Wednesday, February 2, 2011

Family Fun in Hawaii!

Many people think Hawaii is for couples only. Little do they know, many families pick these amazing islands to vacation with their kids. That’s because Hawaii and her islands are so diverse, exciting, and breathtaking kids of all ages will enjoy a trip to this S. Pacific destination. 


When you arrive in Hawaii, one of the islands you might stop at first is Oahu, home to the famous Waikiki Beach, the USS Arizona, and the best surfing in the South Pacific. On Oahu, Hawaii’s beauty blends with the modern luxuries of today. Swim in the warm waters of world-famous Waikiki one moment, then enjoy the dramatic mountain views of the Nuuanu Pali Lookout another. Ohau offers so much for families from the Polynesian Cultural Center where you can learn what the S. Pacific Culture is like, to the Atlantis Submarine, which are two giant sunken ships that are remnants of two airliners and the Atlantis Reef. The highlight of the Waikiki dive is a giant World War II oil tanker that rests on the ocean floor serving as a home for schools of fish and other sea creatures.


Learning to Surf the North Shore
If surfing is what you want, the North Shore of Ohau is the spot for you! Watch the surfers on the legendary North Shore by day; then dance the night away in exciting nightlife spots around Honolulu. Get a taste of local flavors in Kapahulu one night; then dine at a Five Diamond restaurant the next. With so much to see and do, you’re never far away from just what you’re looking for on Oahu. Visit the Heart of Hawaii and find the island paradise you’ve been searching for.


Famous Kaanapali Beach
Next you definitely want to check out  Maui! This island certainly stands apart from the rest of the Hawaiian Islands. It offers adventure, romance, breathtaking scenery, snorkeling and some of the best beaches found anywhere in the islands. If you have only a week to spend in Hawaii, this is the place.


For such a small island, Maui is packed with “leisurely adventures.” Its landscape is incredibly diverse. It is often known as the Valley Island because of the large valley that extends between two volcanoes, Haleakala and Iao. On the Western side of the island there are acres of rainforest with spectacular waterfalls. The other side of the island offers many resorts, shopping, nightlife and so much more. Offshore, the marine life is the best on earth. The island reef is home to hundreds of species and makes this a paradise for divers and snorkelers. Traveling to Maui between December and April, definitely take a boat ride to see the humpback whales crowd the waters off the southern coast. There are so many beaches to explore. From the white sands in West Maui, to the Red Sand Beach (Kaihalulu) to the black sand beaches of Pa’iloa Beach. On the North Shore, Ho’okipa Beach Park is perhaps one of the best places in the world to wind surf, body board or kite surf. Definitely check out the Maui Ocean Center, which is the best aquarium in Hawaii! 


The Beautiful Road to Hana
The road to Hana is considered one of the most spectacular drives in all of the Islands. A slow, winding road through a lush paradise, you can go on your own self-guided island tour, at your own pace in a rented car, but be careful, your renter’s insurance might not cover you if you take your car on this route. Our suggestion is to book a tour. The tour will take you to the Hana Ranch, the Seven Sacred Pools; you’ll see the beauty of Haleakala and then stop at the winery.


Once you have explored Maui, take a short flight to the most beautiful island of all, Kauai. This island is the oldest of the four major Hawaiian Islands at more than 6 million years old. Known as “The Garden Island”, the southern and western shores have long, white beaches. There are the majestic, sweeping valleys, such as the Kalalau Valley on the Na Pali Coast and then the famous Fern Grotto, where Elvis filmed “Blue Hawaii”


The most well-known site to visit in Kauai includes the Waimea Canyon and the breathtaking cliffs of the Na Pali Coast. Waimea Canyon, known as “Grand Canyon of the Pacific” stretches 10 miles from Captain James Cook’s famous landing site, in 1778, to Koke’e State Park. This canyon has been the site for a number of movies including Jurassic Park and Raiders of the Lost Ark. In fact, more than two dozen Hollywood movies have been filmed on Kauai!


Hiking trails in the park offer unbelievable views of the canyon and lush “forest” environment. The canyon itself is also accessible for hiking, fishing and camping. Kauai’s Na Pali Coast cliffs are pure, rugged beauty, featuring deep, narrow valleys ending sharply at the sea. Waterfalls, swift-flowing streams, and extensive stone-walled terraces remain on the valley bottoms where ancient, native Hawaiians once lived. To see the entire beauty of this island, we highly suggest you do a helicopter ride. You will never experience anything like it in the world. With its hidden waterfalls and canyons, a helicopter ride is the only way to see the beauty Mother Nature has made!


During the hight of the sun filled afternoons, take a trip with the kids to the Children's Discovery Museum, a permanent science, art, and cultural exploratory museum - a hands on touch, see, feel, and learn museum of experience or check out the Koke'e Natural History Museum. This museum  provides interpretive programs and exhibitions about Kaua'i' s ecology, geology and climatology. Kokee's Museum also provides basic information on trail conditions in Waimea Canyon and Koke'e State Parks. You can even take a ride on the Kauai Plantation Railway, which runs 2.5 miles passing stands of original island crops, sugar cane and taro - the staple starch of ancient Hawaiians, and on past grooves of mango, banana, papaya, coffee, pineapple and then on to experimental plantings of longan, cashew, hybrid mango, noni, and atamoya. Along with these crops traditional Pacific islander vegetable gardens are being laid out side-by-side with plantings of exotic flowers and hardwood trees in an unequaled array representing both the past and future of tropical agriculture on Kauai
The Big Island of Hawaii offers some of the best natural landscape than any of the other islands/ Home to the most active volcano in the world, Kilauea, you can actually watch the lava flow at Volcanoes National Park in Kilauea. Of course the lava flow depends on the mood of “Madame Pele” who is the Fire Goddess of Hawaii. The best way to see the island and Mother Nature at work is again in a helicopter. The helicopter will take you right up to the edge of the crater for optimum viewing.


Believe it or not, Kilauea is not the tallest volcano, but it is the most active. If you love to hike, then you should definitely visit Mauna Kea. It is the highest point on the island at 13,796 feet above sea level. And, it is higher than 30,000 feet when measured from its rise on the ocean floor–making it one of the tallest mountains in the world from base to summit. Both the neighboring Mauna Loa and Mauna Kea and have some of the clearest air in the world. As a result, more than two dozen of the world’s finest telescopes are located there.


And, for families wanting a water experience, you can rent a kayak or go on a guided trip. Paddle atop the waves, skirting awesome cliffs and waterfalls, or snorkel and swim in a calm, protected cove — your choice. Perhaps you’ll see a few spinner dolphins as you paddle across Captain Cook monument. Never been in a submarine? Make this a dramatic first as a couple. Imagine exploring brilliant natural coral reefs, sunken ships, and even downed airplanes — all surrounded by sharks, eels, and exotic turtles. This is an experience you will never forget.


So now that we have given you a sense of what Hawaii and her beautiful islands have to offer, give us a call and let our Hawaii experts assist you with all of your planning. We can arrange all of your flights, hotel accommodations, tours, cruising, whatever you need, we’ll be happy to handle this for you.