Oahu's Family Fun Attractions

Oahu continues to be an ultimate Hawaiian hot spot for family vacations. Not only is the island blessed with great weather and tropical beaches, it also boasts a diverse range of theme parks and interpretive centers that add to its appeal. Whether educational purposes or solely for fun, these sites reflect Hawaiian culture and spirit, and make the island an ideal choice for a getaway with the family.

POLYNESIAN CULTURAL CENTER

The Park
Located on 42 acres (17 ha) of land, The Polynesian Cultural Center is divided into seven districts: Hawaii, Samoa, Aotearoa (Maori New Zealand), Fiji, the Marquesas, Tahiti and Tonga. Each district features a traditionally-recreated village that is unique to its specific Polynesian island. The park workers, mostly students of Brigham Young University Hawaii, wear authentic Polynesian garments and perform traditional tasks in order to bring historic island existence to life. Visitors can take part in various activities throughout the park, whether it be learning to throw a spear in Tonga or dance to a Polynesian drumbeat in Tahiti.

Dancers at the Polynesian Cultural Center1

In addition to the seven villages, Rapa Nui, an exhibit opened in 2003, features carvings and stone statues unique to Easter Island. While the Hawaii Mission Settlement section of the park informs tourists about the influence Christianity had on Hawaii during the 1850s.

Shows
Every afternoon on the lagoon a colorful waterborne show called the Rainbows of Paradise takes place. During the performance, each historic village presents the song and dance of their island from aboard Polynesian-style canoes. For a more extravagant dance show, visitors may be interested in purchasing tickets to Horizons: Where the Sea Meets the Sky. Preformed in the 2,800-seat Pacific Theater every evening, the show features more than 100 cast members.

Luau
At the Hale Aloha Theater, the Polynesian Cultural Center hosts Ali'i Luau, a traditional-style luau that is capable of accommodating 700 guests. Luau traditions consist of a lei flower greeting, music, dance, food and other entertaining Hawaiian customs. The cuisine served is both modern and authentically Hawaiian. Traditional dishes that can be sampled include Poi—prepared taro root, or Pipi kaula—a seasoned beef jerky brought to Hawaii by western sailors.

Getting There
Located in the community of Laie, there are two main driving routes for accessing the cultural center from Honolulu. Drivers can chose to drive along the Windward Coast or through the Koolau Mountains. Tourists who do not have a rental car can ride the MiniBus, which provides round-trip transportation from most Waikiki hotels directly to the cultural center.

DOLE PLANTATION

	Dole Plantation Garden2

Operated by the Dole Food Company, the Dole Plantation was originally established as the Hawaiian Pineapple Company by the “Pineapple King,” James Drummond Dole. There are three main attractions at the working plantation, which draws in more than a million visitors a year.

The Pineapple Garden Maze
The Pineapple Garden Maze, which the Guinness Book of World Records named the World's Largest Maze in 2001 is a popular tourist draw. The maze is constructed from 11,400 plants and covers 3 acres (1.2 ha) of land. Upon entry, visitors search for pineapple clues that are hidden throughout the maze in order to find a way out as quickly as possible.

The Pineapple Express
For a fun tour of the plantation, the young and old can hop aboard The Pineapple Express. The fully-narrated tour lasts 20 minutes and provides riders with a brief overview of Hawaii's pineapple industry, agriculture and history.

Plantation Garden Tour
Visitors on the self-guided Garden Tour stroll through a variety of crops and vegetation unique to Oahu's North Shore. Information provided along the walk will enlighten visitors about the life of a plantation laborer.

Getting There
The plantation is located in central Oahu near Wahiawa, approximately a 40-minute drive from Waikiki. Drivers should take Highway 1 West then follow Highway 2 North before continuing to Kamehameha Highway. Public transportation is also available and takes about an hour and forty-five minutes. Tourists need to get from Waikiki to Ala Moana Shopping Center. This can be achieved by taking buses 8, 19, 20, 47 or 58. Once at the shopping center, passengers should transfer to bus 52, and get off at the Dole Plantation stop.

SEA LIFE PARK

Swimming with a Dolphin at Sea Life Park3

To Do
A vast assortment of marine life call Sea Life Park home. Ranging from penguins and sea turtles to sting rays and dolphins, visitors can observe the behavior of, and learn about this diverse group of animals. Sea Life Park also provides the opportunity to interact with animals. Feeding lettuce to the sea turtles is a fun activity, as is discovering sea urchins and other little creatures in the Touch Tank.

For those seeking a wet and educational adventure, a variety of sea life discovery activities are offered for an additional fee. Visitors can take a dive in the reef tank, swim with the dolphins or play with the sea lions.

Shows
A collection of performances featuring the park's menagerie take place at various locations throughout the day. At the open-air theater that surrounds the Dolphin Cove, families can catch the dolphin theme shows that are performed daily. At the Hawaiian Ocean Theater dolphins and their trainers put on three educational performances a day. The large glass tank allows onlookers to watch wild tricks from above and below the water. For sea lion lovers, the Kolohe Kai Surf Club puts on two entertaining shows featuring shenanigans from these amusing mammals.

Getting There
Sea Life Park is just 15 mi (24 km) from Waikiki. If driving by car, take Highway 1 East, which becomes Highway 72. The park is located across from Makapuu Beach Park, past Hanauma Bay and Sandy Beach. Taking the city bus is an option, however it is a long trip. Those without a vehicle would be wise to obtain one of the admission and transportation deals offered by the park.

HAWAIIAN WATERS ADVENTURE PARK

Located in Honolulu's neighboring city Kapolei, the Hawaiian Waters Adventure Park is situated on a 29-acre (12 ha) plot of land on the mountainous side of Highway 1. Because of its strategic location on Oahu's west side, the water park experiences the warmest and driest weather on the island, making almost every day a good day to visit.

Rides
Catering to the whole family, there are rides that appeal to small kiddies and thrill-seeking teens. The Keiki Kove is a popular attraction among younger children. It incorporates a variety of water activities and play toys such as water cannons, waterfalls and slides. On the opposite end of the thrill spectrum is the Cliffhanger. Here, daredevil riders free-fall down a six-story-high slide. Between the two extremes are plenty of other exciting waterslides and rides. Some slides require the use of the park's complimentary tubes, while others only require a willing body.

For those not in the mood to get soaked, the picnic tables, shaded areas and hundreds of lounge chairs offer a relaxing alternative to the adventurous fun of the rides. After a day of play, families can enjoy the park's food court and bar.

	An Attraction at Hawaiian Waters Adventure Park4

The Island Adventure Golf course gives guests the opportunity to dry off and brush up on their golf skills. There are 18 holes featuring tropical landscaping and entertaining décor. Keep in mind that there is an additional fee to play the course.

Getting There
The water park offers a transportation and admission package, which includes a round trip bus ticket from Waikiki in addition to park admission. Travelers choosing to drive can follow Highway 1 and turn off at exit 1. If taking public transportation, the 40 and 40A buses, which come every 30 minutes, provide service between the Ala Moana Center and the adventure park.

MORE ATTRACTIONS
In addition to these popular attractions, Oahu offers many more family-friendly activities. En route to Sea Life Park is the Hanauma Bay Nature Reserve, where visitors can snorkel in a majestic bay and observe exquisite marine life. As the bay gets very crowded it is recommended to visit early on in the day. To completely avoid the crowds of Hanauma Bay, try the North Shore's Pupukea Beach Marine Sanctuary, which is a much quieter snorkeling area.

The Waikiki Aquarium allows tourists to see the amazing reef marine life from behind glass, while if land animals are of more interest, tourists can visit the hippos, chimpanzees and kookaburras at the Honolulu Zoo, located in Waikiki.

1. Polynesian Cultural Center; Polynesian Dancers; Laie, HI, USA
2. Dole Plantation Garden; Oahu, HI, USA
3. Sea Life Park; Swimming with a Dolphin; Oahu, HI, USA
4. Hawaiian Waters Adventure Park; An Attraction at the Park; Kapolei, HI, USA