Aloha Reader! I need to talk about Maui for a second. It's an incredible island. Truly magical. But I see families make the same planning mistakes again and again, and it breaks my heart because these are SO easy to avoid. Mistake #1: Not staying long enough Maui is deceptively big. The drive from one side to the other takes longer than you think, and there's just SO much to see. How many days on Maui do you need? → This guide breaks down exactly how long to plan based on what you want to do....
7 days ago • 1 min read
Aloha Reader! Someone asked me yesterday: "If you could only take your kids to ONE Hawaiian island for the rest of your life, which would it be?" Oof. That's like asking which kid is your favorite. But here's what I told her: it depends entirely on what kind of vacation recharges YOU. Oahu or Kauai - which is best for kids? → I wrote this comparison after taking my own kids to both islands multiple times. It's not about which island is "better" – it's about which one matches your family's...
12 days ago • 1 min read
Aloha Reader! If you're planning your first Hawaii trip (or your first trip WITH kids), I have a confession: Oahu is probably your best bet. I know, I know. Everyone says Maui is more beautiful, Kauai is less crowded, the Big Island is more "authentic." And sure, they're not wrong. But Oahu – specifically Waikiki – is THE most forgiving place for first-timers and families. Here's why: Things to do in Waikiki with kids → Waikiki gives you everything within walking distance. Kid melts down?...
14 days ago • 1 min read
Aloha Reader! Now that the holiday dust has settled and you're back into your routine, I'm betting one of two things is happening: Option 1: You just got back from an amazing Hawaii trip over Winter Break and you're already dreaming about your next visit (because once you experience Hawaii magic with the family, once is never enough!) Option 2: You watched everyone else's Hawaii vacation photos on social media over the holidays and thought, "We NEED to do this for Spring Break or this...
19 days ago • 2 min read
Aloha Reader! Can I tell you about the email I got last week? A mom wrote: "I've had 47 browser tabs open for THREE WEEKS trying to figure out where to stay in Maui. I'm losing my mind." Friend, I felt that in my soul. The "where to stay" question paralyzes more people than anything else. Because once you pick your accommodation, it feels locked in. What if you choose wrong? What if the other area was better? Let me help you close some tabs. If you're going to Maui: The Kaanapali vs Wailea...
26 days ago • 1 min read
Aloha Reader! Every single time someone reaches out about planning their first Hawaii trip, they ask me the same thing: "Which island should we choose?" And honestly? I get it. The pressure to pick the "right" island feels HUGE when you're investing time and money into a family vacation. Here's what I tell everyone: there's no universally "best" island. But there IS a best island for YOUR family, based on what you actually want to do and how old your kids are. Oahu or Kauai - which is best...
28 days ago • 1 min read
Aloha Reader! Tonight, while you're waiting for Santa (or waiting for your kids to finally fall asleep so YOU can be Santa), can I suggest something fun? These Christmas movies set in Hawaii → I put together this list because sometimes you need that tropical escape, even if it's just on your TV. Some are classic Christmas films, some are more family comedies that happen at Christmas, but all of them will make you smile and maybe start planning your next Hawaii trip. And speaking of bringing...
about 1 month ago • 1 min read
Aloha Reader! Whether you're in Hawaii right now, heading there tomorrow, or cozied up at home dreaming of tropical Christmases – I hope this week is filled with magic. If you ARE in the islands and wondering what to do over the next few days, here's my tried-and-true guide: How to spend Christmas in Hawaii with kids → It covers everything from Christmas Day activities to managing expectations (spoiler: your kids WILL want to be at the beach Christmas morning, and that's totally okay). One...
about 1 month ago • 1 min read
Aloha Reader! If you're traveling to Hawaii this week or next, first of all – SO exciting! Second – you're probably in that phase where you're wondering if you've planned enough. (Or maybe you're happily winging it, which honestly works great in Hawaii too.) Either way, here's what I want you to know: December in Hawaii is truly special. The weather is gorgeous, the crowds aren't as intense as you'd think, and there are some Christmas activities that are honestly more magical than anything...
about 1 month ago • 1 min read