First timers in Hawaii with Kids --- Need Advice!
Sep 18th, 2011, 03:15 AM
#1
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First timers in Hawaii with Kids --- Need Advice!
Hello all,
We are a family of 4 (2 adults/2 kids aged 11 & 9). We are planning a trip to Hawaii for the first time for next year (summertime, most likely). We are planning to stay 14 days in Hawaii.
We are not interested in staying on the beach in an high-rise.
We like nature, culture,rainforest, some adventures in the mountains, soaking in volcanically heated pools, scenic vistas, memorable panoramic views and of pristine beaches.
Staying in a forest-like setting and environment is more appealing to us than staying right on a beach filled with high-rises.
With our requirements describe above, which islands will make more sense to spend time on with our kids: Big Island and Maui?; Maui and Oahu?; Big Island and Oahu?
We will be looking at staying in a villa or modern cottage NOT on the beach, but more in a forest-like, peaceful environment. Where would you suggest, since the beach is not a priority for us?
Many thanks and looking forward to your replies.
We are a family of 4 (2 adults/2 kids aged 11 & 9). We are planning a trip to Hawaii for the first time for next year (summertime, most likely). We are planning to stay 14 days in Hawaii.
We are not interested in staying on the beach in an high-rise.
We like nature, culture,rainforest, some adventures in the mountains, soaking in volcanically heated pools, scenic vistas, memorable panoramic views and of pristine beaches.
Staying in a forest-like setting and environment is more appealing to us than staying right on a beach filled with high-rises.
With our requirements describe above, which islands will make more sense to spend time on with our kids: Big Island and Maui?; Maui and Oahu?; Big Island and Oahu?
We will be looking at staying in a villa or modern cottage NOT on the beach, but more in a forest-like, peaceful environment. Where would you suggest, since the beach is not a priority for us?
Many thanks and looking forward to your replies.
Sep 18th, 2011, 03:48 AM
#2
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www.stayhawaii.com
www.konaweb.com
carrentals.com usually rent a car out of Kona
direct LAX to KON cheap 4 hours cheapoair.com
Kids love all the variety of the big island
something for everyone including terraforming
erupting volcanoes NP memories for a lifetime...
Pretty low tourist in many areas Kohala Coast best for me
for least Rain... Hapuna princeresortshawaii.com sort of a low
rise but beautiful great price points on priceline.com
package under $1k per person/wk including air lodging car
A GREAT deal..happy hunting!
www.konaweb.com
carrentals.com usually rent a car out of Kona
direct LAX to KON cheap 4 hours cheapoair.com
Kids love all the variety of the big island
something for everyone including terraforming
erupting volcanoes NP memories for a lifetime...
Pretty low tourist in many areas Kohala Coast best for me
for least Rain... Hapuna princeresortshawaii.com sort of a low
rise but beautiful great price points on priceline.com
package under $1k per person/wk including air lodging car
A GREAT deal..happy hunting!
Sep 18th, 2011, 03:55 AM
#3
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I dont' suggest building an itinerary around a place to stay but we stayed here on the Big Island and loved it - http://www.waterfall.net/
It is in a rural location near Hilo and they make their own hydro-electric power.
The Big Island is great for exploring!
It is in a rural location near Hilo and they make their own hydro-electric power.
The Big Island is great for exploring!
Sep 18th, 2011, 04:52 AM
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We are traveling from Florida to hawaii.
which airport? where should we start our journey if we were to pick The Big Island and Maui?
How to get from Big Island to Maui and back? (cheapest way).
Thanks for all your suggestions.
which airport? where should we start our journey if we were to pick The Big Island and Maui?
How to get from Big Island to Maui and back? (cheapest way).
Thanks for all your suggestions.
Sep 18th, 2011, 07:26 AM
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I would second the big island. The rain forest ecology on the Hilo side seems what you are looking for. Also, that side is closer to volcano action of Volcano's National Park which should be a must for you as you describe your interests.
Drive up and then complete on foot the climb of Mt Kilauea.
Hike in Volcano's National Park.
Hike to the area where the lava meets the sea.
The nature on the Kona side is dramatically different since it receives much less rain.
If you are into nature, then snorkeling should definately be on your activities list. The Kona side offers a myriad of great snorkeling (and picnicking) areas.
Drive up and then complete on foot the climb of Mt Kilauea.
Hike in Volcano's National Park.
Hike to the area where the lava meets the sea.
The nature on the Kona side is dramatically different since it receives much less rain.
If you are into nature, then snorkeling should definately be on your activities list. The Kona side offers a myriad of great snorkeling (and picnicking) areas.
Sep 18th, 2011, 09:29 AM
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Kauai has a lot of what you are looking for, no high rises, as the buildings are not allowed to be taller than a coconut tree so all about 3-4 stories max (with the exception of the Kauai Marriott in Lihue which has a grandfather clause).
North Shore is beautiful in the summer, and Kauai also has the Waimea Grand Canyon. Also above Waimea is Kokee State Park in the mountains with lots of hiking trails and wonderful lookout over Kalalau on the Na Pali coast.
Big Island is nice, but needs about 10 days as there is a LOT of driving.
North Shore is beautiful in the summer, and Kauai also has the Waimea Grand Canyon. Also above Waimea is Kokee State Park in the mountains with lots of hiking trails and wonderful lookout over Kalalau on the Na Pali coast.
Big Island is nice, but needs about 10 days as there is a LOT of driving.
Sep 18th, 2011, 12:52 PM
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We are partial to the Big Island, too. For lush forest, you definitely need to be on the Hilo side. However, the reason there is lush forest is that it rains -- a lot. But even when it rains, it's not cold. And the rains mostly last only a short time. So you would fly into Hilo.
Buy "The Big Island Revealed" for a good tour book. Some people object to it because they say it encourages doing dangerous things and trespassing on private land, but I don't agree. And you certainly wouldn't be attempting anything dangerous with your kids, anyway.
The caveat is the the Big Island is BIG! If you drive all the way around it, it will take 6 hours, so a day trip around the island is no fun. You can go to the volcano, and you can drive north to see more beautiful coast, and to Waimea, but going all around to see Kona is too much.
To find a place, go to VRBO.com and search. VRBO = vacation rental by owner. or Google vacation rentals Hilo, HI.
Buy "The Big Island Revealed" for a good tour book. Some people object to it because they say it encourages doing dangerous things and trespassing on private land, but I don't agree. And you certainly wouldn't be attempting anything dangerous with your kids, anyway.
The caveat is the the Big Island is BIG! If you drive all the way around it, it will take 6 hours, so a day trip around the island is no fun. You can go to the volcano, and you can drive north to see more beautiful coast, and to Waimea, but going all around to see Kona is too much.
To find a place, go to VRBO.com and search. VRBO = vacation rental by owner. or Google vacation rentals Hilo, HI.
Sep 18th, 2011, 02:21 PM
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We are going next summer for the first time as well. Obviously I don't know how great this place is yet, but it looks and sounds really nice. They were very easy to work with. http://www.vrbo.com/6024 We got the Hawaii The Big Island Revealed and The Ultimate Kauai Guidebook, Kauai Revealed books and they are great. The author is Andrew Doughty. There are so many helpful people on this site. Hope you have a great trip!
Sep 18th, 2011, 02:41 PM
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Do your homework before you book your flights. You do not need to fly into and out of the same airport if you are going to do more than one island; it may be easier and/or cheaper to fly into one and out of another.
Sep 18th, 2011, 03:52 PM
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Wow, looks like the Hilo area seems to be very affordable when compared to other islands.
If we're doing The Big Island and Maui, we'll definitely look into Hilo.
Willowjane has a great deal on her vrbo rental in Hilo.
Any other similar locations we can look into in Maui or other parts of The Big Island?
If we're doing The Big Island and Maui, we'll definitely look into Hilo.
Willowjane has a great deal on her vrbo rental in Hilo.
Any other similar locations we can look into in Maui or other parts of The Big Island?
Sep 18th, 2011, 04:13 PM
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I am surprised that Kauai is not on your list. It has everything you are looking for.
For rentals on the BI, this company has been recommended to me by someone who has used them. They rented the ZEN house and loved it.
http://www.blackbamboohawaii.com/fea...roperties.html
For rentals on the BI, this company has been recommended to me by someone who has used them. They rented the ZEN house and loved it.
http://www.blackbamboohawaii.com/fea...roperties.html
Sep 27th, 2011, 04:25 PM
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Every island has something of what you are looking for. We took our for sons when the youngest was around 8 or 9. They were absolutely awed by their visit to Pearl Harbor and the Arizona and Bowfin. When the Missouri arrived, we visited that too. They loved climbing Diamond Head, the Honolulu Zoo, the Bishop Museum, the north shore, the Polynesian Cultural Center.
Then on the Big Island the Place of Refuge, Volcano National Park, Waipio Valley, Akaka Falls, the Parker Ranch, kayaking to Captain Cook's monument, etc.
On Kauai we visited several heius (sp), hiked the Kalalau trail, visited the Grand Canyon of the Pacific, Waimea Canyon, took a dinner cruise on the north shore.
On Maui, Haleakala, the Hana Highway, Tedeschi winery, snorkeling, Io Valley, the Maui Ocean center.... As you can see, the list is endless. My one goal was to wait until they were older and stay at the Molokai Ranch in the beach tentaloes. Sadly, those are closed. No matter where you go you will love Hawaii and have a wonderful time.
Then on the Big Island the Place of Refuge, Volcano National Park, Waipio Valley, Akaka Falls, the Parker Ranch, kayaking to Captain Cook's monument, etc.
On Kauai we visited several heius (sp), hiked the Kalalau trail, visited the Grand Canyon of the Pacific, Waimea Canyon, took a dinner cruise on the north shore.
On Maui, Haleakala, the Hana Highway, Tedeschi winery, snorkeling, Io Valley, the Maui Ocean center.... As you can see, the list is endless. My one goal was to wait until they were older and stay at the Molokai Ranch in the beach tentaloes. Sadly, those are closed. No matter where you go you will love Hawaii and have a wonderful time.
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