Aloha Reader, Planning spring break in Hawaii? I need to be straight with you about a few things that are genuinely different from other times of year. First, spring break isn't one week. Different school districts break at different times from late February through April, which means Hawaii doesn't get one big surge and then quiet down. It's sustained busy for weeks. If your dates are flexible at all, avoiding that peak March 15-30 window can make a real difference in both crowds and...
7 days ago • 1 min read
Aloha Reader, Just got back from a few days on Maui and wanted to share what I found while it's still fresh. You all sent me some great questions before I left, so let me get right to it. The Maui Ocean Center is still worth it (and there's a bonus now) Several of you asked about the Maui Ocean Center and I'm happy to report it holds up really well. We happened to go on a day with a massive local school field trip so it was busier than I expected, but even with the crowds we had a great time....
9 days ago • 2 min read
Aloha Reader! My son and I landed in Honolulu on Saturday all psyched up for a super tight schedule so we could maximize our time on this research trip. My mom actually flew over from Kauai to spend the day with us! Thanks to everyone who responded to my email last month with the things they wanted us to investigate. Some of the suggestions were Hanauma Bay, Pearl Harbor (they have a couple of new kids activities), and the Mauka Warriors Luau (since it gets a lot of Instagram love). Here's...
16 days ago • 1 min read
Aloha Reader! Quick question: Have you been daydreaming about volcanoes or waterfalls? Because that's honestly the fastest way to choose between the Big Island and Kauai. 😊 Big Island vs Kauai - which is best with kids? → I put this comparison together after taking my family to both islands multiple times, and here's the truth: they're both amazing, but they're amazing in completely different ways. Choose the Big Island if: Your kids are fascinated by volcanoes (seriously, this is a...
21 days ago • 1 min read
Aloha Reader! Let me tell you something about Kauai that travel bloggers don't usually admit: It's harder to visit with kids than the other islands. There. I said it. Fewer kid-specific activities. More driving. Limited restaurant options. Beaches that require more supervision. Activities that book up months in advance. And yet... it's absolutely magical. We keep going back. How many days in Kauai do you need? → If you're going to Kauai, trip length matters MORE than other islands. Too short...
23 days ago • 1 min read
Aloha Reader! Here's something most Hawaii visitors don't know: there's an island with zero traffic lights, one hotel, and some of the most untouched beauty you'll find in Hawaii. It's called Molokai. And almost nobody goes there. Which is exactly why you should. I had a dream about Molokai last night and I can't stop thinking about it. While everyone's fighting for parking at Waikiki or navigating the crowds on the Road to Hana, this incredible island sits just 30 minutes from Maui......
28 days ago • 1 min read
Aloha Reader! I need to be honest with you about something. I almost canceled our February trip to Oahu and Maui. Not because I didn't want to go. I've been looking forward to this for months. But because even though I do this for a living, I still had to sit at my kitchen table in December and have a real conversation with my 12yo about whether we could actually swing it. I'd booked our hotels back in the fall using Hyatt points (free stays on both islands, check!). I figured I'd worry about...
30 days ago • 3 min read
Aloha Reader! Quick question for you: As I mentioned a couple days ago, I'm heading to Oahu and Maui in mid-February. I'm already planning to test out new luaus and restaurants, but I want to know: What else should I check out for you? New activities? Hidden gems? A specific beach or snack spot? A hotel you're considering? Anything you've been curious about? I'm open to any and all suggestions, though I probably won't re-test the big classics I've already covered extensively (Pearl Harbor,...
about 1 month ago • 1 min read
Aloha Reader! I've been getting a LOT of questions lately about visiting Hawaii in February, so I wanted to address this directly. The short answer: Yes. February is actually one of my favorite times to visit Hawaii with kids. The longer answer: Visiting Hawaii in February with family → This guide covers everything you need to know: What the weather is ACTUALLY like (spoiler: better than you think) Which islands are best in February How to score better deals What to pack (this is different...
about 1 month ago • 1 min read