We are going to the big island in February and then will fly out of Honolulu on a red eye. Since we will have been on the big island all week, we are thinking of taking a morning flight to Honolulu, taking care of the luggage, and then doing something for a day. Say we get to the airport around 10ish and we fly out at 8ish pm, so we would be at the airport by 6 pm at the earliest. Our kids are 6 and 9, with typical attention spans

I looked at Pearl Harbor and maybe the 2 ships besides the Arizona would be interesting to them. (I think of visiting the Arizona as visiting a tomb/sacred ground and while I would find it fascinating, I just don't trust that my kids wouldn't get bored or that they would be as quiet as one should be in such a site.) Could we taxi there from the airport?

The other idea is the aquarium at Waikiki but not sure what else to do. (we can't really hit the beach since all our luggage will not be with us)

I also looked at the Polynesian cultural center day experience. I think they would like it. And it looks like we could taxi to a hotel and then take the PCC van to PCC. We wouldn't be seeing the luau etc so no worries over food etc or overpriced luaus.

Suggestions?????

PCC would be fun for you and your kids, but I am not sure of the logistics. Perhaps a local could give adivice. It is a long ways from the airport, plus you may get into traffic, depending on the day of the week.

Are your kids boys or girls? Boys might like the ships etc, but our daughter was 10 when we took her to the Arizona Memorial and was totally bored.

Perhaps look into the Dole Pineapple Plantation. It could be a little easier to get to. I have never been, but others have liked it.

Good luck and I hope you can work something out.

It takes over an hour to get to the PCC, and coming back you'll hit rush hour traffic in some sections. I don't think it would be at all possible to have any time there if you took a shuttle, and only a few hours if you drove. Although it is a fun experience, it would not be worth it for just 3 hours or so inside.

Why can't you hit the beach? Dress for the beach when you leave Hawaii, and carry your towels and stuff to wear that evening with you.

Actually, I'd rent a car for the day. it will cost less than a taxi. You could visit Pearl Harbor, Iolani Palace, Chinatown, climb Diamond Head or see Aquarium,(maybe two of these) then hit the beach. There are showers at Queens beach (by the aquarium) or you could go to Ala Moana beach park and use the showers there.

If you're luggage was checked through that morning, and you have preprinted boarding passes, you won't need to be at the airport quite so early. Depending on the day of the week, i'd leave waikiki by about 4:30- 5:00 to have time for traffic, getting lost and returning the car.

I think we will be beached out!! Is the Palace fun/cool or does it just show rooms with furniture? (I like that kind of thing, the kids not so much) We have a boy and a girl but they are pretty equal opportunity when it comes to exploring fun stuff--she would love the boats.

I think we will nix the PCC. Husband does not want to rent a car for the day--but if its cheaper then that would be ok.

How long/far is it from the airport to PH? If that was the only thing we saw would you rent a car or take a taxi?

Pearl Harbor is only about 20 minutes from the airport. But what will you do after? Suggest you go into Waikiki (1/2 hour back the other way) and wander around. Personally, I'd rent a car.

Our daughter was about 10 when we went to the Iolani Palace. She loved it, but it entails a docent taking you thru the rooms and talking about the history of the Hawaiian Kingdom and Iolani Palace. She has always liked that kind of stuff. Our daughter also LOVED the junk shopping along Waikiki. You will probably be all "beached out", but your kids probably will not

Your predicament is one reason I am not crazy about taking a red eye out of Hawaii. What to do all day??? No luggage, change of clothes etc. Gets tiring.

So Pearl Harbor wouldn't take all day? It seemed like a bit of an ordeal to get there, get the shuttle to one ship, come back to the other etc.

Are there any Natural History type museums or living history type museums nearby? They need hands on history.

We could also just stay on the big island later in the day and fly over to Honolulu later but I would rather see something different after a week on one island.

http://www.dole-plantation.com/

Never have been, but it looks like fun. Particularly for kids.