Aloha Friday - Pineapples and Sailboats

What is more Hawaiian than Dole pineapples?!?  Okay, chocolate covered macadamia nuts...um, poi...leis...okay, there are lots of things that are quintessentially Hawaiian.  But come on, you gotta think of Hawaii when you think of Dole.

So as we are finally getting settled and spending our free weekends sight seeing and exploring instead of unpacking and organizing, one of our first stops was to the Dole Pineapple Plantation.

1.  Dole Pineapple Plantation.  

Let's face it.  The real reason we visited the Dole Pineapple Plantation was to eat some of that delicious pineapple soft serve ice cream (aka Dole Whip).  This might just give poke a run for its money on my list of awesomeness.  

Here's a photo of Charlotte eating her own serving of Dole Whip.  This girl is serious about her food, just like her Mommy and Daddy.  

We also took the family on a little ride on the Pineapple Express.  It's a short tour around the plantation.  Not necessarily the most amazing tour in the world but Charlotte loves trains and I find it difficult to deny her anything.  :)  Here's a shot of me with the kiddos on board the Pineapple Express.

So the Dole Pineapple Plantation was two weeks ago.  Last week was JAM PACKED with Hawaiian adventures.  

2.  Ono Steaks and Shrimp Wagon.  

We did not intend to eat out that day.  In fact, I made lunches for everyone and we were eating our turkey sandwiches in the car when I spotted the Ono Steaks and Shrimp Wagon in Waimanalo and directed Justin to pull over.  Thank goodness I did!

Justin ordered the fish tacos.  OMG, DELICIOUS!!!  That mango salsa was divine and I must say, it was one of the best fish tacos I have ever had (and that's considering that I grew up right next to Baja California, home of the fish taco)!!

I had the garlic shrimp with macaroni salad.  Also amazingly delicious and do you see all that garlic?!?

Here are the boys at the lunch stop.  What an amazing place for a food truck, right?

3.  Animal Farm.  We saw this random animal farm while driving along the coast.  Benjamin was screaming for milk so it was the perfect time to take a quick stop.

Here is Charlotte feeding some goats.

4.  Hike to Makapu'u Summit.  

The trail to Makapu'u Summit is an awesome trail because it is completely paved (which means that we can push the stroller the entire way up the summit).

Check out some of these views.  Absolutely gorgeous.

5.  Hanauma Bay.  We only stopped by Hanauma Bay for an hour or so and I can't wait until we can come back and spent the entire day here.  This place is just breathtaking!

And here is Benjamin in his stroller hanging out while we look down into the bay.

6.  Sailing in Kaneohe Bay.  Last Sunday we went sailing in Kaneohe Bay to the Sandbar (aka the Sunken Island) with the owners of a boat that Justin races on.

What an amazing afternoon.  Charlotte adored being out on the water and especially loved kayaking with Dad.  They even saw a turtle in the water!

Whew!  Okay, that's it for now.  I can only hope that all of our weekends are this fun.

As always, mahalo for stopping by!