Hawaii Holiday

[Fishcop]

Hi All

I'm thinking about surprising my wife and 6 year old with a holiday... Hawaii is about 10 hours flight time from Australia and about the limit of of the boy's flight endurance (otherwise we'd head to the USA mainland).

Looking for advice about the right place to stay given the 'family' nature of the trip (romance ended about 6yrs ago ). We've never been there and don't know which Island would be a good fit. I intend to travel during the Aussie school holidays during early April 2015 for about a 8 day stay. Budget is not unlimited, but I don't want a cheap hovel either.

I appreciate any advice offered!

Cheers
John

[LakeCleElum]

John - It was great meeting you on my last trip to Brisbane........Been to Hawaii 5 times and haven't returned since 2002. Did Maui a lot and it's really just not the same.....Sit in traffic and inch from one stoplight to the next......Can see it all in 2 days and what to do after that? Early April will also be school holiday in the US, so fairly busy.

The Big Island can occupy a week, but doesn't have many nice sandy beaches. Mainly rocky beaches...So bored in Kona, found the only excitement was going to Walmart at midnight. We're talking BORED.

Oahu - can be mass people and traffic jams....Only there 2 days and never went back...

Spent 4 days in Fiji on the way to my last trip to AU.......Loved it and only scratched the surface......Probably like Hawaii was before the 1970's.......That's my recommendation..

You live in kind of a tropical area. You have seen most of Queensland and probably won't find Hawaii much different.....

Romance on Maui: https://plus.google.com/114816806564667546743/about?gl=us&hl=en

Have fun whatever you do....

[WPOZZZ]

If you come to Honolulu, we can meet up.

Honolulu is where most of the action takes place for out state so we have visitor attractions such as Polynesian Cultural Center, Sea Life Park, Waikiki Aquarium, Bishop Museum, Honolulu Zoo and a water park. We also have jet skiing, water skiing, jetpack (water) rides, surfing, parasailing, scuba diving, but most of those are available on the outer islands as well. There are some attractions that can only be found on the outer islands such as viewing the active volcano (Hawaii), Haleakala (Maui), water sluice tours (Hawaii)...

[pc100porsche]

I was in Waikiki and Big Island in July .. stayed Moana Surfrider @ Waikiki for the 3rd time, nice hotel on the beach but can be a little expensive. Friends stayed at the Outrigger (close to Hilton) and have a 5 year old kid, just up the beach a little bit and a whole lot less expensive.
On Maui the Marriott at Wailea is OK.
The Hilton on the Big Island has a Dolphin training thing where you can get in with the dolphins, the resort is 1284 rooms however and has a train like Disneyland to take you from one side to the other.
For a 1st trip I'd recommend Oahu .... and its a whole lot better than QLD imho (I lived in Noosa for 6 years).

[Bill Douglas]

Hi John. I went there a long time ago and loved it. Great place. Plus it's fun to go to all those big name surf breaks that you have heard about. No swell when I was there but at least I can brag that I've actually body surfed the mighty Waimea Bay Good food and warm water.

[biosurfer1]

I would suggest the Honoa Kai in Maui. Nice resort, big water park for the kids and scenic area. Plus it's close to a lot including stores, etc.

[Rinty]

Hi John:

My wife and I go to one of the islands every winter, depending on where the Hawaiian Eye meeting is. We like them all, and have stayed in all levels of accommodation, but for a family trip with a 6 year old, the ultimate place would be the Hilton Waikoloa Village on the Big Island. Have a look at their website and you'll see why.

For more affordable accommodation, I would just get a quality hotel on a beach that offers activities that your youngster will enjoy, as you and your wife will enjoy it regardless. The Aston Kaanapali Shores on Maui would be a good bet.

Something to consider is connections. It may be easier on your youngster to have a single direct flight to your destination island, so you might want to check into whether that is possible from Brisbane. I see Jetstar has direct service to Honolulu twice a week in off season.

Have fun.

[scottmandue]

I respectfully disagree about big island/Kona. I have had a great time every visit, Hapuna beach is just a half hour drive up the coast. And the volcano is spectacular.

Having said that I prefer Kauai... lots of sandy beaches... one of the PPOTers here has a condo he rents.

Oahu and Maui are nice... just a little touristy for my taste, but depend on what you are looking for in a vacation. Water sports? Hiking? Kicking on the beach with a good book?

Kauai 2007:

[Noah930]

I think Maui is probably the best for a first time visit. It's the best balance between development/tourism and that Hawaiian feel, IMO.

Oahu is very developed. The most touristy things to do, like WPOZZZ mentioned, but the development can also be a turn-off for some.

The Big Island (Hawaii) is less developed, but it's also a lot of black lava rock. A lot. I made the slight mistake of taking my wife there for her first trip to the Islands. I was fascinated and could have stayed for 2 weeks, there was so much to explore. But it's also the Hawaiian island with no beaches (just joking--but there's a LOT of black lava rock between the beaches), so it's not what Mrs. Noah was expecting.

Haven't visited Kauai, so can't comment about that.

But I would recommend--for a tour book--the Revealed series. There's one for each island. (Oahu Revealed, Maui Revealed, Hawaii Revealed, etc.) I found it to be pretty spot-on on its recommendations of places to stay/things to do/places to eat.

Wherever you go, have a great time.

[Fishcop]

Thanks very much for the advice - you've all collectively made it clear as mud !

I've no doubt we'll enjoy wherever we choose, but I really appreciate the specific hotel recommendations as it's great to view their websites and get a feel for the nuances. Where I live in Brisbane is an hour north of "Surfers Paradise" where we lived for a few years and I can really take or leave (leave) the really commercial stuff - I personally am a bit more about serenity. But 6 year olds are not!

[zelrik911]

We have been to Honolulu a few times when our son was young, coming home from US.
He liked the Pearl Harbour cruise and the Polynesian Cultural Centre.

One thing that surprised us was the beach water temperature in their winter, we found it quite cold to swim in Feb. Maybe check somewhere that it isnt a lot colder than your used to in Qid.

[winders]

https://www.nodc.noaa.gov/dsdt/cwtg/hawaii.html

[Rinty]

Originally Posted by Fishcop

"Surfers Paradise" where we lived for a few years and I can really take or leave (leave) the really commercial stuff - I personally am a bit more about serenity.

John:

The only part of Hawaii that would be comparable to Surfers is Honolulu. You'll have no problem finding serenity on any of the islands.

BTW, the average April water temperature is around 22 - 25 C. It varies slightly among the islands.

[nzporsche944s2]

John

Does it have to be Hawaii for any particular reason? There are many tropical islands half the distance away from you and your dollar would go further e.g Fiji, New Caledonia, Samoa, Vanuatu or a bit further in a different direction you have the Cook Islands or Tahiti...

[Noah930]

Originally Posted by Fishcop

I've no doubt we'll enjoy wherever we choose, but I really appreciate the specific hotel recommendations as it's great to view their websites and get a feel for the nuances.

That's what I like about the series of tourbooks I recommended. The authors claim to have actually stayed in all of the hotels listed (anonymously--not comped) at least a couple times each.

Mrs. Noah and I stayed in the Keauhou Beach Resort when we visited the Big Island. We splurged for an oceanfront room, which is what made it worthwhile. (Otherwise the hotel was OK, but not necessarily spectacular: pool, tennis courts, public white sandy public with decent snorkling next door, restaurant/bar,etc.) The end of the hotel is built on stilts over a fish pond. At night with the hotel lights lit up, fish would swim up to the edge (and under) the hotel. It was like having your own personal fish pond right there. That was cool.

I can't remember the places I've stayed when visiting Oahu and Maui. Too long ago.

[island911]

Every island has it's attractions. Pick an island, then figure out were to stay. --Do you want to be hiking, driving, shopping, dining, policing the fishes...?

With a 6y/o in tow, I think you would have the most fun with a place on Oahu or Maui.

Ko Olina (Oahu) has a Disney resort on one of Ko Olina's very protected lagoons (man-made) I've never stayed there, but hey, Disney doesn't do anything half-way. The few hotels there feel isolated, to me, but not in a good way. One has a cool pond of little hammerhead sharks. A 6y/o ought to like that.

Turtle Bay resort, on the North shore (Oahu) has good energy -the whole area does. Big surf competitions there. Pretty good snorkeling right next to the resort.

If you can find a house to rent on the east side of Oahu, that is just stunning. -calm water, little islands to kayak too Honolulu is fun too (shopping dining)

Maui is my favorite. West Maui is where we always stay - it looks out to both Molokai and Lanai. There is a great mix of things to do in the area. Miles of beautiful sandy beach to walk, great dining, great snorkeling... The town of Lahaina has lots of art galleries and interesting stuff. Quite a few boating activities are based there, including ferries to either Molokai and Lanai. --the boat ride alone is worth the price. Lanai makes for the better day trip, with snorkel gear in tow.

Maui also has the tall volcano, where you can drive up. Observatories are cool. --cold, up there actually. The road to Hana... it is all about the road. Hana is on the wet side.

If you were scheduled to be there a few months earlier you would be seeing a LOT of whales, between Maui, Molokai and Lanai.

[island911]

My Maui Fav - Bldg A Ocean-front Ground floor, Papakea (looks out to Molokai )





A few steps out, wide angle shot of Molokai ...




A few strokes out, looking back...

[LakeCleElum]

Great photo's Island, almost makes me want to return for a 6th trip.

John, If you have your heart set on going, Maui for sure....Besides Island's great recommendations:

1) Coffee in one of the little towns in the upcountry
2) Don't go up to the volcano until you see it is clear. Can be sunny at the beach and foggy up there.
3) Out past Hana and 7 pools is where Charles Lindberg is buried. Tricky to find. Email me for info
5) They tell you not to drive your rental on the dirt road that goes on around from Hana. I've done it in a rental car and a motorcycle. Make sure it hasn't rained for a few days or you'll be fording a few rivers. Hit the road to Hana early, before traffic picks up. Can't really pass pokey tourists.
6) Turn wife/kid loose to shop in Lahaina, you sit at the bar on the 2nd level of "Cheeseburger in Paradise" Can keep an eye on them and see the ocean at the same time.
7) When you PU your rental car at the airport, go directly to Costco, so you don't have to drive across the island to return. Get your liquor and snorkel gear there also.
8) If your hotel as a BBQ, you must do: Azeka's Ribs from Azeka's Ribs and Snack Shop in Kihei,
9) I once did the 40 mile round trip bicycle ride from Kihei to Lahaina and back. Could have avoided the heat stroke if I had taken a shirt, hat and water. Stupid.
10) I'd recommend where to stay, but my fav building is now Condos with no rental.
11) Don't expect locals to be friendly to tourists - Can't say I blame them.
12) Lot's of car prowls, especially at the beach. Don't leave anything in your car.
13) DRIVE ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE ROAD (HA)
14) More often than you think, the road from Lahaina area to the airport is closed due to a bad crash and you miss your flight. Happened to my sister-in-law last year. She had to spend 2 more days. Allow plenty of time.

[JavaBrewer]

Maui

The road to Hana is amazing but perhaps too much (boring) for the 6 year old? We did this drive on the second to last day of our trip. I changed out our rental car for a 4 door jeep. Was amazing with the roof tops off so you don't have to strain to see things. Kids loved the Jeep. I would plan to hit the road really early and spend a long lunch at the black sand beach. Lots of cool stuff and hikes there. With the Jeep we elected to continue all the way around the island rather than back track. The scenery changes from tropical to desert quickly. Very cool...err dry and hot

Big Island

I wrote up THIS REPORT on BIG ISLAND a while ago. With your 6 year old I think the Hilton would be a solid hit. They have a man made lagoon for snorkeling that is stocked with turtles and fish. Max depth is maybe 8-10 feet. Protected from tides and stuff. Very approachable and fun for the kids. Lots to do there but note the walks are long and the train/boat service is very very slow. Dolphin encounter if that is something of interest. Bring your money - as you would expect the food/drink prices are nuts. We stocked up at Costco on snacks and drinks prior to check in.

Have fun.

[island911]

Originally Posted by LakeCleElum

Great photo's Island, almost makes me want to return for a 6th trip.
...

Wait for PNWet January - almost turns to get me there NOW! -- Has this been a great summer-fall here, or what?

Two favorite places to eat on Maui - Merrimen's and Mama's Fish House.

Merriman's Kapalua- the location is stunning (more random shots I took )