Oahu is by far the island with the most family/kid options. The next two islands are the Island of Hawaii - the Big Island and Maui than Kauai. Although all Islands are great places to visit with many activities or to just relax.
Check out GoCityKids, which offers activity information around Honolulu and the ability to search for fun things to do all over the Islands.
The Hawaii Visitors Bureau has an online resource to help plan activities with kids. Be sure to check there for many activities for children that are fun, educational and free.
A good online restaurant review source is Hawaii Drive Guide Magazine's, Taste of the Islands. Taste of the Islands offers information for the four main islands, as well as maps of the Islands.
The Honolulu Advertiser also has a review section for the best restaurants on the Island of Oahu.
In Waikiki on the Island of Oahu, you can rent an airport shuttle to your vacation home, and some tours include transportation. There are also trolleys that run from one end of the Island to the other. Elsewhere, I recommend a rental car as it will make it easier for your family to get around. A rental car is also a good way to be your own tour guide. Just remember never leave valuables out in the open, rental cars are easily recognized. For maps of the islands, visit www.driveguidemagazines.com.
The Hawaiian Islands have more to offer that just fun in the sand. There are a wide variety of activities that vary island to island. Each island has its own unique characteristics, offering day and night activities.
There are many hikes to waterfalls and beautiful panoramic views, some easy and some for the more skilled hiker. A good reference is the book "Hikers Guide to the Hawaiian Islands" by Stuart M. Ball, Jr. or there are multiple hiking tour companies on the different islands that are experienced and offer a range of adventures, as well as cultural and historical information.
There are many destinations and activities, including farmers markets, museums, botanical gardens, pineapple farms, art and cultural festivals, aquariums, zoos, rodeos, fishing, hunting, whale watching, wineries, sea horse farm, lavender and vanilla farms, stargazing and volcanoes just to name a few. A good website to check out is the Hawaii Visitors Bureau.
Pearl Harbor is on the Island of Oahu located at 1 Arizona Memorial Rd, Honolulu, HI (808) 422-2771. A visit to the Arizona Memorial is highly recommended. It is a historical monument that should not be missed. The visitor center is open from 7:30am to 5:00 pm, the tour begins at 8:00am, and tickets are free to the memorial although audio can be purchased for $5.00. The lines can be long, so be prepared and arrive early. During the busy season (summer and winter), it is recommended to arrive before noon. No big bags are allowed on the tour and appropriate attire is required. The website for more information is www.arizonamemorial.org.
If a luau fits in your budget, the experience is worth the price. Luaus are a great way to experience Polynesian culture. Luaus are family friendly and kids will enjoy the music, dancing and food. The best luaus on Maui are listed on the Maui Hawaii Luau website. This website lists Kaanapali Luau as the most family friendly and the most reasonably priced.
It is easy to island hop. There are air and car packages available. It is important to map your day trip and watch travel time to make the most out the day.
I recommend making airline reservations early for inter-island flights as they do fill up. A few different airlines to choose from are:
If you sign up for miles, you may get cheaper fares. Flights can range from $20 to $150 each way. It depends on the fare if island hopping would be worth the trip. For the cost of airport parking, you will need to check with the local airport.
You absolutely can get certified to scuba dive while in Hawaii. A certificate takes about 2 to 4 days. Some places, it's even possible to go on a shallow dive in less time. Some dives offer visits to marine wreckage. The scuba companies listed below also offer snorkeling activities, as well as tips for activities while on the island. Depending on where you stay, some of the available scuba companies are:
On Oahu - Island Divers Hawaii
Oahu has good diving on the north shore and the west side of the island.
On the Big Island (Hawaii) - Kona Honu Divers
The Big Island has night diving with manta rays.
On Maui - Maui Dive Shop
Maui has great diving on Molokai and Lanai.
On Kauai - Seasport Divers
Kauai has great diving at Ni'ihau, for the more experienced diver.
Surfing is an important part of Hawaiian culture and the experience should not be missed. There are many schools where you can learn to surf. Classes usually run a few hours. Two really well-known surfing schools are on the island on Oahu: Surf 'n Sea on the North Shore and Hans Hedemann on the South Shore (808-924-7778).
Cultural events vary based on the Island and the culture. The Merrie Monarch Festival is one of the top events. This hula festival is very popular with people who live in Hawaii, so it may be hard to reserve tickets. The festival always begins on Easter Sunday. The Aloha Festival is celebrated throughout the Islands. It is a celebration of Hawaii's music, dance and history intended to preserve and perpetuate Hawaii's culture.
Museums, as well as State and National Parks also offer cultural events. Hawaii has a very diverse population. There are Hawaiian, Japanese, Korean, Chinese, and Greek festivals just to name a few. There are also multiple film and food festivals. The Hawaii Visitor Bureau has an events Calendar on its website where you can search events, month by month, years in advance.
