Page 2: Hannah's Hawaii Diary

by Liz White and Tali Toland

The Hawaiian Islands offer a combination of sun, surf and culture, making a trip to this beautiful Pacific paradise just the ticket to the perfect family vacation.

Maui

As the second largest island of Hawaii, Maui’s sparse population may come as a surprise, but its natural wonders and diverse topography make up for any lack of people. The largest city on the island, Lahaina, is home to most of the island’s restaurants and shopping – situated right on the beach. You’ll even be able to convince the wilderness lovers in your family to take a stroll down the quaint street lined with art galleries, boutiques and cafes.

If your family is the sporting type, you can stay in golfer’s heaven – Kapalua. Or, if bumming around on the beach is more your style, try Wailea on the southern part of the island. Maui has been nicknamed “The Magic Isle,” and after a visit here, you’ll have no doubt as to why.

This Island is Best for: Older kids who appreciate nature and a laid-back atmosphere.

Place to Stay: Wailea Beach Marriott Resort & Spa has 22 acres of family-friendly amenities. Water slides, pools, golf courses, tennis courts and more will occupy your time and offer something for every member of the family. Kids eat breakfast for free with each adult who pays, and discounts on luau admissions are available to guests. www.marriotthawaii.com.

The Big Island

There are a couple of reasons this island, Hawaii, is known as “The Big Island.” First, because it has the same name as the entire state, it’s less confusing to use a nickname. The other reason, it’s huge! Eleven of the world’s 13 climate zones are found on the island, and “The Big Island” is the birthplace of King Kamehameha I.

Hilo, at the foot of Mauna Kea, is also home to a rich art culture, great restaurants and local crafts and farmers markets. If coffee is your weak spot, then a visit to Holualoa is imperative. This village is in the heart of Kona coffee country, and you can tour a coffee farm, sip on fresh java juice, and see local artisans at work.

This Island is Best for: Kids who are old enough to hike, swim and ski.

Place to Stay: Castle Hilo Hawaiian Hotel’s location in Hilo makes it ideal for volcano exploration. Suites and standard rooms come complete with in-room refrigerators, and kids will love swimming in the infinity pool that “drops off” into the Pacific Ocean. Golf and tennis are also available at this laid-back resort. www.castleresorts.com.

Kauai

Known as the “Garden Isle,” this island’s lush landscape and pristine beauty brings to life what your mind pictures as Hawaii. Kauai has served as the backdrop for numerous movies, TV shows and commercials; it’s done well in this capacity since it isn’t as developed as some of the other islands.

The variations in landscape so close together make for interesting sightseeing – you can go from beach to canyon in half an hour or so. Incredible sunsets, exceptional snorkeling excursions, and just relaxing on the beach or by the pool are the best ways to spend the days on this island.

Kauai also gives off more of the “old world” feel – a privately owned cultural center where you can experience old-fashioned canoe rides, and history is far from the polished Disney experience.

This Island is Best for: Older kids and teens, especially if you’re going to relax.

Place to Stay: Sheraton Kauai Resort is a beach-lover’s dream. With two-thirds of the rooms having an ocean view, the beauty of Hawaii is right outside your window. Leis on arrival and native craftspeople give the hotel a local flavor. Plus, there are tons of activities for kids, including camps, “dive-in” movies, and nightly beachside campfires and Hawaiian storytelling. www.sheraton-kauai.com.

Oahu

Waikiki Beach is Hawaii’s most famous strip of sand, located just minutes from downtown Honolulu on the most developed of the islands – Oahu. Waikiki Beach is home to local performers, surfers and resorts galore. But if you want to get the real feel for Oahu, you have to rent a car and drive up the coast a bit to see the quaint towns. For one of the best family-friendly beaches, visit Kailua Beach. Its amenities and gentle surf make it great for kids.

The surfing is great here, and the Hans Hedeman Surf School is ideal if your tots want to learn – the instructors really relate to kids. Youngsters from about age 4 can give surfing a try, and you’ll be surprised at how easily they pick it up.

If you don’t want to spend all of your time on the beach, Oahu has options; shopping, hiking up Diamondhead and touring Honolulu are a few ideas.

This Island is Best for: Any age child; Oahu is full of activities for toddlers, teens and everyone in between.

Place to Stay: Hilton Hawaiian Village is a vacation in itself. With 10 restaurants and a grocery store on property, you never have to leave. The resort sits on a quiet corner of Waikiki Beach, and tons of kids’ activities are available. It’s also a major destination on the island, so many tours will pick you up from the lobby. www.hiltonhawaiianvillage.com.

If you really want to splurge, The Royal Hawaiian and Moana Surfrider are worth every cent. Both hotels are historical but include every modern luxury you could hope for. www.royal-hawaiian.com or www.moana-surfrider.com.