Adventure Awaits Kaua’i, Hawaii – Boys 1st flight – Feb 2012!
Deeply inspirational, tranquil moments in the pre-dawn hours were some of my favorite memories on this Adventure Awaits – Boys 1st flight. God’s awe inspiring beauty is wonderous here! One morning at Ke’e beach, I spent some time chatting with a Hawaiian man also on vacation in Kaua’i. He explained that Hawaiians from other islands like to travel to Kaua’i for their vacations as it is the “Garden Island”.
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Adventure Awaits Kaua’i, Hawaii
Boys 1st Flight 
destination Hawaii
It was February 2012! I feel like this was just yesterday. Time certainly does fly. Michigan can be so long, cold, and dark in the winter months. Galen & I had already explored Hawaii prior to this trip. We felt it was pretty safe and a great environment to create memorable travel adventures with the boys. Armed with The Ultimate Kaua’i Guide Book and a tank full of gasoline in our rental jeep with the top down, we set out to explore this island adventure as a family. This sparked the initial LOVE of travel for our kids!
We stayed at Pono Kai Resort in Kapa’a Town on the northern most Hawaiian island of Kaua’i. We were there for two weeks on this adventure. It was so great to see new wonders through our boy’s eyes. Jacob was in 6th grade and Joshua was in 3rd grade.
Adventure Awaits Kaua’i, Hawaii
From shaved ice treats at JoJo’s Shave Ice to our favorite restaurant Olympic Cafe to the molting seals on the shore of beaches during the day, or a trip through the National Tropical Botanical Gardens to absorb the local foliage.
Adventure Awaits Kaua’i, Hawaii
Deeply inspirational, tranquil moments in the pre-dawn hours were some of my favorite memories. God’s awe inspiring beauty is wonderous here! One morning at Ke’e beach, I spent some time chatting with a Hawaiian man also on vacation in Kaua’i. He explained that Hawaiians from other islands like to travel to Kaua’i for their vacations as it is the “Garden Island”. It is the most under-developed of all of the islands and provides Hawaiian’s a relaxing return to a more peaceful existence. As our conversation flowed to many topics, one topic in particular stood out to me…the healing properties of the ocean. Hawaiian’s believe in soaking in the ocean to cure many ailments. They revere the ocean and their spiritual beliefs stem from these traditions. It was a great pleasure to discuss such personal beliefs with this man. He was wonderful to share with me.
From the simple pleasures like watching the sunrise, grabbing a burger at world famous Bubba’s Burgers, or sipping Kauai coffee and people watching all were so relaxing!
The crow of the rooster pre-dawn echoed giggles from the boys as our internal clocks were all messed up coming from an eastern standard time zone.
Trying not to fall asleep at dinner was the true challenge. Luaus at Smith’s Tropical Paradise were a highlight and a must do! Exploring the Grand Canyon of the South Pacific was also breathtakingly beautiful.
Adventure Awaits Kaua’i, Hawaii
If you drove as far North on the island as the road will take you, our favorite hike trail head Kalalau Trail was located there at Ke’e Beach. If you drove as far West as the road would take you back around the island, our favorite beach was located there – Polihale State Park. We spent significant time snorkeling at the number seven most famous beach in the world Poipu Beach located in the South region of the island. Our Condominium was located in the East region of the island. Kauai has the most diverse climate of anywhere I’ve ever been. It provides desert like conditions in the West with very low rainfall. The North side of the island boasts of being the wettest spot on the earth with record rainfall. The Napali Coastline prevents any road travel all the way around the island. So when you drive as far as you can one way around the island, you are actually about 17-20 miles away from the end of the road all the way on the other side of the island. A topless jeep is the way to get around on the many cane roads of the island and makes the ride super enjoyable! Hawaii remains one of our fondest places to visit.
Where was the first place you traveled with your children on a flight? How did it go? Share a photo!
I’d love to hear where you went and what your experience was like to view a favorite vacation destination through their eyes! Leave a reply below!
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About Me
A 1993 graduate of Michigan State University, Barbara earned a BS in Social Science Pre-Law. She is a Business Manager/HR Director. Her passion is travel, discovering new places, experiences, cuisine, cultures while enjoying temperate climates. Barbara is a newly transitioning empty-nester who became a travel blogger. She’s a great photographer, talented writer, and has a great family to highlight in her high school/college athlete football sons.
WEBSITE: www.inspirationaltraveladventures.com
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TRAVEL BLOG🛩 * ADVENTURE🛶 * INSPIRATION🌞 Thanks for exploring our travel blog! We hope to assist you in your next adventure through learning from ours! We are transitioning empty-nesters perpetually seeking our next luxury snorkeling adventure! Daily God’s awe inspiring inspiration surrounds us with all of His natural beauty in every direction if we but slow down to observe. Take a moment each day to ENJOY!
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64 Comments
Josh
It sounds like you and your family have a lot of fun and amazing adventures. Thank you for sharing all of your travel experiences.
Barbara
MY PLEASURE! I’m glad you are enjoying the blog! 🙂
Josh
Hawaii is so beautiful!!!!
Barbara
YES! YES, it is!! I agree! 🙂
Suz
Your photos are gorgeous! I hope I get to Hawaii one day.
Carrie Cochran
What a fun post! I appreciated all the extra links for more information as well!
Barbara
Thanks!
Debbie
Looks like they enjoyed their 1st flight and you all had a great trip! Beautiful pics!
Marianne
Such beautiful pics! Sigh… still mourning my cancelled first trip to Hawaii this fall…
Jill DeMasi
That turtle is huge! Love your pictures!
Maria Gustafsson
I’ve only been to the Big Island and Oahu, but my favourite part of Hawaii was the temperature and the fragrance in the air!
Barbara Robinson
Totally agree on both!
Adrienne
Great pick for a first time flight! Looks like the boys were prepared and very excited 🙂
Holly
What an amazing place to take their first flight! Kauai is my all-time favorite island, the first time I visited was in the 70’s the only way to get there was by boat! Thank you so much for sharing your adventures!
Kirsten
Oh, Kauai is so beautiful and there are so many fun things to do! I’m now dreaming of when we can go back!
Ashley
Can’t wait to visit Kaui! Bookmarking for later.
Alice
Hawaii is so beautiful. I would love a trip there some day.
Angela
What a great Hawaiian trip – and yes our kids were off their normal clock too for the first day!
Bonnie
We would love to go to Hawaii….haven’t been yet but it looks like such a beautiful spot.
Barbara Robinson
Kauai is our favorite island!
Karie
I love your writing style. And that is so interesting about the ocean and that they believe the ocean has healing properties. I’ve been studying some things about water and empaths and totally think I bet there’s something there in ocean water that would be a different healing type of water. So fascinating. And I probably sound like a weirdo. Lol but I’m fascinated by this thought.
Barbara Robinson
The local older man that I spoke with shared his culture and beliefs with me. I was honored to listen to him speak his truth. It made sense to me too! Fascinating culture!
Sabrina
Hawaii is beautiful. My husband and I vacation on the Big Island last year. I would love to go back and visit all the other islands. Thanks for sharing your wonderful experience.
Lisa Manderino
Hawaii is an amazing place. I can’t wait to take my family!
Sabrina DeWalt
I would love to get to Hawaii one day.
Barbara Robinson
That’s what I said too! We try to go every five year anniversary. We started on our fifth anniversary! Do it! You will LOVE it!
Emily
Absolutely gorgeous!!! what a fun family adventure
Siobhan
Can’t wait to get back to traveling again soon!
Chelsea
I’ve been to Hawaii once and loved it. I can’t wait to get back there. The time change was a bit rough for a day or so, but we were so relaxed, it didn’t affect us much! 😉
melissa
Hawaii is on our short list. My daughter keeps asking to go, as well, so hopefully we will make it there sooner rather than later! It looks like your family had a wonderful adventure there!
Barbara Robinson
Our boys were quite young when we took them the first time. I would recommend highschool age for a good time to take your family!
Suz
While there are plenty of places to go in the world, even now, I also find myself looking back at past trips.
Amanda
One of my absolute favorite family trips as a kid was to Hawaii! Great place to make family memories!
Lisa
What a fun trip and what a memorable first trip to take!!
Suzan | It's My Sustainable Life
Great suggestions for visiting such amazing islands!
Lisa
Hawaii is on our bucket list! The boys looked like they had a wonderful time!
Beth
Since I live in Honolulu, it’s always nice to see places in Hawaii I haven’t been yet and should add to my list! One of my husband’s former students runs the National Tropical Botanic Garden, so of course we’ve been there.
Erica
I want to get the kids and myself to Hawaii so bad!! I love your travels! Thank you so much for sharing!
Cindy Mailhot
Looks like a great trip! Hawaii is on the bucket list!
Cindy
What a memorable trip! I’d love to go to Hawaii.
Beth Shields
How fun for sure. My kids traveled early on planes and I even took them on a train. It was a great experience but very different than flying for sure. My grandkids are skilled at this. I think its critical for today’s traveling.
Thanks for sharing.
Alyssa
I have been to Kauai twice and absolutely loved it. Hawaii is definitely a must see place but Kauai in my opinion was the best island to visit! Thank you for sharing!
Barbara Robinson
I agree on Kauai! I want to explore other places on other islands, but I keep going back to Kauai…
Debbie
Looks like your family really made the most out of your visit to Kauai! Nothing better than enjoying experiences like that with your family and seeing their reactions. My fondest memory there was the helicopter tour over that beautiful island!!
Jordan
I love all the nature and outdoor activities you were able to do! I would definitely want to see the Grand Canyon of the South Pacific.
Tiffany Smith
I look forward to the day I can visit and do some of what you described…it sounds amazing, especially the snorkeling and hikes!
Siobhan
Aww! Such fun! I can’t wait to take my boys on their first flight too (hopefully soon!).
Maggie | leavemetodream.com
A lifetime of incredible memories being made. Love it!!
Kristin
I love Kauai so much! Visited once before kids and would love to take the kids there one day (soon, hopefully). Our first flight with a kid was with our 8-week-old son cross country, from Virginia to Portland, OR. So he obviously will never remember his first flight!
Elaina
What a great trip for them! I passed out on my first flight, I still get a bit nervous at the start.
Sydney Delong
What a fun trip! Hawaii is on our bucket list, and going during the Michigan winter is the best time!
Barbara Robinson
THAT is so true! Breaking up the Michigan winter (low sunlight for long stretches) is paramount to our winter blues!
Megan
Not a bad place to visit for their first flight 😉 I’m sure every flight after that seemed so short, too!
Ashley Pacheco
I love Hawai’i! Lucky place for their first flight.
Kristina
Your pics are beautiful! I love forward to going to Hawaii some day! Hopefully sooner than later 🙂
Tiffany
Beautiful adventures! Would love to travel to Hawaii!
Suzan | It's My Sustainable Life
You can see the excitement on their faces! So cute
Maya
Love your pictures!
Denise
This was great, I haven’t yet taken a flight together with my son’s 🙁 and they’re older now so I’ve missed that opportunity. However they did get to fly together solo to the East coast to spend time with their father once when they were younger and they loved it! Scared at first and the stewardess was there with them and made them feel safe. At least that’s what they told me lol 😂 I however was scared to death!!
Cindy Mailhot
My little one has flown since he was 6 months old and he has always done well. Thank goodness!
Melissa Jones
So fun! The benefits and fun of travel are endless!
Candy
We were supposed to be leaving for the islands on Saturday. Now it has been moved to April. We loved seeing your post. Brought back great memories and has us excited for April!
lily
You guys really live life to the fullest can’t wait to start traveling again!
Cindy
What great memories and what a great trip!