Hawaii Help
 

My family and I are trying to plan a trip to Hawaii. Total of 8 people travelling ( 1 senior, 2 adults, 4 children and 1 toddler)

I am planning on going in August (or July if something better comes up) and would like to exchange my timeshare. I have more then enough points/trading power to book 2 weeks on 2 separate islands so that is not my struggle.

I am overwhelmed with all the information on all the different islands. I am most certain we would like to go to Kauai because of the beautiful hiking, waterfalls, etc. It just seems to fit my family well as we are nature lovers. But every time I read more about the islands I find it harder to choose for sure.

It is almost impossible to find any availability on Maui (through my timeshare). Very little on Oahu, although I did find something at Waikiki.

I am just trying to get some help with what is best/easiest with large families including smaller children. We are not necessarily interested in all the touristy spots - but if we are able to hit them that would be great. Just trying to get the most out of our 2 weeks for first time travelers to Hawaii without spending more time in a car then anywhere else. (night life and the best of dining are not important to us)

Thank you.

I'm a little unclear - you say you have more than enough trading power, but then you say there's very little available on Maui and Oahu.

What places ARE available?

I'd suggest you choose just one island. All of the islands have plenty to keep all of you busy and interested for two weeks, and they way you will really get to know an island. And you won't spend all of your time in the car!

While Waikiki can be fun, I don't think it is the best choice for your family group. I spend a month in Kauai every year now (the joys of being retired!) Think of this as your first trip to Hawaii - not your only trip. Where have you found availability on Kauai? I love the Poipu area, but there are other nice areas as well. You will want some full day trips to places like the North Shore and Waimea Canyon. The kids might enjoy a visit to the Kiahuna Plantation with the train ride. And the adults might enjoy the rum tasting there. Also look into a boat tour of the Napali coast. There are several companies that do this - we went with Captain Andy, but I understand all of them are good. You'll get a chance to see whales close up as well as seeing the beautiful coastline.

Kauai is lovely, I owned a timeshare for almost 17 years at the Marriott in Lihue. If you can get into the Marriott in Waiohai snap it up. The one in Lihue is nice also but being a remodeled hotel (used to be a Westin)it only has kitchenettes (small microwave and dishwasher and fridge). The Marriott in Poipu was purpose built as 2 bedroom timeshares with full kitchens.
Also maybe look at Hanalei Bay Resort up in Princeville, North Shore should be beautiful that time of year. It has 2 pools and a bar with light food.

sf7307 - Maui & Oahu (I am told) do not have a lot of resorts especially ones that are trading through timeshare so there is very little (if anything at all) for me to choose from.

Kathie/Jamie99 - we have found availability on Kauai in Princeville. Specifically the Wyndham Bali Hai. If you know anything good/bad about there I would love any feedback. Some other resorts were not available for a full week or had large enough units for us. The only other option is called Banyan Harbor in Lihue - just not the best of ratings.

Are there whale sightings in August? I was hoping to see them but thought it was too late in the year.

Sorry, I don't know that property. I'm not fond of Princeville, but it will put you close to the North Shore. A regular poster here, Songdoc goes to that area every year. I wouldn't choose a property in Lihue.

Good luck!

August is a wonderful time to be in Princeville and hang in Hanalei! I also have not stayed at the property, but think it would be a great choice. Jump before it goes.

Oh, and whales frolic in the winter months. They will have moved on, but the waters will be much calmer in the beautiful north shore.

Would it make any sense for us to try and fly to another island for a night or 2 (to see Pearl Harbor or the active volcano) and then fly home from that island....or not really worth the time and troubles?

For me, it wouldn't be worth it, especially with all the kids. I'd just stay put on Kauai. But it is your trip.

I think Waikiki (Oahu) and Kauai would make an excellent combination. One week each island.

With two weeks, I'd also try to do 2 islands - Kauai and Oahu would be my choices.

No way I would take a toddler or young children to Volcano NP due to the Vog which is harmful to young lungs:
https://www.nps.gov/havo/planyourvisit/safety.htm
I have not seen Wyndham Bali Hai but out of the various Wyndham timeshares it is the most popular.

The only resort available to me right now on Oahu is the Wyndham (again) Vacation Resorts at Royal Garden at Waikiki ....they are all 1 bed hotel rooms so I would have to get 3-4 rooms.

So hard to decide! I am sure we would find enough to do on 1 island for 2 weeks, I just don't want to miss out on something else/different if we can manage it.

Kauai is positively gorgeous and it would be a heck of a lot of fun to spend two weeks there. We have enjoyed staying in Hanalei (near Princeville) on many occasions. Hanging out in Hanalei Bay is a nice way to spend the day with little ones too because the water is calm and there are several options to grab a bite to eat.

You can keep going north on another day and drive to the end to hang out there at that beach. There is more hiking at the end of the road too. There were always some locals with a truck full of fresh coconuts who'd sell them cheap and crack them open for you and hand you a straw.

There is an awesome hike between Princeville and Hanalei called Okolehao Trail. They have a beautiful garden in the area and also the lighthouse is nearby. Such pretty views.

They have a couple of farmer's markets per week in Hanalei. OMG their fruit is so killer. I'm salivating just thinking about their apple banana.

A couple weeks on this beautiful island will give you time to set out and explore other hikes to the south and the west, and see some pretty falls.

Thank you Dai...and everyone else for you all of your feedback. I feel much better about spending more time on Kauai rather then hopping to another island for a few days. I knew it would be a lot to handle but wasn't sure if I would end up being disappointed I never did it. I'm sure we will fall in love and want to go back again another time when the kids are older and easier to hop around with !

So glad you're all in now. This will be both relaxing and adventurous as you set out to explore. Be sure to pick up the free tourist magazines which will have "The 10 best hikes on Kauai" and the "10 best waterfalls", "10 best beaches" etc for even more ideas plus coupons for snorkel equipment, meals, etc. you will not regret it. And like the other poster said, it will be your first trip, not your last ��

Hi Meesha26,

I actually stayed at the Wyndham Royal Garden and I really enjoyed my experience. We had a beautiful unit on the 19th floor. It is close to everything and was a nice quiet property.

I was in Hawaii for 16 days and we did 2 islands (Maui and Oahu)...If I were to go back for that amount of time I would definitely do 2 islands again. It is definitely doable. It just depends on your family's personal preferences.

Good luck!

I've stayed next door to the Wyndham Bali Hai many times, but never in the property. I love that location and if you're oceanfront, the views are stunning. I'd jump on it.

I noticed that some resorts (specifically the Wyndham Bali Hai on Kauai) do not have air conditioners in the rooms.....are we going to be wishing we booked somewhere else? It will be the middle/end of August !

Many properties/rentals in Hawaii don't have AC...I was surprised as I was looking for accomodation. Many have fans and large windows to circulate air. While I do like to have a nice warm breeze, I also want AC on holiday. I need to be cool when sleeping and getting ready (hairdryer etc) so AC was a must for me!

I don't know how the Wyndham Bali Hai is situated, but if it is right on the cliff overlooking the beach, you may be just fine without AC. We stay in a different area, but we are overlooking the beach, so there is always a nice breeze. While there is AC in our unit, we turn it off while we are there. We keep the windows and the sliding doors to the lanai open, sometimes use the ceiling fan, but we have never felt too hot there.

I think one week in Kauai an one in Oahu would work. You have kids but also lots of adults to make it easy to manage. We've traveled to Oahu wuth kids and there is so much to do and see.
There are historic places, Bishops Museum, Iolani Palace, USS Arizona, Chinatown to name a few. There are some of the most iconic beaches like Pipeline, Sunset, Waimea Bay, Waikiki.
Beautiful landmarks and wonders like Diamond Head, Hanauma Bay (snorkeling), Byodo Temple, Pali Highway lookout.

I agree with nanabee. As much as I love Kauai, I'd want some variety on a 2-week trip. I think the combination of Kauai and Oahu would be perfect.

The Wyndham Bali Hai is right on the cliff. I've stayed next door (Orchid Point) -- and two doors down (Sealodge) hundreds of nights over more than ten years. None of the properties have a/c. I have only wished I had a/c a handful of times--when the tradewinds stopped blowing. That's not common, but it can happen. Even then, it was usually only too hot for a few hours during the afternoon. Otherwise, it is typically wonderfully breezy.

The Bali Hai and all the condos close by rely on tourists. They wouldn't be able to stay in business if it was uncomfortably hot. But ... if you're used to a/c and you like to keep it on the cool side, that might not be a good fit for you.

Are there any day trips (flight tours) from Kauai to the Big Island that would allow us to see the volcano without having to get off and do a land tour? Just wondering if there is any way my family can see the active volcano without having to spend a day/night on the island.

I thought I read that nonstop flights between Kauai and BI were starting for $89 each way. Not sure if it was Hawaiian Air. If so, you could maybe get there early, see the volcano, and leave the same day.

The timing of that flight won't work for a day trip.

You'd have to connect in Honolulu and fly into Hilo which is much closer to Volcanoes National Park than Kona.

Not for a day trip; but still would be convenient flight for an overnight (at Volcano Village). Rent a car in KOA, go to Volcano, see the volcano glowing at night, back to KOA for the a.m. flight. (Certainly works better for going TO Lihue, and IMO better than the hours spent going through Honolulu)

Probably not any small plane flights touring BI from Lihue.

What would be more worth our while...spending a day in Oahu or on the Big Island ? I really wanted to be able to show my kids a live volcano but if we are better off staying on Waikiki beach and not needing to rent a car, etc. then the volcano will have to wait for another trip!

This will be the last day of our vacation and we will leave from whichever island we end up on, rather then make the trip back to Kauai.

Save the volcano for when your toddler is at least 5 or 6, it is not healthy to expose young lungs to the toxic gases from the volcano.

So we have decided to jump to Oahu for a night since we will be flying home from Honolulu anyway....and I can fly from Kauai to Oahu for free with my miles. Given that we will have a toddler and two 6 year olds what would be the best way to spend our day? Has anyone ever stayed at the Embassy Suites in Waikiki?

meesha26: That's a good idea since you have to go through Honolulu anyway. Waikiki will seem like Las Vegas in comparison to your stay in Kauai. ;-) They have a great zoo, which the kids would enjoy. I remember walking to it from downtown Waikiki, but you can always hop on a bus to get there.

If I had the choice am I better off staying in Kapaa or Lihue when staying on Kauai? Or even Koloa?

Meesha, of those options, I'd vote for Koloa. Lots of restaurant options between Koloa and Poipu, and the beach at Poipu State Park is nice, good for snorkeling and swimming.

Most beaches in Kapa'a are not swimmable except Lydgate and part of Kealia. Lihue I have stayed a number of times at the Marriott which has a swimmable bay fronted beach and close to some restaurants. Koloa is very nice also especially if you can get in to Koloa Landing.
I thought you were going to stay north at Wyndham Bali Hai?

We are staying at the Wyndham Bali Hai but may have the opportunity to upgrade if we wanted to. There are some "gold crown" resorts available elsewhere. I won't even try for the upgrade if it really isn't necessary.

So we are trying to make some plans now that our trip is getting closer. Any activities that can be recommended would be greatly appreciated.

As far as must do's in my book, a helicopter ride and kayaking on the Wailua....I'm just trying to figure out how to make it happen with 7 people total where one will be 2 yrs old and the other 75!!

I thought the plantation railway sounded neat and the kids would really enjoy.

Thanks for any feedback.