Looking for any advice on a family trip to Hawaii over spring break (early April). It will likely be a Friday - Friday so 6 days, and the kids are 13 and 11 years old. None of us have been so we are a bit overwhelmed! Would really like to do the following activities: Pearl Harbor, volcano visit (hike?), Luau, snorkeling. This is it so far. Can we do all these activities on Oahu? Or should we plan on two islands (I know this would be really tough). Any really cool things we should add to our list?
Any advice on lodging, places to go with kids etc would be appreciated!

I am pretty sure with only six days available, everyone here will recommend just staying on one island. You could do most of what you said you wanted to do on Oahu.

No volcanoes on Oahu (active ones), but you should be able to do all of the rest on that island, and that might be your best bet if you are locked into Pearl Harbor.
For six days, one island is what you want.
I've been to several of the islands. My preference would not be Oahu because much of the Honolulu area is heavily urban.
Maui would give you want you want and an inactive volcano, Haleakela, for the hike.

One island with 6 days. The volcano is not active right now, no visible lava, red glow, or flowing out to sea. It is still worth visiting Big Island but I would want at least 7-10 days. My pick would normally be Kauai (good hiking and kayaking and very green) but the road past Hanalei is likely to still be closed in April.

Well you could take surfing lessons. Ride the outrigger canoe, visit some the Hawaiian heritage places- the palace, the church and mission houses, Bishop museum, Polynesian Cultural center.

Agree with the others - for a first visit and noting your points of interest - Oahu (in spite of the fact that we are partial to the Big Island). Don't try to go to more than one island even for a day trip.


You can get the full-on Hawaii vacation experience by staying in Waikiki area; will minimize your need for a car and you can "peel into the onion" on subsequent trips. Get a feel, learn about America's most interesting and unique state and take time to take time.

Oahu would be my first choice because there is so much to do. Waikiki is more urban but the North Shore is rural. If your kids are interested in the surfing culture the North Shore is home to some of the world greatest surfing beaches.

Pearl Harbor is a great experience about the "day that will live in infamy" and there are other interesting places for Hawaiian history like the Iolani Palace, Bishops museum.

In addition I think Hanauma Bay is one of the better snorkeling beaches.

Oahu still has an ethnic Hawaiian culture and feel and I think it is a beautiful island overall.

Pearl Harbor, volcano visit (hike?), Luau, snorkeling. This is it so far. Can we do all these activities on Oahu?

No, no active volcano on Oahu. You have to go to the Big Island for that. But you can hike DiamondHead right in Waikiki. If Pearl Harbor is a must, that means Honolulu (Oahu).

Hiking, luau, snorkeling you can do on any of the islands.

I would suggest Maui for a first time family trip. You can see Haleakala (not active but spectacular), Old Lahaina Luau, great snorkeling, fun road trips, etc.

Depending on how important it is to you to see Pearl Harbor, you could possibly stop on Oahu for 1 day either coming or going even if you choose Maui for most of your time.