redheadk, Oahu is big on our list to visit. It really is unfairly judged. I have a ton of family from my Dad's side who are born and raised Hawaiians that live in Oahu. They always give me a hard time for not visiting them when we are HI.
Post by pinkdutchtulips on Apr 19, 2021 11:26:55 GMT -5
We did Lahaina/Kaanapali and Hana with the kids (almost 9 and 11) and it was fun. We took them to blowholes, the beach, Whalers Village. We tried to see the sunrise at Haleakala but we couldn't get a reservation. Hana was fun with the waterfalls raging and we did some hiking around Black Sand Beach but the ride up is not for the faint of heart.
J has been to Hawaii too many times to count as his gma has lived there the last 30 years or so (Honolulu) and his favorite spot is Kaanapali.
I live part of the year on Oahu (in Waikiki) and spent my high school years on the Big Island (Hilo side). I would not recommend Waikiki for families - it’s too crowded and the beach is ok, but I’d stay either on the North Shore or in Kailua (on the east side of Oahu) if you want better beaches. The best beaches IME are the ones on the east / northeast (Kailua beach, Sherwoods in Waimanalo, and beaches near Ka`a`awa/ Hau`ula near the Polynesian Cultural Center). There is a lot to do for your kids age group on that side as well (Kualoa Ranch, PCC, MacNut Farm, Haleiwa town, etc.)
I am not a fan of Maui mainly due to the beaches. I find them really dangerous (even as someone who grew up swimming in the ocean and who is fairly comfortable with our waters). Also, most of the shark attacks in Hawaii are on Maui beaches. 😬
I love Kauai for its very laid back, country feel. To me, it the most genuinely Hawaiian island.
The Big Island would actually offer you a nice mix of country/ local Hawaii (on the Hilo side) and resort life (on the Kona side). You could easily spend 7 days on the BI and make your way around the island (from Hilo to Volcano to Kona - even Waimea is beautiful - paniolo (cowboy) country!)
Let me know if you have any other questions - I’m happy to give you more recommendations!
Hi, I hope you don't mind, but I'm going to totally jump in here with my own questions/situation.
DH and I visited Maui in January 2018 and it was the most magical place I've ever been. We spent 5 nights in Kaanapali and 2 in Wailea. We did find we're more Kannapali/Lahaina people.
I finally saved enough miles to be able to fly 1st class to HI again, and it just so happened that with COVID, I was able to book all four of us in first class during the kids fall break (last week of October 2021). I HOPE they are vax'd by then, but not counting on it (11 and 9). I can always cancel and get my points back, so if HI says no entry, that's that. Anyway, only way I'll go is lie flat seats, so my options were BI and Maui and I want to go somewhere new, so BI it is!
DH refuses to go more than 7 nights, so I'm trying to decide how to split it between sides. I'm thinking 4/3 (Kona/Hilo)? We're not huge nature people, but will hike if it promises a good waterfall at the end I don't feel like we'd be spending a full day at a beach (unless the whales come early and we watch them like DH and I did). But we have beaches to lounge on closer to home and 3/4 of us has ADHD. Everything I see says spend more time on the left, but I feel like maybe that isn't a good idea for us? DH hates when I pack the schedule super full, but I also don't want too much time for the kids to sit on their tablets in a room while we decide what to do.
Current list of things: Left side: boys get a day charter to fish/girls beach it or maybe a helicopter tour (boys are too scared); Sunset Mauna Key (probably can't do summit b/c of DD getting elevation sick in Denver-this is 2x as high) kayak with spinner dolphins snorkeling with manta rays after dark
Right side: Farmers Market Hike to lava point Halemanumau Crater at night Thurston Lava Tube Jagger Museum overlook to see Kilauea at night change of craters road, drive to see Holei Sea Arch Hamaukua Coast to Rainbow Falls, Akaka Falls, Pee'Pee'e Falls, Boiling Pots zipline somewhere Onekahakaha Beach tide pools
We haven't decided between hotels and airbnb. I could potentially use points for a Hyatt on the left, Hilton on the right. But we also do have the money to get an airbnb. But then, do we stay in one the whole time and spend all that time driving? Or split still. I'm very indecisive
I lived there for almost 5 years and most of my experience is on Oahu. I like paradise cove or PCC for a luau although Germaine's has better food, Paradise cove has a better show. Polynesian Cultural is a great all day activity and their luau is good. I'd definitely island hop, the road to hana is great, the black sand beaches on the big island are great. The volcanoes are awesome. My favorite beaches on Oahu are on the other side, in Kailua and of course you have to go to the North Shore, Waimea is great. Please be mindful of riptides, swim parallel to the shore and watch your kids. I do not like the beaches in Waikiki, Ko Olina is a good one for families. Eat local foods, they are awesome. Not Zippy's though..lol I hate Zippy's. Must have a plate lunch and make sure you get macaroni salad, Hawaiian macaroni salad is the best. Oh and take The Bus!
jlt19, we are going to the BI for 2 weeks in October (late September/first week of October)! We are staying 4 nights in Hilo and the rest at the Islands of Mauna Lani (condos north of Kona). We fly on points, too, with the lay flat seats.
If you haven't already, check out the rental car prices. We got lucky and are paying $550 for 2 weeks but the prices have gone through the roof.
I don't think your kids are old enough for the Mauna Kea summit tours, just FYI.
jilt19, I would stay on both sides rather than drive. We found the driving to be longer than you might think because you are going through the mountains/ hill, so it is a bit winding as opposed to a straight expressway. Not to say there isn't straight expressways, but not on the roads we took. We stayed in Captain Cook, and then we drove to Hawaii Volcano park, and it definitely was a lot of driving to go there and back, and we didn't even make it to Hilo.
jlt19 I would split and do 4 days in Hilo, and 3 days in Kona. While staying in Hilo I would go down and do Volcano National Park, it's a little bit shorter of a drive then from the Kona side. On the Hilo side I'd do Akaka Falls, it's a paved easy hike/walk and the water fall is higher then niagra falls! There's also a goat farm on the drive to it that the owners are so sweet and you can feed the goats. Jagger museum is permanently closed, and I believe the arch collapsed and isn't around anymore either. But VNP is so cool and def worth a day or two spending at. I have more lol but have to run I can tell you more later if you'd like! I loveeee big island
Post by buckeyegirl on Apr 21, 2021 13:55:55 GMT -5
We went to the Big Island and Oahu two weeks ago. We spent 6 nights in Kona and 2 nights at Disney Aulani. We did the drive to Volcano from Kona. We were jet lagged so we were up early. We left around 6 AM and were back to our hotel around 4. We could have spent more time in some places and it was a long day but doable. We spent another driving where we drove up Mauna Kea and went to Akaka Falls, Rainbow Falls and a few other places. The two days we were in Hilo it rained and was quite chilly. I think that was coincidental even thought the Hilo side does rain more. It was 80 and gorgeous in Kona. The arch has not collapsed at Volcano. If only doing the Big Island. I would spend more time one the Kona side. I think 2-3 days in Hilo would be sufficient. Do book a rental car right away. We had no issues but people were trying to rent for the day at Disney and they had zero cars.
We are going to the BI in September/October for 2 weeks. Hilo wasn’t directly affected by the eruption but there is currently no viewable lava flow. We are staying 4 nights in Hilo and the rest in Kohala, north of Kona.
My personal favorite is Kauai. We were supposed to go last summer. It would have been DD’s first time to Kauai. I love the north shore! I wish we were going here this fall but the primary reason of our trip is to spread MILs ashes and she requested that be done on the BI.
We actually had a really nice trip to Oahu a few years ago. We split our time between a house in Lanikai and the Turtle Bay Resort. We were with family part of the trip; it was important to my DH and MIL that dd be able to meet extended family, visit the family home, etc. I enjoy Oahu and the dichotomy of city and country it offers but it’s not necessarily what people envision when they think of Hawaii. I was pleasantly surprised at how much we enjoyed Turtle Bay; we normally avoid resorts in Hawaii but this one was very relaxed, easy to come and go from, and the pool/beach set up was wonderful.
DH really wants to stay at Turtle Bay because it’s the resort in “Forgetting Sarah Marshall” and he loves that movie 😂
We also love that movie and drove to the resort when we were in Oahu. It wasn't nearly as nice as it looked in the movie. Kind of run down. We were very disappointed! (This was 10 years ago, so maybe it has been renovated since then).
jlt19 , we are going to the BI for 2 weeks in October (late September/first week of October)! We are staying 4 nights in Hilo and the rest at the Islands of Mauna Lani (condos north of Kona). We fly on points, too, with the lay flat seats.
If you haven't already, check out the rental car prices. We got lucky and are paying $550 for 2 weeks but the prices have gone through the roof.
I don't think your kids are old enough for the Mauna Kea summit tours, just FYI.
LOL, us too! It's the only way to fly. We have to go to Dallas vs. LAX so that's a longer flight, but it's SO worth it. My kids will DIE when they get on the plane.
I did book our car already, thank goodness. I got a convertible for the week for about $500, which is what we paid for the same car/time in Maui in 2018. But I have noticed car rentals have gotten crazy. I tried to book a car for less than 3 days in Florida 2 months in advance, and the cheapest was like $450. We'll just uber/walk, thank you very much.
Thanks for the tip about the summit. I also had a note about maybe star gazing at the visitors center? I wrote this list months ago, when we had originally planned to take the trip in June. But we pushed it back for a variety of reasons, so I don't even remember what things I wrote down mean, lol.
jlt19 I would split and do 4 days in Hilo, and 3 days in Kona. While staying in Hilo I would go down and do Volcano National Park, it's a little bit shorter of a drive then from the Kona side. On the Hilo side I'd do Akaka Falls, it's a paved easy hike/walk and the water fall is higher then niagra falls! There's also a goat farm on the drive to it that the owners are so sweet and you can feed the goats. Jagger museum is permanently closed, and I believe the arch collapsed and isn't around anymore either. But VNP is so cool and def worth a day or two spending at. I have more lol but have to run I can tell you more later if you'd like! I loveeee big island
that's sad about the museum and arch Instead of the Hilton in Hilo, there are some really cool airbnb places around VPN that I'm thinking about. And since we do have the extra funds right now, I may just do that and save my points for later.
But yes, feel free to plan a 7 day itinerary for us when you get the time We arrive on a Monday afternoon and leave on the following Monday, early evening. Fly into/out of Kona, but no decision yet as to which side to do first. We will be there on Halloween, so I will probably take that into consideration, but I'm not dragging along costumes. I'll buy the kids a bag of candy when we get home, lol.
Car rentals got crazy because they had to sale all their cars and its a big supply and demand issue right now in Hawaii. They need to purchase more but manufacturers also have issues dealing with demand and increased their prices. So lets blame covid on that one. I am glad I booked mine last November but I do worry it will get cancelled. But arriving mid week is in our favor here.
We got direct flights to Maui from DFW and it's only 7 hours. When we went to Kauai it always felt like a lifetime with the flights stopping in the middle and having to have a layover.
With active 10 & 12 year olds I would do Kauai. I would do a few days south and do a catamaran ride one of the days and then head to the north for most of the trip.
Post by basilosaurus on Apr 22, 2021 4:14:20 GMT -5
Stupid pb are my lengthy response. The gist is I lived in oahu, both sides. I've been to all the islands haole can go to. I can recommend places anywhere and definitely have strong opinions about food.
Consider Molokai. Not many travelers make it there, and I absolutely fell in love with it.
Each island has unique things to recommend it. Figure out the type of trip you want first. Then go from there. Then come back here and ask for recs. I still get holiday postcards from a place I stayed in lahaina (maui). First morning of my honeymoon (big island) I lost my husband for hours chatting to the owner of the b&b / coffee farm. If you're a diver I highly recommend the manta night dive. We had 13 the night I dove (you can snorkel but it's not the same. The divers are the ones holding the lights).
I still dream about the crab cake benedict at grand hyatt kauai. Very strong opinions about food on all the islands
Post by basilosaurus on Apr 22, 2021 4:55:15 GMT -5
Wrt big island I only stayed in Kona 2 nights. I actually had family that lived near hilo. Sadly the house they built, literally they built it with their own hands, was swallowed by a lava flow. It was a kickass house.
I stayed in volcano 3 or 4 nights. It was a place my parents recommended. Outdoor shower and tub. Totally private, surrounded by a bamboo forest. Um, also tantra lessons. I guess my parents get freaky. I think they've since changed the name, maybe new owners? Anyway it was amazing. Can look it up if you're going there
And of course I can't mention volcano without remembering really good Thai food (this predated me living in thailand so I might not feel the same way now that I'm spoiled). Also, it's been awhile so I definitely don't remember the name, but it was like an old west steakhouse. I hardly ever eat meat, but I fondly remember that place.
I might be really hungry now. It's nearly dinnertime (currently living in Malaysia). Gah, I miss food in hawaii. I might be on an island now, and I grew up on a caribbean island, but the fish in hawaii was some of the best I've ever had.
Waikiki gets a bad rep, but I really loved living there. I was on the far end so slightly quieter unless you count all the zoo noises. After living in rural japan and Korea in the preceding years it was nice to be able to walk to places. I also lived in kailua and loved it as well. It was pretty crazy watching the presidential motorcade whiz by while you're at a bar at 7am to catch a football game.
I could really go for some garlic shrimp now. I'll pass on the Mac salad though. I don't like mayo.
Anyway I'm your gal if you have food questions. Everything from food truck to super fancy.
Did I mention the banh mi? It was every bit as good as I had in vietnam (I literally ate 2 every day of my week there). They used to only be at farmers market but now have a brick and mortar in China Town. Pig and the lady. The best place for poke on oahu is the wine shop, 2nd best is grocery store and half price near closing time. And don't miss the pickled garlic.
Wrt big island I only stayed in Kona 2 nights. I actually had family that lived near hilo. Sadly the house they built, literally they built it with their own hands, was swallowed by a lava flow. It was a kickass house.
Oh that’s so sad 😞 When I went before we stayed in the Puna area and a lot of my favorite places are now under lava.
redheadk, The Royal Hawaiian in Waikiki is our favorite. I enjoyed our time in Waikiki as much as the other islands and I think my kids would love the pool at the Sheraton Waikiki next door.
frlcb, love the spa at the Grand Hyatt. We bought day passes to shower and get ready for our flights on the last day. The showers there inspired my shower at home.
Post by basilosaurus on Apr 23, 2021 4:33:01 GMT -5
Royal hawaiian is the place of the annual planned parenthood fundraiser. I was there the year they awarded obama's mom posthumously. Sister accepted it. It's next door to a fantastic restaurant (I've slept and eaten and still talk food).
Big island is my favorite but I also really like Waikiki. We are going in august and spending 4 nights on the big island in waikoloa and then 3 in Waikiki. I’m taking my kids for the first time and I’m so excited.
basilosaurus it's so funny you mention food as I was just looking at our Maui pics yesterday. I'd like to be an adventurous foodie on trips, but DH is boring, so I have to find places with "normal" food for him. I always aim to go to new places (to us) and will even sacrifice super good food for a view or ambiance. But we went to Down the Hatch in Lahaina (great atmosphere for HH, but no water view) three times while we were there just to get their lobster and crab stuffed grilled cheese. I'm almost willing to forego the big island and return to Maui JUST to eat that again.