Best of HONOLULU Family 2026
Every year, we look forward to celebrating a fantastic array of family-friendly products, eateries, boutiques, activity centers and more. Here are our 2026 winners.
FOOD & DRINK | SHOPPING | HEALTH & WELLNESS
ENTERTAINMENT & LEISURE | SERVICES | BEAUTY & SELF CARE | FAMILY
Look forward to the full winners list in the next issue of HONOLULU Family, out this fall!
Editor pick
Setting for a Family Scavenger Hunt
We love how the Battleship Missouri Memorial at Pearl Harbor flips the script on history by adding a dose of fun. This year, the celebrated warship-turned-museum launched Chuck’s Quest, a scavenger hunt guided by mascot Chuck the Iguana, transforming family visits from boring to booyah. As you explore the 887-foot-long ship (that’s three football fields!), search for hidden signal flags to decode a secret message. Chuck’s footprints lead you through sailor mess halls, tight sleeping quarters and jumbo gun turret decks. At the end, you’ll be sworn in as an honorary Mighty Mo crew member and receive a special souvenir. —LD
Ford Island, (808) 455-1600, ussmissouri.org, @chucktheiguana
Editor pick
Drinkable Frozen Treat
What do you get when you mash up a smoothie, snow ice and boba? A Snowthie, the specialty dessert drink found at Milky Way Hawai‘i, a pop-up truck and Kalihi shop. With a foundation of snow ice shaved thin, flavors are added with fresh fruit juice, milk, azuki bean slush or taro, then the drink is finished with toppings and extra snow ice. Mix it all up and slurp away. The combo of delicate snow ice melting on your tongue as you soak up fresh yet not too sweet flavors and the extra chew of boba or jelly makes for an ultra-refreshing and filling treat on a hot day. —AL
2130 N. King St., #9, and pop-ups, @milkyway_hawaii
Editor pick
Place for Secondhand Children’s Clothes
When we’re hunting for deals, we head to The Salvation Army Thrift Store & Donation Center in Kailua. Kids outgrow their clothes so fast that many of the items are in pretty good condition. And you’ll find it all here, from jeans and tops to overalls, dresses and pajamas typically costing $2.99 to $6.99. The biggest score we found recently was a 4T insulated Columbia jacket for only $6.99. Many of the women’s tops would be good for teens, too. Every Wednesday, a different color tag is 50% off, with other sales popping up regularly. —KV
638 Kailua Road, (808) 261-1756, honoluluarc.salvationarmy.org
Reader pick
Breakfast Restaurant
Pancakes
The wide selection of diner-style dishes, plus breakfast all day, means everyone in the family can find a favorite at Café Kaila in Kapahulu. Kids go ga-ga over the pancakes (which won Best Pancakes in this year’s Best of HONOLULU Awards) and French toast piled high with berries and dusted generously with powdered sugar. Other popular menu items are the Meatloaf Loco Moco and Kālua Pork Eggs Benedict. At $10 including a drink, the keiki meals are a great value—especially when you have multiple mouths to feed. Plus, families keep coming back to try the rotating, limited-time waffle specials, like Lemon Crunch, Cookies & Cream and ‘Uala, which eat more like dessert than breakfast. —LD
2919 Kapi‘olani Blvd., (808) 732-3330, cafe-kaila-hawaii.com, @cafekaila
Editor pick
Place to Design Your Own Shirts and Bags
Ever come up with something genius and think, that’d go great on a shirt? At Uniqlo’s Ala Moana store, you can upload your own design or choose from an existing one that can be customized with text, frames, stickers and more, then print it on a shirt or tote within minutes. Prices range from $19.90 to $29.90 depending on the product.
Here’s how it works: Go to the Uniqlo Hawai‘i UTme! kiosk at the back of the first floor and tap the iPad to start. Choose a white T-shirt or long-sleeve shirt, tote or mini tote; scan the QR code to agree to the terms (no AI or copyrighted artwork, nothing political or offensive) and then upload your image within the square borders. Position it how you want, decorate it, then tell the staffer when you’re ready. You can watch the image get printed on the large machine (our mini tote was in and out in 20 seconds) before it gets heat-pressed for about 30 seconds. Head to checkout and you’re all set. —KV
1450 Ala Moana Blvd., #2730, (855) 486-4756, uniqlo.com, @uniqlo_hawaii
READER PICKS
Best Amusement Center
WINNER: Keiki Kingdom
FINALIST: Wai Kai
Best Annual Pass Value
WINNER: Wet ’n’ Wild Hawai‘i
FINALIST: Honolulu Zoo
Best Family-Affordable Getaway
WINNER: Aulani, A Disney Resort & Spa
FINALIST: Hilton Hawaiian Village Waikīkī Beach Resort
Best Farm Tour
WINNER: Keiki and Plow
FINALIST: Sweet Land Farm
Best Golf Activity
WINNER: Bay View Mini-Putt & Zipline
FINALIST: Glow Putt
Best Museum Tour
WINNER: Bishop Museum
FINALIST: Honolulu Museum of Art
Best Place to Experience Cultural Activities
WINNER: Polynesian Cultural Center
FINALIST: Bishop Museum
Best Play Space/Attraction: Indoor
WINNER: Kids City
FINALIST: Keiki Kingdom
Best Play Space/Attraction: Outdoor
WINNER: Wai Kai
FINALIST: Wet’n’Wild Hawai‘i
EDITOR PICKS
Best Setting for Family Scavenger Hunt
WINNER: Chuck’s Quest at The Battleship Missouri Memorial
