ITINERARY IDEAS

On Oahu, you and the kids and kids at heart will be able to experience World War II history, explore surfing’s Hawaiian roots, and learn about ancient Hawaiians’ advanced aquaculture system developed hundreds of years ago. You can take a family surf lesson, go swimming with dolphins, and zipline over hidden valleys. Families can experience popular film and TV locations on a unique tour and taste some of Hawaii’s favorite foods like shave ice and malasadas (Portuguese donuts). Family fun awaits in Oahu, The Heart of Hawaii.

BOOK AHEAD
Due to capacity restrictions in place, many activities and attractions have limited numbers of tickets available. When it comes to activities, attractions, make sure to book the ones you want to experience so you are not disappointed by hoping for availability the day of.

Even with dining and car rentals, this is something that you want to think of far in advance. Check availability and make reservations as soon as you are able.

CULTURE & HISTORY
Pearl Harbor National Memorial - Online reservation system
Don't miss the boat! Know before you go.

Pearl Harbor National Memorial, home to the USS Arizona Memorial, has transitioned to a touchless ticketing system managed by www.Recreation.gov, replacing the walk-in first-come first-served ticket distribution program. Capacity is limited and all guests must have a ticket. Be sure to go to recreaton.gov to reserve your tickets, tickets are released daily at 3 pm. Your program time is the boat departure time, plan to arrive at the park 1-hour before your reserved time. Pearl Harbor National Memorial and the Pearl Harbor Visitor Center are fee free and open from 7 am - 5 pm daily, closed on Thanksgiving, December 25, and January 1.

Volunteer at Battleship Missouri Memorial
A unique experience letting you go behind the scenes at an American icon.

Launched in 1944, the “Mighty Mo” provided gunfire support for the invasion of Iwo Jima and Okinawa. On September 2, 1945, she served as a stage for the signing of the Instrument of Surrender in Tokyo Bay, bringing WWII to an end. This day in history is remembered as the start of a new era of friendship and cooperation in the Pacific. The USS Missouri also participated in the Korean War and the Persian Gulf war.

When the USS Missouri was in commission, there were 2,500 Sailors maintaining the ship. Today, there are less than 25 maintenance staff working on the ship. Help restore and preserve one of the world’s most famous battleships. From sanding, sweeping, painting and cleaning by volunteering, you make a difference and help to support the mission to preserve the Battleship Missouri and share her story and place in history. Cleaning is also a great opportunity to see parts of the ship that are not open to the public.

*There are age requirements, 13 years old, accompanied by an adult or 16 years old unaccompanied. For more information: https://ussmissouri.org/ get-involved/volunteer

Visit the “NEW” Pacific Fleet Submarine Museum
A “new” and exciting new Pearl Harbor attraction

A $20 million, 13,000-square-foot USS Bowfin submarine museum, opened in February 2021 with a new name and striking look that charts the course of Navy undersea duty from the loss of the F4’s 21 hands off Honolulu in 1915 up through the newest $6.5 billion Columbia-class ballistic missile submarines. It is now open from 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. daily. https://www.bowfin.org/

Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum will soon be home to Oahu’s newest luau -- Liberty Luau. Reminiscent of USO Tours in 1940s Waikiki with Hawaiiana touches throughout, the luau will feature a dinner show that will transport guests back in time to the old Hawaii with mai tais, lei greetings, and a tour of our WWII battlefield.

When their Top of the Tower tour opens in winter 2021, guests will have the unique opportunity to visit the top of the iconic Ford Island Control Tower and view the wreckage of Battleship Row, along with the entire airfield that was hit during the attack. Stay updated for details www.pearlharborav iationmuseum.org


Polynesian Cultural Center welcomes guests back safely
Enjoy interactive guest experiences including visits to the Samoan Village, an extended format of the Center’s new “Alii Lūau featuring Onipaa, A Tribute to Queen Liliuokalani,” a new canoe excursion to explore the Center’s lagoon and villages, and their award-winning evening show, “HĀ: Breath of Life.” Increased sanitation efforts including use of electrostatic sanitizing methods, physical distancing, and additional sanitation stations available for all guests while visiting the Center. www.polynesia.com

POW! WOW! at Bishop Museum
Bishop Museum presents POW! WOW! The First Decade: From Hawaiʻi to the World presented by Hawaiian Airlines, in its Castle Memorial Building and throughout its grounds, open now through September 19, 2021. The exhibition celebrates 10 years of POW! WOW! and provides a contemporary art experience that bridges culture, creative expression, and indigenous perspectives to showcase some of the most notable street artists and sculptors from Hawaiʻi and around the world. Attendees will be able to see large-scale murals painted across the museum campus, as well as explore an outdoor street scene recreated within the gallery space. www.bishopmuseum.org

Twilight Tours at Honolulu Zoo
The Honolulu Zoo Society is once again offering Twilight Tours every Saturday evening, giving visitors the opportunity to experience the Zoo after hours. During the after-hours tour, educators will guide guests on a two-hour trek through popular areas of the zoo. Twilight Tours at the Honolulu Zoo begin at 5:30 p.m. from April through September, and at 4:30 p.m. from October through March 2022. www.Honoluluzoo.org


OUTDOOR ADVENTURE

HIKING
On Oahu, there are hiking trails appropriate for all ages from the iconic Leahi (aka Diamond Head Monument) and Makapuu Lighthouse trail where you can spot whales during whale watching season from mid-December through April. To explore various trails and their amenities, length, level and more information you can go to https://hawaiitrails. hawaii.gov/trails/#/ and select Oahu.

SAFETY: Make sure to only hike official trails and stay on the path. Going on illegal trails is not only dangerous but is often accessed through private property and trespasses on residential neighborhoods. You wouldn’t want strangers walking through your backyard at all hours so be respectful and make sure to only hike where you’re supposed to. Also, stay on the trail, making your own shortcuts or paths can be dangerous for not only the hiker but erodes the trail which causes damage and hazardous conditions for others.

Additionally, to protect the native flora and wildlife, do not litter and make sure to brush off your shoe bottoms at the beginning of the trail to avoid tracking in invasive species or diseases. Today, many of the remaining endemic species of plants and animals in the Hawaiian Islands are considered endangered, and some critically so. Plant species are particularly at risk.

ATV, HORSEBACK RIDING AND MORE
For those looking for adventurous options Kualoa Ranch Private Nature Reserve and Gunstock Ranch offer horseback riding and ATV tours. Gunstock also allows visitors to add a native tree planting to your eco-tour to help off-set carbon emissions. At Kualoa, they also offer ziplining, movie set tours of film locations such as Lost and Jurassic Park, e-biking, catamaran voyaging as well as their own educational and cultural experience at their loi (taro patch). https://www.kualoa.com/

Surfing is a Hawaiian sport, born of the islands and rooted in the culture and way of life. Though the sport can be experienced on all Hawaiian Islands, Oahu is truly Hawaii’s mecca for – all forms of – surfing. Oahu is, thus, considered the “birthplace of surfing”.

Surfing here on Oahu includes traditional surfing (longboard and shortboard), Stand up paddling and outrigger canoe surfing. Outrigger Canoe Surfing – one of only a handful of places to experience the thrill of catching a wave on an Outrigger Canoe.

With alternating swells in summer and winter, Oahu is one of the best places to surf and learn to surf as it has waves appropriate for all levels. You can even have surf lessons with a dog!

On Oahu, there are a number of experiences that allows the visitor to understand sustainability from a Hawaiian (and ancient/cultural Hawaiian perspective). This is unique to Hawaii and we encourage that this be included here (and/or in the Cultural section). These are outdoor activities that help give back, teach about sustainability and impact and engage visitors in Hawaiian values.

Education & Restoration at a Hawaiian Fish Pond
As part of their mountain-to-sea ahupuaa system, ancient Hawaiians built walled fishponds that provided them with a steady supply of fish even when ocean and weather conditions were not favorable for fishing. These advanced forms of aquaculture found only in Hawaii fell into decline after contact with the West in the late 18th century.

However, up on the North Shore, Loko Ea and Ukoa are two distinct sand dune ponds near the ocean shore connected both to the ocean and each other by freshwater streams. For the last 10 years, Malama Loka Ea Foundation has been restoring Loko Ea Fishpond so it can become a thriving resource of fish for the community. Just as importantly, the Foundation is an educational platform where students and community members learn and practice land stewardship, live and practice Hawaiian culture as a way of life, and gain knowledge of traditional Hawaiian practices. The Foundation enables locals and visitors to experience the ingenuity of traditional Hawaiian land stewardship and understand how that indigenous knowledge is so applicable today. There are different volunteer and tour options available. Learn more at www.lokoea.org

OCEAN SAFETY

Olelo Noeau, Hawaiian Proverb.
Malama i ke kai, a malama ke kai ia oe - Care for the ocean and the ocean will care for you.

Take special care when entering the ocean. Beware strong currents, heed safety signs and never turn your back to the ocean. On the same token, do not litter, use reef safe sunscreen, be good to the ocean and the creatures that call it home. The ocean deserves respect in every way.

KNOW BEFORE YOU GO: For more ocean safety information for the different Oahu beaches, go to: https://hawaiibeachsafety.com/oahu
Please also watch this short video on Oahu Ocean Safety:



KEEP IT CLEAN: Keep the oceans and beaches clean: If you do not like the idea of swimming with litter, do not litter the beaches.

PROTECT YOURSELF & CORAL REEFS: If you want to snorkel and see beautiful marine life, use the right reef safe sunscreen. Using the wrong sunscreen can kill and damage the coral reefs that marine life call home. As of January 1, 2021, sunscreens containing chemicals oxybenzone and octinoxate are no longer sold in Hawaii. These chemicals have been found to contribute to coral reef bleaching. If you are not sure what sunscreen to use, buy one once you reach the island and take it home with you. If the sunscreen kills coral, it can’t be too good for humans either.

Learn more about how you can help with Ocean Conservation: https://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=GpA5vik22EE&list= PL3vu-S1EiKs8r5vpXLRWt mv7oSCEocP5h &index=4

OLELO HAWAII

Hawaiian culture embodies many values and wisdoms that span generations and place. Take a moment to learn more.

Pronunciation:
A-E-I-O-U are pronounced, “Ah-Ay-Ee-Oh-Oo.”

Ohana – Family - Oh hah nah

Olelo Noeau – Hawaiian Proverb
Ike aku, ike mai, kokua aku kokua mai; pela iho la ka nohana ohana.

Translation: Recognize others, be recognized, help others, be helped; such is a family relationship.
Explanation: This saying means to put family first because you know you are there for each other whenever you are in need of help.

Family terminology
Makua kane - Father	Mah koo wah Kah nay
Makuahine - Mother	Mah koo wah hee nay
Anake - Aunt	Ah nah kay
Anakala - Uncle	Ah nah kah la
Tutu Wahine - Grandmother	Too Too Wah hee nay
Tutu Kane - Grandfather	Too Too Kah nay
Hanau mua - Older sibling	Hah now Moo wah
Hanau hope- Younger sibling	Hah now Ho pay

Interested in learning Hawaiian? It’s available on Duolingo. For a list of online resources go to https://kanaeokana.net/olelo
You can also use the interactive Hawaiian Pronunciation Guide at the link below to play audio clips and enjoy learning some of the most commonly used words and phrases of the Hawaiian language. https://www.gohawaii.com/ hawaiian-culture/ hawaiian-language-guide

Oahu Guidelines

If you have questions on local mandates and regulations the City and County of Honolulu has a website with the latest information on updates and rules. www.oneoahu.org TRAVEL REMINDER: Don’t forget to check www.Hawaiicovid19.com/travel before and during your planning process to ensure you know all the requirements and protocols for travel to Hawaii.