Oahu 2024

We were fortunate to get to go to Hawaii again this year (2 years in a row)! But this time the trip was with the Spauldings and Antis' for a whole new adventure. The Spauldings generously offered to take everyone on a trip to Oahu for about a week and a half.  We decided on Oahu because a few people had never been there or it had been awhile and we were ready to try a new location.  

We stayed in the Ko'Olina area on the southwest side of the island.  Ko'Olina definitely reminded me of the Kaanapali area in Maui. It is based around these 4 human-made lagoons right along the coast. Each lagoon has about 1-2 resorts on it. The lagoons were amazing! They were very calm without any waves because they were protected by a rock wall. So you could just walk straight in and they were so calming and relaxing to just hang out in. Our boys missed the ocean waves, but also liked the low-key vibe of the lagoons.  Our condo building was the only one on our lagoon which was nice because it was less crowded than the lagoon with the 4 Seasons Hotel and the Aulani Disney Hotel on it.  

We stayed in a condo with Gramma and Grampa and then Jacky & Johnathin stayed a few floors above us. 

Oahu is definitely more populated than the other islands and we were driving on a lot of freeways. It was especially busy by the downtown, but it also had so many beautiful areas as well. I forget how big the island is and has lots of different areas with their own landscape. 

There were some great places and activities that we did and some that were overrated because of the number of people and felt very touristy. We hung out at our hotel pool or the lagoon several days. We also took a day and drove up to North Shore to check out some beaches and have lunch.  One day was spent doing Pearl Harbor because James and the boys had never been there.  And of course we had to do the iconic Waikiki area where we went to a beautiful outdoor mall they have there and had lunch in the city. 

Overall it was a fantastic trip and very fun to make memories in Hawaii with more of our family. We were so grateful for the chance to go. It was really fun exploring a new island, but I still have more of a fondness for Maui. I think I would go back to Oahu sometime, but Maui and Kauai are my favorites.  

Here is more of the trip in photos:

Beautiful lagoon

Our wonderful condo resort

Visit to Hanauma Bay (overrated touristy spot)

Malasadas are yummy!

James and my date night to Michel's on Waikiki Beach

Day at Pearl Harbor which was fascinating and special

We found the plan Grampa used to work on during theVietnam War

James and Johnathin golfed at a magical jungle type golf course

Fun with Aunt Jacky!

Day up at North Shore

Watched a sea turtle come up on the beach!

Boys went to their first Luau with Gramma & Grampa

Went to Punchbowl military cemetery to visit Barb's uncle's grave

Being silly in Waikiki

Finale dinner at Roy's (Grampa & Johnathin weren't feeling great)

View from our condo

It's so fun to go through these photos and remember all the funny moments, laughs, hanging out time, and adventuring we had. So grateful that we got the chance to do this trip. Aloha!