i super heart tropical hikes, and hawaii has some great ones. however, there's quite a bit about exploring island tropics that makes these types of hikes less than conducive for the four and under (or maybe even six and under) set. namely: quick elevation gain (straight up, anyone?), muddy and slippery conditions (make good friends with that red mud, guys), narrow trails, narrow peaks, sheer drop offs, and cliffs plummeting to angry oceans crashing on craggy rocks below.
so! we found two recommended hikes on oahu that seemed to have the least of all these troubles (comparatively): manoa falls and diamond head.
we only had time for one and chose manoa falls.
the kids LOVED this one, and it may be one of the only hikes we've ever taken them on where they didn't complain even once. i don't know if it was the unique scenery or the winding trail (which kept them from feeling like they still had forever to go) or the fun slip and slide mud, but they had a great time.
the above photo was taken while we were walking through a clearing early on in the hike. it started to drizzle light, fast, warm rain, and we saw this beautiful rainbow arch across the gully below (two steps backward is a drop off). with seconds to spare before a downpour, we jumped in front of "our rainbow" (convincing the kids that the light was bending just for us) and snapped a pic.
the falls.
playing in the roots of a banyan tree at the trail head.
and while we didn't get in another hike, we did manage a few scenic drives. one was along the southeast coast to makapuu lookout, shown below.
where summer took her first pic in the aloha state.
there's a certain je ne sais quois that i love about this shot.
(caleb is falling, and summer is trying to stabilize him.)
wheeler family album cover, hawaii edition.
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