Recapping our bucket list trip to Oahu, Hawaii on the blog today. Ever since we were little Hawaii has always been a dream of ours and it was so special that we could all visit it together! Matt and I had our honeymoon booked for Oahu and Maui for August 2020, when that couldn’t happen we cancelled ours plans. Looking back I’m SO happy that those plans were cancelled, it was a blessing that we could all experience it together! I think Matt and I said 100x on the trip “imagine if it was just the two of us?” it’s so much better experiencing it with our best friends!
Q: How was Aulani? Did you think it was worth it?
Yes! For us and all you DVC members it is definitely worth it! Our parents are DVC members and have been ever since we were babies! We have had countless family trips, memories and I believe moments like that have made us extememly close as a family. We are SO lucky! If you guys missed it, for Matt and Joel’s wedding presents kate and I bought a DVC membership to share! So many memories to come!
- Ko Olina is so beautiful and in such a safe area!
- It’s in a great location (30 minutes from the north shore, 30 from Honolulu, 40 minutes to Waikiki area)
- The plaza across the street is amazing! Island Market (stocked up on items that were a lot cheaper than at the resort), Island Vintage Coffee, Monkey Pod + more
Q: Where did you eat? Did you have reservations?
We didn’t have any reservations to eat. We tried to get a luau at Aulani and a few other spots but they were all booked. Since we booked later than most people (we booked in Feburary) most of the reservations were not available at the time or the booked up. Luckily we didn’t have to wait long when we did go out. One night the guys walked over to Monkey Pod to put our names in early while we got ready (that was a little over an hour wait!) It was perfect timiing! We actually liked not having reservations or any set in stone plans, it allowed up to take in every moment and if we liked a certain spot or wanted to stay at the beach we did that.
- Monkey Pod
- Sunrise Shack (the Monkey Bowls OMG)
- Off The Hook (@ Aulani)
- Leonard’s Bakery
- Duke’s (we heard was great, but we didn’t want to stick around Waikiki)
- Foodland (the guys said the Poke was amazing)
- Kono’s
- Island Vintage Coffee
- Starbucks Reserve (in Waikiki)
- Kona Coffee
Q: Did you need a covid test? What was the process like at the airport?
Luckily, Hawaii changed July 8th to if you have the vaccine you are exempt from needing a test. Kate was so good with reading everything we needed and staying on top of the changing Hawaii mandates. We all uploaded our vaccine cards, licenses, tickets on to a portal for Travel Hawaii, which made the process so much faster at the airport. We got wrist bands at the gate and when we landed in Hawaii no check ins were needed.
Q: What did you love? What didn’t you like?
We didn’t love Waikiki, which is so surprising because that is one of the top destinations to visit. I think that is why because there was SO many people there! We walked around to the shops a little then headed out to Laniki Beach which was beautiful.
We all were obsessed with the North Shore. Peaceful, quiet, beautiful beaches. Laniakea Beach was 100% our favorite! It felt like a private beach, snorkeling with the turtles (I will never forget seeing a few swimming towards us!) They kept popping up like crazy. We ate at Sunrise Shack after! SO GOOD!
NO refillable Disney mugs at Aulani ๐ we always get so excited for the Disney mugs!
Q: Packing List! What you wish you had more of/less of
We kept saying how we would have been good with 2 dresses and a bunch of bathing suits! We thought we would be dressing up more, but when you spend the day exploring/ swimming/ at the beach a relaxing sunset dinner in comfy clothes sounds amazing. We wish we took some things out. We had a bunch of workout sets, dresses that we didn’t wear.
Also, bring sneakers that aren’t new if you plan on hiking, sun hat (here too), cover-up. We were happy we brought this one and this shirt because it helped keep us away from the sun on the last day.
Q: What was it like traveling while pregnant?
Luckily for me I was just out of the first trimester and starting to feel SO much better, not as nauseous or tired. If you are traveling while pregnant be sure to drink a lot of water on the plane and make sure to get up and walk around in flight. Also, pack a ton of snacks and food- we brought crackers and PB and jelly around everywhere just in case I didn’t like any of the food. (I’ve turned into the pickiest eater while pregnant- smells and tastes for me are still a mess!) #1 thing would be to stay hydrated! We bought cases of water to make sure that we all were drinking enough water! Also, if you go hiking- just stay alert and be careful on the way down! Everyone took turns letting me hold on to them!
AGENDA:
Wednesday: ARRIVE
Thursday: Ma’ili Pillbox Trail (Pink Pillbox) only 20 minutes from Aulani
Dole Plantation
North Shore; Laniakea Beach (swam with the turtles)
Sunrise Shack, Food Trucks (just up the road)
Friday:
Leonard’s Bakery (Malasadas OMG!)
Diamond Head (didn’t stay, no parking & packed)
Waikiki (shopping, coffee @ Kona Coffee, breakfast sandwiches @ Kono’s)
Lanikai Beach (snorkeling, crystal blue waters!)
Saturday:
Pearl Harbor Memorial (we waited 2 hours in line because we didn’t have tickets to the USS Arizona Memorial, get there for 7am if you plan on waiting/ get tix online the day before)
North Shore, Laniakea Beach (back @ our favorite spot!) Monkey bowls @ Sunrise Shack then headed to drop the car off
Monkey Pod for dinner
Sunday, Monday, Tuesday @ Aulani lagoon & pool days
Run on the path next to the lagoons
Breakfast @ Ulu, coffee @ Island Vintage or Wailana Pool Bar, Mickey shaved ice & dole whip
Off The Hook
OTHER INFO:
- Masks are to be worn inside entering stores, resort etc. We didn’t need to wear them around the pool or beach since we were outside.
- The North Shore and Windward Coast have pop of rain storms all day!
- Lanikai Beach doesn’t have any parking because the water lines are getting redone. We parked down the street and walked over the bridge.
TIPS:
- Buy your own snorkels! We grabbed some in Waikiki but they have ABC stores all over the island. They were $16 each and the guys used them all trip! (Aulani was charging $25 a day/ we didn’t want to share)
- bring your own reusesable totes, they saved us big time! Ours folded up into our bags and we were able to use them when we went to the beach, toted our snack around, a couple outfit changes for the day etc. + the whole island uses reuseable totes.
- Car rental is a must. We did it for 3 full days then relaxed at the resort.
- Don’t over think meals and reservations.
- Bring sneakers that aren’t new if you plan on hiking
- Stop at a Target or market on your way (if you have a car) I was expecting the prices to be high, but overall things were the same like sunscreen and Hawaii made things. Some things like types of bread, english muffins were expensive.
- We all brought carry on luggage. So happy we didn’t check bags, we would have been good with less clothes! We were in bathing suits everyday. Don’t stress about outfits!
- Bring snacks and food on the plane! We flew Hawaiian Airlines down, they were great! WE had 2 meals & 2 snacks. On the way back we flew United and they gave us 2 small waffles (for 9 hours!) No dinner or anything. They didn’t even send an email telling us that before hand. Luckily we made PBJs just in case.
