Jennifer Lambert

A Sacred Balance

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Oahu with Kids

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We lived on O’ahu for three years. Living in Hawai’i isn’t the same as a vacation there. But every single day, there’s a rainbow!

My husband was stationed at Hickam AFB. We lived on base. It was mostly magical. The kids still call it home and we all long to go back.

The thing about living in paradise is that you’re living in paradise. It’s not a vacation every day. Dishes and laundry still have to get done. We homeschooled. Everything is expensive. Gas and food prices are high. Traffic is terrible. You have to watch out for centipedes.

But you can go to the beach whenever you want. There are lots of lovely parks and gardens and hiking opportunities. Those are FREE!

O’ahu is a great place for families!

Be sure to check out:
Hawaii Activities
Non-profit Sustainable Tours
Reef Safe Advocacy

Attractions in Kaneohe

The Windward Coast is a tropical paradise.

  • Ho’omaluhia Botanical Garden
  • Bellows Air Force Station
  • Sea Life Park
  • Hanauma Bay
  • Kualoa Ranch – Lots of movies and shows filmed there like Jurassic Park, Pearl Harbor, Lost, and Hawaii Five-O. There are ATV tours.
  • Kane’one Sandbar

North Shore Attractions

The beaches on the North Shore are best for families to visit during summer months. The waves get huge mid-November through March and host the famous Triple Crown of Surfing Championships.

There’s TONS to do on the North Shore of Oahu!

  • Matsumoto’s Shave Ice
  • Shrimp Trucks
  • Ted’s Bakery
  • Haleiwa Joe’s
  • Uncle Bo’s
  • Ray’s Chicken
  • Art Galleries
  • Surf Shops
  • Puu O Mahaka State Monument
  • Waimea Beach and Falls
  • Turtle Beach
  • Sharks Cove

Honolulu Attractions

Honolulu is the Hawaii state capital and of course, there are lots of fun things to do in the big city!

  • Honolulu Zoo
  • Waikiki Aquarium
  • Discovery Center Children’s Museum
  • Pearl Harbor
  • Pacific Aviation Museum
  • Diamond Head
  • Ko’olina
  • Bishop Museum
  • Friday Night Fireworks on Waikiki Beach (FREE)
  • Lili’uokalani Botanical Garden (FREE)

We loved living on Oahu for three years, exploring most of what the island had to offer. Some things we didn’t get to see or do since we had very little children. We’d love to go back!

We also traveled to Mau’i, Kaua’i, Ni’ihau, and The Big Island.

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Honolulu with Kids

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Attractions in Honolulu, Hawai’i for families are plenty!

Honolulu is the Hawaii state capital and of course, there are lots of fun things to do in the big city!

  • Honolulu Zoo
  • Waikiki Aquarium
  • Discovery Center Children’s Museum
  • Pearl Harbor
  • Pacific Aviation Museum
  • Diamond Head
  • Ko’olina
  • Bishop Museum
  • Friday Night Fireworks on Waikiki Beach (FREE)
  • Lili’uokalani Botanical Garden (FREE)

Be sure to check out:
Hawaii Activities
Non-profit Sustainable Tours
Reef Safe Advocacy

Honolulu Zoo

This is a nice zoo with mammal, birds, and reptiles. There are also lovely gardens to enjoy.

There’s a great children’s area with a petting zoo and playground.

We loved the exhibits you can climb inside for closer looks!

General Admission
$14.00 – Adult 13+
$6.00 – Children 3-12 yrs.

Kama’aina/U.S. military*
$8.00 – Adult 13+
$4.00 – Children 3-12 yrs.
* I.D. required for kama’aina/U.S. military rates.
FREE – Children 2 and under

Waikiki Aquarium

A lovely Hawaiian aquarium with coral life, monk seals, aquaculture, seahorses, and jellyfish.

We loved viewing the shallow aquariums and experiencing the touch pools.

General Admission
$12.00 – Adult 13+
$5.00 – Children 4-12 yrs.

Kama’aina/U.S. military*
$8.00 – Adult 13+
* I.D. required for kama’aina/U.S. military rates.
FREE – Children 3 and under

Hawaii Children’s Discovery Center

A fun children’s museum featuring the temporary special exhibits and permanent exhibits like the human body, busy town, world cultures, farming, rainforest, and Hawaiian habitats.

General Admission
$12.00

Kama’aina/U.S. military*
$10.00
* I.D. required for kama’aina/U.S. military rates.
FREE – Children under 1 

Friday Night Fireworks in Waikiki!

Every Friday night around 8 PM, Hawaiian Hilton Village sets off a fireworks show – and it’s FREE! It’s great to plan a picnic, watch the sunset, and then view the fireworks!

Lili’uokalani Botanical Garden

Portions of this garden were once the property and favorite picnic grounds of Queen Lili`uokalani, the last reigning monarch of Hawaii.  She later donated her land to the City and County of Honolulu to be used for the public’s enjoyment.  This developing garden is devoted to native Hawaiian plants. It’s FREE!

Diamond Head

This is a great hike with gorgeous views!

$5.00 per car or $1 per person for pedestrians. CASH ONLY. NO PETS.

The 0.8 mile hike from trailhead to the summit is steep and strenuous, gaining 560 feet as it ascends from the crater floor. It was hard for us with little ones!

Pearl Harbor Historic Sites and Memorials

  • USS Arizona Memorial
  • Battleship Missouri Memorial
  • USS Bowfin Submarine Museum & Park

Kids have to be over 8 years old to go on tours, but most of the smaller memorials are accessible to military ID holders.

We took my parents on the private tour of the USS Arizona for military members and it was something we’ll never forget!

Pacific Aviation Museum

Over 70 years of Pacific aviation history. Full access to 50+ aircraft and all exhibits, including WWII Hangars 37 & 79, MiG Alley, historical videos, the Museum Store, Laniakea Café and the award winning Pearl Harbor documentary East Wind, Rain.

General Admission
Adult: $25
Child (Ages 4-12): $12
Kama’aina & Military Admission
Adults:  $15
Child(Ages 4-12):  $10
FREE – Children under 4

My daughter is a history buff and went to a Tuskegee Airman presentation and book signing.

Bishop Museum

Hawaiian cultural heritage and natural history, a planetarium and science museum.

We also loved the Farm Festival in July.

General Admission
Adult: $22.95
Child, ages 4-12: $14.95

Kama’aina/Military Admission
Adult: $14.95
Child: $10.95
FREE – Children under 3

Ko’olina

Kapolei has great quite lagoons and kid-friendly beaches. It’s just a short drive from Honolulu.

Whale watching is another great activity in this area. We saw honu, dolphins, a few spouts, and some fins.

Ko’Olina is a romantic location for couples to stay or dine or visit. The marina offers lots of options for fishing, snorkeling, and whale watching. Ko’Olina also has the Aulani Disney Spa and Resort now.

The area around Honolulu offers so much for families!

We loved living on Oahu for three years, exploring most of what the island had to offer. Some things we didn’t get to see or do since we had very little children. We’d love to go back!

We also traveled to Mau’i, Kaua’i, Ni’ihau, and The Big Island.

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North Shore with Kids

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North Shore Attractions

The beaches on the North Shore are best for families to visit during summer months. The waves get huge mid-November through March and host the famous Triple Crown of Surfing Championships.

There’s TONS to do on the North Shore of Oahu!

  • Matsumoto’s Shave Ice
  • Shrimp Trucks
  • Ted’s Bakery
  • Haleiwa Joe’s
  • Uncle Bo’s
  • Ray’s Chicken
  • Art Galleries
  • Surf Shops
  • Puʻu o Mahuka Heiau State Monument

Be sure to check out:
Hawaii Activities
Non-profit Sustainable Tours
Reef Safe Advocacy

There are several pretty and safe beach spots for kids!

We loved visiting new beaches year-round.

  • Waimea Beach and Nature Park
  • Turtle Beach – great for honu viewing!
  • Sharks Cove – great for snorkeling!

Polynesian Cultural Center

It’s an absolute tourist trap, but a must-do! We all loved it.

Kids receive a “Passport to Polynesia” booklet which includes:

  • Spaces to collect stamps from each island village to show they completed the games or activities
  • A schedule of the day’s activities geared toward the family experience
  • Space to write down the greetings for each island
  • A fun illustration and the name of each island’s games or activities to help the keiki remember it when they return home.

We learned about all the Polynesian Islands. Each island exhibit showcases games, dances, costumes, art, and more about that island’s culture.

  • Aotearoa (New Zealand)
  • Fiji
  • Hawaii
  • Rapa Nui
  • Samoa
  • Tahiti
  • Tonga

General Admission
Adult: $59.95
Child: $47.96
Under 4 FREE

Ali’i Luau and General Admission Package
Adult: $114.95
Child: $91.96
Under 4 FREE

The canoe parade showcasing each island with its representatives dancing in traditional dress was stunning.

We had great seats for the show.

We gorged ourselves at the Ali’i Luau Buffet & Dinner Show.

Dole Plantation

Originally operated as a fruit stand beginning in 1950, Dole Plantation opened to the public as Hawaii’s “Pineapple Experience” in 1989.

The Gardens are lovely. The Maze is fun. The Pineapple Express Train Tour is not to be missed!

Combo tickets for all three tours (best deal):
Adult 22.00
Child $18.00
Kama‘aina/Military $20.00

The North Shore of Oahu is a must-see!

We loved living on Oahu for three years, exploring most of what the island had to offer. Some things we didn’t get to see or do since we had very little children. We’d love to go back!

We also traveled to Mau’i, Kaua’i, Ni’ihau, and The Big Island.

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Kaneohe with Kids

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We lived in Hawai’i for three glorious years. We loved learning about the culture and history. We enjoyed the food and traveling all over the islands!

Attractions in Kaneohe: The Windward Coast

  • Ho’omaluhia Botanical Garden
  • Bellows Air Force Station
  • Sea Life Park
  • Hanauma Bay
  • Kualoa Ranch – Lots of movies and shows filmed there like Jurassic Park, Pearl Harbor, Lost, and Hawaii Five-O. There are ATV tours.
  • Kane’one Sandbar

Be sure to check out:
Hawaii Activities
Non-profit Sustainable Tours
Reef Safe Advocacy

Ho’omaluhia Botanical Garden

This was one of our favorite places!

Ducks and flowers are exciting.

Waimānalo Beach at Bellows AF Station

117 recreational lodging rentals: cabins, condos, camp cabins, campsites, and RV sites. Rent equipment or take classes at Turtle Cove.

We loved just going to pretty tree-lined beach. The surf sometimes got a little rough and the lifeguard would warn us about the children getting knocked over by the waves.

Sea Life Park

This is the ocean park shown in the movie 50 First Dates with Adam Sandler and Drew Barrymore.

You can opt for encounters with dolphins, sharks, sea lions, rays, and more!

Admission
$39.99 (13 and older)
$24.99 (3-12 years)
FREE – Children under 2 

The Windward Coast near Kaneohe offers so much for families.

We loved living on Oahu for three years, exploring most of what the island had to offer. Some things we didn’t get to see or do since we had very little children. We’d love to go back!

We also traveled to Mau’i, Kaua’i, Ni’ihau, and The Big Island.



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Our Ni’ihau Day Trip

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In March 2009, Aaron and I spent a 3-day weekend in Kaua’i.

The Hawaii ITT trip was an all-inclusive (plane, hotel, rental car, meals) and Ni’ihau helicopter tour!

I don’t remember it costing more than $500 for all of it. It was an amazing weekend, the two us, alone. We’ve never had a weekend alone, before or since.

The helicopter tour was about 30 minutes from Kaua’i to Ni’ihau. Then we had a couple hours to explore, ate a picnic lunch, and flew back to Kaua’i.

About Ni’ihau:

Keith Robinson and his brother, Bruce, own the approximately 70-square-mile island of Ni’ihau in the Hawaiian island chain, which has been in the private possession of their family since their great-great-grandmother, Elizabeth McHutchinson Sinclair (1800–92), purchased it from King Kamehameha V for US$10,000 in gold. He is also the manager of a private botanical garden on the Hawaiian island of Kauaʻi. Robinson makes his home on Kaua’i, but visits Ni’ihau at least once per week on average.

We flew in the helicopter from Kaua’i to Ni’ihau.

I’d never been in a helicopter before!

We zoomed all around the island…saw whales near the surface, the lovely Lehua Crater, and wild horses!

I love how all the Hawaiian islands have their own interesting and original landscape.

We landed and were given our instructions.

We had only a couple hours to explore. It was chilly and rainy.

As soon as we landed, I rushed over to see the beach!

The water was pretty chilly.

There were seals sunning themselves and a couple turtles bobbing in the waves.

We walked along the beach, exploring and gathering shells.

The shells on Ni’ihau are exquisite and the jewelry made with them are very expensive.

Common colors are ke‘oke‘o (white), ‘ākala (pink), lenalena (yellow), and ‘ōma‘oma‘o (green).  Shades of colors are often identified as ‘āhiehie (light) or ikaika (dark).  A few other terms include kahakaha (striped), ‘ōnikiniki (spotted), ‘āpu‘upu‘u (bumpy), and even waha ‘ula‘ula (red mouth).

We loved our time on the Forbidden Island of Ni’ihau!

Be sure to check out:
Hawaii Activities
Non-profit Sustainable Tours
Reef Safe Advocacy





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Our Kaua’i Weekend

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In March 2009, Aaron and I spent a 3-day weekend in Kaua’i.

The Hawaii ITT trip was an all-inclusive (plane, hotel, rental car, meals) and Ni’ihau helicopter tour!

I don’t remember it costing more than $500 for all of it. It was an amazing weekend, the two us, alone. We’ve never had a weekend alone, before or since.

We stayed at the Kaua’i Hilton Beach Resort. It apparently is now an Aqua hotel and not a Hilton property.

We stopped at Fort Elisabeth to get a picture because our eldest daughter is named Elizabeth!

We enjoyed local beer at Brenneke’s Beach Broiler.

We stopped at Kaua’i Coffee Plantation and got a sample.

Chickens are everywhere! Some places, we were scared to get out of the car since they seemed ready to attack.

Monk seals are protected. In Hawaiian, they are known as Ilio-holo-i-ka-uaua, or “dog that runs in rough water.” You can see the rope on the sand to keep people from getting too close. It’s illegal to get closer than 50 yards to a monk seal or sea turtle.

Turtles were swimming near the rocky beach!

Another was sunning on the beach.

All sea turtles in Hawaii are protected by both State and Federal Law! It is illegal to kill, capture, touch or harass sea turtles. Fines can be as high as $25,000 and may include a year in prison.

There’s a place to pull over and park to view Spouting Horn, a rock and wave phenomenon that is quite lovely.

We enjoying seeing famous Wailua Falls!

Waimea Canyon was misty when we first got there, but then it cleared up for a picture!

We loved seeing Kaua’i. It was a special time without the kids!

Be sure to check out:
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Reef Safe Advocacy




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Hawaii Volcanoes National Park

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We visited the Big Island of Hawaii for Elizabeth’s 9th birthday in October 2009. I was pregnant with Alex at the time.

It’s a quick and cheap hop over from the island of Oahu on Hawaiian Airlines. We lived in Honolulu for three glorious years.

We actually stayed inside Volcanoes National Park.

Hawaii Volcanoes National Park is a very educational family trip with so many activities for everyone.

Hawaii Volcanoes National Park Family Trip

There are two campgrounds and lodge.

We stayed in an amazing 3 Bedroom Cottage with Kitchen & Jetted Tub at Kilauea Military Camp.

big-island-model

Here is where a newer lava flow meets an older lava flow.

old-and-new-lava-flows

On Steaming Bluff, overlooking the caldera.

overlooking-the-crater

Walking past Steam Vents. It was ethereal and made the forest look misty and magical.

hiking-the-trails

We loved seeing the vibrant and stunning flowers that grow nowhere else in the world!

red-flower
yellow-flower

Aaron and Liz walked along the Sulphur Banks Trail (Ha‘akulamanu). It’s 0.6 mile.

The warning signs said the odor could be hazardous to pregnancy, young children, or anyone with heart or breathing problems, so I took the younger girls to the visitor’s center to wait.

sulphur-path

Aaron also took the girls to view the Lava Tube. It was wet and slippery and dark, so I stayed behind for that one.

lava-tube

The rock formations inside the lava tube were very interesting.

lava-tube-rocks

As easy hike for kids is Crater Rim Trail to Waldron Ledge. It’s 1 mile.

crater-rim-trail-hike

There are some awesome views!

crater-rim-trail-view-of-caldera

Our last day, we hiked Devastation Trail. It’s 1 mile.

It is still revitalizing after being buried by cinders from the 1959 Kīlauea Iki fountain eruption.

sisters-on-devastation-trail
devastation-trail

The kids loved the Jagger Museum.

volcanoes-national-park-museum

Liz earned her Junior Ranger badge!

junior-ranger-badge

Be sure to check out:
Hawaii Activities
Non-profit Sustainable Tours
Reef Safe Advocacy

Areas of Study at Hawaii Volcanoes National Park:

Botany, Geology, Mythology, History, Ecology, Meteorology, Forestry!

Education Resources:

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Big Island Hawaii with Kids

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We visited the Big Island of Hawaii for Elizabeth’s 9th birthday in October 2009. I was pregnant with Alex at the time.

We stayed in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park.

It’s a quick and cheap hop over from the island of Oahu on Hawaiian Airlines. We lived in Honolulu for three glorious years.

We included FUN activities for the whole family – parents and little kids (we had a toddler and preschooler) and our older daughter.

The Big Island of Hawaii with Kids

Be sure to check out:
Hawaii Activities
Non-profit Sustainable Tours
Reef Safe Advocacy

We hiked ʻAkaka Falls State Park. It’s a circular hike through a jungle. It was super sticky in the rainforest. The waterfall view was so worth it!

We visited the small but lovely Pana’ewa Rainforest Zoo and Gardens to see Namaste, the white tiger, who has since passed away. They have a lovely monarch butterfly sanctuary.

namaste-the-white-tiger

The gardens were beautiful.

panaewa-rainforest-zoo-and-gardens

We toured the lovely Japanese-inspired Liliʻuokalani Park and Gardens.

lili%ca%bbuokalani-park-and-gardens-pagoda-bridge
bridge-in-lili%ca%bbuokalani-park-and-gardens

We should have worn swimsuits to play in Rainbow Falls (Waiānuenue). The water is calm with a little sandy bank and there’s always a rainbow to be seen!

rainbow-falls-family-photo
rainbow-falls

The black sand at Punaluʻu Beach was lovely for pictures in white dresses.

punalu%ca%bbu-beach
girls-at-punalu%ca%bbu-beach
punalu%ca%bbu-beach-couple-photo
honu-at-punalu%ca%bbu-beach
pregnancy-photo-at-punalu%ca%bbu-beach

The best kid beach we found was Kahalu`u Beach Park. Great little sandy beach area and tidepools for exploring. Perfect to view the sunset.

tidepools-at-kahaluu-beach-park
kahaluu-beach-park-sunset

Visiting Puʻuhonua o Hōnaunau National Historical Park was like traveling back in time.pu%ca%bbuhonua-o-honaunau-national-historical-park

Puʻuhonua o Hōnaunau National Historical Park preserves the site where Hawaiians who broke kapu (one of the ancient laws) could avoid death by fleeing to this place of refuge or puʻuhonua. The offender would be absolved by a priest and freed to leave. Defeated warriors and non-combatants could also find refuge here during times of battle. The grounds just outside the Great Wall that encloses the puʻuhonua were home to several generations of powerful chiefs.

 

The 420-acre site was originally established in 1955 as City of Refuge National Historical Park, but was renamed on November 10, 1978. It includes the puʻuhonua and a complex of archeological sites including: temple platforms, royal fishponds, sledding tracks, and some coastal village sites. The Hale o Keawe temple and several thatched structures have been reconstructed.

The park contains a reconstruction of the Hale O Keawe heiau, which was originally built by Kona chief Kanuha in honor of his father, King Keaweʻīkekahialiʻiokamoku. After the death of Keaweʻīkekahialiʻiokamoku, his bones were entombed within the heiau. The nobility (ali’i) of Kona continued to be buried until the abolition of the kapu system. The last person buried here was a son of Kamehameha I in 1818.

pu%ca%bbuhonua-o-honaunau-national-historical-park-tiki

We were disappointed in the Mauna Loa Macadamia Nut Factory. No tours, just looking through the window and there’s a gift shop with samples.

mauna-loa-factory

We wasted a drive to the South Point to snap a photo of the plaque. It looked like a desert and only a portable potty.

south-point-hawaii
south-point

But don’t miss a trip to the Punalu’u Bake Shop!

punaluu-bake-shop

We only viewed the Captain Cook Monument across Kealakekua Bay.

captain-cook-monument

Although there are theories that Spanish or Dutch sailors might have stopped here much earlier, the first documented European to arrive was Captain James Cook. He and his crews on the Resolution and Discovery sighted Kealakekua Bay on the morning of January 17, 1779. He estimated several thousand people lived in the two villages. On January 28, he performed the first Christian service on the islands, for the funeral of a crew member who had died.

Cook had entered the bay during Makahiki. This was a traditionally peaceful time of year, so he and his men were welcomed and given food. Cook and his crew stayed for several weeks, returning to sea shortly after the end of the festival. After suffering damage during a storm, the ships returned two weeks later, on February 14. This time relations were not as smooth.

After the theft of one of Resolution’s small boats by a local native Hawaiian, Cook attempted to lure Hawaiian chief Kalaniʻōpuʻu aboard to hold as hostage until the boat was returned. A skirmish ensued during which Cook was killed, near the spot where he had first set foot on the island.

The monument can be accessed by a 1-hour hike from the road or by crossing the bay by boat.

Where we ate:

I cannot express how much we loved eating at Merriman’s. They also have locations on Maui and Kauai!

Ken’s House of Pancakes is great for breakfast or brunch. We took Liz for her birthday breakfast.

Hilo Fish Company is a lovely restaurant for seafood.

We did not enjoy touristy and commercialized Kona, but we stopped at Kona Brewing Company for my husband to try their beer. Since I was pregnant, I didn’t get any!

The Big Island of Hawaii has so much to offer everyone – history, lovely gardens, great food, and natural wonders.

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Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day

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National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day is observed annually in the United States on December 7, to remember and honor the 2,403 victims who were killed in the Japanese surprise attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941.

National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day

On August 23, 1994, United States Congress, designated December 7 of each year as National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day.

It is a tradition on this day to fly the flag of the United States at half-staff until sunset in honor of dead patriots.

My parents visited us when we lived in Hawaii and Pearl Harbor was their main interest so of course we scheduled a special tour for them.

We requested the COMPACFLT historic Remembrance Tour, a special service for military and dependents.

Pearl Harbor Memorial Visitor Center

Children over 8 are allowed on the tour.

With Grandma at Pearl Harbor

My dad proudly wore his USS Shangri-La hat. He served a tour in the US Navy in the 1960s and later retired from the US Army Reserve and DoD in the 1990s.

He was all choked up at the museum and memorials.

Almost every family vacation we ever had included military history!

My Dad at the Pearl Harbor Memorial

Liz and my mom enjoyed the boat tour.

Remembrance Boat Ride

This lovely plaque meets visitors at the USS Arizona Memorial.

USS Arizona Memorial Plaque

Several memorials have been built to remember the day and its events.

The USS Arizona Memorial in Pearl Harbor is a marble memorial over the sunken battleship USS Arizona, which was dedicated in 1962. The memorial remembers all military personnel who were killed in the Pearl Harbor attack.

USS Arizona Survivors Interred with Their Shipmates
USS Arizona Memorial Wall

Another memorial is that of the USS Utah, a battleship that was sunk in the attack. A memorial to honor the crew of the USS Utah was dedicated on the northwest shore of Ford Island, near the ship’s wreck, in 1972. The ship was added to the National Register of Historic Places and declared a National Historic Landmark in 1989.

Read 7 Pearl Harbor Survivor Stories!

Pearl Harbor Memorials

Pearl Harbor & Arizona Memorial Hours:

Daily from 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Things to Know Before You Visit:

Tickets
Depending on the time of year, tickets can sell out months in advance. To avoid tickets selling out, you can book one of the Authorized Pearl Harbor Tours. They are permitted by the National Park Service to provide transportation and tours to the site.

Admission/Tickets to the USS Arizona Memorial are free. However, tickets reserved in advance are not free. When you purchase a tour, tickets are reserved in advance.

If you plan to visit Pearl Harbor on your own, you may purchase advance tickets online before they sell out. You may attempt to get walk-in tickets at the Pearl Harbor Visitor’s Center.  Tickets are available on a first come, first serve basis. All members of your party must be present to receive a walk-in ticket. All of the walk-in tickets are often secured by visitors who arrive before 7:00 AM. The wait for walk-in tickets can be up to 7 hours.

Tickets for the Battleship Missouri Memorial, Pacific Aviation Museum, and the USS Bowfin Submarine Museum & Park are available on Pearl Harbor Tours.

Tour Duration
Tours are self-guided, and last 75 minutes (1 hour, 15 minutes). The movie is 25 minutes and the remaining 50 minutes is the round trip boat ride and time on the Arizona Memorial.

Tours provide additional free time to visit the Museums/Exhibits.

Food & Beverages
There are concession stands at the Visitor Center which sell snacks and beverages. There are also concession stands and gift stores at the nearby Bowfin Submarine Museum & Park.

While on the Arizona Memorial program (movie, boat, memorial), only bottled water is permitted. Food and drinks are permitted in the visitor center, but please remember to adhere to the no bags rule of the Pearl Harbor FAQs.

What to Wear
Hawaii is a warm and sunny place. We recommend wearing sunscreen and a hat to protect from the sun when you visit Pearl Harbor. It occasionally rains and visitors should pack rain jackets when visiting Hawaii. Check the weather before you visit Pearl Harbor to determine if it is necessary.

Be sure to wear comfortable shoes as you will be walking a great deal during your visit. Sandals are permitted. The Arizona Memorial is a place of honor. The men of the Arizona lay inside their ship. We encourage visitors to dress respectably.  Bathing suits and other similarly revealing clothing, as well as profane T-shirts, are discouraged. Rangers have the authority to prohibit entry for inappropriate clothing.

Accessibility
All areas of the Pearl Harbor Visitor Center as well as the Navy shuttle boats, and the Arizona Memorial are wheelchair accessible.

Information about the COMPACFLT historic Remembrance Tour:

  • The COMPACFLT historic Remembrance Tour is conducted every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.  The tour begins at 0845 (Tues, Weds, and Thurs) and 1300 (Weds and Thurs only).  Guests must have prior reservation to take the tour.   Proper ID is required. Complete the written request form.
  • This two-hour tour is fully narrated and includes a visit to the boathouse museum and viewing of a 23-minute movie on the attack of Pearl Harbor.  The boat tour follows with a tour around Ford Island and a stop at the Arizona Memorial.
  • Reservations are accepted no more than 30 days in advance on a first-come, first-serve basis.  Authorized personnel are active duty, reserve & retired military and DOD personnel.  A waiting list is not maintained.
  • Authorized personnel may sponsor up to four guests and must accompany his/her party. Exceptions are approved by the Protocol Officer for up to six guests.  All other requests shall be submitted in writing using the REMEMBRANCE Request Form.
  • Priority is given to Flag & General Officers and Medal of Honor recipients, which may sometimes result in bumping.  Bumping privileges are suspended 48 hours prior to the start of the cruise.
  • Spouses of Flag and General Officers (O7-O10) may escort their guests with valid ID card. Spouses of deceased military personnel may sponsor their guests.
  • Attire for all active duty military personnel not in a leave status are at a minimum: *There are no exceptions.
    • Navy: Summer White
    • Marine Corps: Service “C”
    • Army: Army Green
    • Coast Guard: Tropical Blue
    • Air Force: Service Uniform/Class “B”

Don’t miss viewing the Pearl Harbor Memorials if you visit Hawaii!

Learn more about Pearl Harbor History:


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Makahiki – Thanksgiving in Hawaii

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The Makahiki season is the ancient Hawaiian Thanksgiving festival, in honor of the Hawaiian god, Lono.

It begins when the Pleiades constellation is first observed rising above the horizon at sunset.

During the four lunar months (approximately from October/November through February/March) of the Makahiki, warfare and deep-sea fishing are kapu, or prohibited.

Makahiki is a time to gather together, pay tithes to chiefs who then redistributed the gifts of the land, a cease of farming labors, and a feast to enjoy competitive games. Hawaiians give ritualized thanks for the abundance of the earth and call upon the gods to provide rain and prosperity in the future.

The Makahiki festival is celebrated in three phases:

  • The first phase was a time of spiritual cleansing and making ho’okupu, offerings to the gods.
  • The second phase was a time of celebration with dancing, sports, and games.
  • In the third phase, the wa’a ‘auhau (tax canoe) was loaded with ho’okupu and set adrift as a gift to Lono.

My daughter and I watched a Makahiki ceremony at Hickam Air Force Base.

The symbolic retinue arrived from outrigger canoes on the beach and were joined by base and wing commanders for the start of the ceremony.

Symbolic Retinue

Akua Loa: The wooden staff with crosspiece draped in white kapa and feather lei represents the Hawaiian god, Lono.

It was carried around the island perimeter in a clockwise direction. Traditionally, the retinue stopped at the boundary of each ahupua’a where a stone altar, or ahu, included the carved wooden pig – the pua’a – and where gifts of the district had been collected. The original slow circuit of the islands took several days.

Offerings to Lono

The chief collected gifts and offerings – food, animals, kapa, cordage, feathers, and other items.

Banner of Lono

Makahiki rituals were the most festive of the Hawaiian religion and included dramatic pageants.

The pageant of Maoloha, or the net of Makali’i, featured a net of food symbolizing the Pleiades and a future period of prosperity.

Hula chants and dances were composed specifically for Makahiki.

Hula

Sports and games were part of the celebration.

Some of the games that were enjoyed: heihei kūkini (racing), mokomoko (boxing), hākōkō (a wrestling style similar to sumo), pūhenehene (a skilled-game of deception), and kōnane (a board game resembling chess).

We watched a javelin dance to symbolize their sporting events.

Javelin Dance

My daughter liked the hula and drums most.

Ceremony

Red and yellow are the colors of Hawaiian royalty.

Makahiki

Once the proper rituals and ceremonies were performed, the chief lifted the kapu on fishing, farming and war and a basket of food was ritually set adrift on the sea, lashed to the outrigger of a wooden canoe. Normal life resumed and the farming cycle began again.

This time served as a period of reflection, recognition, and pride.

Did you know?

The sails and masts of Captain James Cook’s ship resembled Lono’s Akua Loa. Captain Cook arrived at Kealakekua Bay, near a large heiau to Lono, during the Makahiki season in 1778.

I am so glad we got to witness a part of Hawaiian culture and history during our traditional Thanksgiving season.

A Prayer for Abundance

Pule Hoʻūluulu ʻAi

from Hawaiian Antiquities by David Malo

E Kāne auloli ka honua!
Honu ne’epū ka ‘āina.
Ulu nakaka, kāwahawaha ka honua,
Ulu ka ‘ai hāpu’u, e Lono,
‘Ohi malo’o, kupukupu,
‘Ohi ‘a’ā nā ‘uala o nā pali,
Pali kū kāwahawaha ka ua,
Ka ua hā’ule lani,
He hā’ule lani ka ‘uala.
He ‘āweu ke kalo,
He lauloa pili kanawao
O wao akua ka ‘ai, e Kāne!
E Kāne! E Lono! Nā akua mahi ‘ai,
Ho’ōla i ka ‘āina!
A pohō ka ‘ai,
A ulu kupukupu,
A ulu lau po’o ‘ole;
A ‘o ka nui ia o ka ʻai
Āu, e Kāne a me Lono.
‘Āmama. Ua noa.

O Kāne, transform the earth,
Let the earth move as one piece,
The land is cracked and fissured,
The edible fern yet grows, oh Lono,
Let kupukupu cover the dry land,
Gather potatoes as stones on the side-hills
The rain comes like the side of a pali,
The rain falling from heaven.
The potato also falls from heaven.
The wild taro is the only taro now,
The taro of the mountain patches.
The only food is that of the wilds, oh Kāne!
Oh Kāne and Lono! Gods of the husbandmen,
Give life to the land!
Until the food goes to waste.
Until it sprouts in the ground;
Until the leaves cover the land;
And such be the plenty
Of you, O Kāne and Lono.
The burden is lifted. We are free.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Hau’oli La Ho’omakika’i! 

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