I've visited Hawaii more than 40 times and I know ALL the tips and tricks for planning the ultimate Hawaii family vacation! I offer free Hawaii planning email courses. I also send weekly emails on Fridays where I share my top things to do in Hawaii with kids, the best family resorts in Hawaii, and my ultimate packing lists! Mahalo!
Honest food picks from our last Hawaii trip
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Aloha Reader, We just got back from Oahu and Maui, and before I get into all of it, I need to tell you about 7-Eleven. Because it's going to come up and I want you to be prepared. Hawaii's 7-Elevens are not like the ones at home. They make a mochiko chicken musubi that I first had when I was pregnant with my oldest, and I have been going back ever since. It is one of the best snack deals on the island and I will not be taking questions. If you see one, stop. Okay. Now the rest of what we ate. On Oahu, acai bowls are everywhere, but Waffle & Berry and Tropical Tribe are the ones worth finding. Waffle & Berry does theirs thick like ice cream, which my family is completely obsessed with. Tropical Tribe is right on the beach in Waikiki, so even if the bowl were just okay, the setting would carry it. It's not just okay though. We also hit Musubi Cafe twice, once in Waikiki and once at Ala Moana, because musubi is always a good idea and theirs delivers every time. If you're heading toward the North Shore, Kahuku Farms is worth the drive. Everything in their cafe is good, full stop. And my 12-year-old officially declared Seven Brothers to have the best burgers on Oahu, which is not a title he gives out lightly. We also stopped at The LookOut at Wai Kai and the food was solid, good to know about if you're in that area. Maui had some serious standouts too. Sweet Hula had the best acai bowl of the whole trip. Waikomo Shave Ice uses fresh fruit syrup, and once you taste it you'll understand why it matters. Coconuts Fish Cafe is one we come back to every single trip, and it is still just as good as the first time. There's something really nice about a place that never lets you down. Cafe O'Lei is a must if you love fish. We did their plantation location this time and the sautéed fish is honestly the best I've had anywhere. I also love their Kihei location if that's where you're based. And if you find yourself in Upcountry Maui, the Ulapalekua Ranch Store does a great burger and feels like a real discovery out there. More from both islands coming soon. Aloha, Marcie |
Aloha! I'm Marcie with Hawaii Travel with Kids
I've visited Hawaii more than 40 times and I know ALL the tips and tricks for planning the ultimate Hawaii family vacation! I offer free Hawaii planning email courses. I also send weekly emails on Fridays where I share my top things to do in Hawaii with kids, the best family resorts in Hawaii, and my ultimate packing lists! Mahalo!
Aloha Reader! This is probably the question I get asked more than any other, and I'll be upfront: there is no universal right answer. But there is a right answer for your family, and it comes down to a few specific things. Here's how I think through it. Start with your trip length. My general rule is 5 to 7 days per island. Less than that and you're rushing, spending more time in the car than on the beach, and not really getting a feel for the place. If you have 10 days, two islands can work...
Aloha Reader, People ask me all the time how I decide what to book. It's simple: I only put my name behind things I've actually done with my own kids. Here's what we actually keep going back to, island by island. On Oahu, we never skip Toa Luau. It's set in Waimea Valley on the North Shore, it's native-owned, and the whole vibe is more intimate and authentic than the big commercial shows. Your ticket includes access to the botanical garden and waterfall, so we always arrive early and make a...
Aloha Reader, I just got back from a trip and I'm already fielding planning questions... which honestly, I love. But before I jump back into everything, I wanted to share something I've been sitting on for a while. I've been getting a version of the same message for months now. "Is there any way to get more than an hour with you?" Honestly? I get it. Some trips are just... a lot. You're planning two islands. You have a grandparent who uses a walker and a 4-year-old who needs a nap by 1pm....