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Plan your family getaway to Hawaii. Many properties offer menus, activities and amenities aimed at kids, as well as money-saving packages that make a trip to the Aloha State quite affordable! Ask our Hawaii Specialist! Big Island Kauai Maui Molokai Oahu Multiple Islands Natural history and Hawaiian culture - which make the Big Island unique - should be part of a family itinerary. Even those who have traveled widely will find this namesake island of the archipelago a place of superlatives.
Two volcanoes, among the world's most active, yet safest to view, are the highlight of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. www.nps.gov/havo Not only is there the opportunity to view Kilauea Volcano in action, there are also lush fern forests where trails lead to underground lava tubes and petroglyph fields where the Polynesian Hawaiians carved mystic images into rock. If your stay is at one of the resorts that lie along West Hawaii's Kona or Kohala coasts, keep in mind that it's 120 miles to Park headquarters, with the circuit of its numerous attractions adding another 50-70 miles of driving. - that's more than 300 miles roundtrip, which makes an over-nighter in or near Park headquarters or in nearby Hilo the way to go for a family visit.
Culturally speaking, the Big Island's Kona-Kohala coast is the heartland of Polynesian Hawaii, providing an opportunity to experience the Hawaiian past in ways not possible on any of the other islands. Ancient sites are scattered along the coast, with the most impressive the Puuhonua o' Honaunau National Historic Park operated by the National Park Service. The Kona/Kohala districts also offer a number of family adventures, including a kayak adventure of the irrigation waterway that makes its way through North Kohala's mountainous wilderness (the trip is easy, safe, fun and includes a swim in a waterfall-fed pool), priced at $85; $65 ages 5-19; and muleback trail rides into North Kohala's Pololu Valley; as well as a variety of other half-day and full-day family-friendly hiking adventures priced at $89-$145; $79-$99 ages 4-12.
Four Seasons Resort Hualalai's brand-new Tsunami activities center is a great hangout for vacationing teens. It features two Sega game centers, two computers with Internet access and a state-of-the-art entertainment center with a 54-inch surround-sound television that plays DVD movies continuously. It also has pool, ping pong, foosball, board games, books and puzzles. Open daily from 10:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Lushly tropical and ever-beautiful, Kauai's extensive mid-range condo inventory keeps dollar value for families in mind. At 555-square miles, just about any place on the island provides a base for a memorable family vacation.
Kayaking offers the calm water of sheltered streams - either with rentals that allow self-guided discovery, or escorted excursions on Kauai's four navigable streams. Hiking provides another first-rate family adventure - at Kokee State Park there are spectacular panoramas that take in much of the island from a 4,000-feet-above-sea- level perspective; or head to Haena where the road ends at the base of Na Pali's first cliffs where you can hike the coast for unforgettable views or make your way to the nali-mile marker on the 11-mile-long Kalalau Trail for the best views of the coast; it's a steep ascent, but at one mile roundtrip, it's easy for even young children. Or cruise offshore with on a five-hour morning snorkel excursion priced at $118; $70 ages 5-11. A winter whale watch cruise is priced at $40; $20 ages 5-11. When they say Maui No Ka Oi, "Maui is the Best", they have families in mind. With Hawaii's largest selection of condo accommodations, hotels to suit all budgets, easy-access beaches and activities and attractions that keep nature in a starring role, there's enough to see and do on Maui to make a return visit something to anticipate.
A Maui family vacation starts with the wide range of beaches and watersport options, highlighted by catamaran sails to Molokini Island and a marine preserve off Maui's resort-lined southeast coast that offers memorable snorkeling. From Mid-November through early May the trip to Molokini includes the chance to view the giant humpback whales that winter in Maalaea's sheltered waters. There are also whale-watch cruises. Other sails depart West Maui resorts to visit the main preserve at Mokuleia and Honolua bays - all worth considering. Prices range $70-$80; $30-$50 ages 4-17.
Haleakala, the larger of Maui's two volcanic mountains, provides families with a wide variety of unique adventure options on land. The mountain's summit caldera, the largest such dormant crater in the world, is the centerpiece of Haleakala National Park. www.nps.gov/hale While the view alone is worth the 25-mile-long switchback ride to the summit, it's only the beginning of the possibilities for family adventures. Hikers can head into the crater's lunar landscape; if the kids are 10 and over, you can saddle up the family for a day trip horseback ride to Haleakala's crater floor for $140; or you can join the Maui Downhill on a 38-mile bicycle run that ends at the coastal town of Paia. (It's safe and easy, with breakfast or lunch, flower farms, and pit stops along the way.) Children 12 and over can join. Priced $110 (daytrip) to $120 (sunrise tour).
Maui's newest attraction is the innovative Maui Ocean Center www.coralworld.com/moc There are interesting walk-by-tanks, interactive displays and a see-through tunnel that makes its way through a 750,000-gallon tank that reproduces Maui's marine environment that includes manta rays, green sea turtles, sharks, mahimahi and a tropically-colorful array of fish. Priced at $17.50; $12, ages 5-12.
The historic West Maui town of Lahaina, once Hawaii's royal capital, provides another family recommendation. With fun-to-browse shops; a broad selection of restaurants and historic buildings including a missionary home, old prison and printing house - all easy to visit on a self-guided walking tour that is a well-paced family activity. The Lahaina-Kaanapali & Pacific Railroad, a restored steam-powered sugar cane train, offers a two-mile ride between Lahaina and the Kaanapali Resort and back for $14.50; $8 ages 4-12.
FOR THE KIDS: While some hotels are more family friendly than other, all resorts, it seems, offer something to attract families, whether that is the knee-high children's buffet breakfast found at the FOUR SEASONS WAILEA'S Pacific Grill cafe; the Camp Hyatt and elaborate slides-and-rocks pool landscaping offered at the HYATT REGENCY MAUI; the roomy condos to be reserved at KAPALUA BAY CLUB or the comfortable campus set up and family-friendly rates presented by the KA'ANAPALI BEACH HOTEL. KA'ANAPALI
BEACH HOTEL The 430-room KA'ANAPALI BEACH HOTEL has a complimentary children's program called Aloha Passport for Kids, which is open to children infant-age to 12 years old and includes such activities as hula lessons, lei making, sand painting, grass skirt assembling and meals , in which children learn about the rich island heritage in a 'fun' and interactive way. The property is one of the classics of Ka'anapali Beach, a three-mile-long strand of name-brand resorts on the island's north side. This one brings a touch of "old Hawaii," with a quiet, palm-shaded grassy lawn leading to the beach and simple rooms that open up over the sand and surf. Packages include the Sun and Sand option, which is 5 nights in an oceanview room; a compact rental car; daily breakfast buffet, one dinner at the Tiki Terrace; two Hawaiian beach towels; a picnic snack pack and a choice of adventure activities. The rate is $1,879. HYATT
REGENCY MAUI Meanwhile, the Hyatt's Camp Hyatt offers full- and half-day children's programs for kids 5-12. Meals are an option, as well as activities that include Hawaiian arts and crafts, sports games, sandcastle building and excursions to nearby attractions. For families who like to 'tee off', the Hyatt's Golf Package runs through the end of the year and includes a 5TH NIGHT FREE in addition to THREE DAYS OF UNLIMITED GOLF for two with GREEN FEES, STORAGE and CART. Rates start at $1,060 per person, double. KAPALUA
BAY CLUB The KAPALUA BAY HOTEL, well-known as one of the hottest places to wed on the island due to its dramatic ocean bluffs vantage, offers a Family Package that provides a 50% DISCOUNT on an adjoining room for children 17 and under when booking one room at rack rates that begin at $390 per night. The package also offers a 14% DISCOUNT off Kamp Kapalua children's program. When accompanied by a paying adult, each child age 12 and under receives a complimentary buffet breakfast. Special children's menus and prices are offered for other meals. The property is a member of the STARWOOD LUXURY COLLECTION and offers oversized accommodations starting at 500 sq. ft. ACTIVITIES: For a variety of easy-to-share family adventures, book a stay at the Molokai Ranch Camps where a la carte pricing for kayaking, horseback riding, a cattle round-up, fishing , snorkeling, mountain biking and cultural hikes runs from $25 to $125.
At Molokai Ranch families can hide away at Kaupoa Beach Camp, canvas bungalows set by the sea and furnished with a queen bed, solar-powered lights and a private bath with a hot-water shower. Nightly rates start at $205, including breakfast; kids under 12 stay FREE. Activities include archery, hiking, biking, kayaking and horseback riding ranging from $25 to $125 per person. Excursions to the stable, bug hunts and more are highlights of the 'Kamalii Ed-venture' children's program ($30 half day or $55 full day). ACTIVITIES: With Hawaii's most comprehensive selection of attractions, and Waikiki as a high-energy vacation base where swimming, surfing, snorkeling, catamaran sails and outrigger canoe rides are all within an elevator ride and a short walk, Oahu offers families variety, affordability and the convenience of having restaurants, movies and Hawaiian entertainment close at hand.
While the beach is a likely starting point for any stay in Waikiki, other diversions dovetail nicely into planning a family-focused itinerary. All there is to see and do is within a pleasant walk from movies (including the Hawaii IMAX THEATRE) to restaurants that range from familiar fast-food outlets that help keep a vacation within budget and draw quickfire approval from the kids - to innovative Hawaii Regional cuisine and a diverse offering of ethnic fare.
Also great for families, are the FREE family-oriented movies on the beach in Waikiki, food booths, live music and a torch-lighting ceremony - all part of the 'SUNSET ON THE BEACH' program sponsored by the city of Honolulu and the Waikiki Improvement Association, which takes place from 4 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays at the city's Queen's Surf Beach in Kapiolani Park and is about a five-minute walk from the hotels. One weekend a month, the event will be held at an alternate Oahu beach.
Kapiolani Park, a 200-acre preserve on Waikiki's eastern border, had offered the complimentary KODAK HULA SHOW, offered FREE Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, plus the Waikiki Aquarium and the Honolulu Zoo, both open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. (However, we understand that this is no longer being offered.)
 
Outside Waikiki, a lot of beaches line the coast, making it possible to tie water activities into just about any day trip adventure. In addition, easy-to-access, easy-to-hike trails include hikes to the summit of Diamond Head and to Manoa Falls, both within a short distance of Waikiki. Also nearby is the Hawaii Children's Discovery Center, a perfect tie-in to a visit to Iolani Palace or the Mission Houses Museum. Open Tuesday-Friday from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m.-3p.m., the Center provides interactive fun perfect for ages 4-12.
Sea Life Park Hawaii makes a great tie-in to a snorkel visit to the Hanauma Bay Marine Preserve. Admission is $25; $12.50 ages 4-12. Or, if the budget permits, sign the kids up for a session of Splash University, a dolphin interactive program guaranteed to provide indelible memories for $79.
The Dole Plantation Pineapple Maze, open daily 9 a.m.-5:30 p.m., provides a diversion for those headed to or from the North Shore. Guinness-rated as the world's largest maze, it provides playful fun to share as a family for $4.50; $2.50 ages 4-12.
The North Shore is home to two unique attractions. With ongoing activities that introduce the cultures of seven Pacific Island nations, including Hawaii, Tahiti and New Zealand, the Polynesian Cultural Center provides a day-long selection of things to do. The IMAX theater, evening luau and a spectacular musical revue that is Hawaii's most extravagant are in addition to the admission charge of $27; $16, ages 5-12. Packages priced $49-$95; $32-$65, incorporate select add-ons. Open daily, 12:30 p.m.-9 p.m.
Or, head to Waimea Valley Adventure Park, an 1,800-acre preserve, and enter the Ko'olau rain forest on mountain bikes, ATVs, or on horseback, each priced at $55, or tour the park's cultural and botanical gardens on foot or by tram for $24; $12 ages 4-12.
At Kualoa Ranch & Activity Club, about a 40-minute drive from Waikiki on the Windward Coast, you can also head out on horseback, jet ski, snorkel, scuba, kayak or take to the skies on a helicopter tour that flies over the breathtakingly blue expanse of Kaneohe Bay. Individual activities are priced at $14-$45, with multi-activity packages priced at $69, $99, and $159; half-price, ages 3-11.
Oahu's newest attraction, a hit with kids and adults alike, is Hawaiian Waters Adventure Park where more than 20 acres of water slides and play pools provide a full day of great family fun. Located about 20 miles west of Waikiki, not far from the Ko Olina resort, this is an opportunity to let the kids have some time on their own while you head to Ko Olina for golf or some pampering at the Ihilani Spa. Hours vary seasonally. Cost is $29.99; ages 4-11, $19.99. |
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