Ko Olina Beachfront Penthouse

Koko Crater Railway Trail, about 90 minutes from the Ko Olina Beach Villas, is a 1.4 mile round-trip trail located near Honolulu that offers scenic views and is rated as moderate. The trail is primarily used for hiking and is accessible year-round.

Access to the trail starts at Koko Head Park in Hawaii Kai. The first part of the hike is over a newly landscaped hill behind Goeas Baseball Field to the bottom of the old rail track. Your next mission is a trek up the 1,000-plus steps to the top of Koko crater. The reward? A panoramic view of the east Honolulu shoreline not to mention one heck of a workout.

A few common sense tips before starting the hike: don’t push yourself too hard, go early in the day to beat the heat, go in dry weather, wear appropriate footwear and clothing, go to the bathroom before starting the hike, and be sure to bring water, sunscreen, cell phone, and snacks.

For more information, visit http://honolulu.about.com/od/Activities/fr/KokoHead.htm.

Just as our idyllic weather beckons to tourists around the world, the warm shallow waters surrounding the main Hawaiian Islands are a favorite destination for humpback whales. Scientists estimate two-thirds of the entire North Pacific humpback whale population returns to Hawaii to breed, calve, and nurse their young. They race over 3,000 miles from the Gulf of Alaska to Hawaii in less than two months and stay for a lengthy vacation, frolicking off our shores and entertaining spectators from December through March.

Seeing a humpback whale leap out of the ocean and then slap his tail is an unforgettable sight. Whale watching tours may be the best option to view whales up close.  All watercraft must stay a minimum of 100 yards from the whales, but you’ll be surprised how close you feel when a 45-ton behemoth lunges out of the sea.

If a boat tour is not for you, their impressive acrobatic displays are often visible from miles away. If you’re on land, keep a pair of binoculars handy because you never know when you’ll see a humpback’s spout (which can be 10-20 feet tall).

For more information about whale watching tours departing from the Ko Olina marina, visit http://www.koolina.com/experience/activities/snorkel-whale-watching.

The annual Waikīkī Beach fireworks show is a delight for the entire family, about 40 minutes from the Ko Olina Beach Villas. The fireworks will start at 11:55 p.m. with one announcement salute fired every minute until one minute before midnight. Be sure to tune into Hawaiian 105 KINE for synchronized music that will enhance the show.

Exactly at midnight a barrage of colorful salutes will signal the start of the New Year. The 10 – 12 minute spectacular will include designs of palm trees, rings, strobes, sparkling fans, colorful falling leaves, brocades, and willows falling to the ocean.

For more information, visit http://www.waikikiimprovement.com/waikiki-calendar-of-events/waikiki-new-year-s-fireworks.

In 2008, Dole Plantation’s giant Pineapple Garden Maze was declared the world’s largest maze, about 30 minutes from the Ko Olina Beach Villas. The maze includes over two miles of paths crafted from thousands of colorful Hawaiian plants.

You are challenged to find eight secret stations hidden throughout the maze in the fastest time. The fastest finishers win a prize and enter into the history of Dole Plantation, with their names recorded on a sign at the maze’s entrance.

Be mindful of the weather. If it is rainy or hot (or both), bring appropriate footwear, water, mosquito repellent, and sunscreen. For more information, visit http://www.dole-plantation.com/worlds-largest-maze.

12th Ave Grill is an award-winning restaurant featuring fresh, seasonal, and local ingredients, about 35 minutes from the Ko Olina Beach Villas. Their daily dinner specials offer the ripeness of the season and the best of Hawaii’s local farms and ranches. Their tasteful wine list, unique micro brewed beers, and scratch bar cocktails are the perfect pairings for any palate.

For more information or to consult a menu, visit http://12thavegrill.com/

In 1878, Portuguese laborers from Madeira and the Azores came to Hawaii to work in the plantations. These immigrants brought their traditional foods with them, including a fried dough pastry called the “malasada.” Today there are numerous bakeries in the Hawaiian islands specializing in malasadas.

Two popular malasada bakeries, Leonard’s Bakery and Champion’s Malasadas, are about 35 minutes from the Ko Olina Beach Villas. A malasada is a Portuguese confection, made of egg-sized balls of yeast dough that are deep-fried in oil, coated with granulated sugar or cinnamon sugar, and served hot. Traditional malasadas contain neither holes nor fillings, but some varieties of malasadas are filled with flavored cream (custard, chocolate, or coconut/haupia) or other fillings.

Fat Tuesday, the day before Ash Wednesday, is Malasada day in Hawaii. Being predominantly Catholic, Portuguese immigrants would need to use up all their butter and sugar prior to Lent. They did so by making large batches of malasadas, which they would subsequently share with friends from all the other ethnic groups in the plantation camps. This led to the popularity of the malasada in Hawaii.

Explorers can examine the reef with Waikiki Aquarium staff in search of nocturnal marine life, about 45 minutes from the Ko Olina Beach Villas. The first Exploring the Reef at Night of the 2015 season is Sunday, October 25, from 6 to 8 PM.

While wading through nature’s aquarium, inquisitive minds use clear viewing boxes to scoop up night-active crabs, lobsters, eels, and octopuses that call the reef their home. Look for sea cucumbers, brightly colored angelfish, sleeping parrotfishes, triggerfishes, and day octopuses in their dens.

Reserve your spot in advance for an adventure and fun-filled evening for the whole family (ages 6 years and up; youngsters must be accompanied by an adult). Be sure to bring a flashlight.

Check out http://www.waikikiaquarium.org/interact/activities-classes/exploring-the-reef-at-night/ for more information.

Hawaii’s Plantation Village is an outdoor history museum located in historic Waipahu town, about 20 minutes from the Ko Olina Beach Villas. Step back in time to when ‘sugar was King’ and explore a living history museum and botanical garden.  By day, the whole family can learn about life on Hawaii’s Sugar Plantations (c. 1850-1950) and visit restored buildings and replicas of Plantation structures.

Check out http://www.hawaiiplantationvillage.org/admissionshours.html for more information.

Of the 25 plantation houses, about half of them are said to be haunted. The Sy-fy Channel’s Ghost Hunters team once visited the village to investigate the reports of paranormal sightings. Beginning the night of October 9th, the plantation becomes the Haunted Plantation with over 50+ costumed actors on a real haunted location. The Haunted Plantation is not for children under the age of 13, pregnant women, or people with heart/breathing problems.

Check out http://www.hawaiihauntedplantation.com/ for more information.

In the middle of downtown Honoulu, about one hour from the Ko Olina Beach Villas, sits Iolani Palace. It is the only royal building in the United States. The Palace is an ever-present reminder of the royal heritage of the Hawaiian Islands.

Iolani Palace offers a docent-guided tour or a self-guided audio tour. Both options include a tour of the first and second floors of Iolani Palace. Learn through stories about the furnishings and Royal residents as you tour the first floor state rooms and second floor private quarters.

For a small, additional fee you can explore the basement gallery exhibits. The basement gallery includes an exhibit of select treasures from the Royal collection and an exhibit about the restoration of Iolani Palace and historic photographs.

Tour options vary based on the day of the week and the time. Check out http://www.iolanipalace.org/Visit/ToursAdmission.aspx for more information.

Oahu’s first zipline tour, at Keana Farms in Kahuku, is about 70 minutes from the Ko Olina Beach Villas. The tour consists of 8 dual ziplines ranging from 500 feet to up to a half a mile long, 3 sky bridges, 2 rappels, and an ATV adventure. Starting high in the mountains, visitors will have a bird’s eye view of a working commercial farm overlooking North Shore’s famous beaches. The tour lasts approximately 3 hours.

Visitors must weigh between 80 and 270 pounds and be at least 7 years old to participate. Children at least 7 years old and under 80 pounds can still participate, but may be required to ride tandem with a guide or another lightweight sibling.

Check out http://www.climbworks.com/keana_farms for more information.