16 ways to give kids a taste of Hawaiian culture during your trip

Everyone must experience the Polynesian Cultural Centre. To fully understand the history and how the island culture was born, you could spend the whole afternoon in the interactive center learning about the island nations that make up Polynesia. The highlight of the day will be the lūʻau and dinner show, where the best of Hawaiʻi is shown through dance, music and food.
 

Oʻahu is all about surfing and its cultural history, so make sure you stop by the Duke Kahanamoku Statue and learn about the father of modern surfing. Welcoming you with open arms, the monument showcases his background of being a true waterman, a master of outrigger canoe paddling, along with his swimming and surfing abilities.
 

Head up the North Shore and stop at Waimea Bay. With its history as being one of the first places that local surfers tried their hand a big wave surfing, the kids will love watching the big waves, especially in winter.
 

Down the road from Waimea Bay is the small community of Haleʻiwa. With a blend of quaint country charm, with a mix of retro artisans and laid-back surfers looking for the quieter life, you will want to linger longer. The food truck culture is alive and well on the north shore, and you must try the garlic shrimp from Giovanni’s food truck for that authentic roadside experience.
 

While you are on the North Shore, hook up with pro surfer, Rocky Canon, and learn the skill of surfing firsthand. Learning to surf in the cultural home of where it all began, will stay with you forever… and give the kids great bragging rights with their friends. Hawaiʻi Surf Dogs will teach you how to ride a wave and for something unique, the kids can take Rocky’s dogs, Hina or Kahuna out with them on the board.
 

Visit the Dole Plantation and learn about the history of the pineapple and how important it is to Hawaiʻi. Take a tour and see the agricultural side of the plantation, before you let the kids run through the world’s largest maze, as stated in the Guinness Book of records back in 2008.
 

One of Hawaiʻi’s most significant sites is Pearl Harbour.  A day that has been etched in world history and which shaped Hawaiʻi and who she is today, is told through stories of what Hawaiʻi was like pre WWII, during and after this memorable moment in time. Whilst the memorial of the sunken USS Arizona is a time to reflect, the kids will enjoy discovering how life on board the USS Missouri was really like in the 1940’s.

Why not start your Maui adventure, on the Road to Hāna. Straight away the scenery will be very different to anything the kids would have seen at home. Being able to explore and learn why the landscape is so different, being largely old lava fields, will have the kids asking so many questions and wanting to know more about how the islands were formed from old volcanoes.
 

While on the road discover waterfalls, bamboo forests, beaches and historic quaint towns, definitely stop at the local shacks and grab a cool drink and see what other local snacks they have to offer. I have it on good authority that the Halfway to Hāna Stand has the BEST banana bread… EVER! While you are enjoying the delicious treats, have a chat with a local and ask where the next must stop is, or their favourite hidden gem.
 

An overnight stay in Hāna Town will allow you to learn more about the history of the island, its local legends and their fascinating stories. Discover how the ancient Gods left their mark, and where historic battles were fought. Before you leave the next morning, make sure you grab a coffee and some snacks at Grandma’s Coffee House so you are fuelled up to continue your road trip.
 

While on Maui, stop by the Surfing Goat Dairy to let the kids try their hands at milking goats and learn how cheese is made. With over 25 different cheeses produced onsite, the kids will be fascinated with how many varieties there are. If you are there in the late afternoon, why not book an evening chore tour so your kids can learn about farm life and then they can tuck the kids into bed – the goat kids!

Weekly markets the world over are a great way to see daily life firsthand. It is where stories are shared by generations, about growing food and living off the land. A trip to the weekend farmers market at Hilo is no different. Here they’ll learn how the barter system worked between farmers, where they share their produce with others and money is not exchanged, in order to support each other.
 

Hawaiʻi’s volcanoes are best seen by boat, air or hiking. The kids will marvel at the shear sight of the dramatic cliffs that plunge directly into the sea. They will learn the history and hear the stories that come from ancient Hawaiian legend, where it talks about Pele, the Goddess of Volcanoes, Fire and Lightning. It is believed in Hawaiian culture that she created the Hawaiian Islands.
 

Visiting ʻImiloa Astronomy Centre offers families the opportunity to learn the connections between Hawaiian cultural traditions and astronomy. The museum will help the kids to understand the island’s place in the world. It will help bridge the gap from today’s astronomers and the exploration of Hawaiian voyagers from the past.