You've made a pretty full list. Moi - I would head up to the main event - the North Shore and have your snack/breakfast before you leave - and forget stopping at the Dole Plantation, etc.

And would put Kahuka Sugar Mill on a - "if you have me any time left" status as with the Mac Nut Hut.

For inexpensive souvenirs - and a good selection - hard to beat Hilo Hatties.

Actually - think there is a maze? at the Dole Plantation - if you think the kids might like that?

I can help with some items...we just spent 3 days on the North Shore (last week in fact), so here goes:

- If you like oats and scones, there is an only-in-Hawaii item at Starbucks, called the oatcake. It's a very dense scone packed with a lot of oats, raisins, and other goodness. If I have one of these for breakfast I am seriously not hungry for a while. They are yummy too.
- Haleiwa is a great town. There are a lot of shops and vendors there, a lot of the shops sell items from local vendors too...I honestly cannot remember the names of the stores specifically but if you park and walk around Haleiwa just go into any store that interests you. I do remember one store called The Growing Keiki which sells kids clothes and bought a handcrafted hawaiian print outfit for my neice. It was so adorable and much nicer than the cheapie hawaiian dresses that you find elsewhere. There is also a handmade soap store.
- We love Kua'aina burger...it's so delicious and fresh. I have not been to the other place so cannot compare. You will not be disappointed if you go to kua'aina.
- Matsumoto's for shave ice. It's a landmark. If Aoki's is open, then you can try that too in case the line is too long at Matsumotos'. Aoki's is supposed to shut it's doors for good this year but not sure when.
- Tropical Farms...now this one is interesting, it is definitely a tourist trap, but then so is Dole. But I kinda like dole because they have dole whip and a much nicer facility. It's worth a stop if you want to do a lot of mac nut sampling, and taste their daily coffee brew. They also have a nice garden area out back where you can crack your own raw mac nuts. But there are swarms and swarms of tour buses that go there too. If it's on your way, then do stop but don't go out of your way to visit there since you'd have been to Dole already.
- Dinner on the north shore - we loved Opal Thai. It was the best thai food we've eaten. But reservations are a must here or expect to wait a long time. We didn't really eat anywhere else so I am not sure what else is good but I rely on yelp a lot.
- Other things: If you are at Ted's bakery and more than 2 of you are getting pies, you may want to just get a whole pie and split it as it's much cheaper that way. But then you'd all have to eat the same flavor. Sunset beach was wonderful. Waimea beach park is also great (didn't do the hike). Acai bowls are plentiful in Haleiwa so may be a good place to get one. Some shrimp trucks offer more than shrimp. I know giovanni's has a garlic hot dog option. I really love the trucks and it's pretty much a staple of the north shore. There is also thai food truck, huli huli chicken stands, and bbq corn stands as well. They are scattered all over.
- Lat but not least, have a wonderful time! I've stayed in the Aulani too and it's amazing. Loved the lazy river and breakfast buffet with Mickey and characters. However, their other food options...i was not that impressed, but maybe it has improved over the past 2 years.

However, their other food options...i was not that impressed, but maybe it has improved over the past 2 years.

As of last October, it was still pretty dismal

That's two bad about Aoki's - it's my favorite!

Thank you for your replies. I'll be sure to try Aoki's if it is open.
Thanks tifa2276 for the terrific information, I added a few notes to my itinerary. Looking forward to the oat scone (I enjoy trying local additions to the Starbucks menu).
Tomsd - thanks for the suggestion to head out early and just enjoy the North Shore. I know the day looks full but I wanted to make sure I had options for everyone - entertaining me, DH and the little ones.

The General Store in Haliewa has good shave ice, too. I once saw an ad that said it was the favorite of locals.

If you don't like your burgers rare, be sure to tell the waiter at Kua Aina how you want them cooked.