What to do in Hawaii.

[daughtersrus]

We found out recently that my DD has been approved for a wish from Make A Wish. She's selected a trip to Hawaii. From my understanding, they will pay for 3 things to do and the rest is on our own.

They suggested a "swim with the dolphin" but she will be the only one in the family allowed in the water so I'm not sure if we'll pick that or not. Plus, she's physically disabled and I'm not sure how they'll hold her in the water.

We asked to see Pearl Harbor but now I'm thinking that may not be such a great idea for her. She uses a wheelchair and I'm guessing that much of it will not be accessible. I'm thinking that maybe that would be something that we would pay for on our own so that DH can take the other girls and I can do something with her instead.

I'm thinking that maybe we'll ask for a luau but since we've never been to Hawaii, I'm not sure what else there is especially that is wheelchair accessible.

I'd love to hear ideas and suggestions for what we should ask Make A Wish for and what budget options we could do on our own.

We're not planning on going until summer so we have some time to plan.

Thanks!

 

[blanq]

Will this trip be to Oahu? You mention Pearl Harbor, so that makes me think that is where you will be going, but please clarify what Island(s) you are going to so we can give you some advice based on where you will actually be spending your time.

 

[Grandmax3]

Make sure you go to 'the Polynesian Center' It is run by the LDS. They bring students from the various island and They tell the stories of the islands,Have demonstrations and a buffet meal and a great showat the end of the day. Well worth it to see and everyone will enjoy it together. We went and it was one of the highlights of our trip. Elvis filmed one of his movies there.

 

[daughtersrus]

Will this trip be to Oahu? You mention Pearl Harbor, so that makes me think that is where you will be going, but please clarify what Island(s) you are going to so we can give you some advice based on where you will actually be spending your time.

We're not sure yet. I believe that they will let us pick 2 islands so Oahu would be one but I'm not sure which other one we should choose. I'm open to suggestions on that as well. I know that my DH and DD 20yo (not the one that is getting the wish) would like to try to surf so they could do that while we spend the day at the beach relaxing.

 

[Priorityonecb]

I second the Polynesian Cultural Center with the evening luau. It is absolutely wheelchair accesible! I would *not choose Sea Life Park. The park is nice, but it's tiny and very hilly and the walkways are not paved smoothly. The staff at the dolphin encounter will have had experience with catering to children with disabilities. If that is something your daughter would like to do, I wouldn't hesitate because of her mobility. We lived on Oahu for four years! You will love it!

 

[Priorityonecb]

I wanted to say that Pearl Harbor is completely wheelchair accesible. If your daughter is interested in it, she would do fine there. If she could take it or leave it, I agree with your choice of letting the rest of the family go while you did something fun with her.

 

[janette]

One of my nephews went on a Make-A-Wish trip and they did a helicopter tour of the volcanoes and the dolphin experience.

 

[polkadotminnie]

What about a sailing excursion? We enjoyed Trilogy sailing out of Maui. Maui was our favorite island.

 

[alohamom]

On Maui, there is a wonderful aquarium called the Maui Ocean Center that is educational and fun, I also second the sailing or helicopter tour ideas. There are also whale watching excursions that go from both islands during the winter. Be sure to try shave ice, pog juice, and malasadas. If you go to www.thisweek.com or www.spotlighthawaii.com you can get some more ideas about tours and pricing. Btw, my kids have done the DolphinQuest on the Big Island and the staff were phenomenal. I would email them and ask if they have any one trained on staff for this kind of situation-aloha and have fun

 

[DisFanatic]

I second the helicopter ride over the volcanos, I did this w/ my hubby in March and it was incredible! Swimming with the dolphins you can do anywhere, hawaii is full of waterfalls and exotic wildlife, it is nothing like the states...maybe she would like that..just a suggestion

 

[dopeynme]

Hi! DH and I spent 3 weeks in Hawaii last summer....soooooo wonderful!

The helicoptor rides are a nice idea, but beware of motion sickness. DH wasn't sure he wanted to do it because he is afraid of heights. He loved it and I almost threw up!
The volcanoes are on the Big Island (Hawaii). Volcanoes National Park is somewhat accessible, but there is no way to tell ahead of time where the lava will be flowing during your stay. We saw some from the chopper but the best viewing was outside the park and required a hike that was not at all accessible.
A Highlight for us was on the Big Island, a tour called Summit and Stars....as long as DD does not have any breathing difficulties. You ride a van (No lift on ours but possible they have them), driving up dormant volcano Mauna Kea. You stop at 6000 feet to acclimate and have dinner. Thru very pretty pastureland, then watch the landscape change as you see cindercones and reddish colored rock...Then to 13,000 feet where the huge telescopes are to watch the sun set. They lend you parkas because it was in the 30's in July! Then back to the visitor center at 9000 feet, where there is no artificial light, for stargazing. I have never ever seen such stars!!! I think it would be pretty accessible, as long as they have a lift van. They do carry oxygen and on our tour, one woman did use it.
Other ideas? Beautiful beaches everywhere....Old Lahaina Luau is one of the best (most authentic), on Maui on the west coast in town of Lahaina.....Heard good things about the Poly Cultural Center, but keep in mind it is run by Latter Day Saints so no alcohol, if that matters to the adults.
Happy Planning! PM if you have questions! (Sorry so long.....)

 

[robsmom]

I love Hawaii. How old are your other kids? Our favorite islands have been the Big Island and Maui. I really appreciated Pearl Harbor and am glad that I did it, but Oahu was in general my least favorite island. I thought that Waikiki was alot like many other big busy beaches. The Big Island was just so peaceful and much more relaxing. Will they allow your family members to do other activites? You said only she can swim with the dolphins. Will she be the only one that can do other options (helicopter etc.). What activities will they allow everyone to do. I loved Volcano National Park and we enjoyed staying at a hotel in the area. There were some areas that were not accessible but some that were. I think that a snorkeling/sailing trip would be great. This is our favorite family vacation activity and the fish off of Maui were unbeatable. Finally, I think a Luau is a must for a trip to Hawaii. The entertainment, food, and atmosphere area a family night that you will never forget.

 

[beachbunny]

You'll get the biggest bang for your buck with anything in a helicoptor - over the volcano on the Island of Hawaii, Na Pali Coast on the Island of Kauai; or on a boat - whale watching during the winter months or sunset dinner cruise during the other months. The Polynesian Cultural Center or a luau are also good alternatives.

 

[VAgal76]

Pearl Harbor is handicapped accessible and it's free. You just have to get there to early to claim a ticket for the day. Plan on a few hours just here. I believe we paid for the headset for the self guided tour. I would do this on your own. They have a fabulous bus system in the city for transportation and I'm pretty sure I remember them being accessible as well. If you can get transportation on your own, rent a vehicle to get out to the North Shore and have lunch at Jameson's. It's a hole in the wall place - a good size hole - but great food and very reasonably priced. The dole pineapple plantation is on Oahu and you can get the original dole whip there.

I would vote for volcano heli ride and luau at the cultural center. If you don't think they'll help on the dolphin swim by pass it, but I would imagine they would be able to accommodate you.

Maui was our favorite island and if you can squeeze a few days there it would be worth it. Don't worry about the Road to Hana. It was just a long, windy ride. Some rave about it. Quite frankly we thought it was a little overrated. This is an island just to really relax by the beach or pool. We stayed on the other side that was less crowded. We did the luau there, surf lessons and lots of hiking.

 

[daughtersrus]

Thanks for the suggestions! Keep them coming.

Our older DDs will be 23 and 20 by the time that the trip comes. Our youngest DD will be 16 but because of the genetic disease, she has cognitive delays, is non-verbal, very small for her age (is about 52lbs) and isn't able to walk, sit or stand by herself. She LOVES Slurpees so I'm sure that the shaved ice will be something that she'll be treated to often while we're there.

 

[MichelleinMaine]

Just wanted to comment on accessiblity. We have a friend who in a wheelchair who loves Hawaii because of the accessibility (apparently their law stricter than ADA even.) He goes there, from the East Coast, because of the ease in travel for him. (There are even beach wheelchairs on all beaches there.) Disclaimer that he does just go ot Oahu, so not sure of all the islands.

Pearl Harbor is absolutely accessible, they want every vet to be able to get out there.

Not knowing what would interest your daughter, we really enjoyed the Polynesian Cultural Center. There's alot of dancing (from various islands/cultures) in a boat/float parade, the evening show, and in the different villages. We learned to play ukelele, a percussion instrument (I forget from where!), tried spear throwing, traditional cooking, crafts... lots of hands on things. I was not impressed with the luau, it was a cafeteria sort of experience in a small amphitheater. Not ~bad~ but not the beachside surround I'd expected. I'd plan to do another elsewhere.

Volcano National Park is very neat as well. Alot could be seen from the road/some accessible paths. As mentioned though, the very nature of lava though would make some areas inaccessible. I think a helicopter would be a neat way to see it.

 

[JB2K]

We asked to see Pearl Harbor but now I'm thinking that may not be such a great idea for her. She uses a wheelchair and I'm guessing that much of it will not be accessible.

The USS Arizona Memorial at Pearl Harbor is indeed wheelchair accessible, as it is part of our National Parks Service, which is paid-for with federal tax dollars. Many disabled vets visit there, often.

As for Oahu (Honolulu) itself, since it is more urbanized than the rest of the state, you won't find too many access problems, there.

 

[benolathe]

We are going to Hawaii in Sept 2010 for about 10 days. Don't have a clue how to start planning.

The helicopter ride sounds like a must-do. Only other time we've been on a helicopter was over the ice fields in Juneau - it was an absolutely incredible experience!!

 

[alohamom]

Sheila - re above post-try www.fodors.com and check out the Hawaii forums, they are chock full of info and lots of people who are enthusiastic about Hawaii

 

[coastiewifern]

Another vote for Polynesian Cultural Center. It's a must