Field Trip Ideas
Ideas for field trips for homeschoolers on the island of Oahu in Hawaii!
Everything here is listed for informational purposes only. Oahu Homeschool Mom is not affiliated with any of the listed entities. Many of these activities/trips have inherent risks that you accept by participating in them. So be sure to do your own research, the full scope and details of the trip or activity, be appropriately prepared, and stay safe.
Everything here is listed for informational purposes only. Oahu Homeschool Mom is not affiliated with any of the listed entities. Many of these activities/trips have inherent risks that you accept by participating in them. So be sure to do your own research, the full scope and details of the trip or activity, be appropriately prepared, and stay safe.
Like this list? Want to share it? Great! Feel free to link directly to it!
In consideration of the time & effort put into creating this list, please do not copy it.
It is subject to updates, changes, removals, and additions... and you wouldn't want to miss out!
In consideration of the time & effort put into creating this list, please do not copy it.
It is subject to updates, changes, removals, and additions... and you wouldn't want to miss out!
Art
- Doris Duke's Shangri La: Center for Islamic Arts & Culture, also associated with the Honolulu Museum of Art
- East-West Center Arts & Performances: in Honolulu; offering a gallery, free group tours, and performance demonstrations are available
- Hawaii Sate Art Museum: exhibits and educational programs
- Honolulu Museum of Art & Honolulu Museum of Art School
- John Young Museum of Art: at the University of Hawaii at Manoa
- The Spalding House (formerly The Contemporary Museum): part of the Honolulu Museum of Art, offers workshops for kids
- University of Hawaii Art Gallery: various art exhibitions and displays
Astronomy
- Aerospace Education Lab: a hands-on exploratorium for aeronautics, astronomy, astronautics, and atmospherology; FREE
- Battleship Missouri Memorial: the Journey with the Stars program (4th Grade) offers astronomy & history, a planetarium, GPS tech & celestial nav tools
- Bishop Museum: offers a planetarium (with occasional "shows"), plus rotating exhibits of various topics, Pacific & Hawaiian culture & history, science center, sports hall of fame, & native garden
- Hawaii Astronomical Society: hosts public "star parties" where people can come learn and look through telescopes, also offers school programs
- Hokulani Imaginarium: high-tech planetarium, also has shows available for homeschool groups (min. 30 people required)
- UH Institute for Astronomy : offers an Open House (usually on a Sunday in April) and other outreach options. Contact them for details.
Biotechnology
- Gene-ius Day: University of Hawaii at Manoa hosts a field trip day for school students where they learn about topics of genetics, agriculture, and forensic sciences. Check their website for more information and date availability. Note: there is also a monthly program (Saturday Gene-iuses) of science labs and learning. Registration is usually in May.
Botany
- Ali'i Tour at Tropical Farms: call 808-589-7411, ancient fishpond, movie sets, Hawaiian culture and plants
- Botanical Gardens: Foster, Ho'omaluhia (offers kids programs), Koko Crater, Lili'uokalani, and Wahiawa
- Dole Plantation: field trips/tours options include the Pineapple Express Train, Pineapple Maze, Plantation Garden Tour, & Pineapple Variety Garden
- Farms (see specific farm ideas listed under the Community category below)
- Halawa Xeriscape Garden: "native and introduced plants that conserve water, water-saving irrigation systems, mulches, and other xeriscape ideas"
- Hiking Trails: Check out the Unreal Hawaii website and/or the Facebook groups: Hiking with Keiki & Amazing Homeschool Hiking Club for trails, group hikes, & tips
- Hawaii Nature Center: offers school and community programs with a variety of plant, insect, animal, nature and/or environmental themes
- Moanalua Gardens (formerly free, but now charges $1/person over age 12 of kama'aina & military, or $3/person otherwise)
- Lyon Arboretum: offers a variety of school tours (& classes for adults!) FREE for active military from May 26th
- Senator Fong's Plantation & Gardens: school group tours to learn about Hawaii's plants
- The Green House, Center for Sustainability: environmental education & sustainable living classes, workshops, and eco-camps
- Urban Garden Center: provides horticulture and gardening information, as well as children's garden tours
- Waialua Sunflower Fields: Only available a few days a year, when the flowers are in bloom. No reservation needed for public access, but private group tours have been scheduled in the past as well. It can be muddy. Call 808.637.0100 ext 149 for more information and availability.
- Waimea Valley: botanical garden, Waihi waterfall, cultural activities, wildlife, ancient Hawaiian archaeological sites, and school program
Community
(see also: Art, Botany, & Museums categories)
(see also: Art, Botany, & Museums categories)
- Board of Water Supply
- Court House: Hawaii State Judiciary tours of the First Circuit Court in Honolulu, the Judiciary History Center, and the Hawaii Supreme Court Law Library
- EMS & Ambulances
- Farmer's Markets
- Hawaii State Capitol: self-guided and guided/school tours area available
- Hawaii Theatre for Youth: attend plays (they also have school performances) or participate in their education programs
- Honolulu Fire Department: For info on the HFD's educational programs/tours, call 808-723-7163; to schedule a visit to a fire station, call 808-723-7184
- Honolulu Police Department: several programs, including station tours, speaker requests, keiki fingerprinting, ride alongs and Explorers (LEEP)
- Kawaiahao Church: Hawaii's first permanent church; tours available and church services still held each week
- Meadow Gold Dairies
- Military (Air Force, Army, Coast Guard, Navy, Marines): tours of vehicles and facilities, sponsored by a military service member
- Movie Theatre: such as Consolidated Theatres or Regal Entertainment Group
- Newspaper Printing Plant: such as the Honolulu Star Advertiser or the Tribune-Herald
- TV/News Stations, such as Hawaii News Now
- United States Postal Service: Honolulu branch
- Wastewater Treatment Plant
- Aloun Farms: local educational outreach programs, pumpkin patch, and sweet onion festival
- Helemano Farms: a Christmas tree farm (in Wahiawa) that has worked with school groups in the past, contact them with ideas or questions for possible field trips
- Ka'ala Farms: located in Wai'anae; Hawaii culture and sustainability educational programs through The Cultural Learning Center at Ka'ala
- Kahuku Farms: tractor-pulled wagon ride farm tours, smoothies & cafe
- Kahumana Community: Wai'anae organic farm, cafe, retreats, and learning center, offering 1/2 day & full day educational programs & overnight camps
- Kualoa Ranch: offers educational activities (nature walks, ancient fishpond, sustainability, team building, conservation, restoration, petting zoo) & other tours
- Naked Cow Dairy: Wai'anae side farm and creamery tours
- Mari's Garden: Mililani garden and aquaponics farm that offers educational tours
- MA'O Farms: organic farm in Wai'anae that offers a CSA, does outreach & hosts school programs
- Mohala Farms: a North Shore organic farm
- New Hope Farm: located in Kunia (Waipahu), this farm aims to be organic and sustainable and offers school programs and volunteer opportunities
- Olomana Gardens: composting, aquaponics organic veggies & animals, located on the Windward side of Oahu
- Romy's Kahuku Prawns & Shrimp: offers prawn fishing
- Shinsato Farm: a pig/hog farm in Kaneohe
- Sunflower Fields: This crop is only around for a short time, usually during the winter months. Call ahead (808-637-0100, ext 149 for tours) to see when the sunflowers are in bloom and set up a free viewing.
- Sunset Ranch: a North Shore private estate with a horse ranch, coffee & citrus farm, aquaculture, & botanical garden
- Waihuena Farm: North Shore farm
- Waimanalo Country Farms: a Christian-family run farm that offers a pumpkin patch, Christmas program, and field trip opportunities
- Fort Shafter Library
- Hawaii Public Libraries: several locations throughout Oahu, which also offer a variety of different programs
- Hickam Library
- Marine Corps Base Hawaii Library
- Schofield Library
Culture
(see also: Art, Community, Hawaiian Studies, & Museums categories)
(see also: Art, Community, Hawaiian Studies, & Museums categories)
- African American Diversity Cultural Center Hawai'i: cultural experiences via exhibits, folktales, cultural skits, dance & drumming
- Byodo-In Temple: at Valley of the Temples Memorial Park, can go individually or in groups
- Hawaii Okinawa Center
- Honolulu Museum of Art
- Chinatown: in Honolulu
- Japanese Cultural Center: exhibits, events, classes, and tours showcasing Japanese culture and heritage
- Polynesian Cultural Center: luau, food, shows, workshops, cultural displays, interactive exhibits, and youth programs
- Waimea Valley: botanical garden, Waihi waterfall, cultural activities, wildlife, ancient Hawaiian achaeological sites, and school programs
Entomology
- Butterfly Lady: also has a Facebook page, educational talks, information, & supplies for caterpillars & Monarch butterfly raising on Oahu
- Honey Bee Presentation: you might try asking local beekeepers, like Manoa Honey Company
Environment & Weather
(see also: Botany, Community, Geology, Marine Biology, & Water categories)
(see also: Botany, Community, Geology, Marine Biology, & Water categories)
- Hawaii Department of Land & Natural Resources
- National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration / National Weather Service Forecast Office
- Pacific Tsunami Warning Center: located on Ford Island, groups of 15 or less are welcome to visit the facility with advance coordination (see link)
Geology
- Lucoral Museum: located in Waikiki; "displaying corals, pearls, gemstones and fossils from Hawaii and around the world"; group tours available
- Rock Quarry: such as Kapaa Quarry, run by Ameron Hawaii
- School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology: hosts an Open House every other year (in the fall) & tours are also sometimes available
Hawaiian Studies
(see also: Community, Culture, History, & Museums categories)
(see also: Community, Culture, History, & Museums categories)
- Ali'i Tour at Tropical Farms: call 808-589-7411, ancient fishpond, movie sets, Hawaiian culture and plants
- Aloha Tower at the historic Honolulu Harbor, FREE
- Diamond Head Lighthouse: part of a private residence so tours of the lighthouse are NOT available, but it can be seen from the Diamond Head Crater hike
- Hawaii Historical Society Library
- Hawaii Maritime Center: at Pier 7 on Honolulu Harbor, parking at Aloha Tower Marketplace
- He'eia Ancient Hawaiian Fishpond: offers both a one-hour walking tour and three-hour field trips
- ‘Iolani Palace: offering individual guided or self-guided tours, as well as school tours
- Ka'ala Farms: located in Wai'anae; educational programs through The Cultural Learning Center at Ka'ala
- Kawaiahao Church: Hawaii's first permanent church; tours available, church services still held weekly, also here: Lunalilo Mausoleum
- King Kamehameha Statue: near 'Iolani Palace; (King Kamehameha I united the Hawaiian Islands into one royal kingdom in 1810)
- Kukaniloko Birthstones: located in Wahiawa (directions)
- Manoa Heritage Center: Kūka‘ō‘ō Heiau, a Native Hawaiian garden and the historic home Kūali‘i; individual & school tours
- Nu'uanu Watershed Tour: with the Board of Water Supply; topics involve water cycle, weather, climate, conservation, and Hawaiian history
- Queen Emma Summer Palace (Hānaiakamalama): a historic landmark, museum, and tourist site, with tours available
- Paepae o He'eia: Paepae o He’eia is a private non-profit organization dedicated to caring for He’eia Fishpond – an ancient Hawaiian fishpond
- Plantation Village: historic sugar plantation, outdoor museum with restored and replicated buildings; educational tours upon request
- Pu'u o Mahuka Heiau State Historic Site: in Pupukea, the largest heiau (Hawaiian temple or place of worship) on the island
- Royal Mausoleum State Monument: in Nu’uanu Valley
- Ulupo Heiau State Historic Site: overlooks Kawainui Marsh in Kailua
- Waimea Valley: botanical garden, Waihi waterfall, cultural activities, wildlife, ancient Hawaiian archaeological sites, and school programs
History
(see also: Art, Culture, Hawaiian Studies, & Museums categories)
(see also: Art, Culture, Hawaiian Studies, & Museums categories)
- Battleship Missouri Memorial: speakers that can come to you, an overnight encampment experience (grades 5+), and other educational programs
- National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific: in Honolulu (Punchbowl)
- Pearl Harbor Historic Sites: USS Arizona, USS Bowfin Submarine, Battleship Missouri, & Pacific Aviation Museum; curriculum & field trips available
- USS Bowfin Submarine Museum & Park: offers school tours, educator resources, & speaker presentations that come to you (for grades 4-5)
- World War II Valor in the Pacific National Monument (see: Pearl Harbor Historic Sites); Junior Ranger Programs (scavenger hunt & activity book)
Marine
- Atlantis Submarine Tour: Waikiki at Hilton Hawaiian Village (group & discounts rates might be available)
- Beaches, Reefs, & Snorkeling: so many great ones to choose from!
- Dolphin Quest: currently organized 1-2x/year & open to all homeschoolers, join a local homeschool group or watch my blog & Facebook page for information
- Dolphin Snorkel Tours: open ocean snorkeling with a company like Dolphins & You or Dolphin Excursions or KoOlina Ocean Adventures
- He'eia Ancient Hawaiian Fishpond: offers both a one-hour walking tour and three-hour field trips
- Lucoral Museum: (see the Lucoral Museum listed under the Geology category, above)
- School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology: hosts an Open House every other year (in the fall) & tours are also sometimes available
- Sea Life Park: marine life, ecosystem, and conservation field trips & speakers that can come to you; dolphin, shark, sea lion, and ray encounters
- Tide Pools: some popular ones are Makapu'u & Baby Makapu'u, Shark's Cove
- Waikiki Aquarium: offers teacher resources, school programs, activities & classes, and seasonal/annual events & concerts, plus individual visits as well
- Whale Watching: from hikes like Makapuu Lighthouse and Hanauma Bay, or on a boat with a company like Star of Honolulu
Museums
(see also: Art, Culture, Hawaiian Studies, & History categories)
(see also: Art, Culture, Hawaiian Studies, & History categories)
- Bishop Museum: planetarium, plus rotating exhibits of various topics, Pacific & Hawaiian culture & history, science center, sports hall of fame, & native gardens {Special Note: The Bishop Museum is usually free for Hawaii residents on the 2nd Sunday of each month.)
- BYU Museum of Natural History: "contains a large collection of vertebrates & invertebrates from Hawaii, the Pacific, and around the world"; located in Laie
- Fred Ohrt Water Museum: located in Honolulu, part of the Board of Water supply, tour involves water cycle, conservation, and history of BWS
- Hawaii Maritime Center has been CLOSED permanently.
- Honolulu Police Museum: offers tours for school groups, but must be 6th grade and above
- Judiciary History Center at Aliiolani Hale (Hawaii State Judiciary Building): offers FREE school tours, also here: King Kamehameha Statue
- Mission Houses Museum: preserves the history of missionary life with three restored houses, with school programs and school tours available
- Pacific Aviation Museum: on Ford Island;
- Pearl Harbor / Arizona Memorial (see History category, above, for links and more)
- Tropic Lightning Museum: on Schofield; "the history of Schofield Barracks, the 25th Infantry Division, and Wheeler Army Airfield"
- U.S. Army Museum of Hawaii: at Fort DeRussy and the Hale Koa; guided group visits available
- Washington Place Governor's Mansion: tours may or may not be available - they appear to be offered on a limited basis
Other Ideas
- Bayview Zipline in Kaneohe
- Box Car Racing: with Race World Hawaii
- Bricks & Minifigs, Kailua: a Lego store that offers group build times and events
- Camp Erdman: offers a variety of day, resident, or specialty camps and programs
- Camping: such as at Bellows Beach, Ho'omaluhia Botanical Gardens, Malaekahana Beach, Kokololio Beach, and more!
- Children's Discovery Center: great for individual visits, but also has school visits, weekly programs, and summer camps
- Fishing: two options are Ho'omaluhia Botanical Garden and Alii Agriculture Farm (808-690-0558)
- Fireworks: Friday evenings in Waikiki
- Gunstock Ranch: horseback riding, swimming, team building, hikes, mini ranch tour, Easter egg hunt, day camps; field trips
- Hawaii Equine Assisted Reflection & Therapy (HEART): interact with horses to learn life & social skills, for ages 8+ depending on the program
- Hawaii State Farm Fair: annual event held in the summer at Kualoa Ranch; agriculture, livestock, educational & interactive displays, food, rides for kids, plants
- He'eia State Park: managed by Kama'aina Kids; offers self-guided water activities/tours, guided tours, and interactive classes on canoe building
- Hiking: Check out Unreal Hawaii or DLNR (select trails on left side menu) and/or Facebook groups: Hiking with Keiki & Amazing Homeschool Hiking Club
- Kualoa Ranch: offers educational activities (nature walks, ancient fishpond, sustainability, team building, conservation, restoration, petting zoo) & other tours
- Leeward Discovery Fair: annual event, usually in November; hands-on learning activities, food, entertainment, plant giveaways and sales; FREE
- Miniature Golf: at Jungle River Mini Golf or Tropics (Aiea), Glow Putt Mini Golf (Windward), Bayview Miniputt (Kaneohe), Rascal's (Honolulu), Wet 'n' Wild's Island Adventure Golf (Kapolei), Tiki Island (Marine Corps Base Hawaii) & Bellows AFS (Waimanalo area, requires military ID or sponsorship)
- North Shore Soap Factory: Located in the Historic Waialua Sugar Mill, open 7 days a week (not sure about holidays), $10/person, kids 4 & under are free, but no strollers. Check out their website for more information and to book a tour (if you have a group that wants to go, you might try calling to ask for a group rate).
- Pirate Ship Tour: departs from Kewalo Basin Harbor, approximately one mile west of Waikiki
- Pumpkin Patches: usually offered by Aloun Farms and Waimanalo Country Farm
- Sesame Street Live: a live show; usually comes to Honolulu during the summer, presale of tickets usually in preceding December - see their website for details
- Wet 'n' Wild: waterpark located in Kapolei
P.E.
- Beaches: swimming, surfing, paddle boarding, kayaking, etc.!
- Hawaii Academy: rock wall, trampoline, gymnastics; previously offered a special activity for homeschoolers
- Ice Palace: ice skating in Honolulu, near the stadium & Salt Lake areas
- iTrampoline: offers homeschool and preschool jump times (during the school year), plus special events & birthdays
- Precision Parkour: I believe they have previously offered special homeschool workshops
Technology
- Battleship Missouri: use technology to learn about history with the Digital Media (Grades 7-12) and Mighty Mo Robotics Programs (Grades 4-5)
- TV/News Stations, such as Hawaii News Now
- YouthSpark Camp at Microsoft Store: kids get hands-on as they learn to code and design games (Ala Moana)
Transportation
- Airplanes: perhaps at a small airport hangar like Barbers Point or Dilingham Airfield, or at the military bases for military families, but Hawaiian Airlines does a great tour too!
- Ambulances & EMS: (see the Community category, above)
- Atlantis Submarine (see the Marine Biology category, above)
- Fire Trucks: (see the Community category, above)
- Hawaiian Railway Society: offers train rides (and a stop for ice cream too, if you want); departs from Ewa Beach; group/party rates available
- K1 Speed: indoor go kart racing
- Military Vehicles: (Air Force, Army, Coast Guard, Navy, Marines): tours of vehicles and facilities, sponsored by a military service member
- Pirate Ship Tour
Water
- Honolulu Board of Water Supply: in addition to speakers that can come to you, BWS offers the following (FREE)...
- Fred Ohrt Water Museum: located in Honolulu, part of the Board of Water supply, tour involves water cycle, conservation, and history of BWS; Grade K+
- Halawa Xeriscape Garden: "native and introduced plants that conserve water, water-saving irrigation systems, mulches, and other xeriscape ideas"
- Nu'uanu Watershed Tour: topics involve water cycle, weather, climate, and Hawaiian history, Grade 4+
- Waihe'e Tunnel Tour: Windward Oahu; topics of water cycle, watershed history, and facility history; Grade 7+
Zoology
(see also: Entomology & Marine Biology, above)
(see also: Entomology & Marine Biology, above)
- Hawaii Department of Land & Natural Resources: their Department of Aquatic Resources offers educational resources and speakers to "enhance understanding of Hawaii's aquatic environments", and DLNR also offers forestry, birds, and wildlife teacher resources & coloring books
- Hawaii State Farm Fair: annual event held in the summer at Kualoa Ranch; agriculture, livestock, educational & interactive displays, food, rides for kids, plants
- Equine 808 Horse Rescue: horse health, care, safety, & responsibilities; educational programs and group rates are available
- Gunstock Ranch: horseback riding, swimming, team building, hikes, mini ranch tour, day camps; field trips
- Hawaii Audobon Society: Hawaii wildlife & their environments, birding, guided tours, and educational talks
- James Campbell Refuge: over 160 acres of wetland habitat near Kahuku, primarily devoted to the recovery of Hawaii's four endemic water birds (Hawaiian stilt, Hawaiian moorhen, Hawaiian coot, and Hawaiian duck). The refuge is not open to the public except by guided tours generally available Oct.-Jan.
- Ka'ena Point Bird Sanctuary: part of the Ka'ena point hiking trail
- Honolulu Zoo: individual self-guided visits, plus educational programs, field trips, events, camps, teacher resources, and Zoo To You (speaker comes to you)
Do you have any updates, corrections, or additions to the field trip ideas list? Please feel free to email me!
Note: All businesses or organizations are listed here for reference or informational purposes only. Do not rely solely upon what I have shared here. Please do your own research and make an educated decision of your own prior to getting involved with any business, company, sport, activity, class, or financial transaction. Always remember that your, or your child's, participation in any activity is at your own risk. Good luck and have fun!