Learn How To Make a Lei Po’o

For those who don’t know, a Lei Po’o is a traditional Hawaiian flower crown that is usually worn for a special occasion. They are made using a variety of colourful flowers and leaves that each have their own special purpose and meaning.

We met Kiana from Oahu Leis through Airbnb, but you can also find her on her Instagram, here. She was born and raised on Oahu and grew up learning how to make these beautiful adornments. She offers both in-person and online classes where she teaches people from all walks of life how to make the Lei Po’o in the traditional way.

Her classes are a perfect excursion choice if you’re on a trip to Oahu. Making the flower crowns was both fun and relaxing, and we got to learn so much from Kiana about Hawaiian culture and the importance of the Lei Po’o. And to top it all off, the classes take place in a beautiful setting, right near the ocean on the scenic North Shore.

Go Paddle Boarding With Rescue Dogs

Okay, so learning how to stand up paddle board in Hawaii sounds cool enough already, but on our trip we decided to take it to the next level.

SUPDog Hawaii is owned and founded by J Tyler Landon, who relocated to Oahu along with his adorable and surprisingly-talented rescue dog, Phoenix. Together they teach both people and their canine companions how to stand-up paddle board off the scenic shores of Waikiki Beach.

Our class with Tyler included Phoenix and two other doggie friends, Poke and Summer. It was obvious that the dogs absolutely loved being in the water, and we loved being around the dogs, so it was a win-win for everybody. It’s clear that Tyler has such a strong passion for what he does, and you can tell just how much he cares for the animals. It’s really amazing what he’s doing for the community in Oahu!

To learn more about SUPDog Hawaii, you can visit their website or check out their Instagram page. You may also find Phoenix’s IG page, which we immediately had to follow!

Take a Fire Dancing Class

Now, I know that this one may sound a little bit intimidating, but hear me out. Fire dancing in Hawaii is an ancient tradition that has been passed down from generation to generation, and, though it may look dangerous, it is a beautiful art form that is accessible to almost anybody, regardless of age or skill level.

We were fortunate enough to book a class with world-renowned Fire Master Christian Neira (aka Lucky), who passes down a little bit of this tradition to curious people from all over the world at his weekly lessons. He’s got quite the extensive number of achievements under his belt, some of which include appearances in music videos and with well-known fire troupes, and he’s also an amazing teacher! We felt super safe handling the fire under his careful guidance.

If you want to book a class to help keep the fire arts alive in Honolulu, all you have to do is check out his Airbnb profile or visit his Instagram page!

Spot Sea Turtles in the Wild

This one may require you to be up way before the sun rises, but trust me it’s absolutely worth it. We paid a visit to Laniakea beach, also known as Turtle Beach, our first day on the Island. Parking for the small-but-busy shore is supposed to be some of the worst on the whole island, so the earlier you get there the better!

It also pays to visit the beach on a weekday, if possible, as the crowds are even thinner. I drove up to Laniakea at 6am on a Monday morning and was lucky enough to be the first person on the beach. That luck really paid off when I was able to get up close and personal with a sea turtle nearly 4 feet long!

I only saw the one, but he hung around for about ten minutes until the surfers began showing up. You definitely want to keep your distance and keep quiet so you don’t scare them away, and most importantly remember that in Hawaii it is illegal to touch or harass the sea turtles! Respect the ecosystem, everybody!

Go In Search of the Mermaid Caves

The famous and mysterious Mermaid Caves are located off Nanakuli Beach on the Eastern side of Oahu. You have to do a bit of searching along the lava rock formations, but if you’re daring enough and looking for an adventure you can climb down into the caves for a magical view of the ocean from a rarely-seen perspective.

You’ll definitely want to be careful if you plan on going down. Keep an eye on the tides and, if you’re not a strong swimmer, like me, it may be best to enjoy the caves from the surface level!