago and our son only walked about .5 miles of the 8 mile course and my husband carried him the other 7.5 miles. At first my husband was excited to make it a yearly tradition but then changed his mind and decided to wait. This is the year to try it again. Our son just ran/walked 8.25 miles for his school's two hour jog-a-thon so we know that if he's motivated he can do it. Here's hoping for motivation on race day!

Me? I'll be home when the race begins. Our girl is not a happy camper early in the morning, not a happy camper when she has to be in a stroller against her will and not a happy camper when she has to walk against her will. Eight miles with an unhappy camper just doesn't sound fun so I'm going to sacrifice and sleep in, I mean stay home, with her.

This is a very family friendly race and you'll be in good company if you are there with a stroller. If you want to give it a try this year, January 27 (that's this coming Friday) is the last day for regular entries to the Great Aloha Run to be postmarked. After that you must register in person and the price increases significantly.

In addition to the race on President's Day there will also be a special 1.5 mile Keiki Run on Saturday, February 18. Registration for that is online through January 31.

Here are some links for more information and to register:
Kaiser Permanente's Great Aloha Run
Hawaii 5210, Let's Go Keiki Run

Scenic Sunday: Plumeria

noreply@blogger.com (Oahu Mom) — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 01:57:00 +0000

Scenic Sunday...because I never get over the beauty of these islands.

One of the many varieties of plumeria flowers at the Urban Garden Center.

January 21 & 22, 2012: Weekend Events

noreply@blogger.com (Oahu Mom) — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 02:26:00 +0000

If you are hoping to see a lion dance, chance are you won't have to drive very far to see one this weekend since a number of malls are hosting their Chinese New Year Celebrations this weekend. You can also watch a hula performance, join a guided tour of the great outdoors, or get into the Bishop Museum for free (if you're kama'aina or military). The details for these and other events are on the Weekend Events Page which I just finished updating for this weekend.

Have another event to share? Feel free to leave a comment on this post with a link or the basic info.

Have a great weekend!

Lyon Arboretum

noreply@blogger.com (Oahu Mom) — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 08:42:00 +0000

Lyon Arboretum is a botanical garden that is owned and operated by the University of Hawaii. It is used for research and community education and is open to the public! It's location in a tropical rainforest in the back of Manoa Valley is a gorgeous spot.

When you sign in at the visitor's center you can get a map of the place which I would recommend. I found the map a little hard to read and match with the trails themselves but we would have been even more lost without any map at all.

My friends and I began by exploring the trails located near the visitor's center. My son loved practicing his new reading skills by reading the labels on the trees and plants, my daughter loved carrying our map and all the kids had fun walking on the trails.

Near the visitor's center there are several small gardens you can visit, a traditional Hawaiian hale (pictured here, it has since been completed), and a nice gazebo and adjacent little pond.

We fueled the kids up with a picnic lunch, stopped at the restrooms and then we were off for a grander adventure. We explored a number of the side and loop trails shown on the map and the kids had fun leading the way as we hiked.

It was great to see and hear their excitement over birds, flowers and other treasures discovered along the way.

There is a trail that leads to a small waterfall in the back of the valley and we spent some time on this trail but didn't go all the way to the waterfall. Something to explore the next time we visit this beautiful spot!

Do it yourself on Oahu
Location: 3860 Manoa Road, Honolulu, HI 96822
Directions: Here's a link to directions and a map.
Hours: Mon-Fri from 8am to 4pm; Sat from 9am to 3pm; Closed holidays
Cost: The arboretum is technically free, but there is a suggested donation that I believe was $5 per person. I think I decided kids were half-price and donated $10 for the three of us but I can't remember exactly.
Parking: There is a parking lot adjacent to the visitor's center. If it's full, wait a bit and hopefully a spot will open up.
Facilities: There are restrooms next to the visitor's center. There is also a covered pavilion nearby with benches - a nice spot to have a picnic. Oh, and there's a small gift shop inside the visitor's center.
Other: All visitors must sign in at the visitor's center. • I'd recommend you take bug spray no matter what time of year you go. Even in the summer Manoa valley can get a lot of rain, making it a nice place for mosquitos. • You could probably take a jogger stroller on some of the paths here but I think a backpack carrier would be a better choice for little adventurers.
More info: 808-988-0456

Scenic Sunday: Birdseye View

noreply@blogger.com (Oahu Mom) — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 05:53:00 +0000

Scenic Sunday...because I never get over the beauty of these islands.

The view from the top of the Makapu'u Lighthouse Trail

January 14, 15 & 16, 2012: Weekend Events

noreply@blogger.com (Oahu Mom) — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 02:04:00 +0000

It's a long weekend and I have included events for Monday on this week's Weekend Events Page. There is lots to do with a number of activities in Chinatown to celebrate Chinese New Year, a couple of events honoring the legacy of Martin Luther King, Jr., free family Sunday at the Honolulu Academy of Arts and events and activities at several of the malls. All the details for these and other events are on the Weekend Events Page.

As always, if I left something off that you know about, please feel free to share it with others in the comments here. And if you see that there are comments, check them out because there's probably good information there.

Have a safe and enjoyable weekend!

Kawainui Marsh Trail

noreply@blogger.com (Oahu Mom) — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 00:51:00 +0000

The Kawainui Marsh lies behind Kailua. A levy separates the marsh and Kailua and there is a path and sidewalk running the length of the levy. It's a nice place for a relaxing stroll with a beautiful view of the Ko'olau Mountains and a chance to see a variety of Hawaiian birds and ducks. The paved sidewalk is great for strollers, scooters, and beginning bicyclists so this is also a great place to get some exercise with kids in tow.

We've been taking our kids and their bikes and running/walking along with them. When I'm paired with my daughter I'm either trying to keep up with her or stopped trying to persuade her to keep going, but as she improves I'll be able to keep up a more steady pace.

There is no shade along this trail and it can get pretty hot in the middle of the day. We prefer to go in the morning or late afternoon. This is a pretty popular trail, especially during those times of day, and you might see a friend or two along the way.

Do it yourself on Oahu
Location: This trail can be accessed from either end. The access point to the Kaneohe side of the trail is at the mauka (mountain) end of Kaha Street (off of Oneawa St.). The access point for the other end is off of Kailua Road shortly after you leave Kailua town heading towards Castle Hospital.
Hours: There aren't hours for the trail, but the park and its parking lot at the end of Kaha Street are closed from 7pm to 7am.
Parking: There is parking at both ends of the path. There is a parking lot in the park at Kaha street and a pull-out to park in off of Kailua Road.
Facilities: There are porta-potties in the park at the end of Kaha road. There are no facilities along the trail.

Scenic Sunday: Croton Leaves

noreply@blogger.com (Oahu Mom) — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 08:39:00 +0000

Scenic Sunday...because I never get over the beauty of these islands.

I love all the different colors on this croton bush.

Lanikai Pillbox Hike

noreply@blogger.com (Oahu Mom) — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 19:26:00 +0000

My holidays were filled with lots of eating and now I'm feeling the need to get out and get active. Anyone else feeling the same?

The Lanikai Pillbox Hike, also known as the Kaiwa Ridge Trail, is a great place to get some exercise and enjoy some amazing views. It's a steady uphill climb and will give you a good workout, especially if you are trying to keep up with your 6 year old like I was.

The first part of the trail is the steepest and the rocks and dirt are loose, but after a bit the trail gets easier and the beautiful views begin.

This is a popular trail with people of all ages. It's not without it's dangerous spots and has some high drop offs and slippery areas (we came across a lady who had slipped and was waiting for a rescue by the fire department), but with a little bit of caution it can be a safe and fun adventure for the whole family. A few pictures can describe it better than I can so here's an example of a steep drop-off in front of the hikers pictured:

And here's what it looked like hiking that section. There's plenty of space to keep away from the edge of the drop-off. Our 6 year old hiked the whole trail on his own and our 3 year old hiked most of it with my husband behind her holding both of her hands for support.

At the top of the trail are two pillboxes that make a great place for panoramic photos and/or a snack. You can climb in the pillboxes and sit on top of them. The last time we hiked this we went to both pillboxes and I think our entire adventure last about two hours which includes all the time we spent hanging out at each pillbox. I've read that you can take the trail past the second pillbox and it will take you down the other end of the ridge and then you can walk back to your car on the neighborhood streets but I haven't done that.

I'll end this post as I began, by saying this is a great little hike if you want to get some exercise and see some amazing scenery.

Do it yourself on Oahu

Location: The Lanikai Pillboxes are on Kaiwa Ridge which is behind the community of Lanikai.

Directions: From Kailua, head southeast past Kailua Beach Park and the boat ramp. Stay along the coast and head into Lanikai. At the Y, stay to the right on Aalapapa Drive. Then take a right on Kaelepulu Drive. Find street parking here and then walk up the street. Just before the road enters a gated community you'll see a road that goes off to the left. Take this road to the trailhead which is off the right side of this unnamed road.

Parking: Street parking along Kaelepulu Drive.

Facilities: No restrooms or other facilities here.

Other: As mentioned in the post, this trail is steep and has drop-offs in some locations. Use caution and you'll have a fun and safe adventure. I'd recommend taking water and wearing sunscreen. If your kids are like mine, taking snacks will help you have happy hikers.

Cost: Free

January 7 & 8, 2012: Weekend Events

noreply@blogger.com (Oahu Mom) — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 23:46:00 +0000

If you thought the holidays were over, guess again. The Christmas train at Pearlridge Mall is operating through this weekend and the Japanese Cultural Center is hosting a New Year's event. You can also celebrate The Three Kings Day with the Puerto Rican Association of Hawaii. Last but not least, there will also be a Lion Dance at Kailua Public Library. The details for these events are all on the Weekend Events Page.

If you know of events I missed, please feel free to share them with others in the comments to this post or on my Facebook page.

Have a great weekend!

Dec. 31, 2011 & Jan. 1, 2012: Weekend Events

noreply@blogger.com (Oahu Mom) — Fri, 30 Dec 2011 04:58:00 +0000

Remember when this was a blog and not just a series of weekend events posts? After the holidays are all over I plan to get back to the blogging, so please keep stopping by.

But in the meantime, I did update the Weekend Events Page for this weekend. It's a pretty short list so if you know of other things I have missed please share them here.

Have a safe and happy new year!

Christmas Weekend Events: December 24 & 24, 2011

noreply@blogger.com (Oahu Mom) — Fri, 23 Dec 2011 00:37:00 +0000

I just updated the Weekend Events Page for this coming weekend. With Christmas Eve on Saturday and Christmas Day on Sunday there is not a lot happening, but I did find a few things. Besides the events that are listed you may want to listen to Christmas music and drive around looking at Christmas lights, go to a special church service or head to Waikiki and see the hotels decorated for the holidays. Whatever you decide to do I hope you have a very Merry Christmas filled with love, peace and joy.

December 10 & 11, 2011: Weekend Events

noreply@blogger.com (Oahu Mom) — Fri, 09 Dec 2011 08:50:00 +0000

There are so many choices of fun things to do with the family this weekend! There are Christmas concerts, holiday parades, lot of opportunities to see Santa, a chance to play in snow, a puppet show, a magic show and more! Some of the events on the weekend page are duplicates from the Christmas events page, but a number of them are unique to this new list so be sure to look through the whole Weekend Events Page so you don't miss anything.

Speaking of missing things, I'm sure there are events happening that I didn't include on the list and if you know of one please share it with others in the comments.

Enjoy this crazy, busy, stressful but also wonderful time of the year!

Christmas Events Page

noreply@blogger.com (Oahu Mom) — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 00:37:00 +0000

My Christmas Events Page is FINALLY done! If you're looking for family friendly events and activities to celebrate the Holiday Season, head on over to the page and check it out.

Ongoing events are listed first, followed by scheduled events listed chronologically and parades are listed at the end. I know I didn't get everything on the list so feel free to share other events as a comment on this post or on the Facebook page. Also check the Weekend Events Page each week because additional events will be listed there.

Hope your holidays are off to a good start!

December 3 & 4, 2011: Weekend Events

noreply@blogger.com (Oahu Mom) — Fri, 02 Dec 2011 01:58:00 +0000

There are lots of parades (Kaneohe, Mililani, Honolulu) and other fun things happening on island this weekend, including the opening events for the Honolulu City Lights displays. I've compiled a list of many of them on the Weekend Events page. I'm sure there are others I've missed and I'd welcome you adding anything you know of as a comment to this post on our the Oahu Mom facebook page.

I'm working on a Christmas Events page too. I'd hoped to have it ready today but it's not quite done. Keep checking for that and hopefully it will be up in a few days.

Have a great weekend!

Honolulu City Lights Electric Parade

noreply@blogger.com (Oahu Mom) — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 07:26:00 +0000

Sorry for the lack of activity on my blog lately. I've been spending every spare moment working on photo books of the year for my kids for Christmas and pretty much everything else in my life has been neglected. I completed and purchased the books today and now I'm trying to get back into the swing of things.

I plan to update the Weekend Events page sometime tomorrow (Thursday). In the meantime, I'm reposting what I wrote about the Honolulu City Lights electric parade last year. It's a fun parade with lots of bands, floats, and city vehicles covered in lights. For my family it's a "not to be missed" holiday event and the 2011 version of the parade is happening this Saturday night.

Reposted from December 2010

The Honolulu City Lights electric light parade has become an annual tradition for our family and we enjoyed it again this year. It's always on a Saturday night, probably the first one in December but I'd have to check my calendars from previous years to be sure. Lots of people go early and enjoy the rides and activities around Honolulu Hale but we prefer to watch the parade as it comes through Chinatown. It's less crowded there and getting in and out and finding parking is pretty easy.

Our kids enjoyed dancing along to the Christmas music as various bands marched by and they loved getting candy that was passed out by parade participants. Our son remembered this from last year and asked that we take a bag to put his stash in. During the parade he decided the candy bag should sit back next to me rather than by him, so the people passing out the candy would think he didn't have any and would be sure to give him some. As soon as he'd get a piece of candy he'd turn around and toss it to me for safe-keeping in his bag. Our daughter's technique was to eat as much candy during the parade as she could and she may or may not have eaten candy stolen from the big kids she was sitting with in addition to her own.

There were some nice floats in the parade but my favorites were the utility vehicles bedecked in lights. Have you ever seen such a nice looking dump truck?

And look at this fancy sewer pumping truck.

I didn't get a picture of the Handi-Van that was tripped out to look like a low-rider, complete with a spoiler on the back, but it was one of my other favorites.

This parade is happening this Saturday, December 3, 2011 starting at 6pm in downtown Honolulu. More details to come on the Weekend Events page.

Scenic Sunday: Sunset Over the Ko'olaus

noreply@blogger.com (Oahu Mom) — Mon, 28 Nov 2011 02:35:00 +0000

Scenic Sunday...because I never get over the beauty of these islands.

Sunset over the Ko'olaus reflected in the Kawai'nui Marsh

Happy Thanksgiving!

noreply@blogger.com (Oahu Mom) — Thu, 24 Nov 2011 08:08:00 +0000

Happy Turkey Day!

I am thankful for many things this year including each of you who visit this little corner of the internet and read my blog. Thank you for your emails, your comments and your contributions to this space.

I hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

Swap Meet at the Aloha Stadium

noreply@blogger.com (Oahu Mom) — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 00:00:00 +0000

Have you started Christmas shopping? It's not quite Thanksgiving and usually I take one holiday at a time but this year I decided to get as much shopping out of the way in November as possible.

I always do some Christmas shopping at the Aloha Stadium. I once overhead a vendor say people who live here go to the stadium when they have visitors from off-island and at Christmastime and I know that's true for me.

The term 'swap meet' makes me think of a community garage sale, but the vast majority of the items at this one are new. There are a lot of different types of things available at the stadium swap meet and over the years I feel like I've bought at least one of every type of item they have.

This is the perfect place to shop to buy Hawaiiana type things for friends off-island and prices are better than in Waikiki. But don't think it's only tourist stuff for sale here because there's a lot more to buy than that. Items for sale include: Hawaii t-shirts, aloha wear, sunglasses, board shorts, hats, prints of photos and paintings, beach towels, luggage, bags of all sizes and styles, baskets, handicraft items, quilts, cheap plastic toys (my kids always want to spend their money on these), musical instruments, jewelry, hair accessories, and the list goes on.

For those of you who are more visual, here's a list in picture form:

And one last picture, the aloha wear outfits I got at the swap meet for my kids to wear for Christmas last year.

The vendors are positioned in a circle around the stadium so you get a bit of exercise while you shop. I always take a stroller and I use it for keeping my wandering daughter with me and for giving my son a ride when he gets tired of walking.

Speaking of kids, mine usually enjoy going to the swap meet. It's a great place for them to spend their pocket money because a lot of things are available in their price range. My son has bought toys, necklaces, wooden bookmarks and a bunch of other things there. When they get tired I can motivate them to keep going with the promise of fresh sliced fruit or shave ice which are both available there.

Happy shopping! Some of the vendors will bargain with you, so happy bargaining too!

Do it yourself on Oahu

Location: Aloha Stadium, 99-500 Sale Lake Blvd, Honolulu, HI 96818

Hours: Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays from 8am to 3pm (They usually have extended days and/or hours during the holidays but I'm not finding those anywhere right now.)

Cost: $1 admission for ages 11 and older

Parking: After you come in the entrance there is a parking lot immediately to the left, there is parking all around the perimeter of the stadium, and there is a big parking lot near the front side of the stadium.

Facilities: There are restrooms at a couple locations around the stadium.

Other: Although there is some food for sale there I always take snacks for my kids. I would also recommend taking water bottles and an umbrella and wearing a hat and/or sunscreen, especially in the summer when it gets really hot there.

More info: Official webpage for the Aloha Stadium Swap Meet and Marketplace

Scenic Sunday: Lanikai Beach

noreply@blogger.com (Oahu Mom) — Mon, 21 Nov 2011 09:16:00 +0000

Scenic Sunday...because I never get over the beauty of these islands.

A birds-eye view of Lanikai Beach

November 18 & 20, 2011: Weekend Events

noreply@blogger.com (Oahu Mom) — Fri, 18 Nov 2011 00:35:00 +0000

If you are ready to start planning your weekend, check out the Weekend Events page which I just updated. Lots of family fun to be had here on Oahu! It's a Bank of Hawaii free family Sunday at the Honolulu Academy of Arts, you can get lots of good food at Taste of Kalihi and Santa is coming to Windward Mall. Seems he's about one weekend too early, but I'm listening to Christmas music as I type so I guess I'm in no position to judge. :)

As always, if I missed something please feel free to share it with others in the comments to this post or on the Facebook page. I appreciate it when you add events and I'm sure your fellow readers do too.

I hope you enjoy your weekend!

Puka Dog

noreply@blogger.com (Oahu Mom) — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 19:11:00 +0000

Puka Dog is a fun little place to eat a hot dog in Waikiki. They have a couple twists on the traditional hot dog that make for a fun and tasty experience.

When it comes to the bread, instead of regular hot dog buns they use a bigger bun that they make a hole (called a 'puka' in Hawaiian) through the middle of the bread and put the hot dog in this hole. They have two choices of hot dogs - polish sausage or veggie.

The second twist on the traditional hot dog are their relishes. They have a secret garlic lemon sauce they offer in various levels of spicy and a number of tropical relishes as well. I wasn't sure about putting Mango Relish or Coconut Relish in my hot dog but at the urging of friends who'd eaten there I gave it a try and definitely enjoyed it!

For the less adventurous, like my kids, they also offer regular old ketchup, mustard and pickle relish. Last time I was there I noticed they also have a children's size hot dog but it's not on the main menu and so I hadn't noticed it when we ordered. Too bad because the regular puka dogs are too big for my kids to finish. Next time we'll try the keiki option!

Last but not least, their fresh squeezed lemonade is delicious!

Do it yourself on Oahu
Location: In the Waikiki Town Center at 2301 Kuhio Avenue #2, Honolulu, Hawaii 96815. I think of them as being located at the back side of the International Marketplace and you can get there by walking through the International Marketplace to Kuhio Ave.
Hours: Mon-Thurs, 10am to 10pm; Fri-Sat, 10am to 11:30pm
Parking: They don't have their own parking so you have to find a parking garage or street parking. You could also park on one end or the other of Waikiki where parking costs less and get in some exercise walking to and from Puka Dog.
Facilities: There are restrooms located upstairs that are shared by businesses in the area. They have a few tables in front of the restaurant. They can fill up when it gets busy but we've gotten lucky and always gotten a place to sit.
More info: 808-924-7887