We're planning a trip to Hawaii for next summer. We were hoping to go this summer, but Frequent Flyer trips were all booked. So, we are going next year instead and I am booking our flights now to be safe.

We've been to Maui and want to try a new island. Not Oahu, but the Big Island or Kauai. Which do you recommend?

We have two small kids--preschool and first grade--so we'll be doing the beach and pool thing a lot. None of those hiking, snorkeling or biking activities that little kids can't handle. Maybe some sightseeing that kids would enjoy. Just a relaxing, fun family vacation.

I'd appreciate your suggestions. Also, when is the best time to visit these islands? We want to go in August, and I'm wondering what it's like at that time there. Thanks!

Either island would have resorts with great pools or beaches and beauty. I guess I would go by which deal you could get. On the BI I would like the Four Seasons because of their lagoons with eagle rays and kid activities. Or the Hilton Waikaloa because of the awesome pool and family areas.

On Kauai the Hyatt has a great family pool area. Poipu beach has a safe shallow area for kids.

I second the good advice above, and if you choose to stay on the Big Island make sure you choose a resort with its own sandy beach area, as some areas (e.g. Kona) have more lava than beach. The young ones may be impressed by the active volcano found only on the Big Island.

Thanks for your input. Of all the hotels with great pools on both islands, it seems like the Big Island's Hilton Waikoloa is the only one we can afford. Unfortunately, Hilton Waikoloa does not have a good beach. The hotels with both great pools and nice beaches cost a lot of money (for me at least). The affordable ones with nice beaches don't have great pools.

Do you have recommendations of hotels with nice beaches and fun pools?

I haven't stayed at the Hilton Waikoloa, but if you need a great beach, the Mauna Kea Resort is not far away and has an outstanding beach with public access to the same beach that the resort uses. Therefore, you could still make do with that option if you don't mind herding the crew for a short drive to the beach.

Since you got shut out this summer for FF tix make sure you get your reservations the DAY the flights you want come available. Its usually 330 days out if I remember right -- and many open FF seats go immediately. I tried to advise my sis in law about this and they dawdled and then a few weeks after cam available (11 months before flight!) they couldn't get seats and had to use double miles to get there. Just a reality to deal with.

one other thing I forgot to add -- I couldn't decide either so WE are going to both those islands next June. Got the 1st Class seats all set and the rooms booked and jsut counting the days..............
Was in Maui in June and thats a good kid island too but nothing like the opportunity to see a volcano in action.

Thanks, bmillers, I'll check on the Mauna Kea beach. bigdog, I know now what to do with those Hawaii FF flights. I am planning to call them this week because we hope to go sometime in August next year. Have fun on your trip.

Hilton Waikoloa doesn't have a beach, but it does have a kids pool with sand, which is very beach-like - perfect for kids your age, I would imagine.

There is also a man-made beach that fronts a lagoon. This is filled with sea water and sea life, but is protected from the ocean. Really quite nice. Shallow enough at the shore for kids to play, but deep enough for small paddle boats and snorkeling for adults.

Thanks, SFImporter, I guess a man-made beach is better than nothing. And close proximity to a real beach isn't bad at all.

The Hilton Waikoloa sounds like a great choice for you with all the family friendly activities, and it is within walking distance (15-20min) to the Outrigger Waikoloa Beach Marriott which has it's own natural crescent sandy beach known as A-Bay. The King's Shops are across the street from the Marriott and are worth checking out (e.g.~o)Starbucks~o)). When we stayed at the Marriott in March a turtle swam within 20 feet of us in A-Bay! The Marriott has a decent pool with a sandy entrance area for kids, and a waterslide and 2 jacuzzi's, and we got a partial ocean view for about 200/nite.
Enjoy your stay inParadise

Thanks, John, I may look into the Marriott, but AAA rates at Hilton Waikoloa cost less than $200 a night.

anneofingleside: Go for the Hilton, when we tried in March we could only find garden view for $325, but others here have said they have gotten $200/night and I see similar rates currently posted for next month in $200 range as well at www.expedia.com

Word to the wise - the Hilton has their dolphin experience where select guests can swim with the dolphins - since the dolphin is their mascot they stock each room with a plush stuffed animal dolphin. You might want to stash that away quickly unless you want to end up paying too much for it if your kids see it first.

Thought this might help the visual of the sandy beach/pools at Waikoloa:

http://www.wizardpub.com/bigisland/brhiltonwv.html

While they look rather small in the photo - you can see that the man-made beach is about as big as one of the entire hotel complexes. Note that the seaside sandy area really isn't suitable for beaching. The lagoon side is perfect though.

Buy the book, if you don't already have it. It's worth it.

Thanks, SFImporter, the picture helped confirm my decision.