Suggestions for Hawaii vacation with Kids??

[dandrews64]

Wife and I are wanting to take the kids to Hawaii. We have two - 10 yr old girl and 12 yr old boy.

Which island? What are the best deals? We like nice accomodations (for reference, If you've been to Disneyland, we always stay at the Grand Californian), perhaps a condo, but ocean front/side would be key. Duration: 3-5 days on the island plus two days travel.

Girl likes swimming and horses
Boy likes swimming and fishing

Mom and Dad want to RELAX. (I like the fishing thing too)

[nostatic]

Kauai or the big island. Stay for 5 days at least...it takes awhile to adjust to "island time."

I love the north side of Kauai up at Hanalei Bay. Most any place that is within budget will be great.

[Gogar]

The Hilton on the Big Island has a pretty awesome kid-friendly pool and lots of stuff to do.

http://www.hiltonwaikoloavillage.com/

[EdT82SC]

The Hyatt Regency on Kauai has, if I remember correctly, nine pools that are interconnected with canals and water slide. The pools are all at different levels so the water flows downstream through the canals. No other hotel pool I have ever seen comes close. Your kids will love it. Horse back riding and fishing are available on all the islands through private companies.

http://kauai.hyatt.com/

[alf]

I have done the following with 2 boys.
Honolulu Hyatt
Big Island, Sheraton, Manua Kei, Hilton & Hyatt
Maui Hyatt
Kauai Hyatt

Best stint was in a $1000 a week condo by the beach in Kauai from vrbo.com
Cheap and good.
Expensive does not always equal to good...

Breakfast in my PJs, room enough for the kids to do their own thing. I get to cook my own food, which I like to do.

Listen to Nostatic, stay for at least 5 days.

[HarryD]

We started taking our kids when they were 2 and 4 (they are 12 and 14 now). Always a great time. Stay at least 7 days to really soak it in. I like Maui (more to do and a bit of night life) or Kauai (more laid back and tropical).

Last time we stayed at Kaui, we stayed at holiday Inn, ok not great. In Maui we try to stay in Kaanapali or or Kahana Beach, although Kihei and Wailea is nice too.

Rent a condo on the beach that has a water view you you can lounge in your PJs while you sip coffee. All the beaches are great, just find one that fits your budget.

If you are going in the winter, the Whales are in Lahania Harbor (Maui) and you can charter whale watching trips. Both Kuai and Maui have lots of places to snokel. Rent a car and rent your gear there (last time I went, I used Snorkel Bob's) to access many of them.

[126coupe]

Been going to Kauai for 25 years, almost once per year. Rent a house, my wife and I rented a house right on the water for 500 per night last yr. 3BR 2BR. Cook meals at home. The fresh fish is great. They have a costco. Traffic through Kapaa can be brutal.
Weather on the south side tends to be better.

[HardDrive]

We did the Grand Waliea on Maui a few years ago. Beautiful, but it was not cheap.

[Tobra]

Maui, more stuff to do, cool aquarium, good snorkling, Haleakala(kids might not dig this too much, freakin' cold at 10,000 feet when the sun is coming up, even in the tropics.

Hale Pau Hana on west coast of island in Kihei, condos with kitchen, beachfront. Depending on how many people they have a large suite with a private patio overlooking the sea, facing Molokini.

http://www.hphresort.com/

folks go every other year

[nostatic]

The Hilton Waikoloa is...interesting. It kinda creeps me out - they have their own man-made lagoon and dolphins you can swim with. And trams and boats. Wacky.