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Oahu Family Land Adventures

TAKE A HIKE
RAINFORESTS AND HIDDEN WATERFALLS, PANORAMIC VIEWS AND BATTLE SITES – Explore Oahu’s.backyard beauty with nature hikes, scenic lookouts and some Hawaiian history.

DIAMOND HEAD CRATER is one Hawaii's most famous landmarks and one of Oahu's most popular hikes. It is such a famous landmark you may notice it is used as a direction in the islands along with Ewa, Mauka (Mountain side), and Makai (seaside). More than a navigational tool, it is a relatively easy-going hike for the family. To gain a perspective on Oahu's geology and geography, take an early morning hike to the top of Diamond Head - a 760 foot extinct volcano tuff cone and National Landmark.

Ancient Hawaiians called it Leahi (brow of the tuna) but it became known as Diamond Head after 19th century British sailors thought they discovered diamonds on its slopes. In the early 1900's, it was used as a military lookout as you will discover as you pass through its underground tunnels and military bunkers. Bring a flashlight for the tunnels, good shoes and some water for the 175 steps, but most importantly, don't forget your camera because the panoramic views at the top are breathtaking.

For more information on hiking trails and conditions please visit www.hawaiitrails.org and go to the Oahu section.

Take a beautiful drive out along the Pali Highway toward lush and green Nuuanu and the famous NUUANU PALI LOOKOUT. Just north of Queen Emma's Summer Palace, the Nuuanu Pali Lookout offers, without a doubt, one of Oahu's finest views of the sheer Koolau cliffs. Perched 3,000 feet above the Oahu coastline, this magnificent scenic spot is the site of the battle of Nuuanu, where in 1795 Kamehameha I won the struggle that finally united the islands under one rule.

GREENS ARE GOOD FOR YOU

Nothing like some healthy competition to get a family excited and keep kiddies happy. Take a nice drive out toward the North Shore and make a stop at the DOLE PLANTATION. Form teams and see who can find their way through the one of the world’s largest mazes, a giant pineapple shaped one. As a reward, treat everyone to a delicious pineapple ice cream cone. Peruse the pineapple garden and displays and take a ride on the Pineapple Express train for a fun and educational 20 minute tour with fascinating stories and historical narration of the agricultural past of Hawaii.

What does horseback riding, Godzilla footprints, an ancient Hawaiian fishpond, and ATV’s have in common? At KUALOA RANCH, you can experience them all! Kualoa offers families a multitude of experiences to choose from whether you are interested in a movie set tour of amazing movies and tv shows filmed on location there such as Jurassic Park, Mighty Joe Young, Lost series on ABC, 50 First Date and Magnum P.I. or learning about ancient Hawaiian aquaculture at the fishpond. Go horseback riding with beautiful views of the soaring cliffs and ocean vistas.

OAHU NATURE TOURS offers families intimate, guided eco-tours of Oahu. Do a photo hunt of Hawaii’s unique native bird and plant species or hike through rainforest to hidden waterfalls. For adventurous, outdoor families who want knowledgeable guide, this is a great opportunity to explore the lesser known areas of Oahu like wildlife sanctuaries and mountain rainforests. A variety of tours from Manoa waterfalls to the North Shore wetlands, there is sure to be a perfect eco-adventure for you.