Hello,
I'd love some advice as to how to structure 12-14 days that we have next June/July. We'd like to visit Kaui and BI. Can't seem to figure out if there is a preferred travel route...BI first, then Kaui? Fly into Hilo or Kona? We will probably spend 1-2 nights at VNP but otherwise we're pretty flexible. Also, for inter-island flights should I book those as part of the total airfare or book airfare in/out of BI and Kaui and then do the inter-island hop separately?
Thanks so much for any advice.
Laura

LAX to KONA works great for me direct Hapuna Prince
good packages on pricline.com for me last $1k car hotel flight RT. Hilo old rainier avoid. alternativeohawaii.com
for other islands Maui closest nice.

www.alternative-hawaii.com sorry

thanks Qwovadis, would you recc Hapuna Prince for a family with 2 kids ages 10 and 16? Was thinking Marriot Waikolea?

If you fly directly to BI, most flights go into KOA [Kona].

Hapuna Prince is a lovely hotel, on the best beach on BI, in my opinion.

When we stayed there, Oct 2006, there were few children at HP, and I thought it was a more "adult" hotel. I read now that may no longer be the case.

I have seen people getting HP on Priceline and Hotwire, so if you know how to use Betterbidding.com and are willing to take a chance, you may get a good price.

Don't think it matters which island you do first. You can fly non-stop to BI from mainland, not sure if you can do that to Kauai.

It doesn't matter which island you visit first. Choose the inter island flights based on which way you can get the lowest fares. Cost is the only issue, so compare all options.

The volcano is closest to Hilo, in the southeast of the Big Island. It is a three hour drive to Kona from the Volcano, albeit through some astounding landscapes. Hapuna Prince is about an hour's drive nortth of Kona airport, and if you drove from Hilo by way of the Saddle Road, about two hours' drive (check weather first before starting over the Saddle Road.). Also amazing views.

You could fly into Hilo, see the volcano, then drive to Hapuna either way, then fly out of Kona to another island. Or vice versa.

Agree with Monterey Bob. We've taken several trips to more than one island and the biggest factor on which island we visit first has been airfare, as well as the day we want to leave or depart. For Kauai, you may want to stay on North Shore in summer months -- spectacular scenery -- but south shore also will have a lot of options for places to stay. On Big Island, you could also consider a bed and breakfast in Volcano before heading to Kona side.

As for flight prices - the cheapest from the mainland is usually into Honolulu - on Oahu - and check on the various companies for inter-island flights - and sometimes if you google enough/call around - you can get some deals.

From a scheduling perspective I don't think it makes a huge difference which island you visit first - but if you can arrange it - I would suggest you try to fly into Hilo - and then up to the Volcano - is only a half hour or so from the airport.



After a night or two there (either at the Visitor's Center - Volcano House - or in the nearby Volcano Village - there are some B & B's) - continue on to Kona - which I think is more like a 2 hour drive than 3 - but it all depends on how you drive and how much you stop.

And then you can kick back at one place on Kauai - and our favorite place is definitely the north shore - Hanalei/Princeville - and from there you can take day trips to visit Poipu and Waimea - the Grand Canyon of the Pacific.

I think Waikoloa Marriott is a good place for kids. It's livelier than the Hapuna, and most kids seem to like that. It's not a bad base to explore the island.

The Hyatt Waikoloa next door is the big extravaganza which kids like. It's low key compared to most other kid-friendly resorts in the world, but you can also enjoy the boat ride and monorail around the resort without staying there.

The King & Queen Shops at Waikoloa have quality, free, local entertainment, including slack key guitarist, John Keawe. I am based up north, but I often schedule my adventuring to coincide with whatever is entertaining at Waikoloa. It's great to have a full day at the beach, hike some petroglyphs, watch some keiki hula, have a casual kid friendly dinner, and walk along a moonlit beach. http://www.waikoloabeachresort.com/i...sland-shopping

For the real Hawaii, take a trip up north to Kohala, and the tiny towns of Hawi and Kapa'au. On the way up, stop at Pu'ukohola Heiau http://www.nps.gov/puhe/index.htm, Lapakahi and then proceed to Hawi for a stroll through an old sugar town. There is a little farmer's market, huge old banyan trees, famous tropical dreams ice cream, and quality gift and craft shops. For lunch, Sushi Rock or the Bamboo are great.

Then, go continue on through to Kapa'au, home of the original statue of King Kamehameha (great history lessons along this route, esp. at Pu'ukohola). There is an inexpensive restaurant across from the statue that has tasty pizzas, salads, sandwiches, ice cream, and home made desserts.

Your kids may enjoy seeing how local kids recreate. There is a great community center, "King Kamehameha Park" in Kapa'au with a 6 hole golf course overlooking Maui where anyone can play for $10 and kids are 3.75 (or so). Renting clubs and a cart are extra, but this is a really fun experience. There is a skateboard park there, too, built by the community, and a huge playground to run around in case your kids need some of that.

Onward to Pololu, which is at the end of the road and a gorgeous picture taking spot, and a fairly easy hike down (harder coming back up) to a pretty (and historic) black sand beach.

Waimea, with its Paniolo (cowboy) culture, is interesting, and the volcano is an awesome place.

I know your family will love the Big Island (and Kauai which is so gorgeous). Enjoy adventuring!

Thank you so much for all this info, so helpful. Now I am trying to decide between staying at a condo in Waikoloa or Keahou...I realize Waikoloa will be closer to VNP but I'm also hearing that it can be too secluded. Thoughts?