Backpacking with our kids

[Marley]

My wife and I are returning to Hawaii after about a 20 year absence since our last visit. We're bringing our teenage sons this time and plan on camping the whole time again. The big difference this time is we splurged on a rental car!!!! We're probably going to stay on Oahu for about 10 days and wondered what we should expect has changed and some great activities to do that have very little to do with honolulu or any other city stuff. We're bringing our snorkle gear and boogie boards and a tight budget. Any adventurous ideas would be appreciated.

[everyann]

Have you decided where to go camping yet? I would recommend Malaekahan Campgrounds on the windward side of the island. A bit more out in the country, so it'll just be you, your family, and the beach. Can't beat that! Though, this campground requires reservations so I'd put in a request HERE. To see if your vacation dates will work.

If that doesn't work, try out Ahupua'a'O Kahana State Park. It is also on the windward side. There's hiking trails in addition to the beach.

Personally, when I was young, my family camped at Bellows Field Beach Park. There's a beach with a lifeguard and plenty of room to use your snorkeling, and body-boarding gear.

As for activities with little to do with the city....what did you have in mind? Somewhere outside of Waikiki or Honolulu. Or something like a local festival?

[d360]

I'll throw out a couple inexpensive things

Hanauma Bay Take Kalaniana'ole Highway east from Waikiki for approximately 10 miles. Entrance to the preserve is on the right.

Currently OPEN from 6am - 6pm (winter - October thru March) and 6am - 7pm (summer - April thru September) Currently OPEN every Saturday from 6am - 10pm throughout the year Currently CLOSED every Tuesday

Cost:
$1 per car parking fee - large, paved parking lot - arrive early as the lot fills quickly.
$5 per person admission fee for 13 year old or older; Free for children under 13 years

Kawailoa Beach a beautiful sandy beach, you can learn to surf, pickup some good local food. Umm Umm Cheap!

If you want to see the tourist sights the best deal is to pickup a Power Pass a 2 day powerpass for $115.00 and a three day for $150.00. It includes free admission to 25 top attractions in Honolulu like Dole Plantation Maze, Battleship Missouri Museum, Kualoa Ranch, USS Arizona/Pearl Harbor Tour, Sea Life Park, Iolani Palace, The Bishop Museum, Hawaiian Waters Adventure Park and lots of discounted products.

[everyann]

Seeing as how you opted for the rental...I'd recommend the city pass d360 mentioned.

I'm not sure what your teens are interested in doing but the recent addition of Hawaiian Waters Adventure Park to Hawaii would be great for them! I've been to it and love the rides. They've got this one ride called the "Shaka" now, knowing that you've been to Hawaii, you'd know that it looks like this "\ooo/" Imagine that as a huge half pipe on something a little bigger than an inner tube. They may enjoy the "Cliffhanger" even more....it's a free fall about six stories down. Definitely watch your trunks or top on this one!

Kualoa Ranch has some great adventures with ATVs, Horseback riding, Kayaking, and even a Jungle Expedition Tour.

[Marley]

Thanks for the info on Malaekahana Campground, we found info on it in our travel books. Is it a place we can park a rental car safely while we're in the campground? All we heard the last time we came was that we needed to watch our stuff or It'll be gone, we didnt and it wasn't. Do you get the same feel these days? We just enjoyed the locals company and maybe that was key to an enjoyably safe visit.
As for activities yeah festivals and such would be great. Surf competitions, great hikes, best sunset/sunrise locations, place to get a good local meal on the windward or northshore. Thanks for any info you can offer.

[everyann]

Hi Marley,

Everytime I've returned to Hawaii I've never felt unsafe. It's the spirit of Aloha, but just take any normal precautions as if you were new to the area.

The campgrounds has gone under new management and is currently are operated by members of the Hawaii Ecotourism Assoc., The Friends of Malaekahana. They've made some changes to the area and have on-site security. Of course, like any other tourist in a new surrounding, you'll definitely want to keep your belongings safe. So be sure to keep your rental locked and your valubles in a safe place.


When are you planning on going to Hawaii? There's the Aloha festivals that happen in September. Great way to see music, dance, and history.

[Marley]

Hey folks,
Yeah I just called the Malaekahana Campground and they now say it will cost about $35 a night to set up a tent there. A bit rich considering we can stay many other places for free I believe. We fly out of Vermont in 30 days (not that we're counting) and are spending 11 days. My boys are 17 and 14 and would love to see a music fest, Mostly we're looking for outdoor exploring. Do you know of the campgrounds of Wiamanalo or Hali'ewa? Thats where we stayed in the 80's and they were very nice, if I recall.

[d360]

Hey Marley,

You might try Camp Mokuleia its a quiet isolated beach on Oahu's North Shore, 4 miles from Kaena Point. I'm not sure of the cost but I do believe there are no free places especially goverment land. Reservations are required; Camp Mokuleia, 68-729 Farrington Hwy., Waialua, HI 96791 tel. 808/637-6241. Or you might try working through this list which is a bit dated "2003" http://www.alternative-hawaii.com/accom/occcp.htm

[sharrychrist]

Hi, this post is very informative; however I would like some specific information. If someone can help me then please send me a private message. Best Regards,

[CindyB]

I was also going to suggest Friends of Malaekahana, but since they charge per person and you have four adult rates that does add up. In Kaneohe there's a free campground at Ho`omaluhia,a garden with plants from tropical regions around the world. No beach, but no parties or any loud noise for that matter. It's very quiet and very beautiful.

I think it was about a quarter mile hike to watch the sunrise over the ocean. And we had a sunset mountain view. I have a picture from the Hawaiian garden campground at Ho`omaluhia on my Website and brief overview at

I have to learn how to upload photos here. It's not open every day but check these two pages for days you can camp there. Also, when I lived in Waimanalo I noticed lots of local families camped
down Waimanalo Beach in an area under the Ironwood trees called....I forget! Pines? But I'm not sure if this is a "locals only" campground.

Maybe you could stay at Ho`omaluhia most of the time and Friends of Malaekahana for just a couple nights? It's really a fun campground. If you go there to boogie board even check out the murals on their shower stalls. It's really cool. I have a few articles on my site about them, but they're just excerpts from my book. Lots of free photos to look at though.

Also, for hiking on Oahu, check Sierra Club (they just ask for a a couple dollars donation). I have more info on hiking but will post tomorrow...it's late.

PS I just got the "no links before 10 posts" message so deleted links I'd put in here to these places and my photos. There are lots of camping on Oahu photos and free info on my site CoconutRoads.com Hope this helps!

Cindy