Jumping the gun a little early here, but my family plans on going to Oahu in August 2004. We have three kids - 9, 5, and 1, and plan to stay at the Hilton Hawaiian because I hear it's good for kids.

Wondering if luaus are good for picky eaters, which my kids fall under the definition of? Kids' menus?
Also, where is best place on the island to snorkel with kids? Finally, has anyone tried the dolphin excursion? not the one at sea life park - we can do that here at Sea World California.

Basically just looking for best kid experience - they like nature, oceans, forest, theme parks - but not shopping!

There are many things to do and I can give you a better idea closer to the date. Hanauma is probably the safest for young children as far as the water conditions if you can keep a good eye on them. Other than that maybe the Kahala Coast, Kailua, baby lagoons at Makapuu, the Koolina lagoons, Ala Moana beach park, or sharks cove.

They would probably think luau food is gross unless they liked stringy pork and sticky rice. Although, the Paradise Cove Luau has great entertainment for kids.

Are you talking about the dolphin program at the Kahala Hotel?

They would probably like the Cultural Center, maybe the museum, the aquarium, the zoo. The Hawaii Nature Center has many cool programs for kids.

There are movies on the beach some weekends. Or brunch in Waikiki on the strip which is like a block party one Sunday a month.

You could feed the koi at Temple Valley.

There's a water park.

let me think some more...

There's a sugar cane train. The Sierra Club does family hikes.

Another good hotel would be the Turtle Bay Hilton on the North Shore or the Ihilani in Koolina. (They have small hammerhead sharks and rays at the hotel.)

You can take them to see the aquarium at the Pacific Beach Hotel.

Grab mochi ice cream from 7-11.

Recommendations on things the kids would enjoy
Haunema Bay ... but go early
Go to lunch in the Pacific Beach Hotel .. eat right next to the 3 story acquarium
Waimea Beach on the North Shore is a great beach in the summer;
Even if they are too small to surf (my nine year old did okay), they might enjoy watching the surfers at Waikiki - have them watch Lilo and Stitch before they go
I personally would stay away from the luau scene with picky eaters... you're overpaying as is, and having picky eaters just makes it worse

One of the best tour books I found was called Driving and Discovering Hawaii -- Oahu by Richard Sullivan

Kids seem to enjoy the different activities throught out the Polynesian Culture Center. But by the evening show, most of the little ones were being carried around fast asleep. I think they would love the Hilton and probably will like the pool and beach right at the hotel the most.

Wow so much info. thanks. My kids are used to the theme park thing and can last quite a while. In fact, last August we were at Disney World and they got up at 7 a.m. and walked/toured the theme parks until we left at about 10 p.m. and never slowed down. We go to the San Diego Zoo and Sea World on a regular basis. I'm told Sea Life Park is no big deal if I've been to Sea World but the aquarium is something I should see.

My son and daughter are shark fanatics; they'd love anything remotely dealing with sharks.

As for the dolphin excursion, it's some thing where they take you out into the ocean and you basically snorkel around with the dolphins. That's what I hear anyway.

As for the PCC, looks interesting for kids but I'm starting to think luaus are no big deal.

they are just excited about seeing penguins at the hotel! About the sharks at the one hotel - are they outside or do you have to pay to see them?

The only Luau to do with Kids is the Polynesian Cultural Center. They have rates for kids and if the are picky eaters let them eat the regular buffet then watch the show (you don't have to eat Luau food). The PCC is also dry (run by the Mormons) but it is the mosst authenic and the performances in the villages are great by themselves. The price for adults with buffet & show is $55 children $35. With transportation from your hotel $68 & $58. There is a great catamaran-snorkel-sail that takes off from the KoOlina Marina on the West Coast that takes you out to snorkel with dolphins. Called the KoOlina Cat. The Lagoons at the KoOlina beach Club very safe for snorkeling, The best snorkeling at Hanauma Bay. There is very limited parking there. Get a tour bus that will transport you to Hanauma, provide snorkel gear for $10 each. You will still have to pay the $5 beach entry each. Another snorkel area is Sharks Cove on the North Shore. (don't worry no sharks)

I would not do the snorkel with the dolphins with kids. The guide was bitten by a shark recently. They take you out to deep water on the side of the island a lot of locals won't go.

"The guide was bitten by a shark recently. They take you out to deep water on the side of the island a lot of locals won't go."

Not quite true.. A dolphin tour boat pulled an unrelated swimmer out of the water that had been bit. At that, as surfers, snorkelers etc., have been bit (at very rare rates) you would need to bar your children from the ocean in toto.

We, at the Wild Dolphin Foundatin endorse Wild Side Specilaty Tours for in-the-wild dolphin swims http://sailhawaii.com as the cat is crewed by a marine biologist and life guard certified crew. As researchers of the dolphins for many years, they are quite adept at judging the safety of the water as well as the welfare of the dolphins.

Even if you stayed onboard and opted out of the in-water opportunity, your children would learn about and see dolphins (turtles, whales, etc.) in the wild rather than as captive prisoners.

The encounters take place in water shallow enough to see the bottom (not in the deep)at about 30-40 ft. depth.

"Locals" do not go to this area mostly because they dont like to drive that far (its an island mentality), and it's not very developed, no man-made draws - shopping etc.

However, this rural area hosts not only the most extensive coral reefs and longest pristine sandy beaches on Oahu, but also the highest percentage of Native Hawaiians. Contrare Island Mom... this is where the locals live...