the best snorkeling beach is Kahalu'u Beach Park, just outside of Kailua. Lifeguards, easy in and out, showers, restrooms and usually a turtle or two.
July and August the kids will be out of school. Most schools here end term in mid June and return first week of September.

The

OOPS. Wasn't finished.

The lava is flowing now and if you are healthy and active, I'd recommend a lava tour out of Kalapana. It's about a 1.5 hour trip each way over rough lava, so if you have any hip, knee, foot problems, take a helicopter tour instead. It's amazing to get up close and personal with lava and it's an incredible sight to see it spilling into the ocean. Since it's nature, nothing is guaranteed and it could stop flowing by the time you get here, but don't miss it if it is. You'd probably ahve to stay a night in Pahoa/Kapoho/Hilo as you'll be tired after the hike.

Here's a cool sight of webcams from Halema'uma'u and Pu'u O'o Vent;
http://hvo.wr.usgs.gov/cams/

Mat, is that the lava field you took us too?

I agree that a helicopter tour is a great way to see the lava if there's not a good flow going on while you are there. We used Blue Hawaiian and it was an amazing tour -
http://www.bluehawaiian.com/

We hiked out on the lava fields and only saw glimpes of the lava underneath the pahoehoe. We wore tennis shoes and the soles got pretty warm. I hope to return one day when there's a really good lava flow going on.

http://www.bluehawaiian.com/

Yes deb, though when we went it was right next to the road, now it's at least two miles of extreme hiking. Well worth it if you're in shape. If not, the helicopter is the only other option

We split our stay last year between Hilo and the west side (Mauna Lani Resort on west side) Loved doing it this way! We snorkeled at our hotel, Mauna Lani resort, and swam with sea turtles there!

In Hilo we loved staying at the Shipman House b&b. We used it as our base to explore volcano park, and all sorts of places on the east side. During our winter stay, rain never ever ruined a day. It did rain sometimes, but not for very long, and it was a warm tropical rain. I think they were in a drought period, so there was less rain than usual.

I actually prefer the "wet" sides of Hawaiian islands as they are greener and seem more tropical.

Thanks everyone for the input. We have decided we are definitely going so the fun of planning has begun! Roughly 8 days on the Big Island, staying in Hilo and Kona and 4 days on Oahu. We have to fly in and out of Honolulu and have the grand choice of 2 airlines to pick from. Must be to do with our small population but it does frustrate me.

Kay

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