Family trip to Hawaii

[CaliforniaMomOf2]

We'd like to take DD10 and DD7 to Hawaii, but aren't sure which island to choose and where to stay. Any suggestions? Are there "touristy" things that kids enjoy, or would this be mainly a beach/pool centered vacation? Any input is appreciated. Thanks

 

[DawnCt1]

We'd like to take DD10 and DD7 to Hawaii, but aren't sure which island to choose and where to stay. Any suggestions? Are there "touristy" things that kids enjoy, or would this be mainly a beach/pool centered vacation? Any input is appreciated. Thanks

Every Hawaiian island is different and has its own special charm. How much time would you have? That is an important question. We are on the East Coast so traveling to Hawaii for one island for less than 2 weeks would not be a good value for us. We usually try to visit three. You are in California, so its a bit easier. We have been to Hawaii, which is the Big Island, Maui, O'ahu, Moloka'i and Kauai. All are wonderful. Personally I wouldn't travel that far for "just beach/pool. The Big Island of Hawaii has an active volcano and is in the process of making more "real estate" as we speak. There are beautiful beaches, pastures, mountains, a rain forest, water falls, The Pacific Tsunami Museum, Waipio Valley and horseback riding, coffee plantations, Mac Nut farms, local food, black sand beaches, a green sand beach,etc. All you need is time....any money.

 

[rparmfamily]

O'ahu has the most stuff to do I think. What type of vacation do you want? The other islands aren't very populated but have lots of outdoors type activities (snorkeling, beach, kayaking, hiking) whereas O'ahu has lots of historic stuff along with the outdoors. Pearl Harbor (Arizona) Diamond Head, Hanauma Bay, North Shore surfing, Dole Pineapple Plantation, the Halona Blowhole,etc are all on O'ahu. Lost is also filmed here.

 

[DawnCt1]

O'ahu has the most stuff to do I think. What type of vacation do you want? The other islands aren't very populated but have lots of outdoors type activities (snorkeling, beach, kayaking, hiking) whereas O'ahu has lots of historic stuff along with the outdoors. Pearl Harbor (Arizona) Diamond Head, Hanauma Bay, North Shore surfing, Dole Pineapple Plantation, the Halona Blowhole,etc are all on O'ahu. Lost is also filmed here.

And don't forget the Honolulu Zoo!

 

[rparmfamily]

And don't forget the Honolulu Zoo!

The zoo is cute, and cheap!! And hey, across the street from the ocean LOL. Also Ioloni Palace, Pali Lookout, Ko'Olina is gorgeous.

OP-what time of year are you planning on going? Winter is big waves and whale season but also rainy season (though this year has been very nice!)

Big Island is prob my fav...Maui is gorgeous but more focused on fancy beach resorts IMHO. O'ahu is very populated but you can get away from it (head up to the North shore "country" part of the island!) and I haven't been to Kauai but it's not very populated and is small but I've heard it incredible!!!! Big Island is just more "real" Hawaii to me. People just live there, their lives don't revolve around tourism like Maui,etc.


www.gohawaii.com is awesome!

 

[CaliforniaMomOf2]

We're planning to go in June, probably for a week, and probably to only one island. We've been thinking of going somewhere other than Oahu, because of the big-city-ness. Thanks for the advice, everyone, and keep it coming!

 

[monsterkitty]

If I had to choose one island I would pick Kauai. No, maybe the Big Island.

Kauai has great beaches. Is less crowded. Has the Napali Coast. Best of all, it has the best Zip Line I have tried. http://www.adventureskauai.com/ The bad thing about Kauai is that food is a little more expensive because it has to be shipped in from the other islands. However, Costco does still have the $1.50 hot dog/pop deal!

The Big Island is the most diverse in that it has I think 10 or 11 different climate zones. We stayed in Kona for a week then we drove over to the Hilo side for a night and stayed at Volcano House, which is right next to the crater. It was the most amazing experience to wake up in the morning and look out the window. The visable lava flow stopped the day before we got there. It started again the day after we left. The Big Island is also home to the most southern point of the US. We made the drive around the island and it was incredible. The black sand beaches, the rain forest, Mauna Kea. Everything was fabulous! Oh, they have a Costco as well with the $1.50 hot dog deal.

We have spent time on Maui and a lot of time on O'ahu as well. While Maui was nice, it wasn't our favorite. We always stop on O'ahu for a night and a day so we can see Pearl Harbor and the Missouri. My DH's cousin lives on O'ahu and a visit to see him would be the only thing that takes us back as it has become more touristy.

Which ever island you decide, make sure you pick up the travel book by Andrew Doughty for that island. They are not only dead-on with recommendations, but he has a great sense of humor. They are probably the best travel books I have ever purchased!

Which ever island you decide

 

[Binnie]

To my mind, Oahu has the most to do, as other posters have listed. (I would add the Dole Plantation and Lanikai to the list, btw.) If it's your first visit and you're only wanting to visit one island, this may be the best way to go.

My favorite is the Big Island. I love Volcanoes National Park and the beaches of different colors. And the ability to go to the different climate zones is pretty neat. You could stay in Kona, where it's nice and warm with touristy overtones, and then visit the Hilo side.

I'm not a fan of Kauai or Maui. Both are too quiet for me. I'm not a go sit at a resort kind of vacationer.

 

[rparmfamily]

What type of activities do your DD's like? All the island are very quiet at night except O'ahu.

 

[drag n' fly]

If I had to choose one island I would pick Kauai. No, maybe the Big Island.

Kauai has great beaches. Is less crowded. Has the Napali Coast. Best of all, it has the best Zip Line I have tried. http://www.adventureskauai.com/ The bad thing about Kauai is that food is a little more expensive because it has to be shipped in from the other islands. However, Costco does still have the $1.50 hot dog/pop deal!

The Big Island is the most diverse in that it has I think 10 or 11 different climate zones. We stayed in Kona for a week then we drove over to the Hilo side for a night and stayed at Volcano House, which is right next to the crater. It was the most amazing experience to wake up in the morning and look out the window. The visable lava flow stopped the day before we got there. It started again the day after we left. The Big Island is also home to the most southern point of the US. We made the drive around the island and it was incredible. The black sand beaches, the rain forest, Mauna Kea. Everything was fabulous! Oh, they have a Costco as well with the $1.50 hot dog deal.

We have spent time on Maui and a lot of time on O'ahu as well. While Maui was nice, it wasn't our favorite. We always stop on O'ahu for a night and a day so we can see Pearl Harbor and the Missouri. My DH's cousin lives on O'ahu and a visit to see him would be the only thing that takes us back as it has become more touristy.

Which ever island you decide, make sure you pick up the travel book by Andrew Doughty for that island. They are not only dead-on with recommendations, but he has a great sense of humor. They are probably the best travel books I have ever purchased!

Which ever island you decide

OOOh the Costco pop/hot dog deal rocks!

 

[LeslieG]

North shore of Kauai is my favorite. It's what you picture Hawaii should look like. Just beautiful. But probably not during the winter. Too much rain. Do lots of research, because like someone else said, every island is very different.

 

[drag n' fly]

I was hoping to gather some ideas for a family vacation. The kids would be 17,14 and 8 when we go. I think I will pick up one of the books that monsterkitty suggested and start from there.

 

[rparmfamily]

The "Revealed" series are awesome.

 

[merrily]

Can anyone give suggestions on which part of Maui would be a good place to stay?

 

[rparmfamily]

Ka'anapali and Wailea are the best areas, nicest beaches. We've stayed in an historic inn (Best Western Pioneer Inn) right on the harbor in Lahaina, which was great if you have to get up early for the whale cruises. Otherwise Lahaina is a cute old whaling town but no beaches really. Most of the resorts are in Ka'anapali and Wailea and Kihei.

 

[disykat]

As a child, I visited Oahu, Hawaii, Maui, and Kauai. At that time, my favorite was Oahu. With my own children, I've visited Oahu and Hawaii - again, their favorite was Oahu.

Do you live in a city? For me and for my kids I think the city right on the beach was fascinating. That's what many people hate, but it was a draw for us. I rode a city bus for the first time ever in Hawaii. I loved the Polynesian Cultural Center as a kid. Pearl Harbor was interesting. We liked the zoo, etc. as well. We enjoyed the beaches in the Kailua/Lanikai (sp?) area as well as driving around the north shore, seeing "the pipeline," beaches known for their turtles, visiting the shrimp shacks, etc.

My parents took us to Oahu as an afterthought since we had a layover anyway, thinking we'd see it, but would prefer the other islands. It was what we loved so we stopped there our second trip as well. I also took my kids to Oahu just to see it, but once again fell in love with it and will definitely go again the next time we do Hawaii.

I would definitely choose a different island for a Honeymoon (Maui or Kauai) but for families who don't already live in a city I think Oahu is fun.