Aloha

Thank you for visiting! As a military ohana (family), we’ve lived (and hiked, biked, ran…) in all kinds of terrain and weather with our kids since they were babies. We published Outdoor Ohana in April 2007 to share our enjoyment of the outdoors with other families by providing information about family-friendly hikes and trusted gear. The content will generally be oriented to Hawaii, but you may find favorite adventures from around the country as well because we’re still moving around! We just relocated to Washington state so you will begin noticing trail reports from there now. Just drop a comment with trail conditions if something is worth reporting – such as significant blow-down after a major storm.

Mission
To provide reliable information to parents about family-friendly hikes, campgrounds, gear and other adventures, such as kayaking and biking. Our philosophy is that everyone should have a great time, and finish up the adventure wanting more!

I am a stay-outside mom and freelance medical writer with a background in public health (an MPH). My older boy is now in Kindergarten and my younger boy is in “freeschool” – we are out adventuring most mornings (see freeschool category to the right for a few lessons you can do on the trail). I work during his naps (which adventuring helps!). This website is drawn from my experiences with them – from a morning bike/run on the trail to solo camping with the kids for some off-the-grid time. This website is cobbled together during spare minutes, and is my small contribution to enabling parents (often moms) to lead the family in outdoor adventures. I am gratified that so many moms have taken their kids on the trail – and I love hearing their stories when they find me on the beach with the boys and figure out who I am

Peak-bagger buttons available for your little ones!

Note: This goes without saying, but any outdoor activity carries inherent risks. While Hawaii is paradise, you can still get cold and wet on the trail, and helicopters rescue people from well-traveled trails because they got lost or ended up out later than expected and didn’t have a headlamp to help guide the way back. Rain can come out of nowhere. Roots are slippery. Mud can be like ice. Flash floods happen. Cars can be vandalized at some popular trailheads (note glass on the ground). Please use good sense and bring more than you’ll ever guess you need (compass? GPS? phone? a hiking buddy? first aid? file a trip plan?). This is particularly true when hiking with kids – don’t let them get cold, wet, thirsty or hungry and you’ll have happier hikers sharing your trail!