Marriott Bonvoy Hawaii:

20% off ocean front resorts in Waikiki and more!
Save 20% on rooms, 35% on select dining and 10% on select spa now through May 12, 2019 when you book the Moana Surfrider, A Westin Resort & Spa, Royal Hawaiian, a Luxury Collection Resort, Sheraton Waikiki or Sheraton Princess Kaiulani Hotel.

Spotlight Interview:

Jeff Dunster, Executive Director, Hawaiian Legacy Reforestation Initiative & Lilia Tollefsen, Chief Operating Officer, Gunstock Ranch

Today many families traveling with their children want to make real connections and a positive impact in the destinations they visit. On Oahu, you can take part in a major reforestation effort while enjoying spectacular North Shore scenery and outdoor adventures with Hawaiian Legacy Tours at Gunstock Ranch.

“Planting a tree is a deeply meaningful way to honor a family member or loved one while giving back to the local community,” explains Jeff Dunster, executive director of the Hawaiian Legacy Reforestation Initiative.

You and your family can select, plant, and dedicate your own Legacy Tree in the Oahu Legacy Forest at Gunstock Ranch. Once home, you’ll be able to track the location and growth of your tree online via radio-frequency identification (RFID). A photo and video of you planting your tree will be permanently posted online.

Plant your tree on the Planter’s Experience or enhance your day with horseback riding, off road touring, or even a helicopter adventure which all showcase the magnificent surroundings and ocean views at Gunstock Ranch.

“Planting trees on Oahu connects families to Hawaii and to the next generation while giving people a reason to return here,” continues Dunster. “Families come back to see their trees and others come to see trees that were planted in their names. They are then inspired to plant trees themselves. One family even planted a family forest of one-thousand trees.”

“People celebrate weddings and anniversaries with tree plantings. One family with 17 members came and planted trees for their grandparents. There is rarely a dry eye when people plant their trees. One guest told me how surprised she was by how much she had to say to her tree,” explains Lilia Tollefsen, chief operating officer at Gunstock Ranch

The Oahu Legacy Forest at Gunstock Ranch was launched one year ago and will eventually cover 500 acres of the 900-acre property. Hawaiian Legacy Reforestation Initiative launched their first Legacy Forest on Hawaii Island a decade ago where there are now over 400,000 trees on 1,200 acres at Kukaiau Ranch and a 700-acre Legacy Forest at Kahua Ranch.

Just a year in, the reforestation effort at Gunstock Ranch has been very special. “Most trees have a story because they are planted by people who want to do something for the Earth. Tree planting has created a unique opportunity for people to come, connect, and give back to the land. People get their hands dirty and feel the mana or spirit of the plants and the land,” explains Tollefsen.

Families become directly involved in a truly sustainable project when tree planting at Gunstock Ranch. “Helping restore the Hawaiian forest allows visitors to make a lasting impact,” says Dunster. “Families become more than just visitors, they become part of the environmental and cultural fabric of Hawaii.”

Family Fun on Oahu:

Unique Experiences in The Heart of Hawaii

Oahu is brimming with land and sea adventures that will create wonderful moments and lifetime memories for you and your family.

Back Country Exploring at Kualoa by UTV
Up on Oahu’s northeast coast, Kualoa is a 4,000-acre nature reserve and working cattle ranch with incredible outdoor adventures and Hawaiian cultural activities ideal for families. The new UTV (Ultra Terrain Vehicle) Raptor multi-passenger 4WD vehicles provide a perfect way to explore Kualoa on your own. Drive your UTV on trails deep into Kualoa’s scenic valleys and remote areas rarely visited by others. UTV tours go out rain or shine. In fact, rambling through the mud and crossing seasonal streams are part of the fun and adventure. The one- or two-hour tours take you over a saddle trail to movie filming sites in Kualoa’s Kaaawa Valley. Enjoy breathtaking scenery and the opportunity to capture amazing photos on this unique family adventure. The UTVs accommodate two to six passengers. Children must be a minimum of age five and drivers must be at least 21 years of age.

Behind-The-Scenes Farm Tour at Polynesian Cultural Center
Polynesian Cultural Center (PCC) showcases life in six Pacific island nations through authentic experiences and exciting theatrical events. The new PCC Farm Tour is an insider’s look at the Center’s working farm and nursery where they grow Polynesian fruits, vegetables, flowers, and decorative plants including large bananas, ti leaves, taro plants, flowering plumeria, hibiscus, and coconut trees. As you tour the farm, nursery, orchards, and fields, you’ll learn about the plants used throughout PCC in the landscaping, costumes, and dining facilities. And you’ll hear the fascinating history of Polynesian plants used for nourishment and in everyday life such as taro, referred to as the “Plant of Life” because all of its parts are used, and the coconut tree, called the “Tree of Life,” because of its contribution to daily living.

Customized Oahu Experiences with Blue Hawaii Private Tours
Enjoy private, customized tours of Oahu with your family on Marie Turner’s Blue Hawaii Private Tours. Marie’s tours are ideal for families — whether small or larger multigenerational groups — looking for unique and curated ways to immerse themselves in Oahu. Every tour — Best of Oahu, Pearl Harbor, and the new Food & Sightseeing tour — will be tailored to your family group so that everyone is happy, engaged, and inspired by the best that Oahu has to offer. Visiting Oahu with Blue Hawaii provides you with a personalized and memorable day on smaller vehicles away from the crowds. Marie also offers customized Blue Hawaii Photo Tours for families but children must be at least age 11 and up.

Learning to Ride the Waves with Moniz Family Surf
Surfing was born in Hawaii and learning to ride the waves here is a true cultural experience. Taking lessons with Moniz Family Surf is a family affair with some bona fide champions. Tony Moniz, a former pro surfer, and his wife Tammy, have four sons and a daughter (Micah, Kelia, Isaiah, Joshua, and Seth) who are all professional surfers. Tony believes in excellent customer service and has high expectations for his surf instructors. All must be “watermen” and skilled in surfing, diving, canoeing, fishing, and sailing. Book your lessons with Moniz Family Surf at the Billabong flagship store near the famous Duke’s Statue in the heart of Waikiki or at their Faith Surf Schools at Outrigger Waikiki on the Beach and Outrigger Reef.

Sailing Off Oahu with Captain Bruce Yacht Charters
Make special family memories on a private, customized sailing charter with Bruce Morita of Captain Bruce Yacht Charters who has offered tailored off shore experiences for 35 years. Enjoy adventures aboard Serendipity, the spacious, comfortable 47-foot luxury motor yacht that accommodates up to 12 passengers, or the 40-foot Moana luxury cruiser which welcomes up to six guests. Sailing out of Waikiki, opt for sunrise, daytime, sunset, or Friday night fireworks cruises. Charters are a minimum of two hours and go up to eight hours. Longer charters from Waikiki can even head to Ko Olina on Oahu’s West Side where there are plentiful dolphin sightings. You can also book charters right from the Ko Olina Marina and spend all your time enjoying the crystal-clear waters and beautiful coastline of Oahu’s Leeward Coast. Captain Bruce has wonderful whale watching charters from December through May. In addition, the company offers an exclusive Airport Shuttle aboard the Moana from Keehi Small Boat Harbor to Ko Olina which is a 90-minute ride to and cruise around Ko Olina Resort.

Cycling with Pedego Bikes
Pedego Bikes, one of the top electric bike brands in the U.S., provide a fun and environmentally friendly way for families to explore Waikiki. Riders of all ages can choose the model that best fits their fitness and energy levels. Simply rent the colorful Pedego bikes, book a customized tour, or enjoy one of two organized tours: the Diamond Head Hike and Kahala Excursion or the E-Bike Waikiki and Beyond Tour. When it comes to custom tours, the folks at Pedego Bikes have organized cycling and snorkeling trips to Hanauma Bay with a ride to Makapuu Point as well as a ride and hike to Manoa Falls. The owners of the locally owned Pedego Bike shop will be happy to create a special adventure for your family.

Gliding with Segway of Hawaii
Segway of Hawaii provides another family friendly way to see Oahu. And Segway Personal Transporters (PTs) are easy for anyone to master according to the company. In fact, every tour begins with personalized training by the expert Segway guides who teach guests how to glide on their own Segway PTs. With offices in Waikiki and Kakaako, choose the one with the tours you most want to take. From Waikiki, take advantage of the Diamond Head Waikiki Tour, the Sunset to Diamond Head Tour, the Kapiolani Park Tour, and the Waikiki Segway Intro Tour. In trendy Kakaako, opt for the Magic Island Glides, Honolulu History & Culture, Sunset on Magic Island Glide, and the Kakaako Waterfront Park and & Pow Wow Mural Tour. You can also book a private Segway PT activity or event for your family.

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Malama Oahu:

Voluntourism Opportunity in The Heart of Hawaii

Nonprofits across Oahu welcome your volunteer efforts when visiting the island. Volunteering provides your family with a way to give back and take part in the traditional Hawaiian values of malama aina (caring for the land) and malama kai (caring for the sea). Hui o Koolaupoko (HOK) implements innovative, on-the-ground projects that effectively manage and protect water quality and natural resources along the Windward Coast. Their mission: protecting ocean health by restoring the land from the mountains to the sea. HOK welcomes you to two different projects. Come volunteer at Kaha Garden, a community project where the work includes clearing invasive species, weeding, planting, and propagating plants. Volunteers are also welcome at the Heeia Estuary Restoration Project, a site aimed at improving water quality and increasing habitats for native aquatic animals by removing invasive plants and replanting native species. After volunteering, you'll head next door to tour 800-year-old Heeia Fishpond and learn about ancient Hawaiians' ingenious aquaculture technology. HOK welcomes families with kids and people of all ages, abilities, and comfort levels to their volunteer sites. To sign up, consult the HOK calendar and RSVP to Volunteer@huihawaii.org.

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