rajgodhuli

Hello everybody,

we will be going on 10 night hawaii trip in August 3rd week with a 3 and 1 year old. This will be our frist trip to Hawaii and perhaps could be only one given that we will be relocating to our home country.
i have the following queries and your opinions will be highly appreciated.

1. Should we split the trip or just spend all time at Ohau (we will be flying in there)?
2. If we do split then does Maui sound like a good second place to visit given that we will be with kids? Any other suggestions for place.
3. Is the big island a good option to do with kids?
3. Is it must to know swimming to enjoy Hawaii trip? My wife does not know swimming. I do.
4. If we split the trip would it still be a good idea to rent condos instead of hotel to save money? (yes we would like to cook and eat if it still makes a difference).
5. Is it better to book car rental along with flight or doing seperately also works out economical?

thanks in advance for any response you guys may be able to give.

carolyn

There are many, many hotels on Waikiki that have kitchenettes, so that won't be a problem. If you stay at the upper end, you will be near the zoo which might be good with the children. Also, at that end there is a seawall that makes a good place for kids to play.

If you rent a car for a day (or two) you can drive around the island and stop at lots of sites to get a feel for Hawaii outside the more touristy area. Oahu is my favorite island and certainly has enough to do to fill ten days, but that is also enough time to visit other islands.

Maui is more traveled, and Kauai is more pastoral and laid back. I'd think twice about the Big Island with such small children. The biggie there is Volcano National Park, which is more interesting for adults or older kids. You could go to the library or a bookstore and look at travel guides to see what appeals to you most.

aloha

With ten days i personally would stay on Oahu. You could spend half the time in Waikiki and half in a rental unit on the north shore or in Kailua. Rent a car for the second half so you can drive around the island.

If your wife does not swim she can still enjoy the beauty of the beaches, and she can wade out in the water. As Carolyn said the walled areas in Waikiki are great for kids and for just floating around. There are lifeguards in Waikiki, and many other beaches, so you may want to look for those.

Lookin_Glass

18 trips later, and we still haven't spent a night on Oahu. One of these dayz Alice, one of these dayz. Just haven't gotten around to it yet. Been busy on da other islands.

jamie99

I've used this company for car rental, they only rent from major companies: discounthawaiicarrental.com

I would not visit the Big Island with only ten days unless you went only to that island. Also not a good idea to visit the volcano with children that young. The vog and gas is very bad for their young lungs.

aloha

Location of lifeguards on Oahu http://www1.honolulu.gov/esd/oceansafety/emsosmap.htm

SiteC_er

I recommend only few nights on Oahu. Pearl Harbor & Hanauma Bay are musts. I used to live on the Big Island and thus more than biased, but I would encourage you to consider Kauai, Maui or Big Island for the bulk of your time. IMHO getting off Oahu will give you a much better chance to experience what Hawaii is all about.

ChiSue

What is your lodging budget? Do you want a 'beach-y' vacation(Kauai or Maui) or one with more city sights and history (Honolulu)? I would skip Big Island -- too much driving around for small children, and h-o-t in August.

Maui has many beaches with good sealfe for a snorkeler, and it has a wide variety of condos and restaurants. The Lahaina/Kaanapali area has the most 'buzz'. The two 'ends' (Wailea and Kapalua) are quieter. I don't know that you would be driving Road to Hana with two little kids, or taking them up to high elevation Haleakala, but you could do Iao Valley and Upcountry, and drive through both West and South Maui.

IMO condos are THE way to go with children -- beachfront condos if you can afford them, so that the kids can go in and out of the sun. Having 'home away from home' means you can cook, and you can pack fewer clothes because you'll have a washer/dryer.

suze

Yes. I would either stay only on Oahu, or split it with Maui. I think those two islands are the best for a first family trip.

No you don't have to swim to enjoy a trip to Hawaii. I go often and rarely even go to the beach.

rajgodhuli

Thanks a ton everybody for your opinions/suggestions.

so answer some of your questions:

we are looking forward to doing some historical stuff and a lot of beach stuff and hoping that my three year old will like the beach stuff. I have 10 nights to spend and am wondering if three nights in oahu and seven nights at either Maui or Kaui would be a good break up? Can anyone suggest me on this?

In response to ChiSue, do the condos work out better even when staying for a short period like 3-4 nights (as we might do in Oahu)? We are not wanting to spend moe than $125/night for condo accommodation. Would it be reasonable to expect to get a decent condo space in Oahu and Maui or Kuai in this price range? If anybody has specific suggestion for a condo place based on their experience then please do let me know.

thanks

suze

All the "historical stuff" is pretty much on Oahu, so I wouldn't cut that island so short, since you state that particular interest.

And I disagree with ChiSue. I would never bother with the hassle of renting condos for only 3-4 night stays.

I can suggest some nice budget hotels in that price range in Waikiki, if you like. They all have either a frig or some even a kitchenette.

rajgodhuli

To my knowledge, Pearl harbour and Arizona memorial are the two must in oahu from historical standpoint and I think we might be okay with that much. Is there other beachy/outdoorsy stuff that we can do at Oahu as a family that may need more than 3-4 days?

Suze, It would be great if you have some suggestions for a hotels with kitchenettes in Waikiki.

suze

Other things of historical interest on Oahu include but are not limited to: Bishop Museum, Iolani Palace, Mission Homes, Honolulu Academy of the Arts, Doris Duke Shangri La Estate, and so on.

In Waikiki I most recently (April 2013) stayed at White Sand Hotel (Aqua property) on Nohonani Street in a room overlooking the pool and courtyard with a microwave, small frig, 2-burner stovetop, and coffee maker for ~$120/night.

The trip before (Nov 2011) I stayed at Waikiki Sand Villa overlooking the canal. They offer 'family rooms' with kitchens and have a nice pool area, small restaurant, free computers with internet. Similar budget price range.

suze

On Maui my family all stayed at Lahaina Shores, which is a condo hotel, on the outskirts of Lanhaina. We had 5 rooms, each is a bit different in decor and upkeep as they are individually owned. I thought it was a decent place. Nice pool on the lawn out back, and easy walking distance into town.

msteacher

You are on the right track. Stay in a hotel in Waikiki for 2-3 nights, then a condo on Maui for the rest. You are going to have a fabulous trip. Enjoy!

ChiSue

Yes to a few nights in Honolulu in a hotel with kitchenette and a week or more on Maui in a condo. (I never suggest condos for less than a full week's stay. That's not usually economical, and it takes too much effort to provision a condo for a short stay.)

I don't see you doing a lot of touring around anywhere with a three and one year old, so maybe you'll just go to Maui.

There are some less expensive condos in Maalaea and North Kihei. $125 is pretty low budget. (There is a 13.42% tax to pay, and sometimes a cleaning cost of about $100 per stay.)

edjim

Agreed -- short stay on Oahu, longer stay on Maui. Kihei area might meet your budget.