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!
The waterfall before anyone else gets there
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Aloha Reader, If you've been to Waimea Valley, you already know the waterfall is worth it. The 45-foot cascade at the end of the trail is one of those North Shore moments families talk about for years. But this summer, Waimea Valley is offering something I haven't seen there before. A Sunrise Tour that starts at 7:30am, before the Valley opens to the public. You get exclusive early access, a guided walk through the botanical gardens, and you're among the first people to swim under that waterfall as the morning sun rises over the ridge. All via eco-friendly electric shuttle. If you've ever been to Waimea Valley at peak hours, you know exactly why this matters. Summer programming this year is also fuller than usual. Weekly hula performances, daily cultural demonstrations (lei making, kapa making, ukulele lessons, Hawaiian games), and a Summer Concert Series on the last Saturday of each month in June, July, and August. Concerts start at 4pm and presale tickets are available now. Waimea Valley is one of those places I recommend to almost every family visiting Oahu, but especially families headed to the North Shore. I have a full guide on everything to know before you go, including what to expect at the waterfall, how long to budget, and what to do with little kids. Read my complete Waimea Valley guide here And if you're considering adding a luau to your North Shore itinerary, the Toa Lūʻau at Waimea Valley is one I've personally reviewed. Full dinner, cultural demonstrations, fire knife dancing, and it includes Valley entry. My honest take is here: Waimea Valley is a non-profit that's been preserving Hawaiian culture for 20 years. Worth supporting, and worth your family's time. 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, "I should have done this so much sooner." That's what Katie told me after our one-hour consultation. She's a planner, the kind of person who usually has every tab open and every spreadsheet color-coded. And even she said the call took more stress off her plate in sixty minutes than weeks of her own research had. I get a version of that message almost every time. People come into our call a little embarrassed, like they should have figured it all out on their own by now. They...
Aloha Reader, New episode just went live today. My friend Kim Fidler took her family to the North Shore of Oahu for spring break. It was her kids' first time in Hawaii. She did not start with Waikiki. I sat down with her to get the full trip report — what made her choose the North Shore, what surprised her, what she'd do differently, and whether it was the right call for a first trip with kids. Thirty-eight minutes of real talk from someone who just got back. Listen on Apple Podcasts | Listen...
Aloha Reader, People assume that after 40-plus trips to Hawaii I sit down and a perfect itinerary just appears. It does not. I still work through the same set of questions every single time, in the same order, because skipping any of them is how you end up with a plan that looks great on paper and falls apart on day two. Here's exactly how I build a Hawaii itinerary from scratch. Start with the island, not the activities. This is where most families go wrong. They find a cool snorkel tour or...