There are affiliate links throughout this blog post for your convenience, where I can earn a small commission. I never support a product or brand I don't personally use and enjoy, but if you'd like to learn more, you can head to this page on my blog!
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​Back in October, I visited Hawai'i for the first time and stayed at Aulani, a Disney Resort and Spa. While we had tons of fun soaking up the sun by the lagoon at the resort, no trip to Hawai'i is complete without hiking.

Some of the hiking spots in Hawai'i are absolutely iconic, and it's no wonder why. The land and views are absolutely breathtaking (and please remember to treat the land with the utmost respect when you visit!). 

Growing up, I didn't do much hiking - just a few little forest paths as a kid in Rhode Island, but nothing major since my family wasn't exactly the outdoorsy type. I've run a few half marathons, too, but never had been hiking before, especially with incline since my husband and I were coming from Florida. So, to get the best of both worlds, we stuck to trails we could find that were beginner-friendly but still provided some amazing views. Here are some of the four best hikes for beginners in Oahu, Hawai'i.
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Worth noting at the time of this posting that Hawai'i is currently undergoing a bit of a water crisis - everyone has been asked to conserve water when they can because some jet fuel made its way into the water supply. If you're visiting, do your best to practice sustainable, responsible tourism. Support local, be conscious of your water use, and consider volunteering somewhere on the island or donating to organizations like the Hawai'i Community Foundation.
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My husband and I both agreed that Manoa Falls was our favorite hike on the entire trip and one of the best places we visited. Manoa Falls in Honolulu is only about 1.7 miles and is out and back trail, though there is an option to add an additional, longer loop if you want to go further and spend more time here. The trail can get a bit muddy at parts, but was overall safe and easy to navigate. Just watch your step - this is a rainforest, after all!

This trail takes you through a part of Manoa Valley. There are tons of trees the whole way, so even if you go mid-day like we did, you'll get plenty of shade. Some scenes in Lost and Jurassic Park were filmed here, and it is incredibly easy to see why. Going through Manoa Valley felt like being in a whole other world. The valley eventually takes you through to a bamboo field, where the extra trail loop is, before you reach the main attraction: Manoa Falls. The 150-foot waterfall is gorgeous, but swimming in the pool is not recommended. If you do want to swim in a waterfall after a hike, keep reading - there's a place you can do this safely!
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Definitely wear some mosquito repellent and some good hiking shoes that are waterproof. You'll need them! Luckily, at the end of the trail, there are some hoses you can use to clean your shoes. 
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Diamond Head in Waikiki may seem like an obvious choice, but this approximately 1.6 mile hike did live up to the hype. This volcanic tuff cone makes for a beautiful hike with a few places to stop and enjoy the scenery along the way.
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Part of the path is paved, and when you get closer to the top, you have a few options: some really steep stairs, or just more of the path. We opted out of the stairs and had a great view along the way. Don't worry - you'll get to climb more stairs later anyway! I got some training in on the stair master at the gym before our trip and I am glad I did.
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We went just after sunrise to beat the sunrise crowd and it wasn't too terribly busy. We were lucky enough to catch a rainbow over Waikiki Beach from the very top!
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There are also some old military forts from World War II that you can explore here. Just watch your step and you head coming out. If you've watched our recap video, you'll see me bonk my own head on the way out. Oops!
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Also, hold on to your hats. It gets windy at the top!
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The Makapu'u Point Trail is completely paved and a 2.5 mile out and back trail. It being paved makes the incline a bit easier, but the higher you go, the more windy it gets, which was admittedly a bit heart-pumping at the top! 

But this is a super beginner-friendly hiking trail. There's a small unpaved section along the way, but other than that, this was a hike where a lot of people brought their kids or their dogs. It's along the Kaiwi State Scenic Shoreline near Waimanalo. 
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There are some really nice views from the top. Not only do you get to see the lighthouse from here, but you also have a great. view of some tide pools and Koko Crater. 
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My husband considers this more of a walk than a hike, and I'd say I agree with him. You can go anywhere from 2 to 3.5 miles on this out and back trail depending on how you weave and how much of the botanical gardens you explore. This visit was part of our Majestic Circle Island Tour that we took out of Aulani and I'm so glad it was included.
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The botanical gardens and lush valley along the way are gorgeous and are worth thoroughly exploring, but getting to Waimea Falls is truly a treat. Bring a bathing suit here because you get to swim in this waterfall - and if you're a fan of Lost, you'll definitely want to as you'll recognize this spot.

Life vests are included when you swim in the waterfall (and required). It's pretty rocky getting in, so just watch your step as you make your way into the pool. The water had a slight chill to it but was not unbearable, making it perfect after hiking up through Waimea Valley.

There are affiliate links throughout this blog post for your convenience, where I can earn a small commission. I never support a product or brand I don't personally use and enjoy, but if you'd like to learn more, you can head to this page on my blog!
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If you're looking for some Disney magic in tropical paradise, then look no further than Aulani, a Disney Resort and Spa. Located on Oahu, this resort focuses on immersing you in Hawaiian culture without laying on the Disney touches too thick. There's tons to do at this resort and Ko Olina makes for a peaceful getaway compared to some of the hustle and bustle of the cities. These are some of the 10 best things to do at Aulani, a Disney Resort & Spa, in Oahu with or without kids.
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Worth noting at the time of this posting that Hawai'i is currently undergoing a bit of a water crisis - everyone has been asked to conserve water when they can because some jet fuel found its way into the water supply. If you're visiting, do your best to practice sustainable, responsible tourism. Support local, be conscious of your water use, and consider volunteering somewhere on the island or donating to organizations like the Hawai'i Community Foundation.
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Aulani has a beautiful infinity-edge pool that overlooks the lagoon. If you’re looking for it on a resort map, it's called the Ka Maka Grotto Infinity Pool. Whether you hang out in the hot tub by the rocks or right on the edge of the pool to overlook the beach, you’ll love this pool.

Ka Maka Grotto is a family-friendly pool, so if you want to enjoy this experience without kids, you can time it just right or you can check out some of the adult-only pools. 

Did you know that Aulani has its own lazy river? The lazy river is included with your stay and takes you around the entire pool area, including the volcano (which doubles as a slide). This is a great way to get a lay of the land while enjoying the sunshine and the water.  

In fact, Waikolohe Stream (the official name of the lazy river) has two different waterslides. The Volcanic Vertical takes you into the nearby pool, but the open-air Tubestone Curl brings you straight into the lazy river.

Don’t worry about being cold. They keep the water temperature in the low to mid 80s Fahrenheit.

Makahiki - The Bounty of the Islands is right on the first floor of the resort. You’ll need to book a reservation ahead of time, but you can enjoy a delicious three-course breakfast including fresh pastries, local fruits, and an entree of your choice. We had our photo taken outside with Mickey and Pluto, then saw Max and Goofy inside the restaurant! 

When we went in October 2021, they did not have the characters going from table-to-table for social distancing, but we got a kick out of watching Max and Goofy “cook” up some breakfast.
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The Ka Wa’a Luau is a great way to enjoy a luau without having to leave the resort. If you’ve been to a few luaus before, then this one may not be for you based on some reviews I’ve seen. But if you’ve never been to one (like me!) then you’ll definitely enjoy this. There are some character appearances and you get to learn some hula moves with Mickey and Minnie Mouse, which is super fun. But the dancers were extremely talented and the food tasted great.  

Pre-COVID, the food was served buffet style. When we went in October 2021, the food was served in some really nice bento boxes. You definitely get plenty of food - I couldn’t finish mine!

Ko Olina has a stretch of four lagoons along the beach. One of these lagoons is shared by Aulani and the Marriott next door. But if you take the path down to the lagoon, you can keep walking and explore the others until you hit the Ko Olina marina. This is a short and beautiful stroll. Plus, you may also see some mongoose along the way! We saw some rummaging through a trash bin.
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It’s not the same as Hanauma Bay, but you can try snorkeling at Aulani, too! I had never been snorkeling before, so we did this as a sort of test run before tackling Hanauma Bay later in our trip. 

The little reef that Disney built here is really beautiful and there are a ton of fish. There are also lifeguards, so if you want to take your kids snorkeling or if you’re an adult who has never been like me, this is a great way to get your feet and fins wet. 

Snorkeling gear is provided here. This includes your snorkel, mask, and a vest. No need to bring your own!
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Did you know that you can go paddleboarding at the lagoon? If you want to try something a tad more adventurous than just soaking up the sun, you can rent out a bunch of different equipment to use at the beach. This includes kayaks, paddleboards, and snorkels. 
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Aulani also offers sailing canoe excursions from the lagoon. You can book a reservation for Hawaiian Ocean Adventures at Makiki Joe’s. If you’re really feeling adventurous, this is a great way to explore the island.
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No trip to Hawai’i is complete without some shave ice (not to be confused with shaved ice - they're different!). You can get shave ice at Aulani and they even offer it with Mickey Mouse ears! I really recommend trying some flavors that are more unique to Hawai’i here, too. Huapia, for example, is a flavor that stems from a coconut-based Hawaiian treat and is really delicious. ​

The Majestic Circle Island Tour picks you up from Disney’s Aulani Resort and is a great way to explore the highlights of the whole island in one day. We made a ton of stops along the way and lunch was included.

Stops included:

• Nu'uanu Pali Lookout (pictured)
• Byodo-In Temple
• Waimea Falls (bring a swimsuit - you can swim in the waterfall!)
• Tropical Farms (you can sample macademia nuts and coffee here, all locally grown!)
• Dole Plantation

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These were most of the experiences available when we went during our stay, but there may be more as places begin to open back up and relax COVID-19 restrictions. There are tons of other activities to do at Aulani, including a Menehune Adventure Trail that’s engaging for kids, spas, ukulele lessons, firepit storytelling with Moana, and more.
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