fireflyparents

thanks to so many positive posts, i know that we did not make a mistake by deciding on BI. as i said before, we are realistic in our expectation with what all we can do and what we cannot. with a one yr old and a 6yr old (i have mentioned him in my previous posts), i know there will be limitations. but inspite of all that we cannot do, i am positive that there will be things we can do together and enjoy

starrsville, thanks for the links, that big island map surely will be helpful. someone asked where all i will be staying. we are going around the island counter-clockwise. we start from kona for 5days at outrigger, go down to VNP and stay there for 2 days. we go to hilo next day for another 2-3nights. we come back to the kohala coast and spend the rest of the time there. we have sheraton in mind but have not booked as yet. we are going during the memorial day weekend and come back in 2 weeks or so.

samsaf, thanks for all the input. i will pull up your report and read it (i think i already did that though!). but i will surely refresh some more and maybe bug you with some questions too

i dont think we have a baby-sitter in mind right now. but as i read in someone's post, maybe we will enjoy the morning life with coffee on the lanai! hey, life is what you make out of it!! if i dont expect a night life, i wont be disappointed when i dont have, right?

we plan to attend a luau and would love to hear from you guys about it. what place is the best place for it and i am assuming kids are allowed, right?

wtm003 - that web link is tons of help for me. i am surely gonna contact them soon and find out more.

guys, i am browsing, reading as much as i can about BI. I would love to hear more from everyone as to what all i can do with 2 kids. i think we have snorkelling (have to take turns though), lazying on the beach, a submarine tour, playing with the dolphins, all the grogeous gardens, vnp, etc in mind. what other suggestions do you have for us?

bostonhawaii, i wrote about accomodation earlier. and yes, i do have that book in hand. but more than any other source of info, i have been relying on this website for varied info. so many helpful people with so many kinds of vacation, i dont think any book can ever do that!

melissa - lol, good idea. maybe i should do what you wrote! you know what guys, the more i think about it, the more i feel how annoying it is to tell another person that she is wrong when she is sharing how excited she is about her forthcoming vacation. i dont have that nagging unsure feeling anymore now -- A BIG THANKS TO YOU GUYS!!

LuvFlowers

firefly - you can still have a night life -- after the kids are asleep, sit on the lanai with your husband and gaze at the stars -- they are like diamonds! You can look out for some falling stars. I grew up in Hawaii and that was one of my favorite things to do.
And if you go to a luau, if you're going to try the poi, mix some sugar & water in it so it doesnt taste like glue!! Get it to the consistency of thick pudding. Your kids might like it -- its one of the most pure foods around. You have to try the kalua pig -- OMG, I am tasting it right now!
Have a great time and say hello to Madame Pele while you're there!!

Aloha

trippinkpj

Rusty- While I enjoyed the big island, it's actually my 3rd favorite of the islands (Maui and Kauai are 1 and 2). Firefly had already booked her tickets, and my point was she won't be bored with two weeks on such a large and diverse island.

msjames

If you would get bored in 2 weeks, the people who live there must be MISERABLE. If only there was some way for them to get off the island! I envy your trip firefly, and hope you find a more positive and supportive person to share your excitement with.

Samsaf

Thanks, Bill! I AM cool . . . if only my kids would realize it!!!!!!!!! Oh, well, someday they will! (But I am more Southern girl than valley girl!!)

Samsaf

And thanks, Starrsville! You are also very groovy. Like, later, dude.

oregonmom

We took our two kids who were 11 and 3 at the time. With your two, you will not want a jam packed day anyway. We drove some days and other days we just laid around. Personally, I am sick of my hurry up life and half the wonderfulness of vacation is not having to go anywhere at any time. We got up slowly every day and had coffee on the lanai and breakfast at the condo. Then maybe we went to the beach for a while in the morning. Husband took older daugher snorkeling while Grandma and I waded with the little woman. She took a nap in her car seat (we brought our own by the way) and we just took it easy. We stayed in Kona and did do one really long day to drive to the Volcano and back but it was fine. A backpack and/or stroller for the one year old will come in handy. Just relax and enjoy and you will have a great time. One note about the luau. Our three year old was a handful that night and it was a real waste of money for DH and I. Grandma and our older girl loved it. We should have just let them go and took the little one to see the sunset somewhere. However, your kids are a different age so it might be fine. We stayed a week and wished for more. I am planning a return trip on Christmas vacation for 10 days this year.

Ag3046

Take a look at KonaWeb. www.konaweb.com
Lots of information there and people are very good about answering and giving advice. Plus, you get to look at the web cam of the Kona waterfront. <sigh>

sherrie

Tripadvisor.com is also very helpful and has great hotel review information if you still haven't settled on the Sheraton. Walking to Akaka Falls and Rainbow Falls was really nice and your 6 YO will probably like that. A stroller would not work, so I hope you will have the backpack (is that right?) for your 1 YO to ride in.

CeeJayTx

We have a 2 week vacation planned to the Big Island this June. Planning to fill every single day with activity - no boredom expected!!

fireflyparents

You guys make me feel so much better. Now when I think, I feel my friend really geared me up by her comments and I am determined more than ever to have a fun-filled vacation. The more I search, the more I find things to do and see, NO WAY am I or anybody getting BORED!!!!!!

sherrie, thanks for telling me about the stroller situation. Its been in my mind too. I guess we will try the baby carrier or just carry him (he is really a lite-weight little one) to nearby places. I dont think we will go trekking/hiking - my husband might though and I will happily stay with the kids near the resort pool

Ag3046, Konaweb looks very informative. Thanks so much for sharing. I have been doing my searches mostly on BI and no wonder I missed it!


oregonmom, thanks for telling me about the luau. I am hoping the little one will let me sit and enjoy, will surely post how it went when I come back
Still looking for recommendations as to which luau to go to.

hpl

I grew up there so I am biased. When friends ask me about filling the time, I give them a very long list of things to do. They come back admiting they didn't get to everything on the list and then also admiting some of the best days were when they did nothing.

A day spent watching the sun rise, going for a swim, having a nice lunch followed by a nap, another swim, a quiet dinner and watching the sun go down and the moon come up often turns out to be the best day of the vacation.

That's why it's a vacation.....

fireflyparents

very well said hpl! i am surely planning on keeping one day aside for that
i would also love to hear what suggestions you give your friends who visit BI? since you lived there once, I am sure you have lots to share

jbass

People LIVE on the Big Island -- are they always bored?

fireflyparents

Hey! I did not say that, my friend did, remember?!! I wish I lived in Hawaii

GloriaE

We have a house on the Big Island and have been visiting frequently for about 7 years now. My husband and son currently live there and I will be joining them soon I hope. Here are some ideas:

The outdoor farmer's markets. http://www.konaweb.com/konaweb/farmer.shtml
My favorites are the Ali'i drive markets on the West side, the Hilo and Pahoa Markets on the East Side. Pahoa Market is a kick.

Snorkeling: Kahalu'u Beach or Two Step by PU’UHOUNAU O HONAUNAU
South of Kona - Pu'uhonua O Honaunau or "Place of Refuge" National Historical Park is one of the most beautifully Hawaiian locations you can imagine and one of the best locations for learning about ancient Hawaiian life. Talk to the rangers, as they are proud of the park and it shows. Demonstrations of local skills are often happening here. Good snorkeling here just outside the park on the lava bench (called “Two Steps”), although it would be hard to have your children with you at the snorkel spot. The ranger at the park booth told us exactly where. Lots of sea turtles can be seen both while in the park and outside at the snorkel spot.

In June I am taking my grandson to the Sea Horse Farm just outside of Kona. Here is the website: http://www.seahorse.com
I've heard the tour is nice.

There is a free zoo in Hilo maybe your children would like. Here is the website: http://www.hilozoo.com/Z_home.htm

There are so many things to do, you definately will not be bored. Look online for the 101 Things to Do on the Big Island" http://www.101thingstodo.com/hawaii/bigisland/index.php

Relax, have a great time, enjoy the Aloha.

MelissaHI

Do you need help creating a daily script for what you will say when you call her from the Big Island?
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girlonthego

Last year, we spent 8 nights on the Big Island and were never bored and there were still things we never got to do. Now, my husband is a go-go kind of person. I like to relax more. This was a combo vacation of go-go days and relaxing days.
I think there are many great things about each island. Personally, two weeks in hawaii on any island would be just fine with me. All the island hopping does take time and with a baby, I think you are right about staying put.
Enjoy the resort life.

Shanghainese

The seahorse farm one exit south of the Kona airport is a magical place, turns adults into kids cooing over the seahorses, you get to feed them and hold them.

The Hilo Zoo is fun too, peacocks roam the grounds freely. We were there in February, click my name for more details in the trip report.

repete

Add me to the chorus, I'm made I've never been able to spend more than 10 days there at a time. Don't underplay the Hilo/Puna area -- there are some real gems there.