Multi-Generational Travel Viewed as a Worthwhile Investment
As boomers transition to grandparent-hood, they want to sustain close relationships with their grown children and foster close ties with their grandchildren. These modern grandparents view quality vacations with kids and grandkids as a purpose driven investment. Travel agents can reap the benefits of these large leisure groups and build extra business when the grandparents and families travel together.
Inspired O‘ahu Activities for Multi-Generational Family Groups
Today travelers—especially families with children—seek authentic, hands-on, interactive experiences that showcase a region’s people and their culture, history, and relationship to the local environment. Every area of O‘ahu is bursting with opportunities to experience the multicultural history and natural beauty of the islands.
Waikīkī - Cosmpolitan Waikīkī bustles with action while retaining its fascinating history. Surfing, stand up paddle, outrigger canoe rides, and high-speed catamaran sails take place right on Waikīkī Beach. Kapi‘olani Park, home to Honolulu Zoo and Waikīkī Aquarium, frequently hosts concerts and festivals. Minutes away, hikers experience dazzling views atop Diamond Head (Lē‘ahi) and the local bounty at the nearby KCC Farmers Market. Shoppers find Hawai‘i-made arts and crafts and international luxury brands at shops along Kalākaua Avenue and at Waikīkī Beach Walk. The past comes to life on the surfboard markers of The Waikīkī Historic Trail and during sunset torch lightings and hula festivities at the Kūhiō Beach Hula Mound.
Honolulu - O‘ahu’s government hub is a cultural and historical showplace. This bustling metropolis is home to the 19th century ‘Iolani Palace, built by Hawai‘I’s last reigning monarch; Bishop Museum, the world’s foremost institution dedicated to Hawai‘i and Pacific island cultures, heritage, and natural history; and Honolulu Museum of Art, with its eclectic collections. Chinatown is the historic gateway for Asian immigrants, known for noodle shops, lei makers, and traditional markets, and a hip arts district famous for First Friday Gallery Walks and trendy boutiques, bars, restaurants, and cafés. Mission Houses Museum, Hawai‘i Theater, and Hawai‘i State Art Museum are among Honolulu’s significant attractions.
Leeward O‘ahu - Nestled between the Wai‘anae Mountains and the Kaua‘i Channel, the Leeward Coast is home to Ko Olina Resort with its incredible beaches, seven lagoons, two stellar resort hotels, championship 18-hole golf course, and the renowned Paradise Cove Lū‘au. This western shoreline is famous for Mākaha Beach, a popular surfing spot, and Yokohama Bay, a curving beach ideal for watching surfers and dolphins. The dramatic lava shoreline of Ka‘ena Point, O‘ahu’s westernmost tip, is accessible only by hiking. Water sports lovers enjoy intimate dolphin and whale watching charters with Wild Side Hawai‘i and splash the day away at Wet ‘n Wild Hawai‘i.
Windward O‘ahu - Many first experience the Windward Coast when driving up Pali Highway and stopping at the Nu‘uanu Pali Lookout with its breathtaking panorama of verdant cliffs, sparkling beaches, lush gardens, and scenic valleys. Hiking along the Makapu‘u Point Lighthouse Trail, snorkeling in Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve, and teeing off at Ko‘olau Golf Course are among the outdoor pursuits. Waimānalo, Kailua, and Lanikai Beaches are some of Hawai‘i’s most beautiful shorelines while incredible flora and fauna are found at Koko Crater Botanical Garden and Ho‘omaluhia Botanical Garden. Hawai‘i Kai has many water sports adventures while Kailua offers upscale shopping and dining. The 4,000-acre historical and picturesque Kualoa Ranch has a wide variety of cultural and recreational experiences.
Central O‘ahu - Major attractions are among the treasures of beautiful Central O‘ahu. In Waipahu, Hawai‘i’s Plantation Village explores how more than 400,000 immigrants who worked the island’s plantations contributed to making Hawai‘i a present day, vibrant multi-ethnic community. The Pineapple Garden Maze and the Pineapple Express train tour are the star attractions at Dole Plantation. And the moving history of Hawai‘i’s role during World War II is the focus at the Pearl Harbor Historic Sites which include the Visitors Center, the USS Arizona Memorial, the USS Battleship Missouri Memorial, the USS Bowfin Submarine Museum & Park, and the Pacific Aviation Museum.
The North Shore - Every winter, the world’s best surfers challenge themselves on epic waves at Banzai Pipeline, Waimea Bay, and Sunset Beach. Charming Hale‘iwa is a laid back town with restaurants, boutiques, galleries, and surf shops. Scenic and sacred Waimea Valley welcomes visitors to tour the grounds, swim and splash in the pool and waterfall, hike the forests, and enjoy a weekly Thursday farmers market. Golfers tee off at Turtle Bay Resort’s two championship courses and thrill seekers head skyward on glider rides at Dillingham Field. Locals lunch at the shrimp trucks lining the highway near Kahuku and cool off with shave ices in Hale‘iwa. The rich culture and history of the Pacific region comes to life in recreated island villages and at enthralling shows at Polynesian Cultural Center. The new zipline tour, CLIMB Works Keana Farms, showcases the beauty, agriculture, history, and culture of Hawai‘i on seven side-by-side ziplines that soar over the breathtaking North Shore landscape.
Multi-Generational Family Planning Tips
- Timing: Develop itineraries that showcase special events or festivals on O‘ahu.
- Individual Focus: Define the personalities of individual family members to ensure that everyone’s special interests are addressed in the itinerary.
- Group Dynamic: Identity the common interests and passion points in order to develop shared activities and attractions.
- Build Excitement: Leverage today’s multi media technology to showcase a potential itinerary. For example, create a PowerPoint presentation for computer and laptop users or a Keynote presentation for iPad users.
