Kualoa Ranch

"Truly Hawaii"

Kualoa Ranch is a family owned enterprise with a mission to be stewards of this special land. They aim to preserve, protect, and enhance the natural beauty of Hawai'i's land and culture. 

Established in 1850, Kualoa Ranch is a 4,000-acre working cattle ranch ranging from the high mountains, down to the crystal clear blue sea. Located on the Winward side of Oahu, approximately 45 minutes from Honolulu and Waikiki. Here you will experience a vast array of landscapes from dense tropical rainforests, to huge open valleys and breath-taking white sand beaches. It is described as "a true paradise for outdoor recreation" with most locations reachable only by horseback, all-terrain vehicles, or hiking.

"Famous Site for major Hollywood Films!"

Kualoa Ranch has been the ideal site for many television shows and movies such as:

• Jurassic Park (1993) Starring: Sam Neil, Laura Dern, Jeff Goldblum, Richard Attenborough, Ariana Richards and Joseph Mazzelo
• Windtalkers (2002) Starring: Nicolas Cage and Christian Slater
• Pearl Harbor (2001) Starring: Ben Affleck, Josh Hartnett, Kate Beckinsale, Cuba Gooding, Jr., Alec Baldwin
• Tears of the Sun (2003) Starring: Bruce Willis and Monica Bellucci
• 50 First Dates (2004) Starring: Adam Sandler, Drew Barrymore, Rob Schneider, Dan Aykryod

Kualoa Ranch

49-560 Kamehameha Highway

Kaneohe, HI 96744

Reservations Toll Free: (800) 231-7321

Reservations Desk: (808) 237-7321

Directions (From Waikiki): Take H-1 Freeway west to the Likelike Highway Route #63. Proceed up Likelike Highway and through Wilson Tunnel. Descend towards Kane'ohe town and exit onto Kahekili Highway Route #83 heading North. Continue along Kahekili Highway (*the road becomes Kamehameha Highway when you pass the historic "Hygenic Store" in Kahalu'u). Signs will point you in the direction of the entrance.

Tours and Activities

Kualoa Experience Tours

Movie Sites & Ranch Tour

Movie Tour including film locations for Jurassic Park, 50 First Dates, Hawai'i 5-0, Windtalkers, and more!

Adult: $26

Child: $15

Jungle Expedition Tour

Ride on this 6-wheel drive Swiss Pinzgauer that takes you through Oahu's beautiful Hakipu'u Valley

Adult: $26

Child: $15

*Special Remarks*
This ride is extremely rough and bouncy. If you have back problems, or small children, this tour might not be for you.

Ancient Fishing Grounds & Tropical Gardens Tour

Journey across one of Hawai'i's most well-preserved ancient Hawaiian fishpond and tour a tropical garden filled with fruit trees and flowers.

Adult: $26

Child: $15

Legends & Legacy Tour

Storytelling and a walking tour that reveals Kualoa's treasured history and cultural signficance.

Adult: $9

Child: $6

Hakipu'u Hike

1.5 mile narrated hiking tour through Hakipu'u Valley.

**Offered only the second Saturday of every month from 9-11am**

Adult: $15 (Includes one child)

Child: $5 (under 18 years old)

Kahiko Hula Lessons

Learn the ancient Hawaiian dance in an authentic and historical setting. The class involves learning a brief history of hula as well as dance.

Adult: $26

Child: $15

Secret Island Beach

One of Hawai'i's secluded beaches, and an ideal place to spend the day

Times: 9am-noon & noon-3pm daily

Adult: $26

Child: $15 (ages 3-12)

Ocean Voyage Tour

A catamaran tour that features views of Mokili'i Island and Hokule'a Beach

Adult: $59

Child: $29

Dinner and Entertainment

Legends of Kualoa Dinner & Show 

Traditional Hawaiian entertainment and a Hawaiian Luau buffet

Adult: $59

Child: $29

Kualoa Adventure Tours

ATV Tours

Explore famous movie locations in Kualoa's Ka'a'awa Valley with tons of scenic viests

1 Hour Tour
Adult: $69

2 Hour Tour

Adult: $99

**Must be at least 16 years old to participate

Horseback Tours

Ride the Southern half of Kualoa and see amazing scenic views!

1 Hour Tour

Adult: $69

2 Hour Tour

Adult: $99

**Must be at least 10 years old to participate

Keiki Horseback Rides

Introduction to horses for children.

Each ride is 5 minutes

Keiki: $5

**Ages 5-9 years old

Keiki Experience

An entertaining experience for children while their parents are on tours

1 Hour: $25

Petting zoo, exotic animals, Hawaiian legends and storytelling

2 Hours: $40

In addition to 1 Hour activities:

Games and activity using Hawaiian canoe plants and visits to the sculpture garden 

Click on our podcast to here more details about Kualoa Ranch!

Polynesian Cultural Center

Click to listen to our podcast, where we will give you an in-depth description of the center.

Polynesian Cultural Center

Established in 1963 by the Church of Jesus Christ of the Latter-day Saints to preserve and perpetuate the more ideal aspects of Polynesian Culture, as well as to provide work opportunities for students at the adjoining Bringham Young University.

Directions from Waikiki

Transportation to the Polynesian Cultural Center can be purchased as part of a ticket package.
Visit Here to make a Reservation
For those who wish to drive ($8 parking fee for each vehicle)Several ways to get here

Hours of Operation

11:45 am
Parking lot, gift shops, snack bar, and Barbecue Luncheon Buffet opens

12:05 pm
Island Tours and Hawaii Village Presentations begin
Activities and shows of each village will be spread throughout the afternoon

2:30 pm
"Rainbows of Paradise" canoe pageant near Samoa and Hawaii

5:00-7:00 pm
Ambassador Restaurant and Island Buffet open
5:15-6:30 pm
Ali'i Lu'au with traditional Hawaiian entertainement
Be there before 5:00 pm to receive your lei greeting

7:30-9:15 pm
World Famous Evening Show
Ha: Breath of Life
All seats are reserved. Ticket sales are based on a first come first serve basis

Village Show times and Activities

Islands of Hawai'i

"Aloha"

Village Showtimes

12:05, 1:30. 3:05, 4:30

Activities

Hula performances and demonstrations

Presentation on Hawaiian Kapu system

Food demonstration: Harvesting taro to make poi

Observer how to craft leaves and flowers into leis, baskets, and other useful items

Islands of Samoa

"Talofa!"

Village Showtimes

12:30, 1:30, 3:05, 4:00, 4:30, 5:30

One of the centers most popular demonstrations

Activities

Learn how to make a fire by rubbing two sticks together

How to crack open a coconut

Hot to create coconut milk

Learn how Samoans prepare their food

Watch young natives climb 40 ft. coconut trees bare foot!

Attempts can be made after presentation is over. Good luck!

View real life living quarters, cooking huts, and a chief's home

Food tasting: Samoan food prepared throughout the day

Aotearoa (New Zealand)

"Kia Ora!"

Village Showtimes

1:00, 3:30, 4:430

One of our favorites!!

Activities

Learn how to do their ancient war dance the "Haka"

Learn the Maori stick game called titiorea, and how to twirl poi balls. You can also get a Maori temporary tattoo

Islands of Fiji

(photo: http://acelebrationofwomen.org/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/fiji_people.jpg)

Village Showtimes

12:30, 1:30, 3:30, 4:00

Activities

Demonstaration of the lali or long drum and its meaning

See many tools and weapons crafted for war

Tonga

Village Showtimes

12:30, 1:30, 4:00, 5:30

Activities

Learn how "ta nafa" or drumming. One lucky volunteer can try the oversized drum!

Tongan shuffleboard

"Tolo" the game of underhand spear throwing

Tahiti

Village Showtimes

12:30, 1:30, 3:30

Activities

Learn how to shake your hips the tahitian way!

Learn how to cook some coconut bread

Learn how to make shell and flower leis

Have a spear throwing competition 

Rainbows of Paradise

Starts at 2:30 each day.

See all the colorful costumes and dances

Ali'i Luau

Authentic Hawaiian food

Ha:

Breath of Life

  

7:00pm-9:30pm

Oahu Hikes

MAUNAWILI FALLS

Maunawili Falls is a fantastic hike with a rewarding 25 ft waterfall and swimming hole at the end of the hike. Maunawili Falls is located on the windward side of Oahu, and draws thousands of people from all over. 


The trail itself is located in a neighborhood right by the Koolau mountains. When you arrive you must find street parking and the location of the start of the trail can be a bit confusing.

While hiking the trail, you will see AMAZING views from the Koolau mountains, as well as smaller waterfalls along the way. Be aware, this trail can be very muddy! I have actually hiked it barefoot because it was easier in all of the mud. The hike has a few stream crossings, so be careful not to get confused. Its a short/fairly easy hike which takes about 2 hours, and has an elevation of 400 ft. When you get to the end of the trail you will find the waterfall. There are two separate spots to jump from. Most people, (including myself), jump from the smaller one. However, there is a little trail you can take up along the side of the waterfall which will take you to the BIG jump. The brave men jump from here!
*note- keep in mind that many of the fresh water streams in Hawai'i contain Leptospirosis and it is advised you that you do not go in if you
have any open cuts or wounds.
If you have any questions, just ask Lyndsay!

Below is a map as well as the easiest directions found from To-hawaii.com

Location: Kelewina Street, Maunawili, HI 96734
Directions: From Honolulu, take the Pali Highway toward Kailua. Turn right at the second Auloa Road, then veer left onto Maunawili Road. At the end of Maunawili Road, make a right turn onto Kelewina Street. Park on the street and walk left to the trail access.
For more information on Maunawili Falls as well as user reviews check out:
Maunawili Falls

MANOA FALLS/AIHUALAMA TRAIL

Entrance to the Trail

Manoa Falls Trail located in the Manoa Valley is a fairly easy hike through a scenic rain forest and bamboo forest to the base of a 100 ft. waterfall and small pool. This trail is a premier example of the beauty Hawaii has to offer. It has been a popular filming spot for television and movies with scenes from the hit TV show LOST being filmed here, as well as parts of Jurassic Park.

Difficulty: Easy
Trail Length: 0.8 mi
Duration: Approx. 30-45 minutes

Because this trail is not so strenuous compared to other hikes around the island, it makes it one of the most popular hikes. This site can get fairly crowded on the weekends. The scenic rain forest atmosphere provides ample shade and protection from the sun which helps makes this hike cool and breezy. The trail gradually ascends to the waterfalls base where a viewing area has been constructed to restrict access to the pool due to a landslide that occurred in 2002. The pool itself is a shallow wading pool, and many visitors do venture around the barricade to enter the pool. WARNING! Most fresh water pools in Hawaii may contain a bacteria that can cause Leptospirosis. Signs and warnings are posted to warn against entering the pool if you have any open cuts or wounds.

For more experienced hikers: If the 0.8 hike to the Manoa Falls is too short for you, there is a trail marked to the left of the viewing area. This is Aihualama Trail NOT suitable for novice hikers. This trail is about 1.3 mi and takes from 2-3 hours to reach the summit where you get a fantastic view of Manoa Valley. The terrain switchbacks up the mountain through many different landscapes and also gives access to other trails in the Honolulu Mauka Trail System.

**As of February 2013, the Aihualama Trail has been closed temporarily due to a major landslide that has covered parts of the trail. However, the Department of Land and Natural Resources is currently working on a project to restore the trail and make it available to the public again.**


Manoa Falls Trail is located at:
Manoa Rd, Honolulu, HI 96822

How to get to Manoa Falls from Waikiki
Drive:
Driving directions to Manoa Falls from Waikiki: Take Kalakuau Ave (the main road through Waikiki) to Philips St. Turn right on Philips St. Take the first left onto Punahou St. Punahou St. turns slightly right and becomes Manoa Road. Follow Manoa Road to the end of the road. Note: East Manoa Road splits off to the right. Stay left on Manoa Road. Parking is available for $5. Drive time is about 15 minutes from Waikiki. To find Manoa falls on a GPS or an online map, use the address for Treetops Restaurant which is 3737 Manoa Road, Honolulu, Hawaii 96822. See map to Manoa Falls to the right.

Public Transportation (theBus):
Take bus #5 from Ala Moana center to the last stop. The bus takes about 25 minutes (more like an hour when you add wait time and walking time). Walk about 1/2 mile from the bus stop to the trail head. There are signs near the bus stop pointing to Manoa Falls. You can take a bus to Ala Moana if your hotel is not within walking distance. Be sure to get a transfer when you get on the first bus so you won't have to pay for the second bus. The cost is $2.50 (exact change). Discounts are available for children and seniors.

Tour buses:
A number of tour companies take bus or van tours to Manoa Falls. Inquire at your hotel. The hotel can put you in touch with these tour companies. This option will be quite a bit more expensive than theBus, but it is a lot easier since they will pick you up at your hotel, get you to the right place, and then return you to the hotel. Also, they will usually have a knowledgable guide.

Taxi Cab:
Cabs are numerous in Waikiki. They are more expensive than theBus, but will get you there and back a lot faster.

Waimea Falls Trail

Waimea Valley is a historic nature park located on the North Shore of O'ahu. It is one of the last, partially intact ahupua'a on O'ahu. An ahupua'a is a land division that extends from the uplands to the sea. Hawaiians used the rain water to feed their crops, the mountains for hunting, and the ocean for fishing. Everything you need to survive was available in an ahupua'a.

The valley has been a sacred place for more than 700 years of Native Hawaiian history. Waimea means, "The Valley of the Priests" and was given this name around 1090, when the land was awarded to a Kahuna Nui (high priest). Descendants of the high priest continued to care for the land until 1886. With the purchase of the land by the Office of Hawaiian Affairs in 2006, they seek to preserve the Hawaiian Culture through many aspects.

Operating Hours

• Open daily from 9am-5pm, 7 days a week
• Closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas Day and New Years Day

Admission Fees

• Visiting Adults $15
• Visiting Child $7.50 (ages 4-12)
• Visiting Senior $7.50 (ages 60+)
• Kama'aina/Military Adult $10 each
• Kama'aina/Military Child $5 (ages 4-12)
• Kama'aina/Military Senior $5 (age 60+)
• Individual Annual Pass $50.00
• Family Pass $100.00 (2 adults & up to 4 children under the age of 12)

Activities

• Several activities (with paid admission) are offered throughout the day in different locations in the valley

Cultural Activities

• Hula demonstrations
• Hawaiian games
• Crafts
• Music
• Story telling

Ancient Hawaiian Archaeological Sites

• 78 sites of interest have been identified including religious sites and shrines, house sites, agricultural terraces and fishponds

World Class Botanical Garden Collections

• The 150-acre Botanical Collection that contains more than 5,000 kinds of tropical and subtropical plants including native and endangered Hawaiian plants.

Wildlife

• There are several native and endangered birds in the valley
• Because there are so many endangered plants and animals, no domestic animals are allowed
• Includes: birds, cats, dogs, with the exception of service dogs

Waihi Waterfall                                                                                                                     

• 45 foot Waterfall
• About 3/4 of a mile from the ticket booth

Retail, Food & Beverage Services

• Retail Store
• Showcases North Shore artists and Hawaii crafts of locally made products
• The concession stand uses locally grown, made-in Hawaii ingredients for local dining

For More Information on Waimea Falls, click here

Diamond Head Hike

Diamond Head hike, also known as the Diamond Head Crater was built in 1908. It was part of the Oahu's coastal defense system. Diamond Head is the name of a volcanic tuff cone on the Hawaiian Island of Oahu and Leahi in Hawaiian, it was mistook calcite crystals embedded in the rock for diamonds in the 19th century.

Diamond Head is younger than the main mass of the Ko'olau Mountain Range. It is estimated to approximately 200,000 years old and was inactive for around 150,000 years compare with the Ko'olau Range of 2.6 million years old. Visitors can start their hike from the parking lot on to the crater floor, the trail to the summit is approximately 0.8 mile. It is a one way hike and have to climb around 560 feet in elevation. While visitors are hiking the trail, they should stay on the designed trail and be careful about the trail as it gets uneven and steep.

Trail Length: 1.6 miles (round trip)
Time: 2 hours
Difficulty level: Moderate
Terrain: Dry and Slopes

Operating Hours:

• Daily from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. (365 days including holidays)

Admission Fees:

• $5.00 per car (private party)
• $1.00 per person for pedestrians
• $10.00 per car/van (commercial vehicles)
• $20.00 Mini-bus
• $40.00 Buses

Public Facilities in the trail:

• Restrooms
• Vending Machines
• Food truck
• Water Fountains
• Picnic Area

Special Tips:

• Last entrance to hike the trail is at 4:30 p.m. (gates are locked at 6 p.m.)
• No pets allowed, except for service animals
• Camping and mountain bikes are not allowed on this trail
• Wear good walking shoes
• Bring water
• Wear a hat and put on sunscreen

How to get to Diamond Head:

• The trailhead is adjacent to the parking lot within Diamond Head State Monument. The entrance is off Diamond Head Road between Makapu'u Avenue and 18th Avenue, Honolulu.
• Visitors can get to Diamond Head by car or bus.

North Shore Shrimp Trucks

Click to listen to Episode 5 of our TIM 302: Secrets of Hawaii Podcast: North Shore Shrimp Trucks

North Shore Shrimp Trucks

When you think of Oahu's North Shore, a few things come to mind-high surf, exotic and historic scenery, and beautiful stretches of beaches. But what you might not know is that the North Shore is also famous for its shrimp trucks. These individually owned and operated trucks provide some of the freshest shrimp and prawns on the island. Beginning in 1993 with the development of aquaculture farms in the town of Kahuku, shrimp and prawn farming helped the shrimp truck business gain success. These locally grown jumbo prawns are sold to local restaurants and are also offered to the general public via the humble shrimp trucks and shacks along Kamehameha Highway with Butter & Garlic Shrimp Scampi being a popular favorite among all in the business. Although there is a vast variety of trucks out there, each with their own signature styles and flavors, we will premiering our top 4 picks:

1. Giovanni's Original White Shrimp Truck (one of the first and most popular!)

2. Macky's Sweet Shrimp Truck

3. Romy's Kahuku Prawns & Shrimp

4. Shrimp Shack

1. Giovanni's Original White Shrimp Truck

Locations

56-505 Kamehameha Highway, Kahuku 96791

66-472 Kamehameha Highway, Haleiwa 96712

Hours of Operation

Kahuku: 10:30 am-6:30 pm

Haleiwa 10:30 am-5 pm

Menu Items Include

The Original Shrimp Scampi: 12 shell-on shrimp marinated in olive oil, fresh chopped garlic, and lemon butter. Served with two scoops rice drizzled with a garlic lemon butter sauce and caramelized chunks of tasty garlic.

The Hot & Spicy Shrimp: 12 deliciously cooked shell-on shrimp marinated and smothered in a fiery hot tasty red sauce served with two scoop of rice.

Lemon Butter Shrimp: 12 shell-on shrimp sauteed in a butter, lemon sauce with two scoops of rice.

Plates plates sell for $13

Jumbo Garlic Hot dog

Refreshments: Pepsi, Diet Pepsi, Iced Tea, Passion Orange, or Bottled Water

Shrimp Scampi

Hot & Spicy Shrimp

Lemon Butter Shrimp

For additional menu items and more information: visit Giovanni's Original White Shrimp Truck

2. Macky's Sweet Shrimp Truck

Location

66-632 Kamehameha Hwy,

Haleiwa, HI 96712

Hours of Operation

Open daily 

9:30 am-6:30 pm

Menu Items Include

Original Shrimp

Lemon Pepper Shrimp

Coconut Shrimp

Spicy Hot Shrimp

Butter Garlic Shrimp

Plates range from $10-15

For more information: (808) 780-1071

3. Romy's Kahuku Prawns & Shrimp

Location

56-781 Kamehameha Highway

Kahuku, HI 96731

Hours of Operation

Open Daily

10 am - 6 pm

Menu Items Include

*Choose between either jumbo prawns or juicy shrimp upon availability

Butter & Garlic Sauteed: prawns or shrimp smothered with a butter-garlic sauce on two scoops of steamed rice. Served with a Shoyu spicy dipping sauce

Sweet & Spicy: laced with sweet spicy sauce in either mild, spicy, or extra spicy dipping sauce with two scoops of rice

Fried Shrimp: 10 pieces of peeled and wrapped in egg-roll wrappers and deep fried to a golden brown. Served with two scoops or rice and sweet spicy sauce.

Steamed Prawns or Shrimp: either 1/2 pound or one whole pound of steamed prawns of shrimp served with any two sauces and two scoops of rice.

Sun Fish: fried crispy with two scoops of rice and sweet spicy and shoyu spicy sauce.

Plates range from $12.75-$16.75

Sauces: Shoyu spicy, Sweet spicy, Cocktail, Butter Garlic, Butter, Shoyu, Vinegar

Sides: Tossed green salad (Ranch, Italian, Thousand Island Dressing), Kahuku Sweet Corn, Chilled Pineapple, Pani popo "Buns in Coconut" (traditional Samoan Dessert)

Butter & Garlic Sauteed Prawns

Sun Fish

Steamed Jumbo Prawns

Romy's Kahuku Prawns & Shrimp Check them out for available online coupons!

4. Shrimp Shack!

Location

53-360 Kamehameha Highway

Hauula, HI 

Hours of Operation

Open Daily

10 am - 5 pm

Menu Items Include

Pan Fried Shrimp (Garlic Shrimp)

Spicy Shrimp (Mild, Medium, Hot!)

Coconut Shrimp: served with a guava honey sauce

Grilled Mahi in Molokai sauce w/Grilled Onions

Surf & Surf: 1/2 Mahi, 1/2 Shrimp

Whole Snow Crab

Shrimp & Crab: one whole Snow Crab and 10 shrimp

Mussels: poached in garlic butter and beer

Calamari: in a tomato basil sauce

Steak & Shrimp: 8oz. New York Strip Steak, 7 pieces of Shrimp. Served with rice and grilled onions

Prices range from $10.75-$23.75

Chili & Rice

Chili Dogs

Hot Dogs

Kahuku Sweet Corn

Refreshments

Tropical Floats: Guava, Strawberry, Pineapple, Orange 

Kona Iceberg: Hot Kona Coffee serve over vanilla ice cream

Steak & Shrimp

Pan Fried (Garlic Shrimp)

Coconut Shrimp

For additional information, visit Shrimp Shack!

Tips

-Most trucks are CASH ONLY!

-Bring some wet naps with you for the finger-licking good shrimp!

-Be sure to visit the beautiful beaches on the North Shore