Waimea Valley Audubon Center
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"Experience a Slice of Hawaiian Life"
Waimea Valley’s 1,800 acres include ferns, flowering plants like the hibiscus, birds, stream life (including native fish, shrimp and mollusks) and more. Add to that the big draw for many – Waimea Falls – and it’s easy to see why nature lovers are eager to visit.
What makes Waimea Valley so unique from other botanical gardens and arboretums I’ve visited is that its focus is on giving guests the chance to experience Hawaiian culture in a natural environment. You will encounter cultural, botanical, ecological and historical wonders, including a fully restored heiau (temple) that dates back to 1470 AD! If you are even remotely interested in Hawaiian culture and the natural world, I highly recommend you visit.
While the highlight of the visit for my hubby was swimming up to the waterfall (an activity reserved for those 18 and over), I was excited to attend a free lei making workshop with my 5-year-old. The instructors talked about the role of leis in Hawaiian culture as they showed us how to make what’s called a lei wili – a garland that is made by winding a string or another type of wrap around short lengths of materials.
While we made leis, dad and my 2-year-old danced to traditional Hawaiian music and watched hula dancing. The little guy was completely enthralled by the music and was easily entertained for the 45 minutes or so it took us to make our leis.
Several guided activities – including lei making, wildlife walks, Hawaiian games, music, storytelling & crafts – are available daily for no additional fee; inquire at the ticket booth for event times & locations.
The stroller-friendly trail from front entrance to the Waimea Falls at the far end of the Valley is an easy, ¾-mile long walk. If you’ve got a toddler, bring a stroller to help ease tired little legs.
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"Great place for an afternoon outside with the kids!"
Just across the road from one of the Oahu's most famous North Shore beaches, Waimea Bay, is Waimea Valley. The valley contains some of the best cultural, historical, botanical, and ecological marvels on the island. Gorgeous tropical plants fill the valley and line the trails. Religious sites, Hawaiian stream life, and cultural activities can all be explored throughout the valley. Guided tours run daily (additional fees may apply), check with the Visitors Center for details. Not all of these are kid-friendly so be sure to ask before purchasing.
The hike to the valley’s waterfall is a nice, leisurely 3/4 of a mile trail that is paved which is perfect for children and strollers. The falls themselves can fluctuate depending on how much rain the area has received. There are lifeguards present and life jackets available for those who want to take a dip. Children are required to wear lifejackets. Word to the wise though, this water can be a bit chilly, although most kids tend not to mind. Bring your water shoes and your own towels! They also have noodles and body boards for floating out to the falls.
Mosquitoes tend to like the shade and moisture of the valley so we recommend bringing insect repellant. There are bathrooms located just past the parking lot, as well as port-a-johns along the trail. Entrance fees can be found at www.waimeavalley.net. They do have military and kama'aina discounts available with valid I.D. If that doesn't apply to you, you can often find discount coupons in the various tourist brochures found throughout the island. Hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. If you plan on swimming in the falls, we recommend that you call ahead as lifeguards decide on a day-to-day basis whether or not to open the falls to swimmers. There are venders near the falls that sell snacks and beverages. You can also bring picnic lunches into the park and there are lots of shady places to enjoy your lunch and the plant life. If you do not bring your own lunch, the Waimea Valley Grill located near the Visitors Center sells some moderate priced lunches.
In addition to the paved trail to the falls there are several side trails that allow you to explore other parts of the valley. These, however, tend to not be as stroller friendly. Visiting the falls and gardens is a great way to discover some of Hawaii's cultural and native plant life and swim in one of its many waterfalls. Best of all, the paved path, lifeguards at the falls, and many shady areas make this an ideal place to bring children. We highly recommend spending a family afternoon here.
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"easy hikes"
If you have a baby with stroller or not prepared for walking in the mountain, this is a right place to go. You can enjoy many different Hawaiian trees and flowers, here the voice of birds, and of course beautiful water fall in the end. I think they have also small trolley bus if you are very tired of walk.
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"Beautiful but a hike"
This is soo beautiful and there is so much to see here. This hike will take you through a reserve area accompanied by historical information. I studied this particular site in Women Studies and there is some rather interesting history behind the type of family relationships they had here. There are signs with the history to help understand the dynamics between men and women in this particualr "tribe".
The best part of the trip is the waterfall at the end, it is amazing! If you watched Lost you might recognize it as the scene where Sawyer and Kate dive down to get the briefcase....Anyhow, this is a really deep pond and recommend to keep a close eye on the kids if you want to let them in at the shallow end. There is usually a life guard but I would not rely on them. There is a small changing area which is a bonus!
There are a couple pit stops and a food area at the bottom of the trail. I would recomend bringing a picnic as they provide a great spot near the waterfall.
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"Fun with the Family"
Located on Oahu's scenic North Shore, and formerly known as Waimea Valley Adventure Park, this 1,800-acre site has been transformed from a big-ticket tourist attration, to a true Audubon Center, complete with botanical gardens, wandering peafowl, and a 60-foot waterfall. The new attraction is thriving; native plants once thought to be extinct are flourishing, as are endangered species of birds.
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"Good for Nature Lovers"
My nieces and I visited the waterfall and explored the trails. It's the Hawaii as I've always imagined it, and the easy trails make it ideal for families that have children who are old enough to do a little walking.
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