Hawaii: Kualoa Ranch

The beautiful view at Kualoa Ranch while we were waiting for the short bus

We were looking for something a little different to do with the kiddos while in Hawaii. After looking at a few different options we decided to try the Zip & Dip at Kualoa Ranch. We purchased all our tickets at the MWR office during our visit to Fort Shafter. I recommend anyone who is active duty or retired military to get any tickets they can at the MWR, you'll get better pricing. Unfortunately for us, the Zip & Dip was sold out, but we were able to purchase just the Zip portion (Treetop Canopy Zipline Tour).

The drive from Waikiki to Kualoa Ranch took us about an hour and we had to get up fairly early to make it there by 8:00AM, the kiddos weren't too happy about that. Plugging the address into the GPS was easy enough and we found it without issues. The first thing we noticed was how beautiful the place was. Once we checked in we waited for our short bus to give us a ride to the ziplines. The ranch actually offers several activities you can sign up for. I wish we came across this place earlier in our trip, we probably would have signed up for a few more things (Horseback Tours, ATV Tours, Movie Site Tour, and more)

Nine of us headed out on the short bus. Our driver gave us a guided tour of the Kualoa Ranch during the ride showing us where various movies have been filmed such as Jurassic World and 50 first dates (and many more - there have been more than 50 Hollywood movies and TV shows filmed at the ranch) Once we arrived at the zipline arrival area, we all got off the short bus and geared up with the help of the 3 guides that were there to help. The gear includes a harness and a helmet. They have free lockers for anyone who wanted to leave items there. We were told we can take pictures and do whatever, but if anything is dropped it will be lost forever. (we used our iPhones to snap pictures and short videos while on the waiting area for each of the ziplines, I also had my son use our GoPro during the zipline with express instructions to hold it with a death grip!). The zipline adventure includes 7 ziplines ranging from 200 feet to a quarter mile in length!

Our guides were awesome and the ziplines were a lot of fun. Everyone enjoyed the views, which were so beautiful...we all just soaked them in. We couldn't stop taking pictures of everything around us the entire time. I would recommend checking out Kualoa Ranch to anyone interested in movie history or just wanting to have some fun and adventure. We all had a complete blast!!

Another view while at the ranch waiting for our short bus

One of the amazing views during our Treetop Canopy Zipline Tour


 

My son making his way down the zipline

A photo to show you one of the short trails we took to one of the stations

This was the start of the quarter mile zipline

Watching my kids do "the coconut" down the quarter mile zipline


 

One of the suspension bridges we crossed

Another view of us ziplining


 

A picture we took with the GoPro of the entire valley
You can see some of the trail and 
one of the zipline stations below 
 
 

On the short bus ride back to the ranch...a view of
Mokoliʻi (Chinaman's Hat)

Hawaii: Diamond Head Hike

The amazing view at the top of Diamond Head

While in Hawaii and especially while walking around Waikiki you can't help but notice Diamond Head. It's one of Hawaii's most recognized landmark. My wife and I wanted to make sure we scheduled a time to hike Diamond Head and see what we were sure were going to be some incredible views. After doing a little research we found out that it's not an extremely difficult hike, but be sure to go as early as possible just to avoid the heat. Not to say the hike is easy...I would say it's more of a moderate hike. We saw everyone from old people down to young kids on the hike. We even saw people in their sandals and flip flops (which I wouldn't recommend). There were a lot of people, but not too many to make it too crowded. I'm sure if we left earlier than we did, we would have missed the larger crowds.

Diamond Head is actually part of a large volcanic crater. To get to the hike, you have to drive inside the crater to the trail head and parking area. Hours are 6AM to 6PM (with the last entrance to hike the trails at 4:30PM. Parking costs $5.00 per car. The trail head also has a gift shop. The trail and bunkers were originally built by the military, but are now accessible to the public.

The view from the parking area to the top of the Diamond Head hike

The start of the hiking path is cement, but quickly turns into a 
dirt/gravel path like this with hand rails.

Looking up you can see the switchbacks heading up to the top

A little better view of the switchbacks and the folks hiking up

The start of a lit tunnel during the hike

Inside the lit tunnel portion of the hike




The end of the tunnel...we're getting closer




Now a lot of stairs to climb!




On the final leg of the hike to the top...this is where
it starts to get a little more congested, but during
our hike everyone moved along and polite

 Now for some of the views....



This was taken during one of the break points where we stopped
and grabbed a quick drink and took a few pics




Looking straight out at the Pacific Ocean




Zoomed in a bit for a shot of Waikiki from the top of Diamond Head




Looking out straight ahead from the top of Diamond Head




A "no zoomed" view of Waikiki from the top of Diamond Head
This view will never get old!




A view of one of the bunkers with Honolulu in the background
from the top of Diamond Head




 Inside the military's "Fire Control Station" at the top of Diamond Head





Looking out of the military's "Fire Control Station" at the top of Diamond Head




The view from the top of Diamond Head looking down into
the crater where we started




On the way back down...a look at the final set of ascending stairs




 On the way back down...looking at the beautiful ocean
along with a lighthouse that you can barely see in this picture




My wife's arm...along with a view of the switchbacks
on the way down




Looking down at the trail on our way back


 

On the top of each of those peaks are more bunkers

The hike was awesome and the views were amazing. I recommend this hike to anyone that is visiting Oahu!

Hawaii: Nuuanu Pali Lookout

A panoramic shot from the lookout showing the entire view

One of the quick trips we made during our visit to Hawaii was the Nuuanu Pali Lookout. I've heard it had some great views and I wasn't disappointed. There is also a bit of interesting history tied to this spot as well.

To start with we had a rental car, so I just plugged in "Nuuanu Pali Lookout" in my maps app on my iPhone and followed the directions there. The drive was only about 6 miles or so from downtown Honolulu where we were staying. Be warned that there is a $3 parking fee, but the admission is free.

Once there it's pretty windy! We stayed about 15 minutes, took in the sites, and read the interesting history of the lookout.

One of the bloodiest battles in Hawaiian history occurred here. This is where King Kamehameha and his warriors had their final battle to unite the Hawaiian islands. Many of the defenders of Oahu were driven off the edge of the high cliffs. Pretty crazy to think that all that violence happened in what is now a very peaceful and beautiful spot.

It doesn't take too much time to get to and the views are pretty impressive...worth a trip if you're wondering what to do and want to take a break from the water for a bit.

A view looking left at the lookout

A view looking straight ahead at the lookout

A view looking to the right at the lookout