Results for "summer"

North Shore Oahu with Kids: Surf Culture, Shrimp Trucks, and Sea Turtles
North Shore

North Shore Oahu with Kids: Surf Culture, Shrimp Trucks, and Sea Turtles

A local mom's complete guide to exploring Oahu's North Shore with children, from summer tide pools and turtle sightings to winter wave watching, the best shrimp trucks, and why timing your visit matters more than you think.

Laura·
Best Hawaii Beaches for Teenagers (Ages 13-17)

Best Hawaii Beaches for Teenagers (Ages 13-17)

The coolest beaches in Hawaii that teenagers will actually enjoy, with surf, snorkeling, cliff jumping, and the social scene to match.

Laura·
Best Surf Camps for Kids in Hawaii: Where Beginners Learn to Surf
Waikiki

Best Surf Camps for Kids in Hawaii: Where Beginners Learn to Surf

From Waikiki to Kihei, here is a Hawaii mom's honest review of the best surf camps and lessons for kids who have never stood on a board.

Laura·
Hawaii in Shoulder Season: Best Months for Families to Visit
Honolulu

Hawaii in Shoulder Season: Best Months for Families to Visit

April, May, September, and October are Hawaii's secret family seasons. A Hawaii mom's honest case for skipping the crowds and saving 30 percent.

Laura·
Best Hawaii Beaches for Tweens (Ages 8-12)

Best Hawaii Beaches for Tweens (Ages 8-12)

Beaches with enough adventure to keep tweens off their screens, from beginner surf breaks to snorkeling reefs and boogie boarding shores.

Laura·
Hawaii on a Budget: 20 Money-Saving Tips from a Local Mom

Hawaii on a Budget: 20 Money-Saving Tips from a Local Mom

Think Hawaii has to break the bank? Think again. After years of island living and hosting mainland friends and family, I have gathered 20 tried-and-true tips to help your family experience the magic of Hawaii without draining your savings account.

Laura·
Best Family Beaches in Hawaii: A Local Mom's Guide to Every Island

Best Family Beaches in Hawaii: A Local Mom's Guide to Every Island

After years of hauling sandy toddlers across every Hawaiian island, here is the honest breakdown of the best family beaches from Oahu to Kauai, covering shade, bathrooms, parking, lifeguards, and wave conditions for every age.

Laura·
Beach Camping in Hawaii: A Family Adventure Guide

Beach Camping in Hawaii: A Family Adventure Guide

Everything you need to know about camping on the beach in Hawaii with kids, from permitted campgrounds to what gear to bring and how to prepare.

Laura·
Hawaii Water Sports for Teens: Kayaking, SUP, and Beyond

Hawaii Water Sports for Teens: Kayaking, SUP, and Beyond

The complete guide to water sports for teenagers in Hawaii, from stand-up paddleboarding to outrigger canoeing, jet skiing, and parasailing.

Laura·
What Living in Hawaii Is Really Like: An Honest Guide from a Mainland Transplant

What Living in Hawaii Is Really Like: An Honest Guide from a Mainland Transplant

Before you sell everything and book a one-way ticket to paradise, here is what nobody tells you about actually living in Hawaii as a mainland transplant. The good, the hard, and everything in between.

Laura·
Oahu with Kids: Honolulu, North Shore, and Everything In Between
Oahu

Oahu with Kids: Honolulu, North Shore, and Everything In Between

A local mom's comprehensive guide to exploring Oahu with kids, from Waikiki Beach and Diamond Head to the North Shore, Pearl Harbor, and the best plate lunch spots on the island.

Laura·
Zip Lines and Adventure Parks in Hawaii That Teens Will Love

Zip Lines and Adventure Parks in Hawaii That Teens Will Love

The best zip line courses and adventure parks across the Hawaiian islands for thrill-seeking teenagers, with height requirements, pricing, and what to expect.

Laura·
Maui with Kids: The Ultimate Family Guide to the Valley Isle
Maui

Maui with Kids: The Ultimate Family Guide to the Valley Isle

Everything you need to know about visiting Maui with kids, from the best family beaches and snorkeling spots to driving the Road to Hana, kid-friendly restaurants, and practical tips from a mom who calls Hawaii home.

Laura·
Manta Ray Night Snorkel with Kids on the Big Island: An Honest Family Guide
Kona

Manta Ray Night Snorkel with Kids on the Big Island: An Honest Family Guide

The manta ray night snorkel off Kona is one of Hawaii's most magical experiences and it is also not right for every kid. Here is the honest mom guide.

Laura·
Best Hawaii Beaches for Little Kids (Ages 4-7)

Best Hawaii Beaches for Little Kids (Ages 4-7)

The best beaches across Hawaii for the sandbox-and-splashing age group, where the waves are gentle and the tide pools are magical.

Laura·
Sunset Dinner Cruises in Hawaii: The Ultimate Parents' Night Out

Sunset Dinner Cruises in Hawaii: The Ultimate Parents' Night Out

Everything you need to know about sunset dinner cruises across the Hawaiian islands, from what to wear to which boats are worth the splurge.

Laura·
Diamond Head Crater Hike with Kids: Honolulu's Iconic Family Climb
Honolulu

Diamond Head Crater Hike with Kids: Honolulu's Iconic Family Climb

Diamond Head with kids: the 2026 reservation system, what age can actually do the 560-foot climb, where to park, the truth about the bunker stairs, and the gear that makes the summit photo painless.

Laura·
Romantic Maui Without the Kids: Date Night Ideas and Couples Activities
Maui

Romantic Maui Without the Kids: Date Night Ideas and Couples Activities

From sunset dinners in Wailea to private beach picnics, here are the best date night ideas on Maui when the grandparents have the kids.

Laura·
5-Day Oahu Itinerary with Kids: The Perfect Family Vacation Plan
Oahu

5-Day Oahu Itinerary with Kids: The Perfect Family Vacation Plan

A day-by-day guide to spending five unforgettable days on Oahu with your family, from Waikiki sunsets and Diamond Head hikes to North Shore shrimp trucks and Pearl Harbor. Written by a Hawaii mom who has done it all with kids in tow.

Laura·
Fun Things to Do with Teenagers on the Big Island of Hawaii
Big Island

Fun Things to Do with Teenagers on the Big Island of Hawaii

From lava fields to manta ray night dives, the Big Island has the kind of adventure that impresses even the most jaded teenager.

Laura·
Hawaii Luau Comparison: Best Family-Friendly Luaus on Each Island
Maui

Hawaii Luau Comparison: Best Family-Friendly Luaus on Each Island

A Hawaii mom's island-by-island luau comparison for families. Old Lahaina, Smith Family, Toa, Voyagers of the Pacific - which luau is right for your kids?

Laura·
Advanced Snorkeling Spots in Hawaii for Teens and Strong Swimmers

Advanced Snorkeling Spots in Hawaii for Teens and Strong Swimmers

Beyond the beginner bays. The best snorkeling spots in Hawaii for teens who are strong swimmers and ready for more marine life, more depth, and more adventure.

Laura·
Surfing Lessons in Hawaii with Teens: A Complete Guide

Surfing Lessons in Hawaii with Teens: A Complete Guide

Everything you need to know about booking surf lessons for your teenagers in Hawaii, from the best beginner breaks to what gear to bring.

Laura·
Growing Plumeria in Hawaii: A Beginner's Guide to the Lei Flower

Growing Plumeria in Hawaii: A Beginner's Guide to the Lei Flower

Everything you need to know about growing plumeria in Hawaii, from choosing varieties and planting cuttings to soil, sun, water, fertilizer, common problems, making leis, and container gardening on your lanai.

Laura·
The Ultimate Guide to Visiting Kona Coffee Farms with Kids on the Big Island
Kona

The Ultimate Guide to Visiting Kona Coffee Farms with Kids on the Big Island

A family guide to touring Kona coffee farms on Hawaii's Big Island, from free tastings at Greenwell Farms to the scenic Mamalahoa Highway coffee belt drive. Everything you need to know about visiting with kids, buying authentic 100% Kona coffee, and making it a memorable agricultural adventure.

Laura·
Kauai with Kids: Exploring the Garden Isle with Your Family
Kauai

Kauai with Kids: Exploring the Garden Isle with Your Family

From the dramatic Na Pali Coast to the wild chickens roaming every parking lot, Kauai is the Hawaiian island that feels like pure adventure for families. Here is everything you need to know about exploring the Garden Isle with your kids.

Laura·
Hawaii Without Kids: A Couples Guide to Romance on the Islands

Hawaii Without Kids: A Couples Guide to Romance on the Islands

A Hawaii mom's honest guide to leaving the kids with grandma and rediscovering romance on the islands. From Four Seasons Lanai to Haleakala sunrise hikes, the best resorts, sunset dinners, adventures, and spa experiences for couples who deserve a kid-free Hawaiian escape.

Laura·
7-Day Maui Family Itinerary: The Perfect Week on the Valley Isle
Maui

7-Day Maui Family Itinerary: The Perfect Week on the Valley Isle

A day-by-day guide to spending one incredible week on Maui with your family, from Ka'anapali sunsets and the Road to Hana to Haleakala sunrise and snorkeling at Molokini. Practical tips from a local mom who has done it all with kids in tow.

Laura·