michelle763

Please help.. I would love to go to Hawaii! I am trying to decide if the trip is worth it .. we are from the East Coast traveling with 2 kids 9&12. Kids have been to Mexico and the Caribbean but never Hawaii. I would love your imput.
thanks!!

maile

Hawaii is a wonderful place for kids. I prefer the Big Island (Hawaii) but all the islands offer great things to do for all ages. I wonder though about the time and expense of flying from the east coast? I've never been to the Caribbean so I really can't compare.

DawnCt

Hawaii is always a great trip and your kids are old enough to occupy themselves on the flight. There are lots of sights in Hawaii that you will never see in the Caribbean; A volcano for one! Definately pick up a comprehensive guide book and see which islands appeal to you. I think O'ahu is a must do and Pearl Harbor and the Arizona should be a part of that. We love Maui, The Big Island, Kauai.The hardest part of any trip is deciding which island to return to.

uconn1990

We've done it with younger kids. It is well worth it. Our kids loved the resorts amd the beaches. At Poipu Beach they saw monk seals on the beach. The enjoyed the Maui Ocean Center. Waimea Canyon, spouting horns, bamboo forests, all kinds of stuff to see & do.


I wouldn't worry about the length of the flights. The outbound could be a little tricky because you leave the East Coast in the morning and fly all day. The return should be a breeze because you fly overnight. The kids will probably sleep most of the time.

diann

We have always pondered this as we are also from the East Coast. MY husband and myself do not go well on long air plane rides!!! We are far from the ages of your children!! We are going nevertheless this June with 3 other couples. I am also thinking of extending the trip. Ours is a cruise for 7 days after we arrive. We were able to get a decent deal. We have traveled many Caribbean Islands and also Mexico as yourself. I would take the chance. They are not real little. They can intertain themselves. If worse comes to worse, stay in California a few days longer coming back.

michelle763

Thanks for all the replies!
I think we will go for it! If we had 7-10 days what would you do- split between Maui & Big Island? Also I know nothing about Hawaii. I have started reading the posts here on Fodors which are have tons of info. Any particular travel books you recommend?

sistahlou

It is a fabulous experience for children. A little history, a little culture, a lot of beach. I suggest you spend an afternoon at the bookstore reading the different guides.

The Revealed Books have some great photos to give you a feel for the islands, but I cannot in good conciense recommend them.

Once you have an island or 2 in mind then decide are you looking for a condo, beach house or resort.

Good luck. I still haven't stayed at BI. It is big compared to the others When I do make it there, I will most likely just visit there, staying in a couple of locations.

Happy hunting!

girlonthego

We took our kids this past spring break. We went for 9 nights. 10 would have been better. Our girls were 11 and 13 at the time we went. They are good travelers and the long flight was tolerable for them. We bought them a dvd for christmas to share and they watched all the movies they wanted.

I think the ages of your kids would be fine. Are they good travelers? The time change is big and we all had a hard time adjusting for the first few days. In the beginning, we were going to bed at 9pm and rising at 5am. We also decided to arrive at night to try to go to bed on Hawaii time. My 11 year old was exhausted, but fell into bed when we arrived at the hotel. (9pm Hawaii time). She was tired getting off the plane, but I surprised them and had a stretch limo picking us up with leis. They were very excited and it was just enough to keep everyone going till we arrived at the room.

We have been to Oahu, Maui and Big Island. I would recommend the Hiltons on both Oahu and Big Island. The one on the Big Island is HUGE and has tons of stuff going on. The restaurants on site were excellent. I haven't been to Maui since my oldest was an infant so I can't help there. Kauai is suppose to be beautiful. That was our original destination, but with all of the rain last year, we altered our trip and went to the big island instead. I would definitely pick two islands as none are alike.
I did buy the revealed book series and found them helpful as a general guide. You will find a wealth of info here. Good luck!

iamq

Aloha michelle,

Buy either a fodors or a frommers book or somethiing similar that covers the major islands. It will give you a good idea of the characteristics of each island and what is available as far as accomodations and activities.

-Bill

Swaying_Palms

<<In the beginning, we were going to bed at 9pm and rising at 5am.>>

What's wrong with that?

"Early to bed and early to rise..."

Swaying_Palms

Regarding whether the trip is it worth it, that would depend on a number of factors.

What do you children think of the idea?
How did they like your previous trips and, specifically, _what_ did they like and/or dislike about them?

erdockac

Hi:

I've only been to Hawaii twice and both times flew from the East Coast. The first time we flew from Philly to San Francisco and then onto Hawaii all in one day. We stayed on Oahu and I thought it was a really far trip for the beach. My impressions were that I could get a nice beach in the Carribean in less than a third of the time it took to go to HI. This past trip we took 2 weeks and spent 10 days in HI - 3 on Oahu in a hotel and rented a house for a week on Maui-with nights spent in San Diego going and coming (priceline cheap - Marriott and Sheraton on the Bay aprox $125/night). After going to Maui my opinion has totally changed. I loved Maui and this trip. Swimming in the water with dolphins swimming by off of Oahu and the Blue Pool on the road to Hana were both wonderful experiences that I have never had anything like in the Carribean. I think some of it was better planning and some of it was I had more money to spend this trip, but I would certainly return to HI. There is much more to Hawaii then the beach (However, that is pretty great!) When we go again, (I can't wait to go to the Big Island) I will plan on breaking up at the least the return flight with a night in California. I say go for it!
Kristen

optimystic

Hi Michelle,

I haven't got kids myself but I can speak from the 'kid's' perspective (from memory!). I first went to Hawaii when I was 15 - my parents took my two brothers (then 13 and 5) and I to Oahu and the Big Island all the way from the UK. The flights were a big adventure for us. Alot of travelling (we did break the journey on the west coast for a couple of days) but absolutely worth it - Hawaii is one of my childhood trips ingrained in my memory. We had a fabulous time - we all fell in love with Hawaii, so much so I saved my pennies to return a couple of years ago, and will be there this year on my honeymoon, even though its the other side of the world for me! My parents are glad they did it with the kids, when they were younger, as now (about 12 years on) they say they do not have the energy for such a long flight.

I would say go for it! I have been to the Carribean and loved it, but for me, Hawaii is far more magical.

michelle763

Thanks again for all the replies!
I am going to head to the bookstore this week!
I think we will go for 10 days- yes they are both great travelers, so I am not to worried about the flight.

Swaying Palms- Yes my kids love the idea of going to Hawaii. My husband is the one who thinks the flight may be to long and "why not go to the caribbean, Mexico or Costa Rica"
They loved all our previous trips. The like both beach/pool along with more adventure/sightseeing- enjoyed ruins,loved snorkeling, driving a go-cart around a small island we visited. They enjoy new experiences and food!!
I want to trip to be a mix of beach/pool relaxing along with adventure/hawaiian culture- in fact more of the latter, since we can go to beautiful beaches closer- I don't want it to be a vacation we spend at the resort the entire time.
I am hoping the memories we will make on this vacation would far outweigh the flight time!

Now when to go.. our choices are either summer or possibly Thanksgiving week due to the kids schedules- any thoughts on this?

Thanks again everyone!

sdtravels

I have been to Oahu, Maui, Kauai, Lanai and the Big Island on six different trips from the east coast. The flight is long but not as bothersome as the time zone change. Coming back is a killer. Make sure you have at least a day free when you get back before going back to work/school.

Also 10 days is the absolute minimum in Hawaii. We went for 10 days once and will not go for less than 2 weeks now. It takes a day for every time zone change to get used to where you are. With 10 days, you are just about acclimated and having to go back.

I am sure this next suggestion will get a lot of flak, but I would only recommend Oahu for a first timer and only for 2 days. See the Arizona and Diamond Head, maybe the Polynesian cultural center and then leave. Oahu is one big city, you could go to Miami for less. The real beauty is in the other islands.

I agree, the Big Island and its geology would be a great experience and also educational for kids.

Make sure you all snorkel. It is easy and you don't need to be a good swimmer. Wear a flotation device if you aren't comfortable. I am 50 and usually bring my own inflatable vest. You won't believe how many people comment to me that they wish they had thought of that!

Rent equipment, if you don't like putting the rented snorkel in your mouth you can bring the snorkel with you from home. Cheap ones can be found at any sporting goods store. The money is in the mask as it is imperative to have a good fitting quality mask. Unless you plan to use them frequently, rent one and the fins.

And despite the time zone change and the long flight, it is definitely worth it.

Lex1

Thanksgiving should be less crowded, and, the humpback whales are arriving then.

We've taken our children to Mexico and Carribean also. There's way more to see and do in Hawaii.

We took our 3 children from Atlanta to Maui/Oahu when they were 6-9 years. They behaved well-on the overnight flight back anyway. If the length of flight deters you, consider breaking it up by staying in San Francisco or L.A. for a day or three.

michelle763

We do all love to snorkel and have our own masks.

I would love to break up the trip on the way back with a stop in Cal but I don't think we will have enough time to do so. Actually I am really not worried about the long flight for the kids, I wanted to make sure Hawaii was worth the long flight/time and it seams like it is!
Thanks again and off to the book store- Actually that will have to wait until tomorrow- have to get ready for the Super Bowl Party!

GeorgeMunas

Yes. Take your children to Hawaii, Maui. We did it when they were 6 and 8 years old and then went nearly every year for +12 trips with kids to Maui. Our family has benefited from this via close personal relationships and unbelievably good times in Maui. Kids plan scattering Dad's eventual ashes in our favorite childhood "secret hiding place". No hesitation; go!

suze

I must disagree (with Lex1) that there is more to see and do in Hawaii than Mexico! All of Mexico??? You've got to be kidding, Mexico is a HUGE and diverse country.

That said, Hawaii is *fantastic* and honestly my personal current favorite destination (just got back from Oahu last weekend).

Flying all the way from back east is a bit trickier (i am on the west coast). It is an awful long trip with a big time change. I would make sure you have at least 10 days, two weeks even better. With 10 days or less I would suggest staying on just one island, to keep things less hectic. Maui would be my pick for a 1st trip.

Again disagreeing with a comment above (from sdtravels) Oahu is most certainly NOT "one big city"... there is an entire large and gorgeous island outside that one single urban area of Honolulu/Waikiki!

trippinkpj

My son has been in Hawaii at 10 & 12 yrs. old. He loved it both times. He was on 3 islands and these are his favorites in order: Maui, Oahu and the Big Island. I think he would of had more fun on the BI if we did less driving.