Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
of Honolulu awarded the lease to the valley to the National Audubon Society.
The Audubon Society has renamed the park Waimea Valley Audubon Center
(59-864 Kamehameha Hwy., Haleiwa; & 808/638-9199; www.audubon.org),
and is focusing on protecting and interpreting the valley's cultural, botanical,
and ecological resources. Activities (kayaking, ATV tours, and so forth) have
been eliminated, along with the cliff diving and hula; instead, the emphasis is on
education and preservation. The public is invited to hike the trails, wander
through the park, and spend a day in this quiet oasis. Admission prices have
been lowered to $8 for adults, $5 for children ages 4 to 12, and $5 for seniors.
(Parking is now free.)
HORSEBACK RIDING
You can gallop on the beach at the Turtle Bay Resort, 57-091 Kamehameha
Hwy., Kahuku ( & 808/293-8811; www.turtlebayresort.com; bus: 52 or 55),
where 45-minute rides along sandy beaches with spectacular ocean views and
through a forest of ironwood trees cost $35 for adults and $22 for children 9
to 12. (They must be at least 54 in. tall.) Romantic evening rides take place on
Friday, Saturday, and Sunday from 5 to 6:30pm ($65 per person). Advanced rid-
ers can sign up for a 40-minute trot-and-canter ride along Kawela Bay ($50).
PLAYGROUNDS
Some 146 city and county parks have children's play apparatus. For a complete
list of children's parks, children's pools, skating areas, hiking paths, and other fun
family activities, contact the Department of Parks and Recreation, 1000 Uluo-
hia St., Suite 309, Kapolei ( & 808/692-5585; www.co.honolulu.hi.us/parks/
programs/activities/fclty.htm).
TENNIS
Oahu has 181 free public tennis courts. To get a complete list of all facilities or
information on upcoming tournaments, send a self-addressed, stamped enve-
lope to Department of Parks and Recreation, Tennis Unit, 650 S. King St.,
Honolulu, HI 96813. In Waikiki, if you want to check on the Diamond Head
courts at 3908 Paki Ave., across from Kapiolani Park, call & 808/971-7150.
The courts are available on a first-come, first-served basis; playing time is lim-
ited to 45 minutes if others are waiting.
If you're staying in Waikiki, try the Ilikai Tennis Center at the Renaissance
Ilikai Hotel, 1777 Ala Moana Blvd., at Hobron Lane ( & 808/551-9438; www.
ilikaihotel.com; bus: 19 or 20), which has six courts, equipment rental, lessons,
and repair service. Courts cost $8 per person per hour for nonguests of the hotel
($5 for guests); private lessons are $44 per hour.
If you're on the North Shore, the Turtle Bay Resort, 57-091 Kamehameha
Hwy., Kahuku ( & 808/293-8811, ext. 24; bus: 52 or 55), has 10 courts, four
of which are lit for night play. You must reserve the night courts in advance;
they're very popular. Court time is $20 for 1 1 2 hours. Equipment rental and les-
sons are also available.
9 Shopping with Your Kids
Shopping with kids can be a great escapade. Hawaiian malls are outdoors with
plenty of entertainment, and among the brand names are shops unique to
Hawaii, so just browsing through the merchandise can be an adventure.
Most stores are happy to ship, but be aware that shipping from Hawaii is
either inexpensive with a 3-month lag time or so expensive that sometimes the
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