Sunday afternoons on the North Shore of Oahu are no longer reserved solely for the beach and surfing! Instead, the thundering sound that you hear may not be the crashing of the surf on golden sand but the pounding of horse hooves on the polo field! The Hawaii Polo Club season is open! Every Sunday from April to September you can come watch the “sport of kings” at the polo field in Mokuleia (near Dillingham Airfield past Waialua). The gates open at 12:00 p.m. and the matches start around 2:00 p.m., just after the parade of ponies. Two polo games are played each Sunday with an entertaining halftime show between them which usually includes skydivers and other exhibitions that will keep everyone in your family thoroughly entertained. Following the main match, live entertainment continues the celebration until dusk. This season the club hosts teams from China, Philippines, and Argentina among others. It’s a bit of a drive to the “Country” from the south side of the island so plan accordingly. The location of the field right next to the beach, though, makes for an extraordinary and unique backdrop for the afternoon. There is a small fee to enter (discounts available for military with ID) and park. Plan on arriving early if you want a spot next to the field where you can tailgate and get a good vantage point for the matches. The club now has speakers on the ocean side of the field so if you park or sit there, you can now listen to the announcers call the game. Thankfully, they seem to realize that not all of the spectators know the rules of polo, and they explain most of what is happening as the match progresses. There are food and drink stands located near the announcers stand on the mauka (mountain side) of the field. There are port-a-johns scattered around the field which seemed to be relatively well maintained for the general admission crowd. If you are members of the club or pay to sit in VIP seating there are facilities available specifically for you near your seating area. If you don’t plan on arriving until closer to starting time, we recommend you bring your beach chairs or blanket to sit on. There is plenty of room around field and near the announcers stand for the whole family. Besides the thrill of seeing the horses and skydivers, what made this event really special for children was the players who took the time before and after matches and between chukkers to talk to the crowd and let the children touch the horses and pose for pictures. Toddlers and up will enjoy the excitement and festive atmosphere of the whole afternoon. If your family enjoys the sport, wants to learn it, or you are just looking for something a little different to try then this is well worth your time and we enthusiastically recommend it.
