Hawaii with kids
 

We are taking our four kids (ages 4-14) to Hawaii in Sept 2014. First part of trip staying at large hotel in Honolulu for a conference. We want to extend our stay and not sure where to stay but want to have a place with some space, kitchen amenities and maybe a pool. Anyone have experience with renting condos, homes, or other ideas on where to stay? Also ideas on things to do with kids. Thank you!

VRBO.com lists many choices depending on the area you want to be in and which island. have used them numerous times and they are reliable...Hilton Hawaiian Village has Hilton Vacation Club which offers condos as well but I think they are only 1 bedroom and you will need larger....Hard to say what to do with kids after your conference ends. Depends on what you have done with them already and their interests. I know there is a great booklet at the airport that is free on 101 things to do on ......Oahu or Maui or whichever island you are on...You could also google it. But here are few common usual things:

Snorkeling,
stand up paddle, surfing (lessons given)
swimming,
USS Arizona, Enterprise stationed on Oahu
Bike riding, movies
hanging at beach, Movie tours

also thought about the Bishop Museum which has some great programs for kids and adults, You can take the bus there but you will have to transfer I believe.

Wow, you are cutting it close. September can be a busy month, tourist wise.

I have no ideas for hotels, but here are some activities:
Bishop museum has things for the whole family. http://www.bishopmuseum.org/exhibits/
Everyone is looking forward to the scream machines exhibit coming, but it starts at the end (27th) of September.

The Children's Discovery Center is fun fro smaller kids, but probably too young for the 14 yr old.

Iolani palace is very interesting and the grounds are nice for having a picnic. Check for tickets in advance. Instead of a picnic there, you might combine this with a walk through Chinatown, stopping for lunch in one of the small restaurants (Little Village is great) or picking up exotic snacks at one of the many markets.

The Aloha week festivities are fun for families. The big parade is on Sept 27.
http://www1.honolulu.gov/dts/usage/14/sep14.htm

If your kids like sushi, Genki restaurant is a good spot to try out the conveyor belt style of service. There are several branches, including one on Kapahulu Avenue and another in Ala Moana Center. they have other items that are not fishy. Check the menu card and order things that are not showing up on the belt.

If you like hiking, two short and easy ones are the Manoa Falls trail and Waahila Ridge. they are close to Waikiki too.

And don't miss snorkeling at Hanauma Bay. Go as early as possible (the parking closes when filled, and you can't just lurk till a car leaves). Check their website as they close on certain days.

The Paradise Cove luau has activities for kids and a ceremony of the pig roast before the meal and entertainment. It's located on a beach several miles out of Waikiki, and you can purchase a Robert's tour to it. It's a little hokey for adults (or maybe not if you haven't been to one), but the kids should love it.

There is also the Polynesian Culture Center that can take most of a day if you are interested in the different cultures of the Pacific Islands. It's run by the Mormons.

The children also might like the Dole Plantation with a maze and their pineapple whip cones plus a LOT of souvenir-type merchandise for sale.

We always rent a car and drive around the island each trip. The scenery is breathtaking (and a stop at the macadamia nut factory nets good samples and another opportunity to buy stuff, including mac nuts).