We (my husband and I and our 2 children ages 8 and 12) are spending 12 days in Hawaii next July. Can anyone recommend some activities not to be missed.? We will spend 3 nights on the Big Island. Can anyone recommend a Deep Sea Fishing trip company? Also, how long does it take to drive to the volcano from the Kohala coast area? We will spend 5 nights on Kauai at the Hyatt Regency and would like to do a catamaran or zodiac raft trip along the Napili Coast. Any suggestions on which type to do and names of any good catamaran sailing companies? Also any other suggested activities on Kauai? We will then spend 4 nights on Maui and want to take a good snorkeling sail to Molikini or somewhere. Has anyone stayed at the new Sheraton Maui or at the Maui Marriott or the Renaissance Wailea? We haven't yet decided on the Maui hotel and would appreciate any recommendations for that as well. Thanks so much for any advice you can offer. Have a blessed and safe Thanksgiving.

Aloha Tamara!
On Kauai I would recommend taking the Na Pali
tour in one of the power catamarans.The zodiacs
give you a rougher ride plus I don't think your
8 year old will enjoy the ride. We went on a tour
with Na Pali Adventures. My daughter (age 12) enjoyed herself.
The ride was much more enjoyable after watching
the other zodiacs out there. After your ride may
I recommend dinner at Zelo's Beach House in Hanalei.
Very diverse menu.They are very accomodating to children and the prices are quite reasonable.They're
across the street form Na Pali Adventures office.
In Maui the best trip you can take is with Trilogy
Excursion's trip to the island of Lanai. It's an
all day affair 6:30 AM to about 4PM. We've done it
twice the past two summers while we were in Maui.
Their web address is www.sailtrilogy.com.

Aloha,
ED

Aloha!! Your adventure sounds super. My husband and I and another couple stayed at the Renaissance,
on Maui in 96 and it was superb!! They upgraded us to ocean front without even a blink of the eye. Their staaff were helpful and friendly. The grounds were breath taking!! As you can tell we loved our stay. Have a great trip. We're going back in March of 98 gotta see the whales.

Darlene

Thanks so much for all the excellent advice. It is very much appreciated. Does anyone have any experience with either the Sheraton Maui or the Maui Marriott?

Has anyone stayed at or seen the grounds of the
new Sheraton Maui? We are considering staying there. We stayed at the Hyatt Regency Maui the last time we were there and the Sheraton was being rebuilt. We loved the Hyatt, but the Sheraton is quite a bit cheaper and wondered if it compared to the Hyatt? Also, has anyone ever done the Dolphin Quest at the Hilton Waikoloa on the Big Island? My kids want to do it and I wondered what the key was to getting reservations to do it. They accept reservations for children, but adults have to go into a lottery for the Dolphin Quest. Thanks for your help.

There is a small public beach in Kahola-Kona, it is next to a hotel that I forgot the name of. All I know is that you can take the public bus from what used to be the Kona Hilton, and now is something else. The beach is next to a small white church, if that should help you. Another way to get there would probably be just to take the public bus from the shoping area in Kona, and go towards what used to be called the Kona hilton. Just keep going until you see it. It is perfect for your kids and you because the beach is surrouded by rocks, which prevent waves from getting in. There are sea turtles and everthing you can think of there.

You should really consider doing this, we have for the past five years.

We stayed at the Keauhou Beach Hotel which is next to a beach like you described. It was great, lots of fish and a sea turtle that didn't mind all the people. We thought it was better than the better known Haunama Bay on Oahu.

My husband & I chose the Big Island as our honeymoon destination last year. We booked the Intrepid (just north of Kona/Kailua ph. 322-8012) for our half day guided deep sea fishing trip. It was a father/son team, they were polite and professional. We only went out about 2 miles and hooked two marlins which is a rarity.
The drive to the Volcano Nat'l Park will take you about 2 hrs and is worth it. Your kids will love it. Pack a meal and stay until sunset to watch the lava flowing into the ocean.
Have a great time!

Wailea is a bit quieter than the West side resorts. that appeals to you, then try Grand Wailea Resort if you can afford it. Travel and Leisure just voted them best in Hawaii. If you're interested in fishing, visit the online site FishMaui (http://www.fishmaui.com). They've got the most comprehensive site on fishing in Maui.