Family

With ohana (family) at the very heart of Hawaiian culture, there is plenty of fun to be had for kids of all ages.

O‘AHU Snorkel with the smalls ▶ A 70-minute drive from Waikiki on the island’s North Shore, you will find serenely sheltered Kuilima Cove tucked behind Turtle Bay Resort (turtlebayresort. com) – park here for free. The crystal-clear water glimmers with yellow butterflyfish, aquamarine parrotfish, unicorn fish, damsel fish and crustaceans. Landlubbers can build sandcastles, play on grass or grab bites at Roy’s Beach House right on the sand.

THE ISLAND OF HAWAI‘I Kayak over mountains ▶ Explore the remote landscape of Kohala on the island’s northern tip in a four-person kayak with Flumin Kohala (fluminkohala.com). Cruise flumes that once irrigated vast fields of sugar cane, float through lush jungle and volcanic mountainside, soar across whispering streams and thundering waterfalls, then delve into underground tunnels. Over-fives will stay tuned as guides tell tales of ancient kings, folklore and the natural history behind this magical place.

MAUI Live it up at a lū‘au ▶ Come join the party! The waterside sunset is epic, the earth oven-cooked pork is delicious, the drums set the atmosphere – and even the antsiest kids stay glued to the action at the Te Au Moana lū‘au (teaumoana. com) at the Wailea Beach Resort. Lū‘aus can get long so this one hooks everyone early with predinner activities then cleverly paces cultural song and hula-based storytelling with fiery performances, games and dances.

THE ISLAND OF HAWAI‘I Explore the trails ▶ Self-drive around Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park (nps.gov), 46 kilometres inland from Hilo, to see black lava flows, steam vents and some of the world’s most active volcanoes. Pick up a Junior Ranger activity pack from the Kilauea Visitor Center, grab a juice at Volcano House to spy the massive Kīlauea caldera and hit easily accessible tracks like the smelly Sulphur Banks Trail and the smooth Devastation Trail.

THE ISLAND OF HAWAI‘I Zip-line through the treetops ▶ Like your eco experiences with a buzz of excitement? On a zip-line tour at The Umauma Experience (umaumaexperience. com) in Hakalau, 24 kilometres north of Hilo,  y up to 104 kilometres per hour through the electric green canopy and over 14 rushing waterfalls, across suspension bridges and lava tubes and get views of the Paci c Ocean on a 90-minute nature lesson. Riders must be at least four years old and 16 kilograms.

O‘AHU Drop into a surf school ▶ O‘ahu has more surf schools than you can shake a shaka at but Ohana Surf Project (ohanasurfproject.com) tunes into the family  ow. For one or two-hour lessons at 9am, 12pm or 3pm daily, a bright yellow surf school bus picks everyone up from your Waikiki hotel bound for Publics, a reliable break next to Waikiki Aquarium. Surf coaches specialise in tandem lessons (child and teacher share a board) for ages two to six, family lessons (parents join kids aged over four) or one-to-one lessons even for non-swimmers and those with varying physical abilities. Grandparents who do not want to get wet can come just to watch.

MAUI Visit an island farm ▶ With verdant pastures, clean tropical air and rich volcanic soil, Maui sits at the heart of the farm-to-table process behind authentic Hawaiian food. Young food lovers will get a kick out of sucking sweet juice straight from the fruit on a 90-minute Maui Pineapple Tour (mauipineappletour.com) or handfeeding the goats that make awardwinning cheeses at Sur ng Goat Dairy (sur nggoatdairy.com) in Kula.

THE ISLAND OF HAWAI‘I Be cuddled by a seahorse ▶ Fact: it is the male seahorse that carries babies and gives birth. Learn more cool facts on a tour of Ocean Rider Seahorse Farm (seahorse.com) on the Kona oceanfront, where conservationists raise 25 species of seahorse and sea dragon to be pets. Kids will love touching the little creatures as they curl around their finger in a seahorse cuddle.

MAUI Hunt for hidden treasure ▶ Getting wet and muddy is guaranteed. Challenge accepted? Follow your map through jungle, swim in an idyllic lagoon and track the clues to discover lost bounty on a Maui Treasure Hunt (mauitreasurehunt.com) in Kahului. Covering three kilometres in three hours, this guided eco lessonturned-adventure is best for five-year-olds or older with stamina to handle hiking and stairs.

O‘AHU “Snuba” with sea creatures ▶ The snuba (a cross between snorkelling and scuba with a piped air supply and no tricky tank) upgrade on a Ko Olina Ocean Adventures Sail and Snorkel (koolinaoceanadventures. com) catamaran tour takes swimmers (aged over eight) up to 20 feet deep on the reefs off the Wainae Coast. Spot turtles, fish and even dolphins as they chase the wake of the boat.

O‘AHU Meet the real Moana ▶ Aulani Resort (disneyaulani. com), Disney Hotels’ outpost on an uncrowded stretch of Ko ‘Olina coast, adds a local touch to your stay with cultural cra s like lei-making and nature-inspired suites that gaze across the bay. Mickey and other classic Disney characters show up at pool parties and Auntie’s Beach House play centre but you came to Hawai‘i for the actual Moana, right? You can  nd her at a  re pit storytelling or a meetand-greet event (a hotel hotline reveals where she will be daily). A dress-up session can even transform li le ones aged three to 12 into the wayfaring heroine, supercharging Moana mania for life. Hey parents, “It’s OK, it’s OK – you’re welcome!” coast, adds a local touch to your stay show up at pool parties and Auntie’s

MAUI Dive in a real submarine ▶Sink 30 metres below the waves in the Atlantis Submarine (atlantisadventures.com) to trail bright swarms of  sh, white tip reef sharks and eagle rays around the wreck of the Carthaginian, a replica 19th century supply ship. From December to May, watch for whales on the boat ride from Lahaina Harbor out to the sub. Submariners must stand over 92 centimetres.

O‘AHU Paddle on a perfect lagoon ▶ Hire a kayak, aquacycle, pedalo or SUP on Duke Kahanamoku Lagoon, a huge saltwater, sand-bottom pool just behind the beach. The lagoon edges Hilton Hawaiian Village (hiltonhawaiianvillage. com) – the hotel keeps the beach pristine but it is free for all to use. Food trucks pull up to the south and the resort’s fireworks display sparks up on Friday evenings.

THE ISLAND OF HAWAI‘I Chase wondrous waterfalls ▶ As a column of water rages 134 metres down ‘Akaka Falls to an emerald pool below, a teensy fish called the o’opua climbs, using its suckers and fins, up the waterfall to lay its eggs in the stream above. Happily, these falls are easier for you to see: it’s a 25-minute drive from Hilo to ‘Akaka Falls State Park (dlnr.hawaii.gov) and a pretty 650-metre walk toddlers can easily tackle.

MAUI Swim like a mermaid ▶ Slip on your tail and channel your inner mermaid with Hawaii Mermaid Adventures (hawaiimermaid adventures.com) at the Hyatt Regency Maui Resort & Spa in Lahaina. Or explore the coral at Mākena Beach, a fiveminute drive south of Wailea – luckily, southern Maui mermaids are also certified lifeguards and marine naturalists. Tails fit from 22 kilograms. Too tiny? Book to meet up on dry land instead.

A traditional canoeing expedition in Maui proves to be as entertaining as it is enriching for Leslie Hsu Oh and her kids.

Water world

▶ A carapace (shell) with streaks the colour of koa, an indigenous wood used by Hawaiians to build their wa‘a (canoes), surfaces near our 45-foot traditional Hawaiian outrigger canoe. “Honu!” My five-year-old leaps to her feet excitedly, calling the green sea turtle by its local name, which she has just learnt. Camera in hand, I am torn between snapping photos of the turtle or my husband and four kids’ delight as they paddle on the six-seater vessel.

Kevin Piilani Hoke from Hawaiian Ocean Sports (hawaiianoceansports.com) is guiding us on an hour-long Outrigger Culture and Turtle Tour off Wailea Beach in South Maui. “Lawa,” Kevin says to stop us paddling. He tells us to stay quiet and watch the honu. “That carapace is nearly four feet [one metre] in length so this honu probably weighs over 100 kilograms.” Their lungs are two-thirds the size of their shell, which means they can stay underwater for up to five hours, so it could be a while until it surfaces for breath.

While we wait for it to rise out of the calm emerald water that Wailea is famous for, my

two-year-old splashes the ocean with the lei she is wearing, delighted with the necklace of fresh orchids she received from our hotel. Kevin tells us that 1800 years ago, when voyagers from Tahiti sailed to Hawai‘i on canoes like ours, they introduced the lei. “The lei is a gift of positive energy,” he says. With the sacred island of Kanaloa, the navigational centre connecting Hawai‘i to Tahiti, looming in the background, circled by white puffy clouds, Kevin teaches us about wayfinding (traditional ways for humans and animals to orient themselves). Cold water indicates we are far away from land, while warm water means we are close.

When the turtle finally pops its head out of the water, my 13-year-old and 10-year-old burst into laughter. It blinks at them with a grumpy “what’s-so-funny” expression on its face.

As we wade ashore soon after, my kids can’t stop talking about the honu and its threatened species status. It makes me hugely thankful – not only for the unforgettable adventure we have had as a family but because just one day in the Hawaiian Islands has given my children a new-found respect for the ocean.

Trip planner

Beaches, adventures – and Moana! This itinerary guarantees a lifetime of memories for the whole family.

DAY 1 O‘AHU Hit iconic, easy waves in Waikiki, then the aquarium. Stroll the Beach Walk for evening eats.

DAY 2 O‘AHU Drive to the North Shore for its famous surf breaks, easy snorkelling (and ice-cream).

DAY 3 O‘AHU “Snuba” off the Wainae Coast.

DAY 4 MAUI Do a farm tour, trying pineapples and cheese.

DAY 5 MAUI Take on an eco-themed treasure hunt in Kahului.

DAY 6 LĀNA‘I Explore a hidden paradise off Maui on a daytrip, watch whales December to April.

DAY 7 MAUI Deep dive in mermaid tails, or submerge in a submarine.

DAY 8 O‘AHU Enjoy a lū’au or a fun Moana experience before heading home.