Hawaii Vacation Blog

Heads up, parents! Visiting Hawaii with small children can be a magical and fun-filled experience, but (in my experience anyway), little ones can take only so much sun and outdoor frolicking before they tire-out. So, lots of smart parents sprinkle a bit of indoor fun throughout their Hawaii vacation. Which inspires me to write about a […]

I’ve always had what I like to call a “healthy” fear of heights — I don’t experience full-blown panic attacks when faced with a cliff, tall building, or extension ladder. On the other hand, I don’t willingly participate in extreme sports like bungee jumping, cliff diving, or skydiving (although I wholeheartedly admire those who do). However, […]

If you have asthma or any type of respiratory condition, you may have been postponing your trip to Hawaii because of the infamous “vog.” Vog in Hawaii is “volcano fog,” air pollution that results when sulfur dioxide and other gases and particles emitted by an erupting volcano react with oxygen and moisture in the presence […]

When you announced you’re coming to Hawaii, did you get the “evil-eye” from jealous loved-ones left behind? It’s not that uncommon! After all, you’re getting the vacation of a lifetime, and that can make others green with envy! But, we have a way to mend the fences when you return: Bring your left-behind loved-ones some […]

If you plan on being in the islands on August 19th, you may notice something: State government offices will be closed, as well as schools and the major universities (or maybe you WON’T notice, which is OK too!). What’s all the fuss about? It’s actually Statehood Day in Hawaii, (known as Admissions Day until 2001), […]

As some of you may know, I’m the proud Mom of three children who are still young enough to dine off the kids menu at most restaurants. But, what’s REALLY great is finding restaurants where my kids eat FREE! If you’re a budget-conscious traveler (or just like to save a buck), you probably appreciate a […]

If you’re planning a trip to Maui, seeing the Haleakala sunrise might top your must-do list. Here, day breaks at 10,000 feet above sea level, casting golden hues across layers of endless clouds. Then, as the clouds clear and the skies turn blue, you get to enjoy one of the most magnificent places in Hawaii.  […]

The other day, I was with my family at the tide pools near Sandy Beach during a particularly rough afternoon, only to notice a couple determined to jump-off the rocks into the frothing water below. Frankly, I couldn’t believe my eyes. So much so, that I began to yell at them, “DON’T JUMP!” Long story […]

Hawaii has some of the most beautiful beaches in the world, but what is the best beach in Hawaii?  Everyone has different things they look for in a favorite beach. After all, big-wave surfers probably won’t be searching for the same spots as families with small children. But still, Hawaii has several crowdpleasers – places […]

When someone is looking for a spacious, family-friendly beach on Kauai, we always send them straight to Salt Pond Beach. This sunny spot has a little something for everyone, including great swimming, amazing scenery, and a fun atmosphere.  Let’s head out to Salt Pond Beach and discover why it’s one of our favorite places on […]

Did you know that Russia had a vested interest in acquiring Hawaii in the early 19th century? In fact, there are more than a few folks today who will say that Russia almost “took” Hawaii before America eventually claimed the islands as a U.S. Territory. Need proof? Just go to Kauai. In , you’ll find an […]

Discover the beauty of Hawaiian tide pools – but only when the ocean is calm and conditions are perfect! Used to be, I thought we only had two options when it came to swimming in Hawaii: Head to the pool or head to the beach. Not so! There’s actually an in-between option: Hawaii’s magical tide […]