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Showing posts from May, 2017

O'ahu Exploration: Moleka Trail

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This week's Tuesday Trail took us to Mount Tantalus.  Hidden at the top of this mountain in Honolulu are a multitude of little trails to choose from.  Previously we hiked Ualaka'a and Pu'u Ohia and enjoyed the shade and views those trails provided.  Moleka Trail is a two mile trail that is an offshoot of the popular Makiki Valley Trail.  There are two ways to start this trail.  We entered the trail off of Round Top Drive where a small parking area exists for hikers for either the Moleka Trail or the Manoa Cliffs Trail (hoping to check that one out soon).   Moleka Trail was the perfect family friendly trail.  It isn't too strenuous or long so small children and beginning hikers will find it pleasant to walk along.  Bring your bug repellent and some water as the muggy air attracts mosquitos and makes you sweat profusely.  There are a few uphill climbs but they are very brief and stairs have been built into the muddy ground to assist in the climb.  The weat

Kaua'i Exploration Part 2: North Shore

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It's been a little over a week since we have returned from our weekend getaway to Kaua'i, and I'm still thinking about it.  The lack of freeways and traffic.  The increase in charm and coffee shops.  The  beaches, the mountains, the breeze---Kaua'i had a personality all her own. Our first excursion included the lovely Kilauea Lighthouse.  It was just the beginning of our fun filled day.  After our history lesson, tour, and lunch in Kilauea, we drove on to beaches, hiking, and caves. In order to fulfill everyone's wishlist, we started making our way to Anini Beach for snorkeling...only to discover that it was cloudy and raining. So we kept on driving.  And we drove all the way to the end of the road.  It ended up being the perfect change of plans.  We parked at Ke'e Beach (a place we had been before with good friends years ago).  Snorkel equipment, towels, snacks, and water in tow, we made it (looking suspiciously like tourists) down to a shaded and

Wahiawa Exploration: Fishing at Ali'i Agriculture Farms

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Gone Fishin'! We took a hiking reprieve this weekend and found ourselves at the fishing farm!  Perfect weather. Check. Three boys as my companions. Check. Grubby clothes. Check.  We headed towards the Northshore and turned off of Kamehameha Hwy onto Whitmore Avenue in Wahiawa, where you immediately see a gravelly red dirt road off to your right.  That's the spot! To plan your visit, you'll need to know the following things: Open Daily: 10:00 a.m. til 5:30 p.m. (we arrived on Hawaiian time...a bit after 10:00 a.m. and had to call a number for the owner/manager to arrive with the bamboo fishing poles, bait and to pay). Free Parking Refreshments:  Chips, drinks, and spam musubis are available for purchase should your tummy start to rumble while you are fishing. Fishing: You can fish two ways: catch and release or catch and keep.  We decided to go with the catch and release system, but our fishing neighbors had a bucket (provided by Ali'i) that they were st

Kaua'i Exploration: Kilauea Lighthouse

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O'ahu is beautiful.  But Kaua'i, it is majestic . We experienced some of that majesty over Mother's Day weekend.  Moms, next time you are asked what you would like for Mother's Day...let me suggest a holo holo excursion...to the Garden Isle: Kaua'i. Although our mini vacation to Kaua'i was under the guise of a "special treat for mom"...we tried to be diplomatic and give everyone in the family two picks of things they wanted to do.  My thirteen year old chose snorkeling at Anini Beach and eating pizza at Kilauea Bakery.  My five year old chose exploring Waimea Canyon and eating at Porky's Food Truck.  I chose sight seeing at Kilauea Lighthouse and eating Mexican food at Verde.  My husband apparently gave up his choices...and was our chauffeur. Despite a delayed flight into Lihu'e Airport, we arrived at our destination in Kapa'a in time to unpack, explore the grounds, and walk along the paved beachwalk right around sunset.  And c