Sounds like you had a good time. Thanks for the information...my husband and I will be leaving for Hawaii in 3 weeks!! I hope we have as much fun as you and your family.
Planned basically the same trip for my husband and his 2 girls 13, 17, they will have no idea until the last minute. Going at xmas for only 6 days, but hope we have as much fun as you did. These girls have never been out of state, and they are country girls can't wait to see their face when they figure it out, that will be the best part of the trip for me and my husband. Already packing their bags from new undies to bikini's and every thing they could need.
Sounds like you didn't study up on Hawaii before vacationing because you weren't aware that the northshore of Oahu is turbulent and dangerous for swimming in the winter. Not to mention no one who is unexperienced should even consider trying to surf anywhere along the northshore. You're lucky you still have a husband, and the saints who had to risk their own lives to rescue him are also lucky they didn't meet w/dire circumstances. People should be more informed when traveling. Glad you made it back!