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Day five started with waking up to coffee and this view.
It really doesn’t get any better. We had a leisurely morning, or at least Emmy, Maddie, and I did. Pete and Ashley headed to a CrossFit Box for a workout…
I can’t get enough of these views. From one direction of our suite we have Diamond Head, the next towards the south, and then another direction up to Waikiki. The warm breeze and the scent of the ocean are the perfect touches to a perfect getaway.
I’m also totally loving the authentic Hawaiian decor.
We tried a couple spots for breakfast and they were all really busy so we asked a local at a gas station (not kidding) for recommendations for his favorite breakfast place, and he said we had to go to Koa Pancake House. As soon as we walked in, I knew we were at the right place. We must have looked a little out of sorts because someone immediately came to us and asked if we were first timers. You order at the counter, sit at a table, and everything is brought to you. Following yesterday’s unintentional bargains, we hit the jackpot on this one. The portions were huge, the food delicious, and breakfast was less than $30 for all five of us. The place was filled and with good reason. Emmy was quite excited about her sprinkle pancakes!
We relaxed for a bit, had fresh lemon water in the lobby, and then headed up the coast to the Polynesian Cultural Center.
We stopped at Kualoa Beach Park, Mokolii Island (Chinaman’s Hat) for Emmy to stretch her legs… aka run around like a crazy kid, and then finished the hour or so drive. The colors of the water over here are the prettiest blues and greens…
The first thing we did was get a Dole Whip at the Polynesian Cultural Center. It’s a must do on the island for sure.
Then we explored the different villages. I have a full post set just to share all about this great place… but here are a few pictures for now. We definitely could have spent a full day here.
Then it was luau time! Emmy had her first Pina Colada (alcohol free of course). Pretty much she just wanted to be able to drink out of a fresh pineapple.
I can’t wait to share all about the luau with all of you. It was a definite highlight of our trip. The food was amazing and everyone was so friendly. Plus the entertainment was awesome.
Here is our day 5 video recap:
Have you ever been to a luau?
The Dole Whip AND the park look amazing. But really, is there any place you could go on Hawaii that isn’t amazing?
Looks like a very fun and relaxing vacation. We love the PCC, and your photos made me want to hop on a plane and head to the sunshine and sand.
Looks like you had an amazing time. Drinking out of that fresh pineapple looks like fun! My kids loved drinking out of coconuts when we went to Mexico.
I would love to take a trip to Hawaii. I think we will go with the kids in a few years when they are not as afraid to fly!
I could easily wake up to all of that every day of a vacation. We are planning to visit Hawaii in a couple of years when my mom retires, and our entire family goes. We can’t wait! It’s been 18 yrs since I last visited. Definitely too long.
They have dole whips there too? So neat! We went to Hawaii on our honeymoon so there weren’t any kiddos yet, but we may need to make a fam trip now.
Experiencing an authentic Hawaiian luau while in Hawaii would be an absolute must. Those amazing pancakes look like a fabulous way to start the day too!
Visiting Hawaii is definitely on my bucket list. I would love to experience an authentic luau.
I love Hawaii!! Those pancakes look amazing, I can’t believe you all ate the for $30 that’s hard to do here on the mainland.
This sounds like so much fun. I would totally love to go to Hawaii with my family.
I have attended a luau at a resort in Florida, years ago. I have always wanted to go to Hawaii, it’s at the top of my travel bucket list.
So gorgeous! I didn’t really get to travel much at all as a kid so I hope to be able to w/ my kids someday.
It looks like you guys had a wonderful day. Those pancakes look delicious! I can’t wait to hear more about your lovely trip.
Oh my goodness, Yes PLEASE!! I have always wanted to go to Hawaii but we have small kids. I didn’t think it woudl be that adventurous with small kids. But now I see you can still have an amazing time even with small kids in tow! I so want to go to Hawaii!!!
wow great vacation seems you guys traveled with style and had a lot of fun
I am really enjoying your trip to Hawaii. I have to make those pancakes.
that was a good idea asking a local for a breakfast recommendation! i too had to get a drink in a pineapple on my visit to Oahu
I want to drink out of a pineapple. The ocean breeze would be cool too to wake up to.
I want to drink out of a pineapple too!!, also id like to take a sun bath, its been ages since i took a trip
I have been to a luau and it was a lot of fun. I love getting dressed up in florals and having that floral wreath on our head.
What amazing views! Sounds like you’re still having an amazing time!
Adding that in my bucketlist. Glad you shared this! Thanks for that.
Adding that in my bucketlist. Glad you shared this! Thanks for that.
The days just keep getting better and better! I must try that dole whip! The whole trip was worth ending with that Luau. Look at those smiles, you all look so happy!
This looks like so much fun! I would love to be able to bring my family there. I love all your photos. They look so amazing!
Wow, another wonderful day in Hawaii for you guys. I can’t wait to read about the luau party.
Taking the grand kids to Hawaii would be a great way to create memories! It sure looks like you and your family are enjoying your vacation!
This looks like it was such an amazing trip. I love the views you have from your room. I would love to feel the warm breeze coming in.
That Dole Whip looks so delicious. I would love to go to Waikiki and just never leave. It is so beautiful there.
This is just so incredible! The views are breathtaking! I would love to take a family vacation here. My son would love to swim in that gorgeous water.
The Polynesian Cultural Center sounds like a great stop on your vacation. And the Dole Whip sounds amazing!
Beautiful vacation spot! The Dole whip looks really good!
Hawaii is so beautiful. I would love to visit one day. The view from your hotel is amazing too.
Those pancakes look amazing too. I hope that she enjoyed them.
I want to drink out of a piece of fruit! 🙂 That looks really like a fun trip.
Hawaii is so beautiful. I truly hope that I can take my family there someday. It is my son’s dream to visit the Pear Harbor Memorial. (He is such a history buff!)
I have always wanted to visit Oahu! This looks like a great way to plan everything & you look like your family had so much fun!
Hawaii has always been a place I would love to visit someday. Your vacation looks like a lot of fun.
I’ve never been, but I would love to go to one in Hawaii. Going to Hawaii with my family would be a dream vacation.
Oh man what a wonderful trip!! The view is beautiful, and those pancakes look so delicious!
Your little one is so cute. It looks like you guys had a great time on the beach and on vacation!
I have never been to Hawaii, but it looks like a gorgeous retreat! I’d love to visit there someday with my family. 🙂
That is you called vacation, you looks like had a awesome day. next week we can start a vacation.
That Dole whip has me craving one… with zero chance of finding anything similar in Denmark 🙁
What a great vacation! Looks like you guys are having the time of your lives! I can’t wait to go to Hawaii!
I have never been but I am glad that you enjoyed yourself and what a beautiful selection of photos too x
Wow, you had an awesome vacation and your hotel was really look relaxing
I’ve never been to a luau. Well, kind of because it was my niece’s 18th birthday party theme. 🙂 Love your photos. The views are breathtaking!
My family and I had a similar vacation last October. We were in Oahu, the west side, and then the other half of the week we stayed in Turtle Bay. We also did a Luau. All of us love Hawaii. Wish we could live there actually!
What an amazing view you have! So happy to see this!
It sounds like you had a really amazing time on your trip! I love visiting Hawaii, but have never been to Waikiki! Thanks for sharing.