oahu - then which island for a few days?

[ownsmany]

This will be my 3rd time to Hawaii, my children's second time. We are staying for a week at Ko'Olina (did the same last year). I have a AC certificate that will
be expiring soon. I'm thinking about using it for a few days at another island.

Which island would you recommend a few days on? I would think close to the airport - on a beautiful beach would be something we'd like to do. I'd love to take the kids to see a volcano - but we won't have much time on whatever island we pick. I also love waterfalls.

Thought it might be a nice suprise for DD to see another island.

We loved Ko'Olina and will probably do Pearl Harbor and PCC again.

Kids are ages 10 & 14.

Suggestions?

 

[Charlie D.]

I did several of my 2-week annual training exercises in the Naval Reserve on Oahu. I traveled to the other islands during middle weekend. I Got to see Kauai before the typhoon. My personal favorite was the big island of Hawaii. Got there early Saturday morning, rented a car, did a 4-hour guided snorkeling trip to Captain Cook’s Cove, stayed the night in Kona. Early next morning drove to the volcano national park and had breakfast, drove to Hilo and walked on the black sand beach, drove to the botanical garden (rain forest) but it was closed on the weekend, completed circling the island and got back to Kona in time to catch the last plane back to Honolulu. I was able to “cram” all that in the middle weekend but it took getting up very early both days but it was worth it.

 

[Luanne]

If you want to see a live volcano, then it's the Big Island.

 

[jlr10]

To see a volcano you need to go to the Big Island. But remember it is called a Big Island because it will require driving to see. The beaches aren't as many good beaches as the other islands, and no timeshares are on the beach, but you can see an active volcano. IMHO the water is the best for snorkeling on the Big Island especially at 'two step' next to the City of Refuge. The advantage right now is that Pele has come out to play.

I would recommend looking for something at Kauai Beach Club. There seems to be more availability there since Waiohai opened. It is near the airport on a nice beach and has a hugh pool. It is close enough to the center to allow you to go to all parts of the island without it being an all day drive, should you decide to drive around. Should you decide to stay put it is a beautiful resort to hang your rest your feet.

 

[jacknsara]

... I have a AC certificate that will
be expiring soon. I'm thinking about using it for a few days at another island.

Which island would you recommend a few days on? I would think close to the airport - on a beautiful beach would be something we'd like to do. I'd love to take the kids to see a volcano - but we won't have much time on whatever island we pick. I also love waterfalls.
...
Suggestions?

Aloha,
Forget the AC. Rent a place at Kapoho. Geothermal ponds all over the place. A warm coarse sand / smooth stone beach to walk to. Close drive to the volcano.
http://www.vrbo.com/vacation-rentals/usa/hawaii/big-island/puna-district#2954
Fly into Hilo. Skip Kona.
Jack

 

[tompalm]

The best vacation resort for children is the Hilton Hotel Waikoloa on the big island. It is on the beach and has a nice lagoon for kids to swim in. Also, great pools for kids. However, it is not close to the airport. You can see the VNP, but it will take most of the day to do that.

If you are only going for a few days, the cost and time of travel may not be worth it. You might want to stay longer. If you stay in Waikoloa, the Hilton Waikoloa TS allows use of the pool at the hotel.

 

[charford]

There are very nice beaches on the Big Island. They are on the Kohala coast though and there's only a couple of timeshares near there, the HGVC, the Bay Club, Paniolo Greens. The Kohala coast is my favorite place in Hawaii, but which place is best is very subjective. In the area, there are waterfalls, hiking, swimming snorkeling and of course (at the opposite side of the island), the volcano. But there are volcano helicopter tours that leave from Waikoloa. There is also Mauna Kea which has spectacular sunsets, but your kids are a bit young to go up there.

Most of the other timeshares are in Kailua-Kona which is 30-40 minutes away.

 

[hibbeln]

Give Maui a serious look. It is a smallish island, so you won't be spending a ton of time in the car with kids. Beaches all along the west side are EXCELLENT with EXCELLENT snorkelling. Maui tends to be more the "resort" destination, so if you like to go to a resort and just stay at the resort, Maui might be just your ticket.

You really need to figure out if your kids are more outdoorsy or more resorty or more urban in their preferences and then pick an island from there.

Here is a super brief overview of the islands.

Hawaii: Actice volcano, but it is a looooong drive from most resorts and is on the "rainy" side of the island. If the weather is good on the Hilo/Volcano side, it is the most beautiful spot on earth.....but it might also rain on you the whole time so you have to decide how you feel about that. No big resorts near the Volcano. The western side of the island is much drier, so tends to have much sunnier weather, superb snorkelling, and large resorts but also is NOT so much that classic, green, lush Hawaiian beauty. On the Big Island we felt like we spent a lot of time in the car.

Maui: Smaller island so much more easy to get around. Lots of restaurants, shopping, activities. Very pretty island. The east side is very rainy and without the resorts, but makes a nice daytrip to see. Lots of resorts. Lots of people. Sometimes lots of traffic. WONDERFUL snorkelling and SUPERB beaches. My kids (10 & 13) love Maui for the great beaches and waves and boogie boarding and easy shore snorkelling.

Kauai: An island for explorers and adventurers. I would say it is the prettiest of all the islands. Also a smaller island (like Oahu and Maui) so it is easier to get around. Lots of remote beaches that you can hike back to and explore. Fabulous hiking. Snorkelling is good, but not as great as the Big Island or Maui. If you know what you're doing, you can feel like a true adventurer here. My kids love Kauai for its remote beauty, diversity of beaches, hiking and feeling of isolation. If your kids are very outdoorsy (prefer kayaking or hiking to shopping or parasailing) then they will LOVE Kauai (but it's not a place to relax), for other kids it would be a nightmare because "there's nothing to do". Shopping and fine dining are certainly not as well-developed as on Maui or Oahu.

Hope this helps!

 

[ownsmany]

great ideas. Please keep them coming.

For the time we are going - I'm only seeing efficencys with 2 people limit. There are 3 of us (2 being kids). I'm holding out for somethin that allows more people.

Maybe it would be best to rent a hotel or unit for a few days. I hate to not use my AC though.

Please keep the ideas coming.

 

[mrmarty91]

Renting on Kauai

I was able to get a one bedroom at Marriott's Kauai Beach Club in Lihue using the MOD code for a decent price. You might want to try that option.

Btw, I thought it was the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

 

[Liz Wolf-Spada]

With Kileaua exploding now, I would think spend a few days (preferable more) on Hawaii, the big island. The Volcanic National Park is fascinating, even when you can't see the lava flowing. I think it is something the kids would remember. As said before the best beaches are on the Koholo Coast, only a few timeshares up there, but worth a day trip to Hapuna and Mauna Kea beaches.
Liz

 

[CATBinCO]

We did a multiple island trip two years ago - Oahu, Big Island and then Maui - 16 days total. We only spent 2 days on Big Island and only for the Volcanoes National Park (fly into Hilo, not Kona). We stayed in a great place only 5 mins. from the entrance. It was 3 of us (2 adults, 1 child) and the couple had built the cottage themselves from that special Hawaiian wood, I forget what it is called. Big Island is so lush and green - next time we go back it's to BI, Maui again and then Kauai. I'm done w/ Waikiki.

 

[capjak]

I have 2 kids 17 and 15. We bought Westin Maui for great beach/snorkeling and luxury of the resort. Maui also hasa a lively downtown area, as well as waterfalls on the road to Hana (long trip on windy roads).

My 15 YO also really enjoyed the volcano national park on the Big Island at night (bring flash lilghts) as you can walk to the lava flow (long walk esp at night) but being there at night with all the stars clear skys boy that is special.