Learning in Oahu
There is something added to a travel experience (that I wasn’t expecting) when you are looking for opportunities to teach your kids.
If you are planning on traveling to Oahu with kids you want to teach, you might want to borrow a few of our ideas…
1. The Hawaiian Islands
We were constantly quizzing the kids on the names of the eight islands. Randomly, we would have a contest to name them from memory.
Here is a link for lots more info on each island: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hawaiian_Islands
Hawai’i
Maui
Kahoolawe
Lanai
Molokai
Oahu
Kauai
Niihau
Niihau and Kahoolawe were always the hardest.
2. Pearl Harbor
-Before we went, all four of us watched a documentary on WWII and Pearl Harbor. It was really interesting and made it so much better once we were there. We watched the National Geographic with Tom Brokaw one from Netflix, but there are many great ones to rent and buy.
- We did the audio tour of the Bowfin Submarine which was seriously fantastic. Seeing what it was like to live on a sub during the war was truly amazing.
-We did the Arizona memorial, which was free and included a short film that was interesting to the kids and made it more impactful. (Try to get your tickets online or arrive early.)
-We didn’t do the Missouri Battleship or the Aviation Museum, but they both looked awesome.
-This is the only way to learn to about History-being where it all started.
3. Sea Turtles
The place we stayed at: Turtle Bay had tons of amazing sea turtles. The kids kept asking how they could breathe underwater, so I had them research it. We found out some pretty awesome things about these turtles we were swimming with.
-Sea Turtles can weigh up to 700 pounds!
-Sea Turtles lay their eggs on a beach, cover them up and then leave.
-The trek from the nest to the ocean is the most dangerous of a small turtle’s life
-They are marine reptiles and have to come to the surface to breathe
-They can “hold” their breath for up to seven hours when they are resting. (They are able to still access oxygen from the water through their anus and throat in small amounts.) Who knew?
4. How to Surf!
Hawaii gave the kids an opportunity to learn a sport they would not have learned where we live. There is something magical about riding a wave, and I am thrilled that both my kids got such an opportunity.
-I highly recommend hiring a local company and supporting the local business. We used Blue Rush Surf School. Matt, the owner, was so awesome!
