Hawaii with small children?
We're considering getting away to Hawaii with the under 4-year-old set. We'd like a condo/house on the beach, per Carl Haynes "rent-a-condo" answer here, for 2 or 3 families. We're thinking Maui or the Big Island. Any specific suggestions on where to stay? What to do? Thanks!
5 Answers
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I agree that Maui is very family friendly with lots to do for families.
My preference for a stay on Maui is the area of Kaanapali Beach where there are lots of activites, a beautiful and generally peaceful (wave and water-wise) beach, great snorkeling, etc. As for a hotel, if you want a laid back setting, I recommend the Outrigger Maui Eldorado. It is a condo-hotel with large rooms, a full kitchen, etc. The location is off the beach on a rise that looks across the golf course to the water and Kaanapali beach hotels. It is a short walk (400 yards or so) across the golf course to the beach for snorkeling, etc. The Eldorado has a cabana on the beach for your use. This is not a mega resort to say the least, which is a big advantage for families --- combined with the large rooms and kitchen facilities and nice pool.
Kauai is another good choice. My recommendation for families is the Outrigger Kiahuna Plantation near Koloa town. The setting is beautiful with two story 4 unit townhouse buildings set around a large green area leading to the beach. Beach might be a little rough at some times of the year for young ones -- so be careful,
Hope this is helpful --- by the way, it is just a coincidence that both of these are Outrigger facilities --- I have no relationship with them or any other hotel.
Aloha, John
P.S. Don't forget to spend some time at the Isles at Diamond Head Beach in Honolulu :)
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We went to the Big Island for our honeymoon and then went back a year later (this past April) for our babymoon. While I haven't been with a child, I particularly like the Big Island as there is a wide variety of things to do for everyone. (I've been to all of the islands except Molokai). I don't have recco's for house rentals but can tell you what I would attempt with a couple of small kids:
Eastern Side (From Hilo or Puna region) - not a lot of beaches, but a ton of stuff to do.
- Tropical Botanical Gardens - neat plants & flowers to look at, wear bug cream though. Afterwards there is a cafe not too far where you can get great shakes and other food.
- Hawaii Volcanoes National Park - explore a lava tube & the visitor center - watch the current eruption. bring flashlights for the tube. (we stay in Pahoa and explore the Puna region from there) You can see a lot from the car and/or park near the neat stuff. We took a helicopter ride from Hilo over the volcano which was a blast, I don't think I would do it with kids under 4... but I really have no idea!
- Ahalanui Park - great place to swim & have a picnic, the water is heated by a lava vent and is protected from the surf. Very kid friendly place. Playground & picnic tables there if I remember correctly.
- Waiopae Tidepools - you can explore some shallow & deeper tide pools, you may not need to even get in the water depending on the tide.
South Side - lots of beaches, sunshine and shopping. (and people too)
- The Sheraton in Kona - get a day pass and use the pool! Stay for dinner and watch the manta rays at night.
- The Four Seasons - you can get a day pass and use their pools too (absolutely lovely & fun) or you can explore the white sand beach for free - they have public access. This is also a great place to watch the sun set.
- Place of Refuge - explore this park and just to the left (as you are leaving the park) there is a great little area to swim. You have a bit of beach to wade in for little ones and you will likely see turtles in the inlet. Great snorkeling for adults here.
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I think Maui was much more family friendly. The big island felt like small pockets of hotel properties, with lots of local stuff inbetween. but Maui. oh how I love Maui. lots more kids in my opinion as well.
as for where to stay...not much help on that. I just wanted to say yes to the idea. go go go. I need to live vicariously through you.
I'm sad that we never got to take the girl to Hawaii before we left that coast. Sigh.
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We stayed in Maui on Kaanapali beach a couple of times, once when my daughter was under 4.
I agree with Grandpa John that this is a great location for families. Very mellow, not nearly as urban as Honolulu, but then again not nearly as lush and pristine as I've heard Kauai is. Kaanapali's an easy drive or trolley ride to Lahaina (Old Lahaina Luau, Aloha Mixed Plate, plenty of other eating and shopping), and pretty convenient to all else West Maui has to offer.
Our family is definitely the sit-on-the-beach-all-day kind of vacationers. We stayed at the Whaler, which are condo / kitchenette type places, older, but super convenient (like all the other properties up & down the beach), in that the beach is literally right accross the footpath from the condo grounds. I have video of my daughter walking from the water's edge, up the beach, accross the footpath, and plopping herself into the pool, its that convenient.
Have fun!
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I think Maui or Oahu are the most kid-friendly of the islands (been to them all), but I think which island depends on what you, as parents, are interested in doing. I definitely recommend a condo with a kitchen (and a pool), and if your condo is right off the beach (without having to cross the street), it makes things really convenient.
We are currently in Maui in Wailea in a condo, we walk out the back door, cross some grass, and there is the beach :) - Wailea is less dense (with people) and the area is beautiful. If you want to be more central where you can walk to shops (and people), then I recommend Kihei (less expensive, tons of condos) or Lahaina. Lahaina is definitely touristy side, so we generally don't stay there. If you like the Woodstock feel, you can stay in the Hana area, but be ready for it :).
Oahu is also great because it has a zoo and fantastic farmer's market up at the community college. If you're the outdoorsy type, Kauai and the big island are great for that. Our 2 kids (4 year old boy and 21mo girl) love just being outdoors, running around the complex, hitting the beach and the pool (not so big on car rides to explore the island) - a different kind of vacation than we used to do before kids!
Whichever island you choose, pick up the "revealed" book - ex: Maui Revealed - it maps out the entire island with great local sites (though not so much secret anymore!). Good luck!
thanks for the encouragement :)
- andrea, Dec 27, 2010