Does anyone have any suggestions as far as activites for a single mom with a 3yr old traveling to Maui? Can anyone suggest the nicest beach or beaches to me and maybe some nice restaurants? Thanks....

I definitely suggest you contact [email protected]. Very knowledgeable resident who specializes in helping out tourists and other visitors with Maui info. She was a great help to our family when planning a trip earlier this year. Also can be reached on AOL under Mauikay screen name. She happens to be a single mom also, so might have some good info for you. Tell her Vicki in WA sent you. Good luck.

I don't mean to sound confrontational or antagonistic but b/c it's such a long trip, have you considered waiting until your child is old enough to really appreciate it?

If you are determined to go, you might want to check-out frommers.com where Hawaii is "hot spot of the month" and there is an "ask the expert" forum.

I would imagine that being a single mom you are very busy and find it difficult to spend a lot of quality time with your child. Sure he won't have a clue that he's in "Hawaii!", but that's not the issue. You probably need a vacation, and why not spend it somewhere beautiful where you can also enjoy the company of your child unencumbered by the rigors and routines of every day life. The children don't care where you are, just that they are with you, and why not be with you somewhere that you will enjoy!? I hope you have a wonderful time!

DT, aren't you a 26-year-old guy with no kids? I'm not suggesting that one has to have children to understand anythoing about them, but in this case you aren't providing useful advice. Can't you begin with the assumption that the mother knows what she's doing and offer advicebased on that assumption?

PS Go, Trina! Even if your kiddo doesn't remember, you'll both have a great time while you're there. And my parents took me to Hawaii when I was three, and I remember a little of it.

Trina, Everything else aside, I think the nicest beach to take a 3 year old too would be the one in front of the Kapalua Bay Hotel - calm, gentle, great for playing with children year round, unless there's some extreme, unusual weather. If you want to spend less or go where it's less likely to rain in winter, the Kamaole III Beach in Kihei, or the beaches in Wailea, especially the one in front of Four Seasons, would be nice with a little one. Have a great time!

Aloha Trina,
We saw some kids at Black Rock with little rented rafts with windows in them so the kids could float around and watch the fish just like the snorkelers do. Have a great time, and enjoy the island. It truely is paradise. True, your child may not remember much of the trip, but you will have enough memories( and pictures, I hope) for the both of you!

All I said was "Have you considered waiting until your child is old often to really appreciate it?"

I never said, "Don't go" or anything like that. Even the best of people can sometimes overlook certain things. If Trina has thought this through and really thinks it's a good idea, fine! I'm not objecting!

Stephanie made a good point.
I think Martha overreacted.

By the way, Martha, how did you know that I am single 26-year old man?

I'm psychic. Also, you mentioned it on another post.

Trina,
I believe most of the bigger hotels have programs for kids, although I'm not sure about the age. The beach near SHeraton is great for kids. THere's also a local beach near Lahaina by mile marker 14 (I forget the name of it) but the water there is very shallow and great for kids. And Grand Wailea has a great pool and a little man-made kids beach near the pool for little ones. I think Frommers has a section for hotels with kids programs.

Trina
Prepare well and you'll have a wonderful trip. May I suggest that you invest in a little personal cassette player with headset for the plane ride? They are about $19 at TrUs and will allow your little one some new (loud) fun without disturbing other passengers. Also, I found a child's lifejacket to be indispensable so that mommy could take a break to read a moment or get a coke without worrying that my son would wander into the waves - a child this small is tough to watch 24-7. Finally, don't forget a few comfort objects - regular blanket/ pillow, special toys, favorite snacks - kids this small are happier with routine, even in paradise. Hawaii is a great vaca. for a 3 year old as it is so casual and easygoing in restaurants, etc. Aloha and have a ball!