I posted this in the general area but meant to put it in Hawaii. Okay, so my husband, 2 year old daughter and I are planning a trip to Hawaii in late March/early April. We were planning on going to the big island/Kona b/c it's less touristy, lower key and a Hawaiian acquaintance recommended it. Then someone told me that it smells bad (from the volcanoes) and doesn't have the best beaches. With a 2 yr. old, we won't be doing much swimming, so we just need some decent sand. She loves the beach and spotting wildlife. My dh and I love adventure but understand that's limited with a 2 yr. old. We're not made of money but don't want to stay in a dingy place just b/c it's cheap. I'm thinking not the 4 Seasons, but not King Kamehameha (whatever it is.) Now, I know there are a lot of experts here. Please help!

Gwen

Gwen, to be honest, I've never been to the Big Island, but I've been to Kauai, Maui and Oahu. I've taken my kids to Oahu four times and I'd recommend you consider doing that on your trip. Why? I don't know where you are travelling from, but you will have to land in Oahu before you fly to the Big Island. That landing and taking off again is really hard on little kids (and your fellow passengers). If all you are looking to do is sit on a beautiful beach and watch your young one dig in the sand, then I think you might be just as happy on Oahu. There are some direct flights into Maui (and maybe Kauai?), but that depends on where you are coming from. There are beautiful hikes on Oahu, plus scenic drives, snorkeling, kayaking and many cultural sights.

On Oahu, we always stay in a house right on the beach in a quiet residential part of the island, Lanikai Beach. There aren't many houses for rent and they aren't terribly cheap, but for our family of four it is cheaper than the Four Seasons, especially considering we have a kitchen to make breakfast and lunch. The beach is absolutely beautiful and uncrowded and is located on a bay so there are no big waves to worry about. Another option is the north shore of Oahu, where there are condos available. The waves are bigger so you need to keep a very close eye on the little one.

This might not be the info you are looking for, but from a fellow parent who has flown many places with my kids I recommend you go to an island where you can fly without island-hopping. Have fun!

Susan that's not true (changing flights in Honolulu is required).
There are direct flights to Kona from the mainland.
It's Kauai that doesn't have direct flights.

That's good to know, Jeff. I do see that you can fly nonstop from Oakland to Kona. I guess it just depends on where you are coming from. But, I still stand by my recommendation to visit an island that doesn't involve hopping when travelling with a two year-old. Those extra small flights can be murder on little ears and if the ultimate goal is just to relax on a beach I think that is easily done on all the islands.

Gwen:

I have been to Oahu and Kauai. Oahu is a fun place to go on the beaches and browse through marketplaces. But the beaches can get pretty crowded. Having small children can be scary in crowded places but then it might not be as crowded as when I went there in the month of June. I don't know much about Big Hawaii Island... but the Kauai...is very picturesque island. Very beautiful and less tourists. Where I stayed...there were steps to get down to the beach...in other words...cliffs. Now I am not sure if the other side of Kauai would have more the beaches, as I am trying to remember. I don't know where you would look...but maybe you can research more on the net to find more about Kauai and Oahu. Have Fun..you would love it!! Aloha!!

We are pretty addicted to each of the Hawaiian Islands but have found Maui and especially Kauai to be very kid-friendly for very small children. I'd seriously consider a condo in close proximity to Poipu Beach Park on Kauai. There is a wonderful and very pretty protected lagoon there that attracts a lot of families with young children. Close by is wonderful snorkling and boogie boarding if one of the adults needs some big ocean fun. The county recently put in a great little playground at the beachpark that has equipment scaled down to toddler size. We also like the Poipu area because there is a great walking path through Poipu Kai (a condo complex) to the Hyatt that is perfect for pushing a stroller (which we've done a number of times!) We used to take our little ones over to the Hyatt a couple of times a week to see the parrots, swans, and koi. They have a wonderful informal daily program with their macaws that even the toddlers enjoy and you don't have to be a guest of the hotel to visit. There are also often endangered Monk seals on the beach at Poipu which are fun to watch. We've also found that a condo works great with young children. We've had more room and flexibility going that route.
Lanikai on Oahu is also a great option if you want to be closer to an urban area with some interesting activities (ie: museums, cultural events.)
We have started visiting the Big Island in the last couple of years with our kids. Our youngest was three on our last trip there. I think that it can be a tougher island with young kids. The car distances to great beaches are huge and the beaches in the Kailua-Kona area can be packed. I also think that Kailua-Kona itself is heavy on traffic and short on charm but, that's just my opinion.
Maui also has wonderful beaches and a wide range of accommodations but Kauai is just so darned pretty and conducive to a nice family vacation.
As to connecting flights out of Honolulu, they are so short and the altitude gains are not huge. They haven't been a big issue.

Actually Kona is less touristy than Waikiki (Oahu) or Lahina (Maui), but is still catered somewhat to the tourists.

I'm from Oahu and the times I visited there I didn't smell anything bad from the volcanoes, but sometimes there is a haze. The beaches are not that bad, better than a lot of the beaches on the mainland.

For finding a place to stay, you can check out some bed and breakfastes just south of Kona, the prices are reasonable and the quality is pretty good.

I have to caution you about the sticker shock you are going get at the Big Island. Gas on the Oahu Costco is at 1.44 gallon for regular unleaded, expect about 20 cents more there. If you have a Costco card, highly recommend to bring it do some of your shopping there and fill gas. Food and other supplies are not that bad, sale prices here is about equal to regular prices on the mainland.

Good Luck on your trip, I'm sure you are going to enjoy it!! The weather is great and the people are really nice, a contrast to big city life.

We live in Chicago, so $1.64 for a gallon of gas practically sounds like a bargain! I've been through Honolulu once on my way back from Indonesia when I was about 13 and I remember that everything in Hawaii seemed to cost more (and especially more than Indonesia!). Hmmm ... can't you guys just unanimously say one place is the best, instead of having a million different opinions?!?!!

Gwen

TTT

If you are going in summer I suggest Hanalei North shore. Be sure you are off the beach on most islands as sometimes night visitors make this a noisy party place. In Hanelei you are close to convenience but the wild natural beauty is also close by.

Did Lanikai on North Shore last summer. I would not do Lanikai again unless I am visiting Oahu for museums, festivals or friends. The beach in Lanikai is too short in length and width. Since your kids will not be old enough to enjoy sealife park and other great attractions on Oahu I say feed your own soul and head to Kauai's North shore.

Friend remark about BI only pertains to nonswimming areas. I am not aware of stench smelling places only in areas too hot to swim. There are number of options on all islands don't rule them out yet.

Dawn the steps to the beach are in Princeville, Hanalei, Haena are flat walks to the beach. Still have that amaizing Napali back drop.

Gwen North Shore Kaui is the best stop if you are going summer. Distance around the island is less and the diversity of landscape is grand.

Sorry just saw your dates (NS Kauai rainy in Winter Spring)ok then I would head for Maui just to skip travel on driving time on Big Island.

Not an expert on Maui but have enjoyed visits. It's Hawaii Gwen there is no correct answer.

Have been to Hawaii several times. Stayed on Ohau, Maui and the very favorite Kauai. Of course that was before the big storm several years ago, but stayed at the Islander on the Beach and was right on the ocean. Kauai gets my vote. I wanna go too.

sss, Lanikai is on the windward shore, not the north shore. It is not a wide beach but about 2 miles long. Just wondering if you are thinking of a different beach on the north shore...

Also, Dawn, the beaches in Waikiki are crowded but if you leave the city there are many uncrowded beaches on Oahu. Lanikai is especially so since there are no hotels on that side of the island, only residents and a small number of vacationers.