Hawaii

The Aloha State isn’t just for honeymoons. It’s a picture-perfect spot for family vacations, too. Its six main islands — the Big Island (also referred to as Hawaii), Oahu, Maui, Kauai, Molokai, Lanai — are drenched in sun year-round, due to their location in the middle of the Pacific. Each island has many attractions and resorts that are suitable for families with young children, but you’ll find the greatest number of choices on the Big Island and on Oahu.

What to do:

Whatever Hawaiian island you visit, keep in mind that the surrounding waters have a temperature in the upper 70s throughout the year, making this a perfect opportunity to snorkel, scuba dive, waterski, kayak or surf. At night, the beaches are alive with the sound of Hawaiian music, and you can watch hula dancers make waves. One of Hawaii’s very best attractions is located on the Big Island: Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. This natural treasure is home to Kilauea, the world’s most active volcano (it has been erupting continuously since January 3, 1983). Visiting this national park gives kids the unique opportunity to watch part of the earth actually being built as the lava cools and hardens. The park also contains a rainforest and the famous Devastation Trail, where you can hike through a part of the forest that was destroyed by lava in 1959. On the western side of the Big Island is Pu’uhonua O Honaunau, a restored Hawaiian village that is three centuries old; a visit to its thatched huts, temple, and other attractions teaches volumes about traditional Hawaiian culture. Oahu is most famous for Honolulu’s Waikiki Beach and for Pearl Harbor, but it has much more to explore. The Waikiki Aquarium is teeming with life — literally 420 different species of tropical Pacific life, including sharks, seals, and coral. The Polynesian Cultural Center showcases not only Hawaiian culture, but also that of other South Sea islands such as Tonga, Tahiti, and even Easter Island.

Where to Stay:

On the Big Island, you can stay inside Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. One option is to camp out. You can also stay in the historic Volcano House (808-967-7321); doubles start at $95. On Oahu, a favorite choice for families to stay is Outrigger (1-800-OUTRIGGER). Kids are greeted with Island Explorer Kits (which include binoculars), activities from water sports to entertainment are geared towards families, and there are children’s menus. Outrigger has eleven properties on Oahu, including eight that are called "ohana" — that means "family" in Hawaiian. Doubles start at $209.

For More Information:

Visit www.gohawaii.com or www.visit-oahu.com.

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