History on the Island of Oahu

Oahu was one of the very first Hawaiian Islands discovered when Captain James Cook was on his third Pacific Expedition. However, people have been living on this island since at least the third century. Therefore, it is not surprising that Oahu is also known as The Gathering Place. Since approximately two-thirds of the people living in Hawaii live on Oahu, this nickname does seem fitting. And since more people visit Oahu than any other of the Hawaiian Islands, this island truly is the gathering place of many.

While numerous resorts and other construction have taken place on Oahu over the years to accommodate all the tourists, the history of this island can still be found in many locations. Ancient history is apparent within the temple ruins, preserved palaces, and even statues honoring those from the past. When you choose to visit Oahu, you will have ample opportunities to experience the Polynesian culture. This culture has been a mainstay on this island for centuries.

Weather in Oahu

As with all the other Hawaiian Islands, the island of Oahu only has two seasons. Those seasons are summer and winter, and honestly, there isn’t much difference between the two temperature-wise.

Summer in Oahu

The sun almost always shines directly overhead in Oahu during the summer months. The warmest temperatures can be seen during the months of July, August, and September. There is little rain during the summer months.

Winter in Oahu

The sun is lower in the sky during the winter months in Oahu, which makes it feel cooler than it really is. Once you add in the extra rain, you may find yourself with a dreary hour or two. The waves also increase in intensity during this time of the year. You will want to be extra cautious if you venture into the ocean for a swim.

Best Time to Vacation in Oahu

Oahu is stunning at any time of the year, so there really isn’t the best time to visit. Unless you want to avoid certain weather patterns, larger crowds, and higher prices. If you want fewer people, cheaper accommodations, and temperatures that are not too hot, I recommend vacationing in Oahu during April, May, September, or October. If those months do not fit into your vacation timeline, I can recommend another month according to your personal requirements.

What to Pack for a Family Vacation in Oahu

You won’t be too cold whenever you visit the island of Oahu. Shorts, t-shirts, and sundresses should do the trick when packing! A raincoat or umbrella will be handy during rainy times. A light jacket is perfect for those cooler days out on the water.

I do recommend packing a couple of casual, yet dressy, outfits for those fine dining out occasions.

Places to Stay While on an Oahu Vacation with Family

As I mentioned above, Oahu is the most popular island for vacationing families like yours. Therefore, you can expect to find multiple luxury resort and boutique hotel options when you are searching for a place to stay. If resorts and boutique hotels are not your things for family vacations, I can always find a bed and breakfast, hotel, or vacation rental that will meet your vacationing needs.

Foods You Must Try While on Vacation in Oahu

All the Hawaiian Islands offer amazing local foods you must eat. However, Oahu has a few specialties you won’t want to miss out on when you are visiting. A few of the must-try foods in Oahu include:

• Manapua – This delicacy is the Hawaiian version of a Chinese pork dumpling. This dumpling is normally stuffed with savory fillings, but you can find them with sweet fillings as well. A couple of favorite options include the steamed spicy cream cheese and crab, Kalua pig, spinach and cheese, and the strawberry pop tart.
• Beef Chips – Beef chips are also called pipikaula. They were devoured by the cowboys working on the ranches in Oahu. While beef chips are similar to beef jerky, they are actually paper thin and will melt in your mouth. No chewing is necessary when enjoying these treats!
• Mochi – Mochi is basically a Japanese rice cake. It has a chewy texture that makes donuts, waffles, and other desserts taste amazing.
• Tropical Fruits – Since you are on a tropical island, you might as well taste all the different tropical fruits that are available! A couple to consider sinking your teeth into include mangos, papayas, lychee, apple bananas, and honey cream pineapples.
• Macadamia Nuts – You can find macadamia nuts at a few farms in Oahu, but these nuts are used in many dishes you can order at different restaurants and food trucks.
• Huli Huli Chicken – Huli Huli chicken is basically chicken that is barbecued over mesquite wood. The barbecue sauce is a mixture of soy sauce, pineapple, and ginger.
• Lau Lau – This dish is pork and butterfish wrapped in both taro and ti leaves. Once the protein is wrapped, it is steamed before serving it with a side of rice.

Activities to Embrace While on Vacation in Oahu

Swimming, surfing, snorkeling, and building sandcastles are a couple of the fun family activities you can do while you are at the beach in Oahu. However, this incredible Hawaiian Island offers so many other fantastic activities your entire family will love! If you truly want to fall in love with Oahu, I recommend you add a few of these thrilling activities to your itinerary.

• Catamaran Cruise
• Hiking to the Waterfalls
• Swimming with the Dolphins
• Whale Watching
• Dance at a Luau
• Train Rides
• Helicopter Flight

Top Places to See While on Vacation in Oahu

Oahu may only be approximately six hundred square miles, but it offers hundreds of different attractions for you to explore. We both know you can’t see all of them when you are taking a family vacation in Oahu. However, you can see your personal favorites if you plan your days accordingly.

If you are unsure of where to begin when it comes to choosing which attractions are a must-do for your family, take a look at my top three places to see while on vacation in Oahu.

Iolani Palace

Iolani Palace was constructed back in 1882. It is the only official state royal residence within the United States. There are ten rooms inside this palace, and now serves as a museum. When you arrive, you must place cloth booties on your feet to protect the Koa wood floors. During your visit, you will see the personal items of King Kalakaua and his sister, Queen Liliuokalani.

Diamond Head State Monument

The Diamond Head State Monument is a massive crater that was created approximately three hundred thousand years ago. Diamond Head happens to be one of the most recognizable features on the island of Oahu. If you want to hike up to the summit of this tuff cone, I recommend arriving early in the morning. The seven-hundred-sixty-foot hike can be difficult in some areas. Plus, this is a popular attraction, so it gets busier as it gets later in the day.

Waikiki Beach

Waikiki Beach is one of the best beaches on the island of Oahu. You can simply sink your toes in the sand as you walk along the shoreline or relax on your beach towel. Of course, you can catch a wave or two if you are brave enough to venture out in the water with all the other surfers. Oh, and when you get tired of the sun, sand, and water, there are plenty of stores and restaurants over on Kalakaua Avenue to keep you occupied for hours!

Tips for Getting the Most Out of Your Family Vacation in Oahu

There are so many things you must know before you book your family vacation in Oahu. I wanted to share a few of my best tips, so you can have an idea of what you should know as you are thinking about your vacation options.

• Choose Your Accommodations Wisely – You may have heard that staying in Waikiki is a must. But if you want to do multiple things further away from Waikiki, you may want to stay closer to those attractions.
• Rental Cars are a Must – It is very difficult to get around Oahu if you do not have a rental vehicle. If you don’t plan on exploring much of the island and only want to stay in Waikiki, you can skip the rental car.
• Plan Your Trip Carefully if You Want to Watch Professional Surfers – Professional surfers arrive in Oahu to catch the waves during the winter months. So, if you want to sit and watch these surfers all day, you must plan your vacation for when they are there.
• The North Shore is Further than Waikiki than You Think – Many people think they can get from the North Shore to Waikiki in no time at all. But during rush hour traffic, it can take at least two hours to make this journey. Plan your time accordingly if you plan on traveling between these two locations in one day.

These are all the things you must know when you are planning a family vacation in Oahu. Of course, I will be with you every step of the way if you choose to have me plan your Oahu vacation for you. As a travel advisor, I keep your vacation wants and needs in mind when I am planning a customized vacation for your family.

Are you ready to plan your family vacation in Oahu?

It is time to get away from the hustle and bustle of work and life, as you enjoy some time with your family. If you are ready to start planning your family vacation in Oahu, I would love to invite you to click here to schedule a planning session with me. You will then be taken directly to my digital calendar, where you can schedule a time that is convenient for you.

If you aren’t quite ready to start planning for Oahu yet, you can easily sign up for my newsletter by clicking here. This will ensure you continue to receive all the travel information I share. That way, you have everything you need when you decide it is finally time to plan your next family adventure!

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