{"id":5155,"date":"2018-04-13T11:40:01","date_gmt":"2018-04-13T17:40:01","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/thevollmerfamily.com\/MajorMom\/?p=5155"},"modified":"2018-04-13T15:32:51","modified_gmt":"2018-04-13T21:32:51","slug":"spring-break-2018-hawaii-day-3-report","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/thevollmerfamily.com\/MajorMom\/2018\/04\/spring-break-2018-hawaii-day-3-report.html","title":{"rendered":"Spring Break 2018: Hawaii Day 3 Report"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"\"<\/a>

A panoramic shot of Kaneohe Bay, on the east coast of Oahu. Can you see the P-3?<\/p><\/div>\n

Today’s adventure was a trip over to Kaneohe Bay on the east side of the island, a location well-known for snorkeling. We were not disappointed.<\/p>\n

We booked a 1\/2 day self-guided kayaking and snorkeling package through Holokai Kayak & Snorkel Adventures<\/a>, which is a non-profit that operates out of He’eia State Park along the bay. The package we reserved included transportation to and from our hotel, two kayaks, snorkeling equipment, plus lunch after ~3 hours on the water. Everyone there was very helpful and friendly, and I’m very glad we elected to do the “self-guided” instead of the “fully guided” version. Heck, we have two sons with canoeing merit badges, it was quite easy. The Holokai folks gave us a map (which we ended up losing at the first snorkel site, oops), and briefed us on the good and not-so-good locations to see the fish and our best chances for turtles.<\/p>\n

From my Trip Advisor review:<\/p>\n

\n
A Great Family-Friendly Way to See Kaneohe Bay<\/span><\/a><\/div>\n
\n
\n

Our family of four (Dad, Mom, two teen sons) booked the “Self-Guided Kayak and Snorkel Discovery” online: For ~$85 per person we could spend 3 hours on the water exploring and snorkeling in Kaneohe Bay, receive transportation to\/from our Waikiki hotel, and enjoy a homemade Hawaiian BBQ lunch. We were very pleased with the experience and recommend it as a great way to enjoy some of the world’s best snorkeling.<\/p>\n

The van picked us up within the timeline they said they would (between 8am – 8:20am), and we were at the facility at He’eia State Park around 9am. They had lockers available to stow any gear we didn’t want to take in the kayaks, and then they walked us down to the shoreline to get fitted for snorkel equipment. My youngest son, who wears glasses, was able to use a dive mask with corrective lenses.<\/p>\n

We received a briefing of restricted areas on the bay, as well as the best reefs to see fish and turtles. Then we headed out. The weather was fantastic, the bay was relatively gentle, so we had no problems paddling out to our first reef location: we put on our gear and checked things out. We spent about 20 minutes at the first location, then paddled to a second location, where I was able to see a turtle, but it was booking somewhere in a hurry, so it was a short-lived viewing.<\/p>\n

After about 10 minutes at the second reef, we paddled back and turned in our gear. We were out for about 2 1\/2 hours and our kids were thoroughly exhausted after that.<\/p>\n

The homemade BBQ lunch was delicious and a welcome break from the restaurant food we had been eating the past 2 days: grilled ribs, chicken, and corn; fresh-made white rice, salad, and fresh local pineapple. It was all so delicious.<\/p>\n

After lunch the van took us back to our hotel. We were back at our hotel by about 2:30pm.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/blockquote>\n

\"\"<\/a>

The family ready to head out for a morning of snorkeling!<\/p><\/div>\n

\"\"<\/a>

Timmy was able to\u00a0use a “corrective lens” dive mask. He insisted he could canoe around with them but he ended up ditching them after just a few minutes.<\/p><\/div>\n

\"\"<\/a>

Dave and Jacob were decidedly faster than Timmy and me. You can see the famous “Chinaman’s Hat” island just to the right of the paddles.<\/p><\/div>\n

The kids did a great job, but we were all pretty beat by the time we got to the snorkeling areas after paddling about a mile. We snorkeled in two different areas for a grand total of about 30 minutes, then headed back where the Holokai folks prepared us a delicious homemade BBQ lunch.<\/p>\n

Correction: We all snorkeled in one area, then I snorkeled alone in a second spot while the boys hung out in their kayaks. I got to see a huge<\/em> sea turtle, but he was booking somewhere in a hurry so I didn’t get to take a picture.<\/p>\n

Our family has an underwater camera, but it was tough to point and shoot in the general direction of what I wanted to capture, so I’m not especially happy with the shots. I picked one of my underwater favorites to share here.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

I took several dozen photos with our waterproof camera. More than anything I wanted to capture the “Moorish idol”<\/a> fish which is a black, white, and yellow striped tropical fish, three of which are in the center of this photo. This shot was the best one I could muster, with lots of post-processing, and I do wish it was better…<\/p><\/div>\n

We got back to the hotel at about 2:30pm, thoroughly exhausted. We ended up staying in most of the rest of the afternoon; I took a brief walk by myself along the beach before dinner, visiting some of the classic hotels such as the Moana Surfrider and Royal Hawaiian. The Moana Surfrider, Waikiki’s first hotel, built in 1901, has been very nicely restored to its turn of the 20th century styles.<\/p>\n

\"\"

Not my photo, but this is an accurate look at the lobby of the Moana Surfrider. It’s been restored to a Titanic-era design, gently blended with tropical accents.<\/p><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Today’s adventure was a trip over to Kaneohe Bay on the east side of the island, a location well-known for snorkeling. We were not disappointed.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mi_skip_tracking":false,"jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_is_tweetstorm":false,"jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p5ycQ0-1l9","jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":1258,"url":"http:\/\/thevollmerfamily.com\/MajorMom\/2012\/07\/florida-discoveries-29-morrison-springs-park.html","url_meta":{"origin":5155,"position":0},"title":"Florida Discoveries 29: Morrison Springs Park","date":"30 July 12","format":false,"excerpt":"After nearly two weeks straight of having steamy-hot mornings and thunderstormy afternoons, it was time to simply take a gamble and head outside on a day trip. This is the time of year in northwest Florida when the Gulf of Mexico water temperatures get so warm, trips to the beach\u2026","rel":"","context":"In \"aquifer\"","img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/thevollmerfamily.com\/MajorMom\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/07\/Image-1024x1024.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":1659,"url":"http:\/\/thevollmerfamily.com\/MajorMom\/2013\/01\/to-those-who-use-the-multi-use-trail-on-east-bay-blvd.html","url_meta":{"origin":5155,"position":1},"title":"To Those Who Use the Multi-Use Trail on East Bay Blvd.","date":"04 January 13","format":false,"excerpt":"When I take long training runs, I think about a LOT of stuff. Here are some of the wacky things that crossed my mind on today's 8 mile training run, which took me on to County Route 399 near the airfield. Take it or leave it. If you let your\u2026","rel":"","context":"In \"ranting\"","img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/thevollmerfamily.com\/MajorMom\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/Highway399Sign.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":1975,"url":"http:\/\/thevollmerfamily.com\/MajorMom\/2013\/03\/florida-discoveries-41-navarre-beach-marine-science-station.html","url_meta":{"origin":5155,"position":2},"title":"Florida Discoveries 41: Navarre Beach Marine Science Station","date":"27 March 13","format":false,"excerpt":"Just before the kids' Spring Break, I had the chance to partially chaperone for Timmy's class trip to the Navarre Beach Marine Science Station. My sons have taken field trips with their classes every school year they've been living here, and I suspect it's an annual tradition for all the\u2026","rel":"","context":"In \"dolphins\"","img":{"alt_text":"The Navarre Beach Marine Science Station is run by Santa Rosa County and the Santa Rosa County Schools. Its mission is to promote environmental awareness through education of the county's marine ecosystem.","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/thevollmerfamily.com\/MajorMom\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/03\/DSC_2606-1024x678.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":138,"url":"http:\/\/thevollmerfamily.com\/MajorMom\/2008\/05\/beer-butt-chicken-anyone.html","url_meta":{"origin":5155,"position":3},"title":"Beer Butt Chicken, Anyone?","date":"12 May 08","format":false,"excerpt":"Nothing says Mother's Day like a good old \"Beer Butt Chicken\"!Dave kindly offered to cook dinner for the family tonight. He wanted to make something nice, so he asked me what was on hand in the Vollmer kitchen. The only good meat that was defrosted (i.e., not hot dogs or\u2026","rel":"","context":"In \"beer butt chicken\"","img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":326,"url":"http:\/\/thevollmerfamily.com\/MajorMom\/2009\/02\/100-life-experiences.html","url_meta":{"origin":5155,"position":4},"title":"100 Life Experiences","date":"22 February 09","format":false,"excerpt":"I got this from Christina of Sugar Sweet Thoughts , who got it from Must Love Tots who got this from Scientific Nature of the Whammy who got this from Megan . It looked like fun, so here goes! Hopefully no identity theft issues with this one...\u2026","rel":"","context":"In \"friends\"","img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":1397,"url":"http:\/\/thevollmerfamily.com\/MajorMom\/2012\/08\/florida-discoveries-34-fort-mcree.html","url_meta":{"origin":5155,"position":5},"title":"Florida Discoveries 34: Fort McRee \/ Sand Island \/ Admiral’s Island \/ Dog Island \/ etc…","date":"29 August 12","format":false,"excerpt":"Our friends and neighbors, the Scotts, took our family out on their boat last weekend. \u00a0It was so kind of them to offer; their boat seats 4 adults and 2 kids pretty well, but no more passengers than that can fit, so we had to find a weekend that didn't\u2026","rel":"","context":"In \"family\"","img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/thevollmerfamily.com\/MajorMom\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/08\/IMG_2926-1024x768.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]}],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/thevollmerfamily.com\/MajorMom\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5155"}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/thevollmerfamily.com\/MajorMom\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/thevollmerfamily.com\/MajorMom\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/thevollmerfamily.com\/MajorMom\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/thevollmerfamily.com\/MajorMom\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=5155"}],"version-history":[{"count":8,"href":"http:\/\/thevollmerfamily.com\/MajorMom\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5155\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":5206,"href":"http:\/\/thevollmerfamily.com\/MajorMom\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5155\/revisions\/5206"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/thevollmerfamily.com\/MajorMom\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=5155"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/thevollmerfamily.com\/MajorMom\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=5155"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/thevollmerfamily.com\/MajorMom\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=5155"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}