Head over heels for Hawaii

Natalie Mourad travels to the heart of Oahu to discover innumerable delights for families.

Lying on the warm sand outside of the Outrigger Reef Waikiki Beach Resort, I listen to crashing waves as the sunrise glistens over the ocean. Pulling me out of my reverie are like-minded early-risers tackling the morning waves and children building sandcastles. This is my idea of serenity.

Aloha Honolulu

Greeted with leis, “alohas” and a tangy, tropical island juice, our welcome to Outrigger Reef Waikiki Beach Resort leaves us in no doubt that we are in heavenly Hawaii. Located in central Waikiki, the all-inclusive resort spoils us for choice, with everything from cultural experiences and walking tours where kids are enchanted with tales of Hawaii’s ‘Merrie Monarch’ King Kalākaua and Princess Kaiulani, to in-resort shopping and a sprawling pool.

Wonderfully located, with the restaurants, bars and shops of the Waikiki Beach Walk nearby, guests of the resort can explore the precinct with ease using their room card to access Outrigger’s own connection trolley. As an added bonus, guests receive discounted admission (free Junior admission per paying adult) to nearby Waikiki Aquarium to learn about Waikiki Beach and its fragile coral reefs.

Making waves in Waikiki

Hawaii offers plenty of classic must-do activities and a slight sprinkle of rain doesn’t deter me from braving the waters of Waikiki Beach by canoe with Faith Surf School. Our lesson begins with moderate paddling and we increase our tempo only when it’s time to catch a wave. We float back to shore before going for round two. There’s no age limit for the experience so, if the waves aren’t too big, you and the little ones can hit the water.

Outrigger’s global conservation initiative, OZONE, focuses on the protection of oceans and coral reef that surround Outrigger Resorts. To find out more, we head to Turtle Canyon Reef with Sail Holokai. On deck with the crew, I take a moment to soak in the panoramic view of Waikiki and Diamond Head. With vest, snorkel and flippers in place, I join schools of manini (convict tang) and Humuhumu’ele’ele (black triggerfish) in the water. I am stunned into stillness by a sea turtle coming to the surface for air directly beside me. It’s the highlight of my trip.

This experience is perfect for beginners of all ages, as even infants can join in with the snorkelling fun, with parents assisting, of course. On the sail back, to a soundtrack of island music, a young family happily confirms that this is an epic experience for first-timers.

A feast of flavours

There’s no better way to start a day of Waikiki adventures than with a buffet breakfast at Outrigger’s Voyager 47 Club Lounge. With tummies full, Royal Star Hawaii whisks us off to explore a little more of Waikiki.

At Dole Plantation we ride the Pineapple Express, a train that delivers a historical overview of the plantation as well as amazing views (kids under four ride for free). Then it’s time to get lost in the Pineapple Maze, and discover its secrets. Once I escape, I opt for ice-cream from the pineapple-based menu.

On our return, we stop at some of the island’s iconic surf spots. Ideal for kids and beginners is the protected Hale’iwa Beach Park. Waimea Bay Beach and Sunset Beach Park on the North Shore are the spots for grommets, especially during surf season.

Our teacher, Kahoaka, begins by educating us on the history of the ukulele. I’m surprised to learn its name actually means ‘dancing flea’.

We make a pit stop at Giovanni’s Shrimp Truck, known for its ‘pond to plate’ mantra, to nosh on garlic-and butter-infused shrimp and scampi with a side of rice before roaming the remainder of the precinct’s food trucks.

We finish at the Outrigger Waikiki with sundowners at the famous Duke’s Waikiki as a band serenades us with a Hawaiian tune. An appetiser of Ahi Poke is followed by Huli-Huli Chicken and for dessert, Kimo’s Original Hula Pie. It’s a sweet finish to a perfect day.

Strumming and swaying: Cultural experiences for kids

A highlight of Outrigger Reef Waikiki Beach Resort is its daily cultural experiences. Hale O Noe’au (House of Knowledge), embellished in Hawaiian carvings, is the location for my first ukulele lesson. Our teacher, Kahoaka, begins by educating us on the history of the ukulele; I’m surprised to learn its name means ‘dancing flea’. As a professional pianist, I thought it would be easy but my fingers struggle to move along the frets while strumming and I am out-ukuleled by the kids, who pick it up with ease. With a little guidance from Kahoaka, I too am soon playing the song ‘Ulupalakua’ with fingers that do indeed resemble dancing fleas.

While guests busily make leis in the same area, we venture outside for a hula lesson with Luana Maitland, who tells us to call her Auntie. With the youngest student only three years old, we get our hula groove on. Traditionally a dance to honour the Gods, each movement is symbolic and we finish with our hands placed over our hearts because, as Auntie Luana informs us, “Hawaiians do everything from the heart”.

They do indeed, and Hawaii has stolen mine in the process.

This article originally appeared in Holidays with Kids magazine. To subscribe to the latest issue, click here.

All images © Outrigger Reef Waikiki Beach Resort