charli47

We are a family of 10 including our elderly parents (74 and 80) with some limitations on mobility. It is what my mom calls "a caretakers" trip as a thank you for all of us helping in their recovery from recent major health issues. So Hawaii is the ongoing favorite. We are coming from Houston so we know there are a couple of direct flights to HNL.

We plan to leave on May 13 - May 23, 2015.

Some questions:

Maui or Kauai? - as a base
A few of us will want to take a puddle jumper to the Big Island for possibly a night or two. Is this even recommended? If so, where would you stay..again within 500 per night or less.

What does everyone recommend in terms of places to stay? While there is a very healthy budget we do want to be mindful of expenses on their behalf. Is it possible to stay in a resort 3-4 star that is 500 or less per night. We would be needing 6 rooms.

Anyone have any unique recommendations on places to stay? We've decided against getting one big house since we would like to have the amenities coordinated and available without us having to coordinate snorkeling, etc.

So any hotel recommendations on Maui? Would also love food/hotel and things to do as well.

Cheers,
C

starrs

This would be the perfect situation for a cruise that visits the varied Hawaiian islands.

girlonthego

Friends of ours stayed at the Marriott time share on Kauai and loved it. She said Kaui is lower key than Maui. On Maui, they stayed at the Grand Wailea hotel, but Marriott has time shares there as well.
Renting time shares will probably give you guys privacy and yet have gathering areas that hotel rooms do not have plus some kitchen facilities.
These friends of mine, just were there in December and said when they left Maui ( her first time ever in Hawaii), she thought she was leaving the best of all the islands and then she hit Kaui and loved that even more, but they are nature lovers, hikers and low key outdoorsmen, who also love surfing.

Inakauaidavidababy

The last thing I personally would advise is the cruise!

If you are suggesting 10 adults, 5 rooms, there are gorgeous condos on both islands, you could rent a couple, or two smaller homes in in hanalei. Start with vrbo.com and rental agencies. This will open you up to a couple of living spaces, kitchens, and laundry. A much greater value and experience then 3star hotels. You don't need to be tied to a hotel for snorkeling and excursions.

I would search beach houses in hanalei, condos in wailed or kaanapali, or consider Nepali shores.

Cruise. Not so much

Good luck with your search

starrs

"family of 10 including our elderly parents (74 and 80) with some limitations on mobility. It is what my mom calls "a caretakers" trip as a thank you for all of us helping in their recovery from recent major health issues."

Different people have different preferences. My BF took a cruise when she was in her 20s and wanted to do it again on her return to the islands. I'm not much of a cruise fan and would not recommend it for other situations.

But given the ages of the members of the family - especially the "caretaking" aspect of it - a cruise can be a good option. At my first luau in Hawaii (on Maui) a couple was being honored for their 50somethingth anniversary. Three generations were on the cruise and #1) they got to visit different islands and #2) folks of all ages had options of activities that appealed to them.

It's an option. Folks can decide for themselves. There is no one right answer. I wouldn't choose it for my own visit (and haven't) but if I were going on a trip to Hawaii with my elderly parents now if would definitely be something we would consider. My frame of reference is as the point person for my elderly parents during the last two years, including getting them around on "excursions". One big plus for the primary caretaker(s), the excursions off the ship and pre-planned and coordinated by someone else. That means the caretaker(s) get some relief from the caretaker duties.

jamie99

The North Shore of Kauai should be gorgeous that time of year, look into renting condos at Hanalei Bay Resort, they should be in your price range.
You could also possibly split your stay with 5 nights each Maui and Kauai although with condos you often get better rates renting for a week.
I've stayed at a timeshare unit (used to own one) at the Marriott in Lihue (Kauai Beach Club) and it is also a nice location. We have met many people from the cruise ship at Duke's Barefoot Bar there, some enjoyed it and others not so much. Personally I like to go when and where I want so a cruise is not suited to my temperament, but tastes vary.

janisj

I don't think a cruise works - just day excursions on the islands which can be very frustrating.

Unless you can find a VERY large/3 or 4 bathroom property, I'd probably aim for two condos or cottages in the same complex. Twice the kitchen space and twice the bathrooms.

Me personally -- I'd choose Kauai. But really both islands are wonderful.

ChiSue

I see ten nights. That's long enough to stay on two islands. May is nice all over Hawaii -- so that's no help in narrowing your choices.

If you're flying in and out of HNL (on a nice wide body aircraft, I hope), Oahu can become one of your islands -- or your only island.

Every transit between islands involves the same TSA stuff you endure with any air travel; each 'hop' becomes a half-day trek, door to door. If only a few want to see the active volcano, that would be more logical than moving the whole party to another island for part of your visit.

You also have the option of floating through HNL on our way to another island. (We do this sometimes when we stay South Maui, but you could do Kauai or Big Island just as well.)

My guess is that your parents remember some of WWII history and will want to see the famous sights of Honolulu. I would stay at the grand dame Royal Hawaiian with a few nights at Turtle Bay.

Honolulu plus the NCL cruise could work if you all want to catch a glimpse of three other islands' most famous sights: Kauai, Maui and Big Island. A cruise is an easy all-inclusive week with planned activities and excursions. (You can also rent vehicles at some ports for DIY touring.) You'd have a few nights in Honolulu, then board the cruise Saturday afternoon.

What a wonderful time you are going to have...together!

Inakauaidavidababy

I am currently on th Big Island.

How would you suggest a day trip to see the active volcano chisue? There is a viewing area in Pahoa of recent cooled lava. There are a couple of higher outbreaks. And a heli trip has very limited offerings, as far as seeing lava flow expectations go.

sf7307

if you think you would like a luxury condo with amenties in a developed area (Kaanapali Beach) I would look at Kaanapali Alii on Maui.

If youre definitely thinking hotel, then I'd look into the Grand Hyatt on Kauai.

I do think Maui and Kauai are so different from each other that you have to decide which island first. Kauai is much more lush, and imho, the beaches are (in general) much more beautiful than those on Maui. Maui has nice beaches too, but nothing like some of the beaches on Kauai. Kauai also has gorgeous natural sites, and is, overall, less developed than Maui.

Maui, on the other hand has more good restaurants, more luxe hotels, more supermarkets, etc. You really have to decide what you want .

I like Maui, I just like Kauai more.

I would also consider doing Oahu and one of the other islands, particularly if you have to fly through HNL anyway. While the south of Oahu is very devloped, the rest of the island is beautiful (sorth shore beaches, east shore beaches, Diamond Head, even the highway cutting across the middle of the island).

sf7307

oh, another condo possibility is Kiahuna Plantation in Poipu (Kauai) .

taitai

There really is no way to see active lava flowing on the Big Island. Where it is flowing, is not accessible and it is hard to see from helicopters due to the smoke from the burning brush in its path. Also, I believe the viewing platform near the transfer station in Pahoa will be closed soon so they can get the transfer station back to business.

Your best bet is to see the glow from the crater at night within VNP.

suze

I think Maui would be perfect for your group. Definitely not a cruise.

starrs

One idea in Kauia that is very different from any place else -
http://www.waimea-plantation.com/

We loved it! Literally stepping back to Old Hawaii -

E komo mai...Welcome! Island plantations were the core of Hawaiian life in the 1800's; the place where Polynesian, Asian and European influences blended to form the unique culture of contemporary Hawaii. Waimea Plantation Cottages, hidden away on the quiet, western coast of the Garden Isle of Kauai, is a nostalgic glimpse into the simple life found at a sugar plantation. Guests enjoy this unique ocean front experience unlike any other in all of the Hawaiian islands.

This cluster of authentic plantation homes, set in a peaceful coconut grove, has been carefully restored with period-inspired furniture and modern conveniences. Every Cottage has a full kitchen and a front porch overlooking the grassy lawn; each one has a personality and decor all its own.