Hawaii
 

Hi,
We're considering a family vacation to Hawaii on mid June for 7 to 10 days and I don't know where and how start planning...
We are a family of 5 (3 kids at the ages: 6, 3.5 and one year).
We want to enjoy the beaches, volcano, local culture and wildlife
I'm also looking for recommendations of hotels/resorts
Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks!!

First thing you need to decide is how many islands and even if you should visit more than one.

Volcano stuff of any repute means the Big Island for sure so that's one; the Kailua-Kona side is the sunnier one and this definitely probably means a rental car.

Local culture? You need to define that one a little.

Live volcano would be Big Island. Many nice beaches north of Kona. I recommend the Waikoloa Beach resort, several condo complexes that would be ideal for families, with restaurants, food court, and grocery near.
With kids, you would probably be better off just staying on one island (in a place with kitchen, bedrooms, etc., to not go crazy).
Check out VRBO.

1st you need to pick your island(s).

An active volcano is only on the Big Island, but that's not what I would recommend for a first Hawaii family trip.

I think Maui or Oahu work better for that.

In fairness all you said was "volcano" and did not specify "active." That recent lava flow certainly qualifies but those things are not necessarily even viewable depending upon where they are and if being close enough to see them constitutes what is felt to be a safety hazard.

Now, as I recall, those "steam" vents used to be "active" pretty much all the times and other than that "desolation walk" and going to one of the black "sand" beaches or even the green one(s) this may constitute all the "volcano" stuff you are likely to see.

Somebody is going to roll in here (I hope) and tell you about "all those volcano things" I didn't mention.

As to other islands. Maui is enormously popular; it was enormously popular when I lived in Hawaii 50 years ago. As to Oahu, there is Pearl Harbor and Waikiki has moved waaaay on from the t-shirt shops but it really is visitor-clogged. Beaches like Makapu'u and even Sandy have always seemed more interesting (to me) but that's subjective. Bali Hai Oahu definitely is not.

OH sorry, I just assumed they meant an "active volcano" one with lava flowing.

I would not take children under the age of 5 to Volcano National Park, from the NPS website:
Fumes (volcanic gases) are hazardous to everyone's health. Visitors with heart or breathing problems and infants, young children, and pregnant women are especially at risk and should avoid being in areas where fumes persist.

The eruptive vents in Halema'uma'u Crater, Sulphur Banks, and Puʻu 'Ōʻō vent generate high levels of gases that may affect visitors - even those visitors who are healthy.
Take them to Maui instead where they can visit the dormant Haleakala volcano.

Right and they can watch all those golf carts on Maui, too LOL.

VNP makes it clear in that same brochure that those effects are dependent on wind/wind direction. I go up to the park often, and there are usually droves of kids. Lots of thermal features and the crater are amazing and educational, plus kids love the Thurston lava tube walk.
Seeing flowing lava with kids that age is probably not an option, though.

Btw, there's been lava spattering visible in the caldera my last couple of visits. And if you go at night, the glow is beautiful.

I would not go to the big Island. To get from one tourist site to another often requires traveling by car for long stretches of time and your kids are still young and might not really appreciate the geology.

And like jamie has noted the volcanic gases are hazardous to your health especially young kids. I would be very worried walking on the paths with three young kids that someone would get lost and slip in to the vents.

I would go to Oahu and stay in Waikiki area. The beach there is wonderful for all ages. It is swallow and safe relatively speaking.

From Waikoloa to the other side of the island, Hilo, is ~1 hour and 15 minutes. Another 35 up to the park. Hardly a "long stretch"; there are places on Maui and Oahu that would take that long just due to traffic.
And there are no accessible vents in VNP a child could "slip into" unless you took them places no one should be walking.

But if you didn't mean a look at a live volcano (or the additional 5 dormant ones on the BI), Maui might be right for a young family: lots of condos/resorts near lovely beaches.

I find the Big Island is cheaper than Maui in terms of accommodations. We did not go up to the volcano with my toddlers due to VOG and health concerns.

If you're considering the Big Island, a resort like Hilton Waikoloa Village is considered a big hit with younger children. Waikoloa Village is considered the central resort area with kid-friendly beaches.

There are also beautiful rental homes with pools (we got a 2 br + den for around 500/night in Captain Cook). I did not enjoy staying in Kona-Kailua at all -- although we had an oceanview from the house and pool, we felt like we were in a residential suburb and it really killed the Hawaii feel for us. The rental in Captain Cook overlooked a beautiful bay with dolphins coming in daily but it's a remote area and a kid-friendly beach required a short drive (total hassle with little kids and carseats).

If you and your wife want a break, I'd consider a resort hotel with a good breakfast buffet so that mornings don't begin with cooking breakfast and washing dishes (which is exactly what I do at home when I'm not on vacation....).

On Maui, the Fairmont Kea Lani in Wailea is a good set-up for families with their 1 br suites (2 double beds and the hotel crib all fit in the bedroom). It's quite expensive although Costco offers reasonable rates which is where I booked. The Fairmont also has an empty mini-fridge for storing gallons of milk and their snacks, as well as a microwave in every room. It was easy to make kids PB sandwiches and throw them in our beach bag. There were also free washers/dryers on every floor.

thank you all for your comments.. I must say that I am a bit confused.. I dont want to do all the way from the east cost to hawaii just to enjoy the beaches... I really thought about watching the volcano as well (not if it a health risk of course..)

Hawaii - hiking, golfing, snorkeling, horse back riding, surfing, stand up paddle board, beaches, botanical gardens. Lots to do besides beaches but really I would say the main reason people go to Hawaii is the water and beach. Depending on the island you choose but I agree for a first trip to Hawaii I would NOT go to the BI. I love and have been several times to the BI but glad I didn't go on my first trip. It is very rocky, volcanic and basically not as attractive as the others but lovely in its own way but not what one thinks of when they think of Hawaii. There are plenty of green areas and some sandy areas but a very different island for sure.

There is tons to do on every island that is not only beaches.

If you are Oahu, filled with local history and places like the Iolani Palace, Bishop Museum, Foster Botanical Gardens, ShangriLa Estate, of course Pearl Harbor. Also lots of island style music and dance can be found.

On Maui you can go up Haleakala (not active but a huge volcanic crater) which is spectacular. Old Lahaina Luau, Feast of Lele, and U'lalena are all great shows you can attend.

All islands have places for hiking and viewing wildlife.

We aren't beach people, but we found plenty of non-beach activities to do in our brief time there three years ago. Here's a link to my trip report, if you're interested.
http://www.fodors.com/community/unit...awaii-2014.cfm

Lee Ann