Reading multiple posts on this forum, now I have this question on my mind. Since, I am travelling with kids (6 and 1) should I be staying at only one island or choose 2 like I originally planned?
We will be flying from dallas and the total travel time will be more than 12 hrs with stopover and all. I also have to keep the 6hrs time difference in mind, specially with the little one. We have total 14 vacation days, 2 of which go on flying itself.
If I choose Big Island, there is so much to see and do. Staying at Kona first and then near the volcano and finally at Hilo, that itself will take up so much time. So now, I am wondering if it will be too hectic to travel with kids from one island to another?
What are your opinions? We dont want to go to multiple islands just for "seeing" more than one island. The jet-lag itself will be hard to get over for the kids, I am confused as what I should do.

I would choose only one island... for all the reasons you mention. I would pick either Maui or Oahu, but it sounds like the Big Island is a priority?

Why do you say Maui or Oahu? I am choosing Big Island coz I thought it had so much to see. Me wrong? Your input will be a big help.

It's not against the Big Island per se, as I have never been there. But personally I am less drawn to the look of things there. There are lots of places that are wide open (think cowboys), dry, desolate landscapes. It is also (no joke intended)... BIG!

I LOVE the lush and jungle settings, that look like Hawaii in the movies. That is more what Oahu and Maui are.

If your kids were older and crazy to see a live volcano, etc. that might swing it, but they seem kind of little and am guessing they'd appreciate a nice pool and playing in the sand on the beach in one location, as much as driving around in a car like BI will likely involve.

I don't have kids (so hopefully other families will chime in here with their experiences) but I have been to Hawaii four times recently. Also I hope you saw the "budget" thread I topped yesterday about cheap eats and why a Hawaiian vacation doesn't need to cost $7000 -lol!

With kids ages 6 and 1, I'd focus on one island.

I loved the Big Island, but I haven't been to any of the other islands. I'll have to rectify that soon!

Good luck in your planning!

Suze, thanx for your input. I will intensify my search a little more now.
kureiff, What all sightseeing did you do while on BI?

What we always do (family of four) is go to one island, but stay in 2 different places on our stay. You can get pretty unique experiences just by doing this, and its so much easier to throw everything in a rental car, than packing for another flight.

On the Big Island, we have stayed at Hapuna Prince, which is a beautiful hotel on the best beach on the island, then switch to the Hilton Waikaloa, which has no beach, but tons of pools and a lagoon, and is a real family hotel. A huge property, they have a train and boat to take you around the place, which kids love. I would try to book the tower closest to the pools with the slides.

On Maui, there are three areas where I think you could choose from. You could stay in Wailea, (which has the Grand Wailea, the best pool complex in the world IMHO), then you could stay in Napili, which is a slower, more low-key, beach area, with lots of small older hotels(but nice). We love Napili Kai,(where you can get multiple bedrooms) and the greatest breakfasts at the Gazebo. Or you could also stay in Kaanapali, where you could choose between a family condo, or fancier hotel like the Westin. Kaanapali is a crowded, busy area, lots of shops and restaurants around. If you wanted a real different feel to your 2 places I, personally, would choose Napili and one of the other two.

Have fun planning your trip, its truly paradise over in Hawaii, just about anything you choose to do should be wonderful.

We stayed just south of Kona in a condo (Outrigger Kanaloa). We boogie boarded every morning at White Sands Beach and then went into Kona for coffee and cinnamon rolls at Island Lava Java.

After heading back to the condo to shower, we headed out for the day. We spent time playing on the beaches up in Kohala. We snorkeled and explored the Place of Refuge south of Kona. We took drives to Waimea and Hawi. We also spent a day at Volcano National Park, stopping at Southpoint along the way.

We didn't have enough time in Volcano National Park, and we didn't make it to Hilo. We also didn't make it to the top of Mauna Kea.

We were on the Big Island for a wedding, and that darn wedding kept getting in the way of our activities.

We snorkelled, boogie boarded, and hiked everyday. We were there 5 days and it wasn't nearly enough time to see everything we wanted to see or do everything we wanted to do.

Bikom, thanks for the input. Gives us a good choice of places to stay in.
Kureiff, I am glad we are choosing one island. There are so many things to do and see...I dont want to jump from one place to another just for the heck of doing it, I want to relax and have fun! Your post definitely gave a synopsis of things to do.
thanks guys!