Hug this.
If you saw my previous post, The 5 Best Places to See California’s Giant Redwoods and Giant Sequoias, you already have a good idea of just how much our family loves to visit the big trees found along the West Coast. It was fun to stumble upon this Hawaiian variety on our recent trip to Maui, when we drove through the lush Iao Valley. I am completely fascinated by banyan trees and their ability to “put down roots” from above, like the seeming trunk to the right of my daughter in this photo, which began with a simple root descending through air.
The kids were very intrigued by this banyan, which made it all the better when, after understanding this seeming goliath, we arrived at the famous banyan tree in Lahaina, which occupies nearly a city block with root-trunks too numerous to count!
Do you have a favorite tree to share today on National Arbor Day? Feel free to leave a comment with your link below! This post is part of Photo Friday at DeliciousBaby.com.
Safe journeys,
Shelly Rivoli, author of the award-winning Travels with Baby and Take-Along Travels with Baby
www.travelswithbaby.com facebook twitter about the author
Curious about this content? See my editorial content disclosure.
Yeah, we spent a little extra time in the shark tunnel… wouldn’t you?!
As you can probably imagine, I had A LOT of fun taking pictures at the Maui Ocean Center. With the light streaming in from above and my son watching sharks and rays pass above, I took several as he stood mesmerized right here in the fabulous “shark tunnel.” If you missed my reveiw of “The Hawaiian Aquarium” earlier this week, you can click here to see even more pictures of what you’ll find there, along with my best tips for planning your family’s visit to Maui Ocean Center.
Want more tips for travel to Maui with kids? See the related posts and pages below, and be sure to subscribe for updates – I’ll have plenty more to come! If you have a Maui post or tip to share, feel free to add in a comment below. This post is part of the Photo Friday fun at DeliciousBaby.com and RweThereYetMom. Happy weekend!
Related posts and pages:
- Finding Maui’s north shore Baby Beach – when you need it most
- Maui’s Ulua Beach: Today I am a Mom
- Maui Ocean Center with Kids: Our visit to the Hawaiian Aquarium
- Maui baby gear rental agencies
- Maui vacation and hotel babysitters
- Maui with Kids on Pinterest
Safe journeys,
Shelly Rivoli, author of the award-winning Travels with Baby and Take-Along Travels with Baby
www.travelswithbaby.com facebook twitter about the author
Curious about this content? See my editorial content disclosure.
Yes, if you play your cards right, you may one day get to dive with these, too.
I don’t care how many days you have on Maui, I know it may be hard to imagine spending part of any one of them off of the beach, out of the pool, or away from the water falls—unless your visit turns wet, of course.
Rain or shine, however, I’m betting your family will also enjoy a visit to the Maui Ocean Center, also known as “The Hawaiian Aquarium,” where you’ll come face to face with some of the most magnificent creatures living in Hawaiian waters.
Here’s what my own family enjoyed most on our recent visit:
The Open Ocean shark tank & tunnel (above). So many sharks! This was a definite favorite with my crew, and it’s always fun watching sharks swim at you, and over your head, when behind glass, that is. The Maui Ocean Center has several types of sharks here, including the very striking hammerhead, and graceful stingrays.
How many kids leave this show determined to one day have his job? At least three I know…
The Open Ocean dive show with a host on our side of the glass discussing the amazing reef sharks and stingrays with a diver on the other side of the glass. The kids can sit right up along the glass wall, learning all about these amazing creatures firsthand with the experts. Toward the end, they get to ask their questions to the diver himself, who finished the show with a high-five to each kid along the tank window. The dive show is presented twice daily, at 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. – don’t miss it!
Who needs a snorkel?
The Living Reef building. Who doesn’t enjoy stunning displays of all our favorites from the reef? Here they are presented section by section, starting from shallow-most surge zone on down to the edge of the deep reef. Watch out for moray eels, lobsters, sea horses, unicorn fish, yellow tangs and other reef-dwellers along the way.
Future wildlife photographer in training.
Truly kid-friendly interactive exhibits including one where you help researchers by snapping an action photo of a whale breeching and try to identify it (one daughter couldn’t get enough of this), and the whale “bubble net” exhibit that surrounds you with a simulated wall of bubbles gurgling up, faster and faster, as a voice explains this group-hunting strategy used by humback whales and ends with, “You’ve just been eaten by a whale!”
The Tide Pool. If your kids never tire of touching a sea star, holding a real sea cucumber, or seeing a parrot fish at close range (as I assure you mine do not), be sure to stop by this outdoor exhibit, beside Turtle Lagoon.
“Any day now, any day now… I shall be released…”
Turtle Lagoon. Do you know how Hawaii’s green sea turtles get so green? They eat so much algae and sea grass that it actually turns their fat layer green! All of the sea turtles at Maui Ocean Center are part of a hatch-and-release program, and if you are lucky you may even see some young hatchlings in a separate tank beside Turtle Lagoon. Here you are able to view the turtles from both from above and below the water.
Want to go?
The Maui Ocean Center is open 365 days a year, from 9 to 5 a.m. most of the year, and 9 to 6 p.m. in July and August. Adults are $25.50, seniors $22.50, kids 3 to 12 $18.50, kids under 3 FREE. Tip: Buy your tickets online and save 10%.
Location: 192 Ma’alaea Road, Wailuku, Maui, HI click here for map
Website: http://www.mauioceancenter.com/
Drive times (approx): Ka’anapali = 30 min, Lahaina = 25 min, Kihei 20 min, Wailea 30 min.
Good to know:
Most visitors spend 2 hours exploring the Ocean Center, and longer if staying for lunch or a snack. Inside Maui Ocean Center, there is a great snack bar with smoothies, pizza and ice cream, and also the SeaScape restaurant with nice water views, salads, burgers, and a kids menu (fish ‘n chips, burgers, pasta, and other options, $7.95 including juice and snack). Outside of the Maui Ocean Center, there are more shops and a restaurant with burgers and such, and also an ice cream shop.
Thanks to the Maui Ocean Center for sponsoring our visit. If you get to Maui, I hope you’ll get the chance to check it out. And if you found this review helpful in your trip planning, I hope you’ll “like” it or share with a friend! 
Related posts and pages:
- Finding Maui’s north shore Baby Beach – when you need it most
- Maui’s Ulua Beach: Today I am a Mom
- Maui baby gear rental agencies
- Maui vacation and hotel babysitters
- Maui with Kids on Pinterest
Safe journeys,
Shelly Rivoli, author of the award-winning Travels with Baby and Take-Along Travels with Baby
www.travelswithbaby.com facebook twitter about the author
Curious about this content? See my editorial content disclosure.
Feeling cooler than cool with her looky board at Salt Pond Park, Kauai.
With our friends just returning from a vacation in Kauai, I can’t help but feel the urge to “rinse and repeat” our utterly perfect trip there last spring. Wow! What a great time for everyone. I had to revisit our photos – and all the posts I’ve yet to post with tips from our visit – and this one, of course, caught my eye.
If you’re headed to the islands with a toddler or little kid (or both), consider renting a “looky board” (along with your snorkel gear) from Snorkel Bob. These modified boogie boards have a built-in window with raised viewing shield (on other side in this picture) to give kids a view of the fleeting fishies below. You can tow your toddler along with the rope, or let your little kid paddle and scoot as thy please.
Kauai’s sheltered waters at Poipu Beach Park and Salt Pond Park (above) were ideal. To check out Snorkel Bob’s locations and find out more about the looky board, visit www.SnorkelBob.com.
Planning a Kauai vacation with your baby, toddler, or little kids? Check out the related features below and be sure to subscribe to this blog for more upcoming Kauai family travel tips, advice and reviews.
Related posts and pages:
- Big Island – Hiking Kiluaea Iki Crater, Volcanoes National Park – pregnant
- Kauai – Kauai’s best beach for babies and toddlers
- Kauai – Visiting the National Tropical Botanical Garden, Poipu
- Kauai – Juice truck at Hanalei
- Kauai – Dressed cute for a cause in Kauai
- Kauai – Salt Pond Park – beach haven for little kids and little critters
- Kauai – Finding a vacation babysitter or nanny in Kauai
- Oahu – Oahu’s 5 Best Beaches for Kids Under 5
Safe journeys,
Shelly Rivoli, author of the award-winning Travels with Baby and Take-Along Travels with Baby
www.travelswithbaby.com facebook twitter about the author
Curious about this content? See my editorial content disclosure.
Reaching the bottom of Kilauea Iki Crater on the Big Island in Hawaii. For this day hike with a toddler, a framed backpack carrier with sun canopy and water bottle holders for all was a great way to go.
Short of hiring a Sherpa to carry your child for you on walking adventures (there are places you can actually do this), a child carrier or backpack can be a saving grace during travel with babies and toddlers. But which one is best? For which ages and stages? And in what climate? This question comes from Katie:
I see you recommend Ergo Baby for carriers. I have a 14-month-old I am taking to Hawaii in January and he is 24lbs and taller for his age. I want something lightweight for traveling and packing and heat but still good support for myself and him. Do you still recommend Ergo and if so the Original, Organic or Sport or how does the Boba, Beca, Onya hold out in comparison? There are so many out there.
Katie, I don’t know what the nature of your child-carrying adventures in Hawaii will be, eg. if this will be used for shorter stints of general sightseeing and strolling down short beach trails, or if you have longer hikes in mind. But for anyone planning to do much hiking in the islands with a baby over 20 lbs., I’d encourage you to consider renting a framed baby backpack carrier from a baby gear rental agency on your island (see Hawaii baby gear rentals listed here).
In Costa Rica, the cotton canvas of the Ergo breathed well for both my toddler son and I.
If you won’t be doing longer hikes and want to pack along a child carrier of your own, any of the Ergo-esque carriers that give a soft backpack option may be worthy options for you. I hiked with the Ergo in Costa Rica, and the fabric breathed fine for both my son and I. You are right that “there are so many out there” now, so I hesitate to say which subtle differences may suit you best. One similar softpack carrier you did not mention but might also consider is the Action Baby Carrier, which has a good price point and is made ONLY in the USA. They have a newer model designed for toddlers up to 45 lbs., too.
In Thailand, the cotton jersey of the Moby Wrap breathed well and gave a variety of options for positioning my daughter – with extra fabric to help shield her from the sun.
In Thailand, I was very glad to have the versatility of the Moby Wrap, which enabled me to carry my daughter facing forward (her preference for sightseeing) or facing me, and though I did not carry her on my back that trip, I was able to do so with her in the Moby as well. I also liked being able to tuck her completely in, shielded from the sun, when she snoozed, though at 14 months with a tall baby, you my not be able to tuck him in 100%.
Just remember, if you go with any of these models, a lighter color fabric option will help keep your baby (and you) cooler in the tropical sun. Other suggestions, parents? Please share your thoughts with a comment below!
- Click here to see more Ask Shelly questions, or find out how to submit one of your own.
- Click here to browse all Travels with Baby Hawaii tips
- Click here to browse Great Products & Gear recommendations
Safe journeys,
Shelly Rivoli
Author of the award-winning Travels with Baby and Take-Along Travels with Baby
Curious about this content? See my editorial content disclosure.
Huggies Hawaiian Little Movers diaper on the move in Kauai.
Picture me in Kauai on the other end of this camera, pulling my hair out, during these first attempts at photographing the new Huggies Hawaiian diaper in paradise.
As most of you are aware by now, I’ve had the honor of being spokesperson for Huggies’ Every Little Bottom campaign these past few months, offering vacation travel tips, tips for diapering during travel, and spreading the word about this great program benefitting the National Diaper Bank Network and Foodbanks Canada.
As the limited-edition Huggies Hawaiian Diapers and Wipes program comes to a close, with Huggies donating a day’s worth of diapers to families in need for each pack sold, I had to look back on some of the lighter moments… like this.
My little guy was so jazzed to finally be wearing “The Hawaiian Diaper” he’d heard us talking about for months - in this very exciting place also called Hawaii! – he would not hold still for a picture. Not a chance. On a wide open lawn framed by tropical flora, he raced and laughed, chased his sisters, raced and laughed some more. The clouds moved in, the sun lowered, the photos blurred. He would not hold still.
As I looked back through the first photos recently, I had to laugh. Of course! Could you find a more perfect representation of “Huggies Hawaiian Little Movers”?!
Days later, I got the great photo *I LOVE,* which you may have seen here. Though you’ll see he’s still on the move in that photo, too!
There’s still a little time left to get your hands on Huggies Hawaiian Diapers and Wipes in stores and online – and remember it’s about more than a cute diaper. For every pack sold during this campaign, Huggies Every Little Bottom is donating a day’s worth of diapers to families in need — up to 22.5 million diapers!
Want help simplifying diapering during travel? Don’t miss these tips:
- How to diaper a squirmy toddler on an airplane
- Tips for changing diapers during road trips with baby
- Simplify diaper changes on airplanes with a handy “diaper purse”
Need tips for planning your family’s travels to Hawaii? Don’t miss these:
- Big Island – Hiking at Vocanoes National Park while pregnant or with little ones
- Kauai – Kauai’s best beach for babies and toddlers
- Kauai – Visiting the National Tropical Botanical Garden at Poipu
- Oahu – Oahu’s 5 Best Beaches with Kids Under 5
- See more Hawaii family travel tips and advice in destinations
Safe journeys,
Shelly Rivoli
Author of the award-winning Travels with Baby and Take-Along Travels with Baby
www.travelswithbaby.com facebook twitter about the author
Subscribe to Travels with Baby Tips
Curious about this content? See my editorial content disclosure.
With jet lag on your side, you can arrive to a quiet beach in the early morning, even on a weekend.
If you’ve ever stumbled onto something so great while traveling that you can’t wait to tell all your friends, but then you pause to think, well maybe just my best friends, you’ll have a good idea of how much we enjoyed our visit to Kauai’s Salt Pond Park. Well, friends, here’s what we found. (You’re welcome.)
While Kauai’s best known beaches lie on its north, east, and southeast shores, Salt Pond Park is located in the southwest of the island off Highway 50, just past Hanapepe Bay. The park is named for the still-active “salt farm” near it, which you can see from the entrance to the parking area.
Overlooking the nearby salt ponds for which Kauai’s county park is named.
If you plan to drive to Waimea Canyon during your stay in Kauai, Salt Pond Park makes a great stop along the way with easy swimming in fairly calm waters–particularly during low tide. Just be sure to bring your snacks and essentials as it’s off the track and away from any restaurants, shops, or resorts (part of the magic).
Banded coral shrimp, crabs, anemone…
With jetlag on our side, we were able to time our first visit to Salt Pond to coincide with an early morning low tide. This was absolutely the best timing we could have had, as there was only one person, a camper, at the beach when we arrived.
Can you spot the three sea cucumbers?
We discovered that the large rocky formation that broke the small waves coming in was like its own small planet teeming with marine life. We immediately spotted banded coral shrimp, crabs, pipe fish, anemones. We discovered three types of sea cucumbers within a couple of feet of each other. And as I tried to stay ahead of the kids taking pictures all the while, I suddenly froze in my tracks.
There was more than one camper sleeping on the beach at Salt Pond Park.
I realized this harbor seal was snoozing peacefully behind me in the sand! We hurried away to leave him alone.
As the tide slowly turned, it brought in more and more little fish and a perfect waveless wading area began to deepen between the rocky ledge and the sandy beach. To the kids’ delight, a small waterfall began trickling of the rocks into their private swimming lagoon.
How many places can a kid do this (safely) in Pacific waters?
As the morning passed and the tide crept in, more people arrived on the scene, mostly local families coming to enjoy a beautiful Sunday at the beach. It had become one of those lovely places you can sit in calm water beside your splashing toddler and little kids afloat on their “looky boards” (highly recommended – available at Snorkel Bob’s) watching for fleeting fish.
You should note that when we returned later that day, during high tide, the scene was quite different. Nearly every parking space was taken. The cove beside this lagoon was dominated by water sports enthusiasts, and the lagoon itself was awash with small waves and bobbing swimmers, while bigger waves splashed over the rocky ledge. Still, it was a beautiful place, and calm enough for mediocre swimmers. If possible, I strongly recommend visiting Salt Pond Park on a low-tide morning. Bring your kids, bring your snacks, bring your beach goodies, and definitely… bring your camera.
Safe journeys,
Curious about this content? See my editorial content disclosure.
Yes, munchkins, we've arrived in Technicolor.
Kauai is home to three gardens that are part of the “National Tropical Botanical Garden”: Limahuli Garden, which is located in the wetter north of the island; and the McBryde and Allerton Gardens, which are both located in the south near Poipu, and share this entrance.
If you’re visiting Kauai with young children, be aware that the most famous of the three, Allerton Garden, does not allow children under 10 years old to enter the garden, which you can have fun explaining to your daughters in the gift shop as they stare at the large poster of two girls clearly under 10 years old posing in the roots of the landmark Jurassic Park tree they won’t be visiting. (Yes, I left a comment in the guest book.)
Unlike the Allerton Garden’s 2 1/2 hour guided tour (no self-guided option), the McBryde Garden runs shuttle trams for self-guided tourists and their young children, with trams leaving every hour on the half hour, and returning to the visitors center every hour on the hour until 4 p.m. Make sure to purchase your tickets and be present before 2 p.m. to catch the last tram of the day – and better still, plan to take an earlier tour in case the garden closes early for a private event.
Even if you arrive too late for a tour, or just want a taste of the tropical gardens without the cost of the tickets, there is much to see exploring the free areas around the Visitors Center and Gift Shops (with restrooms), and our kids had a blast running across the sweeping lawns and adventuring through small paths in the shady floral jungle. Combine your visit, whether quick or leisurely, with a stop at the Spouting Horn nearly across the road from the driveway.
Related posts:
- Dressed cute for a cause in Kauai
- Kauai’s best beach for babies and toddlers
- Juice truck at Hanalei
- Pop-up sun tent for family vacations in Hawaii, Thailand, Mexico…
Safe journeys,
Curious about this content? See my editorial content disclosure.
Bronze Award Winner in Travel Blogs from the North American Travel Journalists Association
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