Seeing a gorgeous Hawaiian mansion against its beautiful landscape will only encourage you to take a well-deserved family vacation. After all, your children will only be young once in their lives, just like you. Now comes the hard part: planning the vacation. This can seem like a very daunting task, and at times it can be discouraging. Don’t let it, because there is help here! Let this help you as you organize the best family vacation ever.
When to go
Hawaii Before you hit the road for a show, you need to decide when. If you’re on a tight budget, you may want to consider traveling during the off-season from late April to early June and September to mid-December. Off-season travel may mean less sunshine, but it also means that lodging and ticket prices will be much cheaper than during the high season.
Unfortunately, taking your kids during the off-season means taking time off work; if you’re traveling in early June, maybe you can talk to your teacher and see if you can schedule your kids for extra classes and early finals so that your kids can leave school a few weeks early.
Since there are many islands in Hawaii, you may want to consider visiting a few of them. If this is the case, book tickets for the main island you will be visiting and then you can arrange flights or boat trips between the islands.
Preparation
It is important to make sure that all your travel documents are in order and that you have digital copies as well as paper copies. If you are a foreigner, make sure you have a copy of your passport with you (or if not, your actual passport). Speaking of clothes, pack light and bring only light clothing; now is the time to break out those floppy hats, tank tops and shorts! Don’t wear boots or you’ll just breed fungus, instead stick to shoes or sandals.
Make sure you have enough sunscreen for everyone, or buy it when you arrive in Hawaii. Bring travel size toiletries or sunscreen and purchase it when you get there. You will most likely be in the water, so bring self-sealing bags for your gadgets. If you’re planning an island hopping trip, it’s a good idea to check to see if public transportation is available on the island you want to visit. If not, try to book a rental vehicle.
Where to stay
When it comes to accommodation, everyone has needs. For example, your teenager will definitely want a place with a good and stable wifi connection, while your five-year-old may want cable TV and the wife wants a place with a view. Also, you’ll want to think about where you want to go; do you want to be within walking distance to the market or the beach? Fortunately, your lodging options are endless these days. If you’re a small family, a hotel will do. If you’re looking for everything you need, perhaps a resort would be your best choice. If you’re a fairly large family, try Airbnb. If you want to go all out and splurge, try renting out a mansion.
Choose an island
Molokai, Hawaii
Hawaii is an archipelago, and choosing which islands y
ou want to visit (hopefully as many as possible) is probably one of the toughest decisions you’ll have to make on this vacation. You’ll have a lot to ask, so here are some of the islands on the inside.
Oahu – If it’s a classic Hawaiian vacation you want, then Oahu is the island for you, as most of the activities here are very Hawaiian in nature. Oahu is also perfect for families who don’t want to travel far, as the state capital of Honolulu can be found on this island as well as Daniel K. Inouye International Airport, so you will most likely arrive in Hawaii through that airport.
Hawaii’s Big Island – Adventurers will love the Big Island; after all, how often do you say you live on an island that is constantly evolving? You can witness the ongoing eruption of Kilauea, a volcano that has been erupting since January 3, 1983, at Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, or choose to dive underwater with dolphins.
Maui – Beginners may want to check out Maui, with its expansive beaches and activities for older and younger children. The one downside to this island is its popularity, it can be a bit crowded, but I would definitely recommend it.
Lanai – If you have a little cash and are willing to spend it on accommodations, then you might like Lanai. It’s definitely not a pocket-friendly island, nor is it kid-friendly, but a day trip to the island might be the trick to checking it out. It’s naturally quieter due to the higher prices.
Kauai- It can be a bit rainy compared to the other islands, but perhaps Kauai’s green color may be attributed to that rain. Active families will love this island with its many hiking trails and waterfalls.
Moloka’i- Some say there’s not much to see on Molokai, but if you want your family to experience Native Hawaiian culture, then this is the island to visit.
What to do
Hawaii
It may be a small state, but you’ll never run out of activities in Hawaii. First up is surfing, which was invented in the state. Next is hiking one of the trails scattered throughout Hawaii. Kids can even participate, since Diamond Head Crater isn’t that far away and can be managed by them. There’s also the Pearl Harbor Memorial, Dole Plantation and the Polynesian Cultural Center. Of course, a luau with the family must be on your list to complete the Hawaiian experience.
Hawaii is known to be the friendliest state, which is why it may also be the best place for your family trip. Remember, kids grow up fast, so cherish every moment you spend with them.
