First Trip to Hawaii
 

Dear fodorites,
We will be traveling to Hawaii in June for the first time. We will traveling with our six year old. We will be staying on Waikiki Beach at the Radisson Prince Kuhio Hotel. Anyone ever stay there? Any advice?

I have been thinking about renting a car, but am not sure whether or not I should rent a car right away from the airport or if I should wait for a couple of days till the need arises. Any advice. I am favoring taking a few island tours first and possibly a day trip to the Big Island, then renting a car for the rest of our time there. We like the beach and are looking for relatively calm water as we are traveling with a six year old. Is is better to go to Pearl Harbor as part of a tour or better to do it alone in our rental car?

I also have questions about traveling to the BI from Oahu. I have seen that there are day tours to the Big Island from Honolulu, but they don't offer helicopter rides over the Volacano. I would really like to do the helicopter ride. Does anybody know of any tours from Oahu that inlude the helicopter ride? Also, if we decide to go with the ground tour of the BI...there appear to be two different ground tours; one tour is more focused on spending time at Volcanos National Park and the other is more focused on a comprehensive island tour. I am more interested in the Volcano, but I'm wondering if the Volcano tour would be too much for a 6 year old. Which tour would be better consideing that we have a 6 year old with us? Any feedback about this would be appreciated.

I have been thinking about doing the day trip to the BI on our own, but airfare looks to be rather expensive. Any tips on finding better interisland airfare for same day travel? It looks like the lowest price would be $147 per person for interisland airfare. That would make an independent day trip rather expensive for us. Thanks for all your help.

On O'ahu I would suggest you spend a few days without a car exploring Waikiki, which you can do on foot, and downtown Honolulu, which is accessible by bus or taxi. For historical perspective, a tour of I'olani palace (located downtown) is very educational. Chinatown is very interesting, especially early in the day. Parking is expensive in Waikiki and usually difficult to find in Chinatown and downtown.

Then rent a car for a few days and tour the island. It is easy to get around, and I suggest you get "Driving and Discovering O'ahu" by Richard Sullivan. it has great photos (makes a good memento of places you have seen)and good maps and driving directions. Personally I enjoy that more than taking a tour, as you can set your own pace.

the water is usually calm in Waikiki. You might also want to go to Ala Moana Park which is close by, another great place for kids.

You don't say how many days you will have, but will it be possible to go to the Big Island for a few days? You could explore the volcano area in a leisurely way. I think a 6 year old would be interested in the volcano area; the National Park visitors' center is very informative and it is easy to drive and walk to areas where you will see huge craters, steam vents, etc.

Thanks for your help. We will be staying in Waikiki for 11 nights. Thinking about a day trip to the Big Island, but if we go to Volcanos National Park, what are the chances of seeing active lava flows?

Any tips for scoring lower interisland airfare to the BI from Honolulu? I an not a AAA member. Are their discounted airfare coupons in the Entertainment Book for HI? Thanks a lot of all your help. I want to make this trip an unforgettable experience for the family.

If you do a search here you will find similar questions and answers. I just did a search for "lava" and found a good deal of info. also search for "big island". I believe the Natl Park website has information or links about the current conditions.

Just so you won't be disappointed when you get here....The Radisson Prince Kuhio is not ON Waikiki Beach, it is a block away on busy Kihio Avenue.

You mention that you are staying on Waikiki Beach. I assume that you know that The Prince Kuhio is not on the beach but is two blocks from the beach.

The Prince Kuhio is a very nice property, right in the heart of Waikiki. Much of what you want to do and see is within easy walking distance. How long will you be in Hawaii ?

Howie67, I suggest renting a car. I know others will argue but I feel it pays for the convenience to be able to tour about when and where you want. Besides, weekly rates in Hawaii are very reasonable. I would also encourage you to spend more than one day on the Big Island. In fact, I would suggest you spend 2-3 nights on Oahu and the rest on the Big Island. Enjoy!

Actually, IMHO, I think there's a lot more for the 6 year old on Oahu--aquarium, Bishop Museum, surf lessons (altho I'm sure you can do it on the Big Island), Hanauma Bay, Pearl Harbor, etc. However, the Big Island is HUGE and it takes a while to get around even on the Kona side! So I'd stay at least 2-3 days on the Big Island so you can see the volcano, Mauna Kea observatories, and your helicopter ride.

I recommend a car. Check Alamo. They seem to have the best rates.

Volcano conditions can change reapidle from day to day , week to week, month to month. In Apriul, lava took over Chain of Craters road, and it was just a short hop skip and jump to see active flows. Last week, when we were there, it was a 9 mile hike in to see a "faint glow" - the rangers didn't recommend a heli tour as there really wasn't anything active to see, even from the air - so wait until you are there to make your helicopter decision. Check the AAA website for air deals if you are a member.

Oh my, DO rent a car. And get it at the airport. You will be happy you did. There is much, much, MUCH to see outside of Waikiki!

As for the BI, I think the volcano park tour is a good idea. Your 6-year-old will be fascinated--there's a lot to see there. Also, the park has special programs for kids--they can even earn a "junior ranger" badge.

If you are going to Chinatown, you should link up with an inexpensive tour.

The Chinese Chamber of Commerce only charges $5 per person for a two hour walking tour every Tuesday morning at 9:30. You will see preserved fruits and vegetables, specialty meat shops, martial arts supplies, dim sum parlors, etc.

Another is offered by the Chinese Culinary Arts Society for $10, dim sum lunch included, email [email protected].