Family fun in Hawaii that won't break the bank!
Written: Jan 26 '07 (Updated Jan 26 '07)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Good family fun that is affordable
Cons: No cons to these!
The Bottom Line: Hawaii can be an affordable family destination with a little planning! Highly recommended.
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| pilarzmom's Full Review: Hawaii |
Although Hawaii is no longer the remote island paradise it once was, it still is my favorite vacation destination with so much to offer: beautiful beaches, lush tropical forests, loads of outdoor activities including the ever-popular snorkeling and surfing, many site-seeing opportunities, and of course, lots of places to shop, dine, and drink to your heart's content. Sadly, so many activities and tours seem to cost so much money and if you're traveling with kids, the tab can run up quickly. However, the good news is that you can still have a great vacation here without breaking the bank. To help you out I put together a list of my favorite places to visit and things to do, focusing on affordable family-oriented diversions on my three favorite islands: Maui, Kauai, and my favorite island, the Big Island of Hawaii.
The Big Island
My favorite side of the island is the west side, where the popular little resort town of Kona is located. I still recall my first flight here, and my initial negative impression--landing on an air strip next to a lava field made me feel like I was landing on Mars. However, I really came to like this hotter, arid side of the island, and fell in love with the rugged features of the lava fields. Many tourists now flock to the Kohala Coast area, just up the road from Kona, where many of the hotels and condos are actually built on top of lava fields
The east side of the island where Hilo is located is as different as night and day. It is the wettest place in the United States, with rainfall of 100 inches plus a year being the norm. But with all that rain comes a lush beauty. So it is certainly worth your while to visit this side as well, although if sunny beaches are your reason for coming to Hawaii, plan on only spending a few days here.
Here are my five must-do sites or activities for The Big Island:
Hawaii Volcanoes National Park - Although located more toward the east side, it is still within a few hours of the west. Park features two of the world's most active volcanoes, and you'll be able to hike across a caldera and past ancient lava flows as well as walk through lava tubes. It is also possible to see active lava flows, but they are currently in remote areas of the park.
Saddle Road - This road cuts through the center of the island and you'll see some impressive scenery along the way, notably Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa. As you get nearer toward Hilo the landscape becomes much greener with a shroud of misty fog hanging over it. If you have the time you can actually drive to the top of Mauna Kea (over 13,000 feet). My husband did this one time (I stayed several thousand feet below at the visitors' center since I had a baby!) and the view was impressive. The University of Hawaii has a couple telescopes up here as well.
Waipio Valley - You'll need a 4WD to get here as you'll go down a hill with a 25% downgrade but the steep drive down is well worth it. This valley, which was the childhood home of King Kamehameha and now is home to taro farmers and a few farmers of questionable crops, is on remote north side of the island. It has some spectacular waterfalls and a beautiful remote beach (but don't swim here due to rip tides). Some good hiking and off-road tours for the adventurous but bring lots of bug repellent.
Kahaluu Beach Park - While there aren't as many beaches on the west side as other islands, this beach in Kona makes up for it. It's a great public beach with nice snorkeling. Sand isn't super smooth and not always very clean, but it's more laid-back than Maui beaches. Good chance of seeing some sea turtles here as well. Locals also use this beach so you might run into a few shady characters, but all in all, a good safe family beach with restroom facilities and nearby places to eat.
Petroglyph Trails - There are several on the island but if you're on the West Side, the best one is Malama Petroglyph Trail on Hwy. 91 between mile markers 73 & 74. It's about a half-hour walk through the lava fields with these ancient carvings used as a form of communication by the islanders. It's very interesting and even young children enjoy searching and looking for these.
Maui - The Valley Isle
Maui is the first choice for many West Coast honeymooners for good reason. It's got the beautiful resorts coupled with gorgeous beaches. Its weather is next to perfect. And there are an endless amount of activities, ranging from helicopter rides to para-sailing to biking down a volcano at the crack of dawn. But for families it's still a good choice, as there are many affordable family-oriented activities.
I've stayed in both Kaanapali on the very-happening western side, as well as in the slightly more secluded and upscale area of Wailea, just south of Kihei. Both are very nice areas and central to many island activities. However, after staying at the Hyatt in Kaanapali we found some very spacious and reasonable condos in the Wailea area that we found more appealing to our family of four. It wasn't as crowded and overrun as the Kaanapali area as well.
It's hard to pick just five activities or destinations on Maui, but without a doubt, these are my fave five:
Big Beach - My favorite beach on Maui! You'll have to make a short hike in to this secluded beach south of Wailea but you'll be rewarded a beautiful wide, soft sandy beach. You won't have a shower or facilities, nor is there an equipment rental, but this beach is truly worth it. Just don't hike over the hill to Little Beach with your kids--that's where the nude sunbathers go.
Whale Watching (December to March) - A definite must-do and one activity that I recommend coughing up the money to see. Your kids will remember this and you'll certainly enjoy it too. We went in February and the seas were alive with Humpbacks.
Lahaina - I love this quaint little town. It used to be a whalers port, but now it is a tourist destination. It's filled with cute little shops and lots of restaurants. Yes, it is somewhat of a tourist trap, but my kids love it. Check out the giant Banyan Tree as well. You can definitely spend all day here.
Haleakala National Park - Many folks come here to this currently inactive volcano just to see the sun rise. However, even if you miss it, it's still a very scenic destination with great views and hiking through Haleakala Crater. Dress warmly, though, as it gets chilly on top at the Visitors Center (7000 feet). While driving here watch out for the folks who bike down the hill--a very popular tour package where they are dropped off on top and zip down the curvy road through Upcountry.
Iao Valley - Many people don't have the inclination to make the all-day trek on the winding road to Hana. In particular, if you have young kids, it may not make the best choice anyhow. However, you can still experience the beautiful Iao Valley and the Iao Needle. Located in Central Maui, it's a short drive from the resorts and offers some nice shorter hikes. You'll see lots of tropical plants and dense vegetation with great photo ops of Maui's legendary valleys.
Runners up: Snorkeling at Molokini Crater (little bit of cash outlay but fun if your kids can snorkel); Maui Ocean Center (Aquarium)
Kauai - The Garden Isle
Kauai is the smallest of the three islands, and as a whole, it's also the rainiest. That's why it's also the most green and jungle-like. Both times we've gone in December and stayed in the Poipu area which has the reputation for being the driest and sunniest part of the island. One time it was absolutely beautiful--we got sun every single day although the rest of the island did get rain. When we went a few years ago we got rain every single day. So my advice for others from then on was to be safe and go in the summer only.
Despite my bad luck with weather on the last trip, Kauai comes in a close second to the Big Island for me. Its natural beauty is overwhelming and it definitely has a more laid-back island feeling than Maui.
Here are our family's favorite outings on Kauai:
Waimea Canyon - Often called the Grand Canyon of Hawaii, this spectacular canyon with its lush green valleys is more than 10 miles long and 3500 feet deep. There are 45 miles of trails for all levels of hikers but even a short hike along the rim is rewarding. There are numerous lookouts with great views of the canyon as well as the magnificent Napali coastline with its great green cliffs.
Poipu Beach - A great family beach area. Good snorkeling and small protected cove for kids. Life Guard on duty. Nearby are restaurants and equipment rental. There are covered picnic tables and grassy area. You do have to walk here but very close to nearby condos in Poipu.
Koloa Town - This little town is a fun place to spend an afternoon, shopping for souvenirs and island-inspired clothing, jewelry, and art, as well as getting a bite to eat. It used to be a sugar plantation community and still retains the rustic flavor of its earlier days. Be sure to stop by my favorite place: Island Soap & Candle Works.
North Shore - The weather is very unpredictable over here but it's still worth the trip. Next to road to Hana on Maui, there's nothing more green, lush, and beautiful as the drive along the North Shore. And it's a whole lot easier. Lots of waterfalls and beautiful beaches. Some of the best surfing in the state, too. Stop for lunch on the veranda at the Princeville Hotel and enjoy the beautiful view of the ocean and nearby Kauai mountains. If big resorts scare you, just up the road is Old Hanalei Town, another converted Plantation town with some cool shops and eateries. Continue on to road's end at Kalalua. The attraction here in the hike along the Napali Coastline. This trail is 11 miles long and is very rocky and uneven. We've hiked a few miles of it, but in the winter it's muddy and generally slow going. However the views are spectacular.
Wailua Falls & Fern Grotto - It may not be the Mississippi, but the Wailua River is Hawaii's only navigable river. We took a short riverboat tour up the river that meanders through the grasslands with the mysterious Manu Kapu mountain that towers over Kauai. Others choose to kayak up the river, disembark at an island and go check out Wailua Falls. The river is pretty gentle and it appeared that even school-age children could manage the kayaking. Fern Grotto is a natural amphitheater formed out of volcanic rock covered with ferns. Many couples chose to get married here, too. At the Grotto you will be treated to a short Hawaiian song & dance performance by the family which operates this tours. Wailua Falls is also viewable from the roadside of Hwy. 56.
Runner Up - Smith's Tropical Paradise offers an affordable and fun luau that is great for the whole family.
In conclusion . . .
It is tempting to spend a lot of money on tours and activities in Hawaii. It's not that I'm not recommending them. Some of them are indeed unforgettable (helicopter tours and snorkeling, for example). However, if you're traveling with children they may not always be advisable and the cash outlay can be prohibitive. For me, Hawaii's greatest are its culture and natural beauty. There are many opportunities to experience both of these that don't cost an arm and a leg. Do a little research and don't fall prey to the numerous activity brokers that insist that theirs is the best deal.
Aloha!
Reviews on Accommodations (condos):
Poipu Kai on Kauai
Vista Waikoloa on the Big Island
Reviews on Hawaii destinations:
Old Koloa Town on Kauai
Poipu Beach on Kauai
Getting there:
Hawaiian Airlines
Considering Waikiki? Read this first! Waikiki Travel Tips
Recommended:
Yes
Best Suited For: Families
Best Time to Travel Here: Anytime
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