TheJacksons

My husband and 14 month old are heading to Hawaii with my parents and brother (30yo). My brother and parents have all been there before. It is the first time for my hubby, me and the toddler. We have agreed on going for 9 days in August, but can't make a decision on where to go. My parents want to go to Kauai since it is the one island they haven't been to yet and they do not want to travel between islands. They want to stay put. My brother is just happy my dad is buying him a plane ticket so he doesn't care what we do. We want to see at least 2 islands since it is our first time going to Hawaii.

A few things about all of us...We are all seasoned travellers in very good shape. We like to hike, snorkel, jog, and eat good local fair (can be nice restaurant or hole in the wall). We want to rent a condo so we can all stay together. The toddler travels well. We took her to China for the Olympics when she was 8 months old and have taken other trips of vary lengths before and since then. I want to see a volcano.

One final question - is there another way to travel between islands other than flying? I heard there were high speed boats, but have been unable to find anything on the net about it.

All ideas and suggestions welcome...

garyt22

For a first time visitor, Maui and Oahu offer the activities most thought of for tourists visiting the Islands and the Big Island and Kauai add a heavy dose of Natural Beauty... depending on your interest in more action vs a quieter visit heavier on nature should help you make your choice...

If you plan on going back ever, I would recommend staying in Kauai for the trip with a sidetrip to Oahu.... next time do Maui and the Big Island.... have fun!

NeoPatrick

I don't have any specific suggestions as I'll be making my own first trip to Hawaii in September.

But I can't resist saying I'm green with envy at the thought of a person being able to someday say, "Oh, yea. I went to the Olympics in China when I was 8 months old". Lucky kid, whether he remembers any of it or not.

sassy_cat

If you want to see an active volcano then you'll have to include the Big Island.
If your parents want to go to Kauai and stay put and this gets your brother's acceptance how do you propose to see 2 islands? Will you spend some time on another island without them? If so then it might be difficult to hike, snorkel, jog etc with your toddler in tow. Ideally, I'd leave the toddler with your parents for a few days and go alone to the Big Island; hike the volcano, take a snorkel trip or dive, watch the stars...

TheJacksons

Sorry, I should have been more clear in that my parents could be swayed to visit another island if I can propose a viable plan that isn't too hectic. Also, the toddler loves to ride in the baby backpack, so hiking is fine. We just take turns (going in small groups of 2 or 3) doing the other things. It always seems to work out with the toddler.

Thanks for the good suggestions so far and have a great trip in Spet. NeoPatrick.

sf7307

Or, you could "stay put" with your family on Kauai for a week, and then do Oahu for the last few days by yourselves and fly home from there.

sassy_cat

Patrick, going to Hawaii for the first time is very special and you'll be old enough to remember it but I agree going to the Olympics in China @ 8months is very cool.
I'm looking forward to taking my family to London in 2012 for our first Olympic experience.

Another thought for the OP; does your brother babysit? You could bring him along on your second island trip to mind the toddler while you hike, etc.....

sassy_cat

Ahh, good if your parents can be swayed. Or as sf307 suggested extend your own trip at the end (more time on Hawaii what could be better?)

I've only been to Oahu and Big Island (x2) but my next trip will definitely include Big Island as I can't imagine going to Hawaii and not visiting this island.

TheJacksons

So, I am starting to consider a few options thanks all of you helpful people...Leave the parents in Kauai with the baby and brother and head off to the Big Island. I am feeling like I should at least go there for this first trip. OR, I can try and talk everyone into going to the Big Island for a few of the 9 days. Maybe fly into one island and out from the other to maximize our time. My brother, I am sure, will be happy to get the most out of this trip too. Also, he and the hubby get along well.

Please keep the ideas coming if there are other thoughts on this.

Sassy_cat-have fun at 2012!! We took tons of pics of the the baby at 2008 to prove to her that she was really there. She at least looks to be having a good time in the photos. We actually brought her with us because we started planning the trip before she was even a twinkle in my eye.

Marginal

The only boats are the Superferry between Maui and Oahu, and small ferry boats between Maui and Lanai, or Maui and Molokai.

The Superferry trip takes 3 hours, so it is hardly high-speed. It does not run when the seas are high, so it is not as reliable as flying.

TheJacksons

Thanks for the info. Glad to know that the "ferry" idea is out. I can stop researching that one and spend my energy planning my new two island trip.

LindainOhio

You would be very happy spending the whole time on Kauai--even though this is your first trip to Hawaii. I don't think it is necessary to see 2 islands to enjoy Hawaii. In fact, with a baby, I think the less moving around you do the more you will enjoy it. Changing islands wastes valuable hiking/beach/relaxation time. Staying in a condo on the northshore would be heaven. For 9 days, go and enjoy Kauai.

Now if you extend the vacation to 2 weeks, I would consider doing another island.

sassy_cat

You'll probably find out soon enough that the Big Island is 'big' and very diverse in terms of environment and weather. The east side of the island close to where the volcano is tends to be much much wetter and most of the better beaches, resorts and dry weather (very low rainfall) are on the other side of the island. Many visitors to the BI split their stay between the two sides to avoid the considerable driving distances. If you stay on the Kohala coast for example a day trip to the volcano would be very long especially if you wished to view the lava at night.

I think you might be better off leaving the relatives in Kauai and spending a couple of nights on Big Island alone to hike etc or if you decide to all visit 2 islands then it might be better to spend at least 4 nights on Big Island to see both sides of the island (stay one night in Hilo or Volcano village either with or without the parents).

Tough choices but generally whatever you decide is good; it's Hawaii after all

It'll be my son's 21st birthday in 2012 so the trip to the Olympics will be his present. We're British and we intended to go anyway with out DD but we're pleased he's keen to go (at least at the moment... maybe he'll have other ideas by then!)