Fab Family Trip to Oahu and Kauai

Pearl Harbor National Memorial—go early! I reserved our spot 30 days ahead on recreation.gov. Plan for at least 4 hours to see everything. We spent 90 minutes at the memorial, visited the museum, took the Navy boat shuttle, and boarded the USS Arizona Memorial—a powerful experience I highly recommend. Afterward, we shopped in Honolulu before flying to Kauai, arriving at our Hanalei Bay Resort condo after dark via convertible jeep...gorgeous.

Waking up in Kauai was unreal. The view from our condo was stellar!!! We loved this condo resort!!!! Gorgeous pools and grounds.

We had coffee with a big view of Hanalei Bay and the Nepali Coastline. After a quick rice bowl from Hanalei’s food trucks, we drove north to explore beaches near Ha'ena State Park. Parking now requires a reservation or a shuttle ride. After getting the lay of the land, we spent the afternoon boogie-boarding at our family favorite—Hanalei Bay Beach. We wrapped up the day with dinner at Happy Talk, the resort’s restaurant, which features live entertainment every night. Soo fun.

After another gorgeous sunrise, we walked to Puu Poa Beach and the newly remodeled Hanalei 1 Hotel for a delicious breakfast. A pre-meal workout up the steep hotel stairs made it even better! The fresh guava juice was a highlight, and the hotel’s stunning, eco-conscious design impressed us—it’s pure luxury. Afterward, we rented $5 boogie boards and spent a perfect day at Hanalei Bay Beach. Dinner at Dolphin Sushi in Hanalei—OMG, GO!

We woke early, hoping for Holy Grail Doughnuts—only to find they’re closed on Mondays and Tuesdays! Instead, we grabbed a bag of Hostess doughnuts and headed to the shuttle for the Kalalau Trail. Be sure to reserve space at least a month in advance at https://gohaena.com. We parked at the Waipa Park a nd Ride lot. It was super easy.

The 6-hour hike to Hanakapi'ai Falls was moderate to difficult but absolutely worth it—the waterfall was breathtaking, and swimming beneath it was unforgettable. Hiking sandals are perfect for the wet and sometimes muddy trail. There are also stream crossings.

That evening, we grilled by the tennis courts (Dad played chef and ref) and enjoyed sunset cocktails at our condo—the perfect end to an incredible day.

Our final day in Hanalei--we decided to mill around Hanalei again and find the perfect beach spot. I went on a quest for the ideal bikini (I found a pretty good one, great bikini boutiques!) while everyone chilled at the beach. When I returned, it was raining, and the kids were playing in the ocean. Because our excellent condo had every supply we needed, we could hide comfortably under the umbrellas they provided! Dinner: Ama Restaurant in Hanalei, all locally sourced--delicious ramen, steamed buns, and unique cocktails in the most beautiful setting!

A rainy morning led us to Poipu, with a cozy breakfast stop in Kapa'a at Olympic Cafe. Arriving at the Grand Hyatt—so different from the north shore!—brought back honeymoon memories from 20 years ago. Our kids, used to condos, were fascinated by the resort experience (and the shops!). We loved the reusable water bottles—still using them! After complimentary cocktails and snacks while we waited for our room to be ready. Dinner was in the hotel, Stevenson’s Library—great sushi, views, and service.

After an incredible daily breakfast at Ilima Terrace, we chartered a boat with NaPali Experience—and it was unforgettable! Our captain, JD, a Kauai native, expertly navigated the rough waters, even surfing huge waves until we reached the calmer Na Pali coast. Exploring sea caves was one of our most amazing experiences ever. We had an wonderful experience at dinner at Tidepools..the most upscale restaurant at the property. Exceptional experience!!!

The last day of vacation was a mix of sun and clouds—perfect for experiencing the Kauai Humane Society program. We first spotted it on our way to the Hyatt and read about it in the super helpful "Ultimate Kauai Guidebook." The resort also promoted it and other ways to give back on the island. I'm a fan of programs like this. This one is particularly special as they adopt many dogs to families stateside, the only way they can make room for more dogs and remain kill-free.

We spent the day with the sweetest Johnny-O, an older lab mix who was thrilled for a Jeep ride and to tag along with us. We wrapped up our time with a walk on the beach before heading to the resort’s top-rated pool, where we enjoyed hours on the waterslides and lazy river. For our final dinner, we ate at Keoki’s Paradise—great atmosphere and service!

When we got home, we called about Johnny-O and found out he had been adopted by a family from Chicago! 😊