Hawaii

Bring the Family: See Maui and Oahu Like Never Before

FORGET THE LAZY, uneventful family vacation. Head to Maui and Oahu for the ultimate Aloha State adventure. Helicopter over lush rain forests and waterfalls. Swim with sharks. Ride an ATV. Kayak to offshore volcanic islands. Go on a scuba dive—at night. Whether you’re traveling with kids or going solo, Hawaii is what your wild side has been searching for.

From the east side to the west, the island of Maui is filled with breathtaking scenery. The only problem: Seeing everything by car is totally unrealistic. Opt for the more exciting route via a helicopter ride with Blue Hawaiian Helicopters. The 11⁄2-hour Maui Spectacular Tour soars across the entire island and includes a special stop along the way. Plus, there’s no age limit for the tour.

Take off from the Kahului Heliport and fly over the jagged peaks of the West Maui mountains. Waterfalls, rain forests and the sacred Iao Valley are just a few of the dramatic scenes below. After this, you’ll land at a secluded site on Ulupalakua Ranch. Here, you can enjoy pineapple wine from the nearby Tedeschi Vineyards (thanks to a cooler brought by the pilot) while gazing at the islands of Lanai and Molokini Crater in the distance. Over the next forty-five minutes you’ll fly over Haleakala volcano and head to Hana, where a magnificent display of indigenous trees, plants and the famed Oheo Gulch, or Seven Pools, appears below. On the trip back, witness the energy of Hookipa, dubbed “the windsurfing capital of the world” by enthusiasts, as well as the internationally recognized surf spot known as “Jaws.”

If heights aren’t your thing, try a deep-sea fishing excursion off Maui’s western shores. For a shot at catching the big one, rent a private charter with Start Me Up Sportfishing. Its 42-foot Betram Sportfisher—outfitted with a speedy Yanmar engine and an air-conditioned cabin—leaves Lahaina Harbor and, depending on where the fish are biting, heads toward the islands of Lanai, Molokai, Kahoolawe or Molokini Crater. A crew member sets up the reels and equipment, while you wait for the chance to jump in the “fighting chair.” What’s the biggest fish ever caught on a Start Me Up charter? A blue marlin weighing a whopping 910 pounds. Other target species include ahi, ono, mahimahi and striped marlin.

Scuba diving at Kaanapali Beach is a common activity on Maui. But most visitors have never done it by moonlight. Every Friday, Trilogy Excursions takes beginning to experienced certified divers out to Black Rock for a spine-tingling night dive. The easy beach entry starts at dusk, just before the water turns completely black. And since many reef fish and other marine life come out at night to forage, an array of species, typically unseen during the day, can appear. With two hand-held flashlights each, divers often spot octopus, squid, night eels and millions of colorful coral polyps.

If you aren’t certified to dive, you can still see Maui’s vast underwater world via a 48-passenger submarine with Atlantis Adventures. After descending more than 130 feet below the surface, watch as moray eels, giant parrotfish and dozens of reef fish are revealed. The biggest thrill is a visit to the Carthaginian II, a 97-foot replica whaling vessel sunk to create an artificial reef habitat.

For a land-based adventure, don’t miss the International Festival of Canoes, from May 12 to 26, 2007. Master carvers from Hawaii, the Cook Islands, New Zealand, Tahiti, Tonga and the Marshall Islands join together to make traditional canoes out of solid tree logs at Kamehameha Iki Beach Park in Lahaina. The entire two-week event, which is open to the public, includes hula dancing, local music and the annual Parade of Canoes, which celebrates the finished masterpieces.

One of the best places to learn how to surf on Oahu is Waikiki Beach—which is also why its shallow breaks are typically packed with groms (kid surfers) and newbies attempting the ancient Hawaiian sport. For a different surfing experience, drive east to Koko Marina in Hawaii Kai, just five minutes from Hanauma Bay. Hawaiian Surf Adventure offers lessons to the young and old at an uncrowded, secret surf spot on the southeastern tip of the island. Each surfing instructor typically focuses on three people at a time, while kids ages 6 to 10 ride tandem with an instructor.

On the northeast side of the island is the historic, 4,000-acre Kualoa Ranch, home to a number of unique activities ranging from a relaxing horseback ride to a jungle expedition aboard a Swiss Pinzgauer vehicle. One of its greatest adventures is a one-hour guided ATV tour into the lush Kaaawa Valley, where films such as Jurassic Park, Pearl Harbor and You, Me and Dupree and the TV series Lost were shot. If that isn’t enough, the trail also leads to a WWII bunker with a panoramic view of the coastline. (Take note: ATV drivers need to be 16 years and older.)

Kailua Beach Park, on Oahu’s windward, or east side, is all about the view. Offshore islands pose as striking landmarks, while the warm, crystal-clear waters reveal a labyrinth of shallow reef. The best way to experience this splendor is on the Self-Guided Kayaking Discovery Tour with Kailua Sailboards & Kayaks. After a safety briefing, kayakers are let loose for the next four hours.

Hop into a single or two-person kayak (kids need to be 3 years and older) and paddle to Popoia, or Flat Island, a seabird sanctuary 100 yards offshore. To snorkel, head to the calm waters off Lanikai Beach or pull the kayaks up on the white sand for a quick rest. From here, reach the most popular destination, the Mokulua Islands, via a 20-minute, 3⁄4-mile paddle. The two islands, Moku Nui (the north island) and Moku Iki, serve as a nesting ground for seabirds as well as a habitat area for migratory species. Both are designated as seabird sanctuaries, so Moku Iki is off limits, while kayakers can land, and must stay, on the beach at Moku Nui. Check out the nearby tidepools teeming with small reef fish, and watch for honu, Hawaiian green sea turtles, swimming in the area.

With its colossal winter surf swells, white-sand beaches, and laid-back vibes, the North Shore of Oahu is one of the most sought-after destinations in the world. Add an up-close and personal shark experience, and what more could you ask for? North Shore Shark Adventures takes off from the Haleiwa Small Boat Harbor and heads to a shark buoy located 3 miles offshore. After the boat is tied off, you climb into a large metal cage (which can hold up to five people at once). No diving experience needed here; just slip on a snorkel mask and you’re set. Next, the crew goes into action, attracting sharks by throwing chum and fish overboard. Watch in awe as 5- to 15-foot Galapagos and sandbar sharks emerge from the 500-foot waters below. To date, the company’s youngest adventurer was only 2 years old. (Insider tip: Eat at Haleiwa Joe’s Seafood Grill.)

Other exciting, kid-friendly attractions around the island include: Hawaiian Waters Adventure Park in Kapolei; the Bishop Museum near downtown Honolulu; Sea Life Park at Makapuu Point; the Polynesian Cultural Center in Laie; and the Waikiki Aquarium and Honolulu Zoo in Waikiki.

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