ChiSue

I'd save the points and book a condo. Moving house is a time waster, and little kids don't like change, period. You can GO to hotels for their restaurants, bars, spas. All Hawaiian beaches are public.

I would not stay north on Kauai or Oahu until later in the year.

I would not stay Poipu and plan more than two trips north. Slow going on island roads -- scenic, but slow, and we do have 'rush hours'!

Now...there are more nice condos on or thiscloseto great swimming beaches on Maui than on any other island. (I'm excepting Waikiki.) It's easy to snorkel from shore in both South and West Maui. You'll see sea turtles many places. I wouldn't take a toddler on Road to Hana (long drive) or up Haleakala (altitude). Iao Valley IS a good, and short stop for eerie scenery. Piney Kapalua is scenic. Just south of Makena is striking for the black lava meeting the blue ocean. Maui Ocean Center is worth the time and money.

Shar

listen to SONGDOC. I agree about the Grand Hyatt Kauai - extremely beautiful in an old hawaiian way but not a swim-able beach but it has great pools. I am partial to Kauai as it is not as "high rise" oriented as Maui and Oahu. The Hyatt on Oahu is VERY busy and big and VERY small pools for such a large complex and Waikiki beach is NOT that great compared to other beaches but it is a matter of taste.

Good luck but where ever you end up, hey you are in Hawaii Need we say more.

sf7307

As I said, I loved our stay at the Grand Hyatt, but I have to comment that to me there is nothing old Hawaiian about it (I would reserve that for the Royal Hawaiian on Waikiki).