Hawaii
A Snob’s Guide to Oahu With Kids
Rare is it to find someone who vacations where they grew up. But perhaps less so if you were raised in a place like Oahu (guilty!), where even the most fantastical Hawaiian stereotypes prove delightfully true: surfing the ocean as a kid, swimming underneath waterfalls during hiking excursions, befriending giant sea turtles that look straight out of a Disney movie.
Some might snub Oahu, deeming it the most “touristy” of the Hawaiian islands—too developed, too busy. For the incurious traveler, that may ring true. But for families who travel thoughtfully, Oahu is one of the most beautiful, layered, and substantive destinations you can visit—for both kids and adults. From the Sunday brunch spot where you can get your bottomless prosecco (and the kids can have their unlimited ice cream sundaes), to the Obama-approved beach that has a spate of activities for all ages, to the museums that’ll inspire even your most jaded teen to pay attention, there is fun for all to be found. You just need to know where to go—which is where we come in.
Where to Stay
The Ritz-Carlton O‘ahu, Turtle Bay, is bar none on the island. Located on the North Shore on more than 1,000 acres, the paragon of natural beauty has five miles of secluded coastline and seven unique beaches. For a lodging experience more authentic (and luxurious) than the typical hotel, book an Ocean Bungalow, a secluded villa that is about as oceanfront as it gets—and only a five-minute walk from the main hotel. It comes with a private beach, pool, and concierge, plus access to the Club Lounge, an exclusive waterfront space with an all-day buffet perfect for families.
Elsewhere on the property, families can take full advantage of private surf lessons, horseback riding, hula lessons, lei making, and two water slides that will keep energy levels high. Be sure to order the fish tacos at the pool, made with artisanal tortillas from Raiz Tortillas. Another reason to check in: This fall, the Ritz-Carlton will be introducing a kids club with outdoor experiences focused on Hawaiian culture. And despite feeling like you’re in your own little world, when you decide to venture off-property, you’re just 20 minutes away from Haleiwa, home of the biggest surfing beaches in the world, and 40 minutes from Waikiki.
The Ocean Bungalow suites at the Ritz-Carlton O‘ahu, Turtle Bay, come with a private pool and slice of beach.
For a hotel only 20 minutes from the airport, Four Seasons Oahu is beautiful, has some great restaurants, including La Hiki, and caters to children of all ages with a dedicated kids pool and a kid-friendly manmade beach. That being said, the Disney hotel sits right next door, and both resorts share a beach—so it can get crowded. While there are certainly many kids who might enjoy the Disney-fication of any vacation, the adults might not find merit in seeing Mickey Mouse eclipse the sunrise. On the plus side, if you want to take them to a Disney Character brunch, you can easily walk on over. And if you’d rather stay in Waikiki, Halekulani stands out thanks to its expansive luxury suites and incredible food selection (more on that later).
For the Adventurous Family
Hula lessons are on offer at the Ritz-Carlton’s Paniolo Luau.
The charming, laid-back North Shore is home to endless outdoor activities. What better way to begin than in the ocean? Sign the whole fam up for surf lessons at the Jamie O’Brien Surf Experience, which has some of the best instructors on the island (and is great for beginners).
A visit to Hawaii would not be complete without a luau, and the best on the island is the Paniolo Luau, a celebration of Hawaii’s cowboy heritage set at the Stables at the Ritz-Carlton. Prepare for a fiery (pun intended) dinner show that pays homage to Paniolo culture with music, hula, and a Hawaiian feast featuring everything from a traditional pig roast to classic campfire s’mores. Afterwards, take a guided tour with Stargazers of Hawaii, where an astronomer will lead a night of stargazing.
Dinosaur-obsessed kids and movie buffs alike will find common ground at Kualoa Ranch. The Jurassic-inspired tour can be done via horse, UTV, or zipline. There are no bad options—all provide a full immersion into the iconic filming locations from the sets of Jurassic World, Jumanji, and Godzilla.
The Hollywood famous Kualoa Ranch.
Do head south, too, where Honolulu offers its own array of coastal activities. Book a private catamaran sailing tour off Waikiki to watch the sunset. Take a hike to Manoa Falls, Makapu’u Lighthouse, or Diamond Head, which are well suited for kids with relatively short routes lasting between one and two hours. Or, for sweeping coastal views—and the perfect family postcard—drive along Kalanianaʻole Highway towards Makapu’u.
Over on the windward coast (translation: east) of Oahu is Lanikai Beach, a favorite of former President Obama and one of the best beaches for kids. If you’re feeling adventurous, arrive at around 5 a.m. for sunrise. Older kids may enjoy a private kayaking tour out to the Mokulua Islands, an elusive pair of islets that are rarely photographed. Alternatively, head offshore to the Kaneohe Sandbar, where guided snorkeling tours on shallow, calm waters practically guarantee plenty of sea turtle and tropical fish sightings.
For the Cultured Family
Doris Duke’s Shangri La.
Oahu’s rarified history shines through two of its most decorated residential palaces. First, there is Shangri La, the former home of billionaire heiress—and erstwhile “richest girl in the world”—Doris Duke. Perched on a cliff above the Pacific, the home is a maximalist love letter to Islamic Art that is particularly well-suited for families with older children (just think of the Instagram potential). Booking a guided tour is required so plan accordingly.
Then there is Iolani Palace. Built in 1882 to serve as the official residence of the Hawaiian monarchs, it remained a royal home until the overthrow of the Hawaiian Kingdom and its last queen, Liliʻuokalani, in 1893. Rich with legend and political history, the palace offers a sobering—and essential—perspective to counterbalance the fantasy of Hawaii many visitors arrive with, its stories conveyed through both architecture and narrative.
The statuesque ‘Iolani Palace, the former residence of Hawaii’s last monarchs, is the only official royal palace in the United States.
The Honolulu Museum of Art may surprise you with its intimacy, despite boasting a diverse collection of 55,000 pieces spanning 5,000 years. For a more aerial perspective, a private Pearl Harbor Warbirds flight is a compelling way to bypass crowds and learn about one of World War II’s most significant historical landmarks.
And yes, shopping can be culture, too. Oahu has the world’s largest outdoor mall, the Ala Moana Shopping Center, where you can easily spend an afternoon, then head down to Waikiki for a meal. While you peruse the designer wares on Luxury Row, your kids can get their fill of unique toys and charming souvenirs at Keiki Kaukau, one of the best children’s brands on the island (also stocked at the Growing Keiki near the North Shore).
For the Foodie Family
Haleiwa Joe’s has the best coconut shrimp on the island.
Buffet brunches run the gamut in Waikiki, but Orchids at Halekulani comes out on top for its Sparkling Sunday Brunch, which has an ice cream sundae bar, serves sushi and sashimi (among many other things), and, for the adults, a steady flow of bubbles.
For sunset dining, Hau Tree is a favorite, with a postcard-perfect beachfront setting nestled beneath the restaurant’s namesake hau trees. If you prefer a soundtrack with your sunset, Hideout and Duke’s Waikiki deliver two distinct vibes: the former’s rooftop perch has a buzzy, bar-centric energy, making it better suited for daytime visits with younger children or evening outings with older ones, while the latter has torch-lit ocean views and a live band at dusk.
If the standard Waikiki restaurant circuit feels a bit predictable, Waioli Tea Room and Haleiwa Joe’s offer detours into a more old-school, deeply local version of Oahu. Both welcome families with a refreshingly relaxed attitude that feels miles away from the resort corridor. Other places to put on the list: The Pig and the Lady (get the Pho French Dip), Monkeypod Kitchen, Deck, House Without a Key, and Koko Head Cafe (for the Koko Moco, a loco moco with a Korean twist).
HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – A piece of equipment designed to provide temporary water access across Oahu is now being targeted by thieves, prompting concerns from officials over rising losses and illegal water use.
The Board of Water Supply rents out temporary meters for construction sites, public events and emergency use when potable water is needed in areas without direct service.
But officials say some of the devices are being stolen despite heavy security measures.
At installation sites, the meters are wrapped in thick steel chains and secured with multiple heavy-duty padlocks to deter tampering and theft.
“For somebody to try and take it, because you saw the chain, it’s the big links. They’re thick links, so you’d have to come with a grinder or an extremely heavy-duty bolt cutter. So it’s not impossible to remove it, but it requires quite a bit of effort to remove it,” said Kathleen Pahinui, public information officer for the Board of Water Supply.
According to the agency, about 22 temporary fire hydrant meters have been illegally removed over the past two and a half years. Eight of those thefts occurred in just the past three months.
Officials say the motive behind the thefts is not confirmed, but potential drivers include scrap value or misuse of the meters to divert water for unauthorized use.
“And we don’t want people basically stealing water because then we all end up paying for that theft,” Pahinui said.
Each temporary meter costs about $3,000 to replace, and the Board of Water Supply says responsibility for protecting the device falls on the permit holder once it is installed.
“The person who has the contract with us has to replace it,” Pahinui said.
State Sen. Brenton Awa said one stolen meter on the North Shore had been serving the Haleiwa Seed Bank, where volunteers are planting coconut and ulu trees for the community.
“We set this up with the Board of Water so that we’re within the rules, we’re paying for the water, for the project, for the community. And then it just wasn’t here one day,” Awa said.
“It’s a piece of metal on the side of the road. Who’s going to steal this thing? But apparently… it’s worth something,” Awa added.
Under Hawaii law, scrap yards are prohibited from purchasing municipal, utility or state owned equipment without proper documentation.
Recyclers say materials commonly found in the meters, including brass and bronze, typically sell for about $2 to $3 per pound depending on grade. While the scrap value is relatively low, companies say functioning used meters can resell for hundreds of dollars.
The Board of Water Supply is urging the public to report any suspicious activity involving temporary meters by calling (808) 748-5000.
Copyright 2026 Hawaii News Now. All rights reserved.
June 17, 2026, 8:39 AM HST
An early-morning magnitude 4.5 earthquake on Wednesday, 11 miles southeast of Pāhala, had no apparent impact on either Mauna Loa or Kīlauea volcanoes.
According to the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory, the shaker struck at 2:14 a.m. at a depth of 21 miles below sea level. More than 169 “Felt Reports” were documented within the first hour of the tremor, which was felt widely across Hawai‘i Island.
The U.S. Geological Survey reported the quake as a magnitude 4.6.
Aftershocks are possible in the coming days to weeks. The Hawaiian Volcano Observatory continues to monitor Hawaiian volcanoes for any changes.
No damage to buildings or infrastructure is expected given the earthquake’s intensity, and no tsunami threat was triggered.
This earthquake is part of the seismic swarm under the Pāhala area, which has been going on since 2019. Earthquakes in this region have been observed at least as far back as the 1960s.
Click here to read more about the swarm.
HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – Honolulu City Council candidate Trevor Ozawa has filed a lawsuit seeking to block Council Chair Tommy Waters from running for another term.
The lawsuit argues Waters is ineligible to seek re-election because the Honolulu City Charter limits councilmembers to two consecutive four-year terms.
According to the complaint, Waters was elected to the District IV council seat in a special remedial election in 2019 and again in the 2022 general election. Ozawa argues a successful 2026 campaign would amount to a third consecutive term, which he says is prohibited under the charter.
The challenge stems from a recent determination by Acting City Clerk Chadd Kadota, who concluded Waters is eligible to run because his first stint in office did not begin until he was sworn in during 2019. The lawsuit contends the city charter says council terms begin Jan. 2 following an election, regardless of when a councilmember takes the oath of office.
Ozawa previously filed an objection with the city clerk’s office, but the clerk declined to pursue disqualification proceedings and said no further action would be taken.
The lawsuit asks the court to quickly resolve the dispute before ballots for the 2026 election are printed.
Copyright 2026 Hawaii News Now. All rights reserved.
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