The Oaks Family just got back from an incredible trip to Hawaii, and we had an absolute blast! From hiking through lush jungles to watching whales breach just off the coast, it was a trip to remember. But of all the amazing experiences we had, there was one thing that truly stole the show...

Musubi!

That’s right—we fell head over heels for these little rice-and-spam delights. Well…most of us did. Kathy was not impressed, but the rest of us couldn’t get enough!

Whether we grabbed them from a food truck, a farmer’s market, or even a grocery store, Musubi became our go-to snack. It was the perfect fuel for beach days, hikes, and late-night cravings.

I have to say, my personal favorite was the Spam and Egg Musubi (as pictured above). There was something about that salty, savory goodness wrapped in seaweed that just hit the spot. And now that we’re home, we’ve decided we need to try making it ourselves!

Of course, I could look up a recipe online, but where’s the fun in that? I’d love to hear from YOU! If anyone in the Cook’n Family has a tried-and-true Musubi recipe or any tips on making it just right, please share! Drop a comment below or send an email to support@dvo.com.

Family Adventures & Fun in the Sun

Beyond our Musubi obsession, this trip was packed with unforgettable moments. Here are just a few highlights...




My mom caught some Zzzz's on the airplane. Kathy and I had fun on the flight...the babies not so much. 😂





My son Jackson and his wife Kenzie and baby Evan rented a car. And, my daughter Brennah and her husband Landon rented a car. Without talking to each other or coordinating it in advance, we discovered that they both rented blue Jeep Gladiators! Righeous!!





The first order of business...was to go to the beach! My grandbabies loved it! I think they liked it much better than the snowy cold weather in Utah!





We found this Cove that was perfect for the grandbabies. Landon and I had fun watching whales with the binoculars and flying his drone. Kathy snorkeled for hours while the others played in the sand, spotted sea turtles, explored hidden coves, and took in the beauty of the island.

The grandbabies loved this cove too! Such cuties!





We stood in awe as massive whales breached the surface, their tails slapping the water with a thunderous crash!

No photo can really capture the scenery and beauty of the island...but this photo that Landon took is pretty darn good, don't you think?!





We LOVED learning to surf. Carson shredded it! Poor, sad Andan who is on his mission in Mexico. We told him our trip sucked so he didn't feel left out but I don't think he believed us. 😁

I managed to get up but...with great difficulty. There's a reason why men who are 6'5" tall and who weigh 260 pounds don't try to learn to surf at age 55!! The ole gray mare ain't what she used to be!

Carson, on the other hand, made it look easy...showing off with his back-flip at the end. 😀

We did some hiking which was awesome. I was just amazed at the trees and the greenery!

We found a really cool waterfall and, of course, the boys had fun jumping off of it.

The boys took “leap of faith” to a whole new level, jumping off waterfalls, rope swings, and even a bridge (don’t worry, Mom, they survived!). At one point, a passerby asked if they were professional divers!

The boys found a fun rope swing too!

They even jumped off the bridge!

As you can see in this video, the boys threw caution to the wind and jumped off a dangerous cliff into the ocean! In this video, you can hear Carson holler to his cousin "Don't do it! If you're having second thoughts, don't do it!"

Pretty much, if the boys found something they could jump off of while hiking...they jumped off of it.

Carson is crazy to do the Death Dive from this height!

Just hanging out at the AirBnB was fun. The babies were fascinated with the lizards!

My Mom taught my son, Carson, the Cha-Cha! Then...I taught Kathy how to shoot video.

And, Carson taught the babies to dance!

Of course, no trip would be complete without a little chaos! As you can see in this video, we had a flood in our AirBnB when the shower drain upstairs got plugged. 😞

And, we got a little sun burned too. But...no complaints





Even on vacation, we made it to church. We may not have been dressed for the occasion, but we showed up, and that’s what counts, right? Hopefully, God understands.





By the time we got to the airport for our return flight, we were all pretty gassed.

Between a flooded AirBnB, a few sunburns, and babies who weren’t thrilled about the plane ride, we had our fair share of “memorable” moments. But honestly, that’s what makes family trips so special—laughing through the unexpected and making memories that last a lifetime. We're grateful to Heavenly Father that we were able to go on this trip and to have such a wonderful time.

Next Time…You Gotta Join Us!

This trip reminded me how important it is to take time for family, adventure, and, of course, good food! I hope you enjoy the photos and videos we’ve shared. And if you’ve ever been to Hawaii (or have a Musubi tip to share), I’d love to hear from you!

Aloha

    Dan Oaks
    Founder of DVO Enterprises
    Creator of Cook'n
    Father of 5. Husband of 1.
    Monthly Newsletter Contributor since 2024
    Email the author! dan@dvo.com