Hawaii Travel Podcast: Hawaii Travel Tips & Things to Do in Hawaii for Your Hawaii Vacation Planning | Hawaii’s Best Travel

5 Truly Free Oahu Activities Your Kids Will Love in Hawaii (No Hidden Fees)

• Bryan Murphy — Certified Hawaii Travel Expert & Owner of Hawaii’s Best Travel | Hawaii Travel Podcast • Episode 197

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Think Hawaii's getting too expensive to enjoy with your family?

With new fees hitting in 2026 and costs climbing across the board, it's easy to assume every experience on Oahu comes with a hefty price tag.

🌺 Free Guide: Free Things to do on Oahu with kids (3 free bonus activities)

👉 Hit play now to discover five completely free family activities on Oahu that deliver authentic Hawaiian experiences without the tourist trap prices or parking fees.

If you've ever wondered how to stretch your Hawaii budget without sacrificing quality time with your kids, this episode is for you.

You'll learn exactly where to go, what to bring, and how to experience the real Oahu without spending a dime.

In this episode of Hawaii's Best, we uncover five free family activities across Oahu so you can create unforgettable memories without breaking the bank.

👉 In this episode, we'll:

  • Explore a 400-acre botanical garden with peacocks, trails, and mountain views (completely free, no parking fees)
  • Discover protected tide pools, cultural classes, and a Saturday night hula show that locals actually attend
  • Hike a fully paved, stroller-friendly lighthouse trail with whale watching potential and panoramic coastal views

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Scroll up ⬆️ and hit play now to plan your budget-friendly Oahu trip with five free activities your family will actually love.

🤙Resources mentioned:

🎧Related episodes:

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🤓Chapters:

  • 1:55 New Upcoming Fees and Taxes in Hawaii
  • 3:02 Free Activity #1
  • 6:09 Free Activity #2
  • 7:40 Free Activity #3
  • 9:06 Free Activity #4
  • 10:22 Free Activity #5
  • 13:24 A Few More Travel Tips
  • 14:19 Additional Resources

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This Hawaii travel podcast is for travelers looking to plan a trip to Hawaii. Discover travel tips, itineraries, and traveling tips & hacks with guides to help you explore Hawaii. Whether you’re planning a Hawaii vacation to the islands, dreaming of a Hawaiian getaway, or visiting Honolulu, Maui, Kauai, Oahu, or Big Island we’ll help you travel with aloha.

Edge of the Ocean, Stick Figure (w/ permission)
Ukulele and Chill, Coby G (w/ permission)
Talk Story, Hawaiian Style Band (w/ permission)

197-5 Truly Free Oahu Activities Your Kids Will Love (No Hidden Fees)


[00:00:00] Bryan Murphy: With prices rising and new fees rolling into Hawaii, yes, Hawaii's gonna cost a little bit more stretching. Your budget matters more than ever. I think we can all agree on that, but the part that most visitors don't realize is that some of the best experiences in Hawaii are totally free, and not just like free, but it still costs you $40 in parking kind of free.

[00:00:22] Bryan Murphy: I mean, actually free, like free, free.

[00:00:24] Bryan Murphy: In this episode, you're gonna discover five free family activities that give you real value without the price tag.

[00:00:36] Bryan Murphy: Welcome to Hawaii's best podcast, helping you plan an unforgettable trip to Hawaii. Here you'll get practical tips on what to know before you visit the islands. And today we're talking about five. Free family activities on Oahu, because honestly, Hawaii is expensive. It has that reputation and it's gonna get even more expensive.

[00:00:59] Bryan Murphy: I'm gonna talk about that in just a couple moments. Hotels are pricey. Flights aren't cheap. But once you're on island, there are incredible experiences that cost. Absolutely nothing. And today I'm gonna share my favorite five experiences that are absolutely free on the island of Oahu. These are places my family goes to, places that offer real value without that tourist trap price and no gimmicks, just authentic experiences.

[00:01:25] Bryan Murphy: So whether you've got toddlers or even teens like we. We've done all the stages, and whether you're staying in Waikiki or driving around the island, there's something here for you and your family. And by the way, if you want even more free activities, I put together a guide with these five activities plus three bonus free things to do on Oahu.

[00:01:44] Bryan Murphy: That didn't make it in today's episode. Yes, this guide is free. You can just go ahead and find it in the. First link in the show notes below, and I'll take you right to it. Alright.

[00:01:55] Bryan Murphy: Like I mentioned, there are some updates coming in that I think it's relevant to today's topic. If you're planning a trip to Hawaii in 2026, there's some new fees that are coming in that you should know.

[00:02:07] Bryan Murphy: So starting January 1st, 2026, Hawaii's implementing what is being called a green fee. It's a point 75% increase to the transient accommodations tax, so that brings a total to 11%. When you add in county surcharges and the general excise tax, you're getting close to 19% in taxes on your nightly rate. In Hawaii, cruise ship passengers aren't exempt from this.

[00:02:36] Bryan Murphy: They will also pay this tax for the first time. So, I mean. Look, we're gonna be paying that. And when we travel, we're traveling a couple days after the 1st of January and nobody likes paying more. But the reality is these fees are happening. And I guess the good news is, going back to today's topic, the five activities I'm about to share with you are still completely.

[00:03:00] Bryan Murphy: Free. All right, so let's go ahead and let's talk about it.

[00:03:02] Bryan Murphy: Activity number one, I was gonna wait till like number five, like, you know, wait around for number five. It's my favorite, but I just put it at the top because this is our family's absolute favorite free activity on ahu, and that is the Ho Maia Botanical Garden.

[00:03:17] Bryan Murphy: This place is a staple for our family. We always hit it up and we come here often. It's one of those rare. Free spots. That's both beautiful and generally peaceful. It's usually pretty quiet, but the word it has gotten out there. But each time we go it's, it's always fairly mellow. We usually go with the kids and grandma and grandpa and it's an easy, relaxing walk around the gardens.

[00:03:41] Bryan Murphy: It's on the east side of Oahu, so it's lush, it's green, it's positioned against the Koola Mountain range, which is. Incredible ho majia means peaceful refuge in Hawaiian, and that's really what this place is. It's a 400 acres spread across the windward side of Oahu, the entrance alone. You may have already seen some of these picks, maybe on Instagram, but the entrance alone feels like a postcard.

[00:04:08] Bryan Murphy: So as you're driving in, it's one of the best picks I, in my personal opinion, that I've gotten. In Hawaii and I just took it from the passenger seat as you're rolling in to the entrance, it's just so beautiful. This place was actually originally built for flood protection, but now it's a world class botanical garden with plants from all over the earth.

[00:04:30] Bryan Murphy: So Philippines, Africa, Hawaii, Polynesia. They're all grouped by region, so you're basically walking through different plans of the world. Pretty cool and, and one of the main things why families love it is you got options you can deal with. Scenic drive through the park, it's great. Maybe the kids are asleep and it's still a beautiful, incredible drive.

[00:04:49] Bryan Murphy: Takes, uh, you know, maybe about 20 minutes to drive through. But if you want some time to explore, there are nature trails, huge grassy areas for running around and a 32 acre reservoir. Our girls, we have three girls. They love exploring the plants running around these open spaces and just checking out the lake.

[00:05:09] Bryan Murphy: There's plenty of picnic areas there too. Maybe you bring some, some food in. So this is a spot my wife and I will just go to and walk around and, and just. Just breathe a little bit. Now, one of the things I think is really unique about this spot is they have free catch and release fishing at the reservoir, Wednesdays and Saturdays.

[00:05:29] Bryan Murphy: You want to make it a reservation, but it's pretty easy. You can grab your own gear or borrow one of their bamboo poles and you can go. Fish right there. Pretty cool. But remember, it's catch and release. It's just fun. Take your time here if you have it. It's such a, a great spot. Uh, one important note to remember, I'll wrap this up, is that there's a road repaving project happening with intermediate closures through mid-December.

[00:05:52] Bryan Murphy: 2025 and starting in 2026, the garden will be closed on Thursdays for maintenance and for just overall recovery. So the gardens can rest and breathe a little bit too. But check the full guide for all the details.

[00:06:09] Bryan Murphy: Number two is baby maka poo tide poles. This is a hidden gem on Oahu's Eastern Shore, so we're kind of on the same.

[00:06:17] Bryan Murphy: Side of the island of Oahu. And if you have toddlers or young kids, this one is definitely for you. This is one of the safest water spots on the island. I say safest water spots. You still gotta watch your kids. You still gotta just be aware because you just never know. But as the area goes for this spot, baby Maka Poo is, it's a series of many protected swimming pools with with sandy bottoms.

[00:06:42] Bryan Murphy: It's perfect for little ones who are just getting comfortable with the water. Please stay with your little ones and the setting. It's incredible. You got sheer cliffs, offshore eyelids. It's beautiful and it's free. The interest is near to the exit of Sea Life Park. So keep your eyes open because it's really easy to miss.

[00:07:02] Bryan Murphy: Uh, there's no bathrooms or showers, so plan ahead. Bring what you need. A few tips. Like I mentioned, the entrance is hidden. You might drive past it if you're not looking carefully. There's also potential for wildlife viewing. Now, it's important to note that baby mokapu is different from the tide pools closer to the main beach, and it's definitely not the dangerous Mokapu point.

[00:07:27] Bryan Murphy: Tide poles, which. Requires a treacherous hike, baby Ous is the calm, family friendly option that you want to go ahead and check out. And number three, hit it into Waikiki.

[00:07:40] Bryan Murphy: If you're staying in Waikiki, you don't need a rental car to experience authentic Hawaiian culture. So if you're trying to budget and maybe rent a car for the day, but not the whole week that you're there, this is a spot to go is at the Royal Hawaiian Center, and they offer free.

[00:07:55] Bryan Murphy: Culture classes every week. And honestly, these aren't watered down touristy versions. These are real hands-on experiences taught by local practitioners. The schedule is Mondays. They have ukulele lessons, Tuesdays hula lessons, Wednesdays Laha Weaving, Thursdays Keiki Hula lessons. That's Hula for Kids. And on Aloha Friday, they have lay making lessons.

[00:08:20] Bryan Murphy: All the classes are completely free. That's why they're on this list. And they're perfect for school age, kids and teens who like hands-on activities. But honestly, adults love these as well. For the popular classes like LEI making and LA weaving, you'll once arrive a little early. Supplies can be limited, but the center's an easy walk for most Waikiki hotels, so it's super convenient.

[00:08:44] Bryan Murphy: No stress, no planning. Just show up and learn something. There is a caveat though. If you're not staying in Waikiki, you're probably gonna pay a little bit for parking, so don't come after me for putting this on the list. But this is some cool free activities to check out in the heart of Waikiki. And number four, kind of going in the same vibe of Hawaiian culture.

[00:09:06] Bryan Murphy: Is the Coya Beach Hula Show. This isn't a commercial luau. This is really the real deal. It's an authentic presentation of Hawaiian music and hula performed by some of Hawaii's best. This show's been running for over 30 years. It's free to the public and it happens every Saturday evening weather, permitt.

[00:09:26] Bryan Murphy: The entire program is a hundred percent Hawaiian content. No gimmicks, no fluff, just authentic hula and music. The location is at the Coj Beach Hula Mound on the ocean side of Awa Avenue. It's near the Duke Kane Moku statue and diagonally across from the Hyatt Regency. Pretty easy to find. The seating is casual.

[00:09:50] Bryan Murphy: You're sitting on the grass. So Sabrina Tao, Matt, maybe some low beach chairs, if you got 'em, get there plenty early to grab a good spot. And one thing to know is that the show doesn't happen if Kla Kaa Avenue is closed for special events like parades or block parties. So if there is something big happening in Waikiki that night, on that Saturday, just double check before you go.

[00:10:13] Bryan Murphy: This spot really is a perfect way to spend a Saturday evening. You got sunset, ocean breeze, authentic Hawaiian culture, and of course it's free.

[00:10:22] Bryan Murphy: Alright, now the last one, this is also one of my family's favorites, talking about the Mokapu Point Lighthouse Trail. It's a bit of a drive for us since we usually stay on the west side over in the Colina area, but trust me, it's definitely worth the early start if you are staying over there as.

[00:10:40] Bryan Murphy: Well maybe do it maybe the first day or second day you're there. You're probably waking up early in the morning. Anyhow, from the time change, we like to get there right when it opens because there's no shade on the trail, and here's why. This is one of the best family hikes on Oahu. It's fully paved, stroller friendly, accessible for.

[00:10:58] Bryan Murphy: Many people, and when our girls were a little younger, we could easily bring a stroller. Sometimes we bring our double stroller crazy, but you can do it. It's really one of those rare family friendly hikes where you can roll along and stop at the mini lookouts. The trail is about two miles round trip with a 500 foot elevation gain.

[00:11:20] Bryan Murphy: Pretty moderate. You'll get a good little workout in and from the summit. You get incredible panoramic views of Oahu's Eastern Shore coastline. You got cocoa head, cocoa head crater diamondhead in the distance, and you'll see offshore Seabird sanctuaries in the historic Maka Poo Lighthouse built in 1909 And on a clear day.

[00:11:42] Bryan Murphy: You can see the islands of Molokai and Lena. In contrary to popular belief, you don't actually go to the lighthouse. The lighthouse is over the edge of the cliff. Down below, you can see it. You can kinda get a picture of it, but you're not hiking to an actual lighthouse. A bonus if you are visiting between November and May.

[00:12:01] Bryan Murphy: This is one of the best spots on the island of Oahu for viewing migrating humpback whales. We've spotted a few on our hikes over there, and they have binocular stands, but if you have binoculars, bring those, 'cause you'll need them if you're traveling during that time, November through May. And as I mentioned, another tip is that there's no shade bringing water, bringing a good hat.

[00:12:22] Bryan Murphy: Hike early in the morning if you can, or in late afternoon. Avoid midday heat. There's no restrooms or drinking water, but there's quite a bit of free parking at the trailhead. The parking can fill up pretty quickly though, so you might need to park along the road. And a few safety notes that I just need to say is that it can be very windy at the summit.

[00:12:41] Bryan Murphy: We experience that almost hats, you know, blowing off and we've got a, a picture of us or our hairs are all going crazy. Totally worth it, but it can be pretty windy at the top. You wanna stay on the pave trail. It's very obvious where the trail is and the lighthouse itself is still an active Coast Guard station.

[00:13:02] Bryan Murphy: So, like I mentioned, it's off limits. You can't get to it, but it's, it's cool to know that it's still active and like many trailheads in the world, and especially in Hawaii, theft can be an issue. So lock your car, don't leave valuables visible. But, uh, this hike is a perfect blend of exercise history, nature.

[00:13:21] Bryan Murphy: And a lot of people can do it because it's fully paved.

[00:13:24] Bryan Murphy: So there you have it. Those are five free family friendly activities on the island of Oahu. These are places that offer real connection without the commercial price tag. And these are the experiences that definitely create memories for you and your family.

[00:13:40] Bryan Murphy: Now if you want the full list, these five activities plus three bonus free things to do on Oahu, grab the free guide below first link in the show notes. And if you are starting to feel overwhelmed with planning your Hawaii trip, I totally get it. There's a lot to figure out. And you should know, I now offer one-on-one travel consultations where we can map out your whole itinerary together.

[00:14:01] Bryan Murphy: You know, if you want to. Do free activities, paid experiences, logistics, just all of your questions answered, and if that sounds helpful for you, there's a link for that in the show notes below as well. Oahu doesn't have to break the bank. You just need to know where to look, where to go. And now you got a few free things to add to your itinerary.

[00:14:19] Bryan Murphy: All right. I hope this episode was helpful for you and your planning your trip. Till next time. As always, live with Aloha

[00:14:31] Bryan Murphy: Mahala for listening to this episode of Hawaii's. Best to stay up to date on future episodes. Hit follow on your podcast app. Hawaii's Best is a production of shore break media group with editing by easy podcast solutions and music courtesy of our friends. Stick figure.


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