waikiki

of course! we had to spend the morning of our first day at the iconic oahu beach.

busy and beautiful, with sky-high hotels and resorts that shoot up almost straight from the water, the surf, sand, sunshine, and scenery of waikiki were perfect for easing our crew into their hawaiian adventure (the delicious açaí bowls we had for breakfast via island vintage coffee didn't hurt none either). 

when all was said and done, and we were musing over the very bests from our trip, the kids still reported this their favorite beach. 

it just so happened to be this young man's birthday, too.