‘Workin’ Mom’ Waikiki Adventures
Disclaimer:
Everything below is a mix of what I observed and heard during the event. The goal isn’t to pinpoint "who exactly said what," but to share (usually) an outsider's view and overall perspective on these industries. I’m not here to act as a definitive firsthand source—readers should do their own research. I hope this inspires you to attend events, explore new industries, and hear what leaders are presenting. These notes combine my observations with thoughts on how things could run smoother and how ideas connect (IMO). I’m not an expert, you know? Just hanging out in the room with them. Enjoy!Topics Covered: Hawaii, City Familiarity, Waikiki Beach, Airbnb, Booking.com, Family Fun, Tourism, Holiday Attractions, Event Savviness, Daily Routines (or lack thereof)
Without going into too many details, I had much reason to head to Hawaii with my daughter and see what it’s all about —- and the goal was to experience it as a solo mom!! To give my daughter an epic trip filled with a fun and uniquetime to learn. Having never been, I had of course heard of its epicness my entire life. But sometimes that makes me roll my eyes at things hahahah. What is the saying, though? You often don’t like what you don’t understand. 🤷♀️ So… is Hawaii all that people say and more? It it worth the hype? Is it the incredible paradise you can’t get enough of? IDK. Honestly, I was extremely excited to find out!!!!
Why Attend: Hawaii is such an icon of the USA! I had never been but thought it seemed like an easy enough place to get to and explore on my own with my daughter, figuring it out as I went. It was a bit of a bigger leap than we’ve ever done, but far from the biggest I’d like us to do. (I’d like to take her to more kid-friendly countries in the future and spend time there. Also I’d like to build out that business model here in the usa hahahahah) There are so many kid-friendly cities worldwide. WAY better than what I’ve seen in the USA. I want to bring some of the epicness to the USA… and so, let’s see what the mainland can learn from our little buddy down under, as well. And no, not Australia, Hawaii. And- guess what? Turns out Seattle is one of the top closest places to live near Hawaii - hahahah. hollerrrrrrrr. That’s great. Seattle continues to be amazing. I love it here TOO MUCH!!!
Event Rating Overall: Venue (5/5), Food (4/5), Speaker Content (3.75/5), Networking (5/5), Likeliness to Return (4.75/5)
Photo Collage and Commentary:
Notes from Event
I took no physical notes over this trip. Instead I just gathered the experience and picked up on things. I’ll cover many topics below… Waikiki During the Day, Waikiki at Night, Cultural Performances (Free and Paid), Food (Budget Friendly and Anything Goes), Amazing Attractions, Playgrounds Lacking, and Airplane with a Toddler Advice. Enjoy a’hoy!
Waikiki During the Day:
Safety: I felt safe the entire time I was there… minus leaving my stroller on the beach while we were in the water. I never felt quite safe fully going into the water (1. cause I don’t like swimming SO much, though I’m fine at it) but I just didn’t want someone to take my stuff. Cause if they took my phone/etc, I’d be screwed and stuck in Hawaii with my daughter. Not the worst- but stressful.
Walkability: 100%! Even with my legit broken stroller. I realized it was broken the entire time I was there, one of hte wheels popped. But still it was great and stuck with it. The land is flat and it’s easy enough to get everywhere. There are two main streets and you can walk super far down both of them to wherever you want or need. I love cities like this (though I love mountains too hahahah)
Transit: Intimidating!! We took the double decker bus, but I felt like a little intimidated by the buses cause they’re like “medium” not “large” and our stroller is a bit big. Also the weather is so nice, so I just chose not ever to take the bus and walk everywhere, no matter how long it took - except one day, as I said, we used the double decker bus twice.
I think it’d be fun if they had a street trolley!!!!! Right????? On the street behind everything maybe? Expand a bit? or the Main Street? its a fun idea, Waikiki!!!!
Shops/Restaurant Hours Open: Everything was opened for good hours and the shops had everything you need (except a pacifier!! but we used this trip to rid my daughter of pacifiers. she told herself that birds took it from our apartment (cause these birds were legit obsessed with eating sunflower seeds on our balcony and then when she was napping they hopped into the apartment and I took a video. Then I showed her hte video and she was so excited, then they ended up coming in every day and it was so funny. They were cute birds. And then she convinced herself they took her pacifier (but actually she lost it - and it was jsut on the couch) but her dad agreed she shoudl be done with pacifiers, so I agreed with her and then threw the final one away!!! She did so well with it - and had a love/hate relationship with the birds.
Environment/Weather: I felt like the vibe was good, people were really friendly to hang out with my daughter (she’s gotten so social lately, she used to notice no one). And the weather was great. Only our last day did we get hit with lots of rain. Besides that it was amazing weather (just weird/cloudy often - more than other places on the island I went to)
Vibe: I love how time goes slower, more relaxed, and we could just follow our instincts while there. My vibe was always a tiny bit off though since the stroller was a bit broken (but still we walked miles and miles a day, but it just was harder to push and a bit more tiresome) but also we used simply just our feet many times too.
Waikiki A Night:
Walkability: Totally. At night we walked around a lot - and even went to the beach a bit late the first night. I’ve just not ever had much trouble in cities, even walking late at night (some I’m like - NO WAY KEEP ME INSIDE) but most I trust. And I feel like I can give off a vibe of “leave me alone” whether it’s cause I act nasty (like i’ll cough or pick my nose), or I look like a zombie on purpose… or I just walk by and ignore whatever is said keep moving… usually peopel don’t bother you if you just fade in and move on. So, Waikiki is super great at night. Didn’t feel freaky at all (that comes from someone living in Seattle though, and even downtown isn’t THAT crazy if you just do your thing). So I felt it was fine.
Transit: Lots of the transit stops at night. There are lyfts/ubers available all the time - but you have to wait a little, but it’s a LOTTTTT cheaper than Seattle. One of the only things here cheaper than Seattle.
Shops/Restaurant Hours Open: Everything was open decently late. You could always find what you needed (though we never stayed up TOOO late. Though we did wake up early all the time, and plenty was open early too!)
Environment/Weather: Every night was nice or a bit rainy, but that was nice too! It was lively at night in a city/touristy way, but also not too crazy at all.
Vibe: Very calm, peaceful, and a bit of tourism excitement fun. But also I wasn’t really bothered by anyone or anything. There were some homeless peopel hanging around, day and night, but they kept to themselves.
Cultural Performances (FREE):
Parades: Our first day there was a parade! Something like the end of Hawaii Week. Then, our last day there was a parade for St. Patricks day!! The parades go on on the main road and are so fun, ending at the Zoo. My daughter had never even seen a parade, so it was such a blast! I just think stuff like this is so great, and I love free events that are sorta random and unexpected.
Luau’s: There were many luaus that we found… one even by mistake!! They have weekly luau’s by the beach each Saturday, but a few others outside of that for free, hosted by the city. Maybe there are more (not on the beach) but I didn’t hear of them. It’s so nice to hear hte music and see the different dance styles. The music would be nice to play in your house time to time, too.
Music: There were people playing music in different places around the city. Whether it was part of Luau’s or just on their own. The local music was awesome, the cover bands… eehhh - not my vibe this trip.
Surfing: I don’t like swimming too much - though boogie boarding and body surfing is fun… but surfing!! No way!! (sure, i’d try) - but I think it’s a great activity to watch. Watching people surf is so cool, and fun with kids too!! There are many places to watch surfing, even right downtown at Waikiki Beach.
Cultural Performances (PAID):
Luau on a boat: We paid for a luau on the boat and this ended up being the worst experience of the trip. It was hosted by a 14 year old kid and everyone else seemed miserable to be there. And the food wasn’t even good! It just felt like people were stuck at work, and then a young kid was leading everything with enthusiasm - and a cheap paycheck, right? Idk just felt like they were cutting costs so much (and the bus right there, the driver said he’s hating Hawaii lately, what Honolulu is becoming, it’s losing its culture). Just awkward - AND - HELLO!!! He doesn’t need to feed into it, then… go amp up the stuff you like. Don’t complain about your job to your customers on a microphone on a bus?! lol.
Luaus by hotels: We never went but apparently the hotels have lots of luau’s (and this started decades ago). It’s a cool tradition, your hotel providing entertainment. It’s a good business model. I’d like to give a hotel a try next time… but, one lame/boring/expensive luau was enjough. The Polynesian Cultural Center Luau we saw a few days before was unbeatable.
Etc.: There were other performances you could see while there that I found out about too late. Children’s theater, music shows… magic shows probably too! hahah. I wish we’d have gone to see the kids show, but missed it - but still!!! So many fun things to do in Waikiki!!
FOOD / BUDGET-AWARE:
Happy Hours: Though I don’t drink alcohol, I like to eat!! And some of these restaurants had some great happy hour deals (including the restuant under the grocery store having $5 burgers every day!!!) They were super good.
The “Farmers Market”: This was something I found teh last day, it was discount fresh food. I have a picture of it but they had everything! Sushi, veggie rolls, fresh fruit, all sorts of amazing options and fair priced. What a good find!!! IT’s like a popup, I think, and only shows up in the afternoon. Would love to hit it up again almost every day if/when I go to Hawaii again!!
Local Cuisine: While staying budget friendly, I was loving the food that was fair priced: pineapples, bananas, fish, taro… hahah I ate a lot of those.
FOOD / ANYTHING GOES:
Oceanside Restaurants: There are some nice restaurants right alongside the ocean that are great. I didn’t go to any (hahah) cause I just don’t like to usually spend money on restaurants, but I think that it could be a lot of fun with the right peopel and environment.
Food Trucks: there are so many food trucks with lots of different price points. All sorts of foods. But, just cause it’s in a truck doesn’t seem to make the meals THAT much cheaper. That’s what I noticed.
Teppenyaki: I was having so much fun on this trip - and did want to use a lot of the budget I was given to splurge a bit on my daughter with fun activities - so I decided to take her to teppanyaki. We shared a dish with a variety of choices (but they gave her GOLDFISH AS AN APPITIZER!!! WTF!?!?!?!? I was so pissed cause that throws off her appetite completely!!!!!! It was them trying to be nice but… if I want her to have goldfish, i’ll go anywhere else!!! Not this expensive restaurant. omg hahaha.)
Ice Cream: There are some super luxury ice cream options here!! Rolled ice cream, all sorts of ice cream alternatives. It was awesome!! hahaha. I’m not a huge dessert person (my daughter is), so I caved a bit… but. No regrets. It was awesome.
AMAZING ATTRACTIONS:
The Zoo: This is a great spot to hang out with your kids!! There aren’t nearly as many animals as almost any zoo i’ve ever been to - but they have a great set of playgrounds and it’s just fun to walk around. Also, if you get the membership, it’s well worth its cost pretty quickly (at least it was for us). $50 for us both, unlimited visits. So we went there 3-4 times. As with anywhere, there are a few blind spots in the zoo. Plus, hanging out with your kids and talking about animals can be a lot of fun. When you get the membership, you can come back to visit as many times as you want - and even sometimes jsut to visit ONE SINGLE ANIMAL, you know? Just live a little and have fun and let the kids lead the way a bit.
The Aquarium: We never went!!! Apparently it’s awesome (and has more open hours than the zoo - lol! next time)
The Mall(s): There are a number of malls there - I think two big ones within decent walking distance of our place—- totally accessible by transit for either. I noticed they didn’t have a lot of kids activites… so it seems like a huge business opportuntiy there.
The Beach: What a great, free, endless source of entertainment - any time of day or night!!!
FLYING IN AN AIRPLANE w/ a TODDLER ADVICE:
I’ve found my daughter does best when her feet are resting on something. Usually after we take off, I put a backpack or two under her feet. Tehn she can bend her knees or lounge a bit. The flight there and back she slept well for most of it (for the first time EVER ON A FLIGHT) and I think its cause I had her sorta in this hoarders corner with lots off stuffed animals, blankets, and backpacks all shoved around her so she sorta had a platform to hang out on (all while in her car seat, in the airplane chair).
also, I usually don’t give her any screens… (but I kinda never do… not to be “that guy” but I work hard to not use screens for her entertainment in our home… or outside as much as possible. I grew up plenty entertained crafting with things and toys, so can she! I’m willing to put in the effort to entertain her and get to know each other… whatever it takes to not use screens when we’re together. I like to hang out haha.) - we just play with the stuff on the airplane… we play with ice - lol, look at the safety pictures and tell stories. We draw. I brought some books.
Then if/when I bring out the screen (cause she’s sleeping and/or maybe its just been like hours and hours of non-screen entertainment and you’re just stuck there) - maybe i’ll start off just working… and she’ll be entertained too - or i’ll split the screen and let her watch a video while I work too. I don’t like to make my experience worse just to make hers good… because we have a long way to go, and an entire trip together. It’s good that we can find compromise (okay, sure… I’ll definitely sacrifice a lot for her, but I make sure to take care of myself too.)
And when I get really overwhelmed, playing some music for myself can help - just having music while taking care of her.
EVENT REVIEW FURTHER EXPLANATION AND EVALUATION:
Venue (5/5):
Allow me to Elaborate: Hawaii was more than amazing - Waikiki beach is too great and so easy to visit on your own with your daughter/child. Or lover hahaha. I loved where we stayed, played, and laid in the sun. It was a blast!!
Food (4/5):
Room for Improvement: The expenses, across the board, were too high (minus happy hour burgers) but that’s par for the course. Besides that, it was some of the best food I’ve ever had hahaha. SO many great and fresh means, amazing fruits… just great! So healthy and nutritious.
Speaker Content (4/5):
Room for Improvement: Well, everything was so awesome that we were a part of. Of course, I think there could be more entertainment for kids, more animals at the zoo, more cultural events… but, I mean… it had plenty!! It was awesome and quality - just about everything we did!
Networking (5/5):
Allow me to Elaborate: Turns out I birthed an emerging social stallion!! She was going up to every kid in sight and befriending them, then forcing me to befriend all of their parents. It was fun talking to people from all over the world - and gushing about how much I love Seattle hahahah. This is a good place to make random friends for the time being, hang out with them, then carry on in life as strangers.
Likeliness to Return (5/5):
Allow me to Elaborate: I loved Hawaii. Duh!! That sounds obvious, sounds like anyone woudl say that - but before going, I really wasn’t sure. After visiting, I can say it’s a great place to see… it’s worth staying there a long time (I feel like there is so much to do, but also you can just take your time with it all). I’d love to go back, even like half a year hahaha. I loved it 100% hahaha. 👍
Until next time, I wish you the motivation and success to search for opportunities around your area. Search and explore: Who is out there giving talks? There are new things happening all of the time.
Find relatable or interesting topics you like and check them out! Maybe even something hosted at a cool venue, if there’s no other reason to go. Let’s see what you can learn and discover not too far from home. 😊
