scott_s

I ve been planning our first family vacation to Hawaii for about a year now and we have about one week left before we depart. I can?t wait, 5 nights Kauai, 5 nights Big Island, 5 nights Maui and 2 nights in Oahu. Here is what we plan to do, then when I get back, I?ll tell you what we did and how it was. I know many of you say this might be too busy, I hope that it isn't, but Im not sure when we will go back.


Maui
Day 1 arrive at night at the Westin Hotel
Swim at pool, relax, eat dinner, unpack etc

Day 2
AM Spa parents
Keiki camp Daughter
Afternoon Maybe Maui Ocean Center or Snorkel Black Rock
Dinner Feast at Lele

Day 3
AM Fourwinds snorkel/snuba
Afternoon Free
Dinner Spago

Day 4
Road to Hanna


Day 5
Art School at Kalupa bay
Swim snorkel at Kalupa bay
Dinner Sarrentos

Day 6
Swim, pack & to airport
Off to the Big Island


Big Island Fairmont Orchid
Day 6
Swim at pool, relax, eat dinner, unpack etc

Day 7
Dolphin Encounter for Daughter
Night Manta ray dive for me

Day 8
Volcano National Park
Blue Hawaiian Circle of Fire tour
Dinner in Hilo or on the way back to hotel

Day 10
Deep sea fishing for me
Free

Day 11
Fairwinds scuba/snorkel
Dinner at Pahul a

Day 12
Pool, beach, pack off to Kauai


Check in at Princeville
Day 12
Dinner at Café Hanalei

Day 13
Kee Beach
Tunnels Beach
Dinner at La Cascata (My birthday dinner)

Day 14
Interisland helicopter
Poipu beach
Dinner at Beach House

Day 15
Kipu Ranch ATV
Dinner at Zelo

Day 16
Napali Coast boat snorkel/tour
Dinner maybe Princville seafood buffet

Day 17
Pool, beach, pack off to Honolulu


Check in Moana Surfrider
Day 17
Dinner at Hotel

Day 18
Pearl Harbor
Missouri
Water Park
Dinner at Nick?s Fish Market

Day 19
Sea Life Park
Off to the airport and
Back to NJ


Well thats it, there are some sights that we want to see and some other things we want to do (ie maybe submarine). We may even wind up canceling some of the activities, who knows, I just wanted to plan them out so I dont have to think about what to do.

Let me know if you see something that I didnt list and you feel it is a cant go to Hawaii and not see.


Thanks,

Scott

Hammond

Scott,

Have a great trip. Can't wait to hear your trip report.

MelissaHI

When you go to the Moana, be sure to have cocktails at Sunset! Have a drink called the Moana Sands--my fave when I am sitting there under the banyan.

panhandle

It looks like a blast! Have a great time and have a macadamia nut pancake with lots of that coconut syrup...mmmm

Deloris

Dude!!!
You're going to spend more time in cars than on the beach, but HANG LOOSE!!
Are you sure you know the distances on the islands??? Kaanapali to Kahalui (the airport_ ), on the way to Hana, is and hour easily and then Hana is at least 2 beyond if you don't get behind a slow driver ( and REAL windy (as in curvy not breezy). The big island is a full day all around and Kauai is a good hour from Princeville to Poipu depending on traffic. And since you're from Jersey, you are dealing with a 5-6 hour time change, depending on when you go!Don't overbook yourself as each hotel you plan to visit is worth chilling out and kicking back! I've been going back again and again for ++++++years and NEVER have enough time to see it all! YOU WILL RETURN!!!! Aloha and relax!!!

islandmom

Wow- you are going first class! Sounds like a great trip. A bit too busy for my taste too. You'll figure it out when you arrive. And at the Moana my fav is grilled veggies with papaya seed dressing plus the drink mentioned above.

My personal taste would be to skip the water park on Oahu and find a natural adventure. There are better water parks on the mainland.

islandmom

And as a Windward resident I just want to say you are missing the most beautiful areas of Oahu

panhandle

We did lots of driving as well on our trip ...we cant stand to relax lol
BTW Our interisland helicopter flight left from Port Allen Airport...it was a fairly long drive from Kapaa...give yourself plenty of time from Princeville.

scott_s

I forgot to thank everyone who has helped me plan this trip, Ive been using this board for about one year now and have received great advise. Island mon, I may cut down some of the activities, all of them allow canelation anywhere from 24 hrs to 3 hrs agead of time. Ill play it by ear. I have been saving up my frequnt flier miles and hotel points for a long time for this trip, so I have more to spend while Im there than I normally would on vacation.


Aloha, and look for my report in early September. I will bring my laptop to Hawaii, but I hope I don't even plug it in.

JohnD

Hey Scott,
On Maui Suggest you consider an early morning trip to watch the sunrise at Haleakala, and dinner at Mama's Fish House (you pass it on the way to the Road to Hana).
On BI, when you visit Volcanoes Natl park, suggest you consider a late afternoon/early evening (about 1 hour before sunset) hike to the active lava flows at the end of chain of crater's road-it's a one of a kind experience that is best viewed in after sunset. Be sure to bring lots of water as it is hot there!
Also suggest you consider a visit to "Place of Refuge"-an ancient hawaiian village reconstruction on BI, and nearby snorkeling at Honaunau Bay.
On Kauai suggest you consider trying hiking the first part of the Napali coast trail (for rugged hikers-as others say "hike until you stop smiling") located next to Kee Beach.
If you have further questions check out guidebooks at http://www.wizardpub.com

Enjoy your stay in Paradise!

turn_it_on

I don't know how old yr daughter is, but the road to Hana may not be the best idea with a little kid, or even a not so little kid, unless they're REALLY into nature and hiking and car rides and not a lot of places to go potty. My boyfriend and I went last month and had a great time, stopping and hiking and stuff (and we stayed two nights in Hana), but to a kid, I have to imagine it just seems like a really long car ride, especially when it all kind of starts to look the same, and ESPECIALLY when just the day before the kid was tearing it up on a sunny beach. I've also read a lot of posts from people here who say the same thing about having taken their kids. Just something to consider...

love
roxy

scott_s

Thanks for the input Roxy, My daughter is 9 and Ive already arranged for to stay at the kids camp while my wife and I go. I posted that question sometime ago and some people thought it was wrong of me to leave her at the camp, like they could never consider doing something the whole family wouldn't do together, but I dont think it is, she will enjoy being with other kids more than a 10 hour car ride with her parents. It will be her choice to go or not to go.

Scott

orchid

The most beautiful part of Hawaii is the ocean. You are going on a whirlwind tour of different sites. Hawaii is a place to relax and enjoy the beautiful beaches, and the sunsets.

anita

Your itinerary sounds fun. I would agree on skipping the Hawaiian Waters Adventure Park. We went there for the day a few years ago. I kept thinking I can't believe we traveled 4000+ miles to go to a water park when there are so many awesome beaches on the island.
The kids had fun but said that they wouldn't go there again. Have a great trip!

scott_s

Thanks for the last minute advise. I would love to cut the water park out. By my daughter thinks it will be the highlight of her trip, so if she has a differen't highlight before we get to Oahu, it will be cancelled.

Im looking foward to a Moana Sands, macadamia nut pancake with lots of that coconut, grilled veggies with papaya seed dressing, dinner at Mamas, and Place of Refuge. The sunrise maybe something I do myself, my family looked at me kinda funny when I suggested that a while ago and we may try some hiking, but again my family doesn't sound real keen, we will try some easy trails I'm sure.

Three more days.


Scott

dolciani

Scott, one thing you left out. The fact that you're travelling w/ 2 females means you've forgotten shopping time. There are so many things that they have there that we don't have here - it's enticing to check out the following: The farmers market in Hilo, Al Moana shopping center on Oahu (I swore I did not want to "do" a mall in Hawaii, but this one is something to see - have lunch at the Pineapple room in Macy's - it's an Alan Wong restaurant and worth the trip. Also, the Ala Moana is on the Waikiki trolley tour - which I would recommend for your daughter - it's educational as the driver explains all the sights you're passing ($18 per person for the day).
Don't miss Lahina - walking down the street is scenic and the sunsets (at dinnertime) are great. The shops are fun. The Kona market on the big Island is worth a trip. Buy some lychees and a pineapple. Enjoy!

Suzie

Hope you have a great trip. We'll all be jealous! Loved the Fourwinds trip we took in Nov!

I was wondering if you're sure you want to eat so far away during 2 of your nights in Maui? Sarentos is in Kihei and Spago is at the Four Seasons in Wailea.

scott_s

Hi Suzie,

I'm not sure if I wanr meal too far away either. I just made reservations based on reviews. I'm not one to drive too far to eat. I'll try to incorporate something with the meal. Thanks for pointing that out to me.

Scott

islandmom

The 24th is brunch on the beach if you are in town. And concerts at the zoo on Weds nights.

islandmom

What about your daughter swimming with the dolphins either at Kahala Mandarin or Sea Life Park?