We would love to go to Hawaii next year (March or later) and wanted any input on the best time of year to go, where to stay, vacation packages, etc. We have 5 kids (ages 4, 5, 10, 12, & 14) also, so activities for the whole family would be awesome. Any help is greatly appreciated!
2006-09-26 07:35:09 · 8 answers · asked by 818-509 1 in Travel ➔ United States ➔ Honolulu
That sounds like a great time to visit the islands. I'm sure you already know to avoid travel during any holiday as rates go up everywhere on the planet.
Since you have 5 children with you I would recommend staying at one of the larger resorts who now have programs for the kids. Your 12 and 14 year old are probably not going to be interested in the same things as the younger kids, but some things are great for the whole family, like the historical tours.
Regardless of where you decide to stay maybe consider hiring a local tour guide. The cost of the guide will more than pay for itself. Just book a guide through the resort, travel agency, or through Maui.net. There are so many free and fun things to do but most are not on the tourist maps. If they were then it wouldn't be free anymore. A local guide can show you the places that local go. I am actually surprised that nobody has recommended this yet. Do not accept any guide who just approaches you are the airport or on the beach. On Maui this might be safe but in Honolulu the crime rate is just as high as any other major city and yes they do target tourists.
Anyway, Maui is my favorite island. Lahaina has all the historical sites, plus there are plenty of beaches you can go to like the park at Kihei, dive shop right across the street to rent a few masks and fins. The kids can take turns swiiming right off that beach where there is almost no current so it is fairly safe and you can see so many tropical fish, just swim right along with them. Get some of those little inflatable arm bags for the younger kids. A guide can also arrange a trip up to Haleakula park where you can go down into the crater of you like. You could rent a car and make it yourself but you would miss so much.
The only problem I see is for your 4 and 5 year olds who are just a little too small to avail of a lot of the activities. This is why one of the larger resorts who have programs for the yound kids would be a great choice.
Anyway check out http://www.maui.net to find a guide or the best prices on hotels, resorts, everything you need. This is a local website run by some guys right in Kahului, Maui..
I honestly don't think you can have a bad time on Maui though. But do be careful in Honolulu where there is crime just like any other big city. I would get off of that island as soon as possible as all of the other islands are pretty safe. Honolulu is also a port city so plenty of shady characters around. Maybe contact Hapa Travel in Maui when you get there for more info about getting around the islands.
Have a great time
2006-09-26 22:02:04 · answer #1 · answered by Yahoo 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
We went Labor day 2005 for 10 days, very little tourist then, but gasoline prices were hitting the HIGH when we arrived due to the hurricanes in New Orleans.
Was great because it was considered the Off season. The flight out was not full and neither was the flight back. We were upgraded to Premium economy on United because we booked early.
We stayed at the Hilton Double Tree Alana Hotel, had a pool that was great. Price was great, view of ocean and we were not in with the rest of the tourist. Booked a year in advance (we are cheap) We were able to come and go every quickly. Being on Waikki beach is not what it appears to be. The other beaches we visited were much cleaner and nicer.
Check out http://www.robertshawaii.com/ they have tours that take you around if you do not have a rental vehicle. We found out about them while we were there and used their Activity Information list to find out what to see.
Highlights of the Oahu Grand Circle Island include:
Diamond Head - great but bring water and go first thing in the morning
Pali Lookout
Hanauma Bay (closed on Tuesdays)
Halona Point ("Blow Hole")
Mormon Temple
Byodo-In at the "Valley of the Temples" (admission included)
Kualoa Nursery
North Shore
Waimea Bay
Haleiwa
Waimea Falls Park www.hawaiiactivities.com
This is where Lost and Jerasic Park was filmed near here.
Look at this web site. We used the map 100% of the time and it was great. http://www.driveguidemagazines.com/ found a lot of
things we never saw on the internet without it. Skip the popular beach and go to the local's beach, better, cleaner and less people.
We stopped at the local supermarket to pick up soda and breakfeast foods for the hotel room( we have a frequent user card from there too now, told you we were cheap).
Subway was our daily lunch choice (hey we are really cheap), as it was right near our hotel, that with our soda and chips from the market, kept our expenses down.
For activities we did the following
Parasailing (loved it, but not for kids)
Dole Plantation (kids will like it) www.dole-plantation.com
Shopping http://www.hilohattie.com/
Atlantis Submarine http://www.atlantisadventures.com/
Pearl Harbor
You have to get some shaved ice on the North Shore in Haleiwa Matsumoto's Shave Ice stand, not far from here is the diver off the rocks.
Did not do but because of time www.sealifeparkhawaii.com
This is where the movie 50 First dates was filmed.
Oh by the way our airfare was $20 for both of us, frequent flyer miles booked a year in advance (TOLD YOU WE ARE CHEAP).
Hope you love it as much as we do.
2006-09-26 15:23:43 · answer #2 · answered by dillon Y 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Being from Hawaii. I would say anytime of the year is perfect. The weather is the same almost all year round. The weather is unpredictable so its hard to say really, its not like Hawaii has seasons. As for activities, there is the beach, driving around the island, Polynesian culture center, pearl harbor, and Iolani Palace. For a family day at the beach, Hanauma Bay is a good place to go. It has the best snorkeling in the world.
2006-09-26 09:46:50 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Right after Easter hotel & airfare prices reduce significantly. April, May & 1st part of June, because it's off season. Dec. - March is winter & everyone wnts & does come to Hawaii & everything is morre expensive & crowded. Your time period is good, more availability of everything, rooms, tours, rental cars, & don't be afraid to ask for an upgrade, it never hurts to ask, if your nice & they like you & ur adorable kids they might just give you anything you want. Look on , gohawaii.com & craigslist.com, then go to the appropriate categories you want these are 2 good sites. Maui is excellent, I lived there, beach is free except for snorkelgear & make your own sandwhiches & juice & water in a styrofoam cooler w/ a bag of ice, that's a really enjoyable day, inexpensive, & the kids will sleep like baby's after all day running/swimming/snorkeling in the hot sun. Whaler's Condo, or Napili Kai Beach Club,Kaanapali Alii, on the beach, have kitchens, Westin Maui, on the beach, no kitchen, waterslides, 7pools, depends how much you want to spend.
2006-09-26 13:54:01 · answer #4 · answered by Maui No Ka Oi 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
nicely as you word i'm from hawaii yet you should apply a touch better information. if you're going to da vast island visit the King Kamehameha coastline motel for a swim or fishing or you could go on one in all those boat issues or visit waimea and horse lower back using on a RANCH in no way ever visit saddle street at evening through fog or moist roads maximum of all in case you'r son has allergies pay attention of the vog ''vocanic fog or something like that'' is makes it worse.even as are you going is the finished question, through swells getting in. you should visit Hilo for the poi balls in case you want poi. in case you do not imagine those are reliable ask the turest places i do not comprehend were those are because I truly have in no way been to this style of.have relaxing.
2016-12-02 02:47:31 · answer #5 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
dont go during hurricane season!! i think the spring time is best-a vacation on spring break may be nice and they won't have to miss any school a + for u! have a nice trip!
2006-09-26 08:33:11 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
We went to Maui & in all honesty it was not really kid friendly. Except for the really nice aquarium there would have been nothing for my son to do. I'm glad we didn't bring him.
2006-09-26 10:20:48 · answer #7 · answered by njyecats 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
summer... you can go surfing, wind surfing, practically any surfing.... go to the beach... go to the water parks... go to the swapmeet.... get some food which is hella good.... and see the attractions.... and a lot of other things...
2006-09-27 05:14:21 · answer #8 · answered by lokalangel 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋