Hawaii with Kids

[tres3]

We are thinking of taking the kids with us to Hawaii when DH has to go for work.

We'd split between Oa'hu (work) and the Big Island.

What would you recommend for kids 7-10? 

TIA

[orval]

We were in Oahu and Maui. In Oahu, we mostly hung out at the resort pools and beach. We did take a trip to the North Shore and saw the giant waves. We stopped at the Dole Pineapple Plantation on the way to see how pineapples grow. If your kids don't mind hiking a bit, Diamond Head is pretty cool. The hike is pretty easy except for the 200 stairs, but I am fat and out of shape!

[Deleted]

I liked Volcano national park on Hawaii. DH and I were there pre-kids, but I saw lots of kids there and think that age group would enjoy. There are night hikes that would really let you take in the lava flow, etc.

[tres3]

Mar 1, 2015 9:10:15 GMT -5 smileyface said:

I liked Volcano national park on Hawaii. DH and I were there pre-kids, but I saw lots of kids there and think that age group would enjoy. There are night hikes that would really let you take in the lava flow, etc.

We are definitely planning to do the night hike for the volcano... actually we plan on going late afternoon through darkness. 

I tend to like activities so I'm sort of hoping 1/2 day activity 1/2 day lounging on beach/pool. 

Our hotel in Oa'hu has a dolphin encounter thing. it seems pricy @$200/kid for 1.5 hours but DH will be working so I might book that.

Anyone know if snorkeling with kids is good? 

[mdgirl]

I used to live on Oahu, and there's a ton to do with kids. Kailua Beach is calm and sandy, so it's great for swimming with kids (of course still be careful though). I've never been to the zoo or aquarium, but I know people with kids who went all the time. I think Diamond Head might be a bit of a stretch with a 7 year old -- no shade plus it's kind of boring until you get to the top. Manoa Falls is an easy hike as long as you watch your footing and isn't far from town. It's not inherently Hawaiian, but there is a water park on Oahu: www.wetnwildhawaii.com/.

I personally would not do a captive dolphin program because they're terrible for the animals (they're outlawed on Kauai and Maui). I think something like this boat tour would be a way better experience and give your kids a chance to see dolphins in the wild: www.hawaiianoceanadventures.com/hawaii-adventure-tours/hawaiian-sailing-canoe-tours/. Depending on the timing you could combine it with lunch or breakfast at Aulani.

I'm probably not too much help with the BI for kids. I will say if you're planning on being at VNP after dark I would stay in the general area of the park. It's a loooong drive back to Kona or the Kohala resorts from there. Even Hilo is an hour away. And roads are generally two lane and not lit.

[dutchgirl678]

We didn't go to the BI with kids but there is a great shielded cove by the Outrigger on the south side of Kona that is great for learning to snorkel. There are no big waves and we saw lots of cute fish and even some sea turtles.

Bubba Gump's is always a great place for dinner, especially with kids.

[rootbeerfloat]

Definitely see the Volcano on the Big Island. Hilo has a couple of waterfall hikes, and Waipio Valley is pretty.

On Oahu, I don't think our zoo is as impressive as others, but it will fill some time. The aquarium, OTOH, will only fill about an hour, lol. Dole Plantation has a maze they might like, but the train is more entertaining for toddlers/preschoolers.
Manoa Falls or Makapu'u are kid-friendly trails. I also like the Bishop Museum.

[GilliC]

Mar 1, 2015 10:34:53 GMT -5 tres3 said:

Anyone know if snorkeling with kids is good? 

Are they confident swimmers? When I was 10, I loved snorkeling in Hawaii. I think it stood out as some of the clearest memories of that trip. We went to Hanauma Bay on Oahu and a black sand beach near the Cook Memorial on the big island. The beach has since disappeared in an earthquake, so I believe the Cook Memorial area is only accessible by boat/kayak these days. I don't know how kid-friendly the area is now.

I haven't been to Hawaii for 10 years, so definitely look up some more recent info, but from my last trip... Hanauma Bay is crowded, but it's extremely calm, so it's good for kids who aren't so strong at swimming. We had rough seas while we were on the big island, so we could only snorkel at Place of Refuge. Considering the conditions at the time, it was well also quite calm and would probably be good for kids. We saw quite a few turtles, despite the poor visibility that day.

[nahoku]

I've never been to the BI, but I've been to Oahu many times (and was born there) and we are taking the kids there for their first time next month. They are 5 and 8. Our family enjoys hiking (we take an annual trip to Rocky Mountain National Park), so we will for sure do Diamond Head and plan on doing Makapu'u Lighthouse also. I have Ka'ena trail as a possibility for a longer family hike and Ualaka'a as a shorter family hike.

Other things we would like to do:
-Drive around the island. Stop in Hale'iwa and get some shave ice at Matsumoto's.
-Snorkel/hang out at Hanauma Bay. They've tried it before and even if they don't actually snorkel, they can wear the face masks and stand in the shallow water and still see plenty of fish.
-Would also like to try snorkeling on the North Shore at Kuilima Cove.
-My mom (she and my Dad are living there for the winter) bought some boogie boards for us to use. She got hers used at the Goodwill by their apt.
-Eat all the things - malasadas at Leonard's, Yummy Korean BBQ are for sure things.
-We are doing the luau at the Hale Koa. If you or your H are military, the kids might think it's neat. I went to Germaine's years ago and it was super cheesy but fun.
-Go on a catamaran cruise on Waikiki Beach. You don't need to book in advance.
-Dole Pineapple Plantation. I think it's kind of boring, but the kids might like it, so we'll probably stop there.
-Polynesian Cultural Center. I haven't been in at least 20 years, but again, I think the kids would like it.
-Drive to Pali Lookout
-Swim/surf/paddleboard at Kailua Beach
-The zoo or aquarium as a last resort if the kids get bored. I don't think that will happen though!
-Pearl Harbor (we probably won't do this - H and I have been before and I think our kids are probably too young to appreciate it but if your kids dig history, they might like it - I think you can tour the Might Mo (USS Missouri) battleship, too)
-Chinatown

There's a ton of stuff to do there with kids. I can't wait for our trip!

[tres3]

thanks everyone

[msturtle143]

We're BI bound in exactly 2 weeks! We're spending 8 nights on the BI and 6 on Oahu. We have a 3.5 year old with us. The lists here are very helpful. I almost forgot out Leonard's for malasadas!