Sunflowers at Waimanalo Country Farms

 

I've always wanted to take the kids to the sunflower fields and I finally got the chance last week.  This year was very different as it is a drive thru event, but we had a great time.  You can make a reservation here on their website (9am to 4pm).  When you check in 15 minutes prior to your reservation, you'll scan a QR code at the entrance for instructions.  Basically, you will check in and pay for your reservation before entering the farms.  

The first stop where you can exit your car is at the field where the sunflowers are ready for picking.  Each fresh cut sunflower is $3, cash only.

The second stop where you can exit your car is where the sunflowers are picture ready.  There is only one entrance so I would suggest to move to the side to let people pass by so you can safely socially distance and to not cause traffic.  There is plenty of space for everyone!

As you drive out, you will turn in the form (given to you when you check in) with your lemonade orders and enjoy the drinks to go.

You will need to pay for all persons ages 3 and over in the vehicle (credit card payment at the door of $10.84 per person including tax + processing fees OR Cash payment at the door $10). Two years and under are free, but do not receive a lemonade.

  

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The 7th Annual Fall Harvest Festival & Pumpkin Patch at Waimanalo Country Farms

The pumpkin patch is now open at Waimanalo Country Farm! Visit the farm on a Saturday or Sunday from now until Halloween for lots of family-friendly fun, including hayrides, petting zoo, sunflower maze, games, food, and their incredibly popular freshly squeeze Nalo-Made Lemonade!  And don't forget to pick a pumpkin or two on the way out.

The pumpkin patch opens at 9 am. If you're going to take anything away from this blog post, it's this - GO EARLY to get the best parking and also to get your script, because it gets really crowded, and the line to buy script can get ridiculously long.

The script booth is at the entrance to the farm. Prices are on the board. You'll need script if you want to play games, ride the hay ride or cow train, pet the farm animals, go in the sunflower patch maze, or purchase food or lemonade. You can also purchase a wristband for $15.  

We arrived at 9, and since the hayride wasn't open yet, we let the boys roam around the pumpkin patch.

Once they announced that the first hayride was going to depart in 7 minutes, we made a beeline to the hayride entrance.  You'll want to ride the hayride before you do anything else, because the line for the hayride gets long too! 

The hayride is basically a short, guided tour of the farm. The hayride is operated by the owner, who gives you a short history of this family-operated farm.  

You'll get to ride through the corn fields - look at this amazing view!

After the hayride, we explored other areas of the pumpkin patch. 

The Sunflowers are always so pretty. 

The boys were curious as to what's in there.

The farm animals is always a fun attraction. It's $6 to enter, and another $1 to feed the animals.

They have games for adults....

and kids....

and plenty of photo ops...

The country market is at the exit, where they have a lot nice items for sale.  I a majority of the items available for purchase are made by members of the farm themselves.

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The two things we always have to have when we're here are the lemonade and cornbread!

The pumpkin patch is open every weekend (Saturdays and Sundays) up until Halloween from 9am - 5pm. For more information, go to their Facebook page (Waimanalo Country Farms). 

41-255 Lupe Street
(808) 306-4381

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Makapu`u Point Lighthouse Trail

After reading about Nadia's experience on the Makapu`u Point Lighthouse Trail, I knew it was someplace I wanted to take my own kids.

After stopping at Wawamalu Beach Park for a restroom break (just in case, since there are no restrooms at the trail), we saw a long line of cars already parked along the side of Kalaniana`ole Highway - and it was only 7am!

My husband decided to drop us off closer to the trail start, and as soon as my kids and I got out of the car, he lucked out and saw someone pulling out of a stall.

Just as Nadia mentioned in her post, the Makapu`u Point Lighthouse Trail is a great hike for families.

As we made our ascent, we spotted numerous whales out in the distance, and the views were just gorgeous.

At the summit, we took some photos of Rabbit Island (aka Manana Island), and then my husband and two older kids decided to go on an unpaved trail up the mountain to the pillboxes (my 4-year old did not want to go, and fortunately he didn't, since my husband said he would have had a difficult time if he did decide to go).

Hiking up to the pillboxes Can you see my kids in their green shirts?

The hike (including the hike up to the pillboxes) took us about a total of two hours, including numerous stops to take photos and watch the whales.

Overall the trail was nice and easy - definitely great for kids.  And we saw lots of them, including babies in strollers and carriers, as well as well as some pets.

Makapu`u Point Lighthouse Trail
Waimanalo, HI 96795

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Larry's Grill

At Olomana Golf Club you'll find Larry's Grill, where they serve yummy, reasonably-priced eats all day.

Goteborg Musubi

Chicken Katsu Curry

Kau Kau Fried Rice

Kid's Champion Breakfast

Pancake Sandwich

I couldn't resist ordering the Goteborg Musubi.  Crispy, fried Goteborg Salami was topped with Furikake Rice to make a yummy app.

The generous portion of Kau Kau Fried Rice came with Portuguese Sausage, and it was pretty tasty.

There is no kids menu, but they do offer a kid's size of the Champion Breakfast - eggs, choice of meat, and starch for just $6.50

The Pancake Sandwich came with two large buttermilk pancakes, eggs, and bacon.  Two of my kids ordered it, but they could have easily shared.

Service was great, and so were the prices.  I love that the entire menu is served all day (e.g. you can order lunch for breakfast, breakfast for lunch).

Larry's Grill
41-1801 Kalanianaole Hwy,

Waimanalo, HI 96795

(808) 259-7926

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Ono Steaks

Last Saturday, the hubby and I decided to take the scenic route to get from Kahala to Kailua, which is through Waimanalo.  Along the way, we stopped at Ono Steaks for lunch.  Ono Steaks started out as a roadside food truck/stand, and now they are a brick and mortar located behind Keneke's on the main highway.

They have a wide variety on their menu, and a lot of specials to choose from.  Their portions are generous and prices are very reasonable.  

$8.50 steak and shrimp combo plate.  

Garlic Ahi

Ono Steaks

41-830 Kalanianaole Highway

Waimanalo, HI 96795

(808) 688-4117

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Sea Life Park

We recently took advantage of a Foodland Maka`i Card promotion at Sea Life Park-$10 adult admission, $5 junior admission ages 3-11.

Regular prices are $29.99/adult and $19.99/ages 3-11, so we couldn't pass up such a great deal.

The first attraction was the Hawaiian Reef Aquarium.


We saw lots of fish, a couple of sharks, and some stingrays.

We then visited the Sea Turtles.

We then watched the Kolohe Kai Sea Lion Show.

The show was a "pageant" featuring two sea lions who participated in talent and Q&A, and the audience got to pick the winner.

We also visited the Penguin Habitat.

Because we arrived at Sea Life Park late in the afternoon, we missed the Dolphin Cove Show (12:30pm daily), but we still got to see the dolphins!

Here is a sea lion lounging in the sun.

We ended our visit with the Hawaiian Ocean Theater Show.

A penguin came near the audience (the trainers reminded everyone not to rush down or come too close to the penguin).

A sea lion came by as well.

The show then ended with dolphins jumping and doing tricks.

The kids enjoyed Sea Life Park they loved seeing all the fishes and other sea creatures, but I thought a lot of the exhibits didn't seem to be maintained too well or they were shut down. I do like how they added canvases to shade the Dolphin Cove (it didn't exist the last time we visited; there is also some shade in the Sea Lion show), because it can get very hot.

Despite being a very long drive from where I live, it was a very nice and scenic drive, and the next time we visit Sea Life Park, I hope the exhibits that were shut down will be open, and hopefully there will also be another really great admission deal.

Sea Life Park: 41-202 Kalanianaole Highway, Waimanalo, HI 96795-1897, (866) 365-7446

Waimanalo Beach on Dwellable

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