Oahu Ohana Visit

 We headed to Hawaii to visit my parents for fall break.  We were there October 12-19th.  

Day 1

We got up bright and early and headed to the airport.  We landed in Maui and had to hop another flight to Oahu.

After checking into our hotel, Hilton Hawaiian Village Tapa Tower, we headed to the mall to meet my parents and get some dinner.

Day 2

We drove over to the Polynesian Cultural Center where Grandma and Grandpa serve their mission.  My dad helps support the electrical side of the place and my mom teaches ukulele lessons and mans the store.

Grandma met us at the gate and then Grandpa caught up with us soon after.

Grandma gave us a ukulele lesson and we learned how to play "You Are My Sunshine" and we explored the rest of the center.

We met up for a delicious buffet and then caught a cultural show that evening.

Day 3

We toured the Dole Pineapple Plantation which included a train ride, a self guided tour, and a maze to navigate.  We also ate some yummy lunch there.

The beaches were stunning everywhere you looked.  We also appreciated shaved ice.

Next up was surf lessons for the kids.  Scott and I enjoyed watching them and the fish, plus a cool sea turtle.  

After beach time, we were thrilled with the fireworks show at our hotel.

Day 4

We spent the day at Electric Beach.  This beach is CRAZY and I mean CRAZY with enormous powerful waves that knock you down.  Within 5 minutes I lost my snorkel, goggles, one flipper, and Lincoln lost both flippers, plus we lost our GoPro camera to the furious waves!! We prayed to find our things. Sterling was our hero who found the camera and most everything.  Other good samaritans found the rest of the stuff.  After that surprising start, Lincoln and I played on the beach much of the rest of the time because we were nervous we would lose our things again.  Afterwards, we tried a local restaurant and bakery called Zippy's and finished the night off with malasadas (fried pastries) from Leonard's.

Day 5

After Pearl Harbor, we checked out some amazing lookout points and a military cemetery.

We really had a wonderful time at the Kualoa Ranch. We took a bus tour that showed us where 'Jurrasic Park' was filmed and the 'Lost' series.  Such a cool place!  Then Grandma fixed us dinner at their apartment and we walked around the temple grounds.

Day 6

We played on Waikiki Beach, right outside our hotel.  Next, we drove for some island views. We got a kick out of the lizard licking the flavored macadamia nut.  There were also plenty of wild chickens around.

We met up with Grandma and Grandpa for dinner at Seven Brothers,  then found a beach to watch surfers, and then a second beach to view the sunset. We bid farewell to my parents and went to our hotel to pack.

Day 7

We headed home to the mainland.  We had a wonderful time visiting Oahu.  We were amazed at the available beaches everywhere and they were all free! You just had to find a parking spot.  Our highlight, (at least mine), was the Jurassic Park tour. It was nice to catch up with my parents also. Trips are always fun, but there is no place like home.