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.