1st trip to hawaii- help!!
 

DH, myself and our 2 yo are flying into HNL on the 29th and we plan to stay on Oahu till the 8th when we fly back to Canada.

We have been trying to plan out our 8 days of "fabulousness" and have figured out a few basic things:

1. Try our hand at surfing
2. Diamond Beach park.
3. Picnic-ing every day on the beach
4. Driving to North Shore and spending the day there.

Currently we are stuck on whether we can take a day trip to the Big Island and see the active volcanoes there (either one) and be back in time for dinner - is that possible? Any suggestions?

Also - all other suggestions are welcome. I have gone through a lot of information on this website but still am not able to decide.

A number of things are not possible with our DD but at the same time we wanted to get in as much sunshine and outdoorsy things to make up for the cold here in Alberta, canada.

Any ideas?

3. Picnicing every day on the beach is easy. Just stop at any ABC Store, they're literally on every block, and have everything you need, ready to go, and at reasonable prices.

I once knew a woman who let her little one get a very bad sunburn, so please be sure to use plenty of sunscreen for the baby. It is really easy to get too much sun.

As far as a daytrip to the BI and back in time for dinner yes. The active volcano part you may need to take a small plane or helocopter tour. Here's a link to there website http://www.nps.gov/havo

The last I heard the latest flow was in an old rift area with no public access.
Even if you can't get to the flow there is still alot to see in the park area keep in mind it is some of the newest land on earth.

I've made a day trip to Big Island Hilo side.

If you do it, plan to spend the day on the Big Island. Take an early flight & catch a later flight back.

On a day trip, you will have time for:

In Hilo: Rainbow Falls, Boiling Pots, Liliuokalani Gardens

North of Hilo: 4 mile scenic drive, Akaka Falls State Park. Take the short loop trail thayt includes Kahuna Falls

Hawaii Volcanoes National Park: About 50 minutes from Hilo. Plan to spend about 4 hours in the park to see most of the highlights. Visitors Center, several steam/sulfur vents, Jaggar Museum, several crater overlooks, Thurston Lava Tube.

Lots of info:

http://fodors.com/forums/threadselec...p;tid=34812564

I'd suggest going to the Polynesian Cultural Center on the N Shore. We spent the day there exploring and then attended the luau.

If you have the money, a day trip to the BI isn't bad but I'd check to see where the volcano is flowing before spending the money if that is what you want to see....unless you plan to take a flight over the volcano.

Thanks all, especially Dusty 56348. I looked up your other posts too and it helped me decide our itinerary.

We have decided not to go to BI - it seems awful expensive fora day trip and the helicopter ride is not recommended with a 2 yo. If we can't be sure that we will see the volcano what's the point.

Thanks Beth on the luau tip. We are still trying to decide which the best one is on Oahu. there seem to be many. I'd like something (as close to) authentic with all the food and palooza. Any suggestions?

Do you recommend pre-booking?

When we went to the PCC for the luau we actually watched them take the pig out of the ground.....now that is authentic.

You do need to make advanced reservations for Polynesian Cultural Center.

Some of their packages sell out early.

Also the seats for their evening show, 'Horizons', are reserved. So the sooner you make reservations, the better the seats will be for 'Horizons'.

For your 2 YO, go to the Aquarium, located on the east edge of Waikiki. Kids never tire of it! You might also go to the Bishop Museum--there is a lot of Hawaiiana there, but also a traveling interactive exhibit called "Gross-ology," for kids.

If you get a chance, come by Aloha Tower Marketplace. Here are some coupons: www.alohatower.com/promotions.html

Along the sea wall between the Marketplace and the Hawaii Maritime Museum, are gumball machines filled with fish food. Drop a quarter in and feed the tropical fish in the harbor, just below. Kids and adults love it! (Machines are not out on rainy days.) You can also visit the museum to learn more about Hawaii's maritime history and show your child the only full-sized humpback whale skeleton in the world.

Great suggestion Melissa (about feeding the fish). that sounds really fun!

Fun for kids....therapeutic for adults. hahaha!

:B