for 9 days 2 adults, 2 girls aged 7 & 8
which island, or islands would you choose
for a december trip?

I like Oahu & Maui the best.

Lots of info:

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...1&tid=34696831

Also:

Maui:

www.mauihawaii.org

www.visitmaui.com

Kauai:

www.kauaidiscovery.com

www.kauai-hawaii.com

Big Island:

www.bigisland.org

Of the three you mentioned, my personal favorite is Kauai. The first time I went there it also was for 9 days with 2 girls. Nine days wasn't enough time, but it was a happy start.
Since I hate schlepping from one place to another in too brief a time... IMHO, I'd recommend a stay on ONE island the entire time for you and your family.
Have fun researching!

I vote for the Big Island. Lots of different things to do and see- volcanoes, rain forest, snorkeling, swimming with dolphins. Not as commercial and developed as the other islands.

With 9 days and traveling with kids, I vote for any 1 island only. Maui is spectacular.

What's the weather like?

Chili today, hot tamale.

Maui and Da Big Isle are two EXCELLENT suggestions!

We took my daughter to Maui when she was eight and it was perfect. We stayed in a resort with a waterslide and a parrot in the lobby and she was in Heaven. I tried to balance things between active days and inactive days. Truthfully, she hated getting in to the car. Now that she's twelve, I'm taking her to the Big Island. The trouble with the BIG Island is that it requires a fair amount of car time to see most of the things that I, at least, feel obligated/desirous of seeing. So I'm sure I'll encounter groans. I know that I will love the Big Island, - I did before. - but Maui is pretty perfect for a family vacation. JMHO

My vote is for Kona!!! Plenty to do, as well as plenty not to do! We enjoyed Maui, but Kauai and BI are now our 2 favs!! Enjoy your trip!!

We went to all three destinations. They all are very nice in different ways. Go to Maui for lots of nice beach, kauai for laid back and lush green forests and Big Island for the volcanoes. Our trip was 10 days and felt rushed. I would stick with 2 islands since you're with kids and getting in and out of airports is no fun. Also Kauai is the island with most rainfall, it rained on and off for 2 1/2 days when we were there in september. December might be worse. If the weather is nice, Kauai is definitely worth it.