Teen boys 13 & 16 with mom for Month, Oahu and Kauai? some other combo?
Feb 17th, 2005, 06:09 PM
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Teen boys 13 & 16 with mom for Month, Oahu and Kauai? some other combo?
Hi everyone,
I know Hawaii well but sister with kids that are 13 and 16 (boys) want me to tell them which islands to go to. Sister has impressed upon me that her kids do not want to just sit on beach and they are not hikers. One son is very interested in Hawaiian history (Aunty Sarah takes a bow). Both enjoy walking around shops, entertainment, water parks, and what you expect everybody elses kids at that age to enjoy.
I guess I feel responsible here for sending them to the right island. Myself, I love all the islands so I am not that big a help. I am suggesting two weeks Oahu and 2 weeks Kauai. Am I wrong here, should I be sending them to Maui or Big Island for two weeks.
If you know interisland ticket arrangements that make island hopping more affordable for families, let me know.
Thanks,
Stay at home this year Sarah, whimpers off.
I know Hawaii well but sister with kids that are 13 and 16 (boys) want me to tell them which islands to go to. Sister has impressed upon me that her kids do not want to just sit on beach and they are not hikers. One son is very interested in Hawaiian history (Aunty Sarah takes a bow). Both enjoy walking around shops, entertainment, water parks, and what you expect everybody elses kids at that age to enjoy.
I guess I feel responsible here for sending them to the right island. Myself, I love all the islands so I am not that big a help. I am suggesting two weeks Oahu and 2 weeks Kauai. Am I wrong here, should I be sending them to Maui or Big Island for two weeks.
If you know interisland ticket arrangements that make island hopping more affordable for families, let me know.
Thanks,
Stay at home this year Sarah, whimpers off.
Feb 17th, 2005, 09:29 PM
#2
Much as I love kauai, I don't think it will impress kids who don't really like beaches or hiking.
I'd recommend Oahu- for history, museums, the palace, shopping, water park, visiting the famous surf spots on the north shore and maybe even visiting the PCC or going to a luau.
For the second, I think I'd say Maui or the big Island- maybe staying at one of the hotels with the big pools & water slides.
Since Lahaina and Kailua-Kona are full of touristy shops, either would fill their wandering/shopping needs. There are also enough historical and geological spots on either Maui or Hawaii to balance out the rest of the time.
Where have you been, Sarah? I thought you'd left us!
I'd recommend Oahu- for history, museums, the palace, shopping, water park, visiting the famous surf spots on the north shore and maybe even visiting the PCC or going to a luau.
For the second, I think I'd say Maui or the big Island- maybe staying at one of the hotels with the big pools & water slides.
Since Lahaina and Kailua-Kona are full of touristy shops, either would fill their wandering/shopping needs. There are also enough historical and geological spots on either Maui or Hawaii to balance out the rest of the time.
Where have you been, Sarah? I thought you'd left us!
Feb 17th, 2005, 11:41 PM
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I second lcuy's advice except maybe for the PCC, which we thought was just another overhyped tourist trap.
Two weeks on Kauai for teens who aren't into beaches or hiking would be brutal. There's very little else to do there, especially at night.
Oahu would fill the needs for shopping, entertainment etc, while the Big Island is the most historic of the Hawaiian Islands (in terms of Hawaiian history not American history).
Another advantage of the Big Island is its size -- there's easily enough diversity of environments and things to see and do to keep teens interested for two weeks... E.g. they usually love Volcanoes Nat'l Park, and the stargazing tours up to Mauna Kea summit. But check with individual tour operators for minimum age requirements on this tour. My favorite operator (Mauna Kea Summit Adventures) doesn't accept anyone under 13.
Two weeks on Kauai for teens who aren't into beaches or hiking would be brutal. There's very little else to do there, especially at night.
Oahu would fill the needs for shopping, entertainment etc, while the Big Island is the most historic of the Hawaiian Islands (in terms of Hawaiian history not American history).
Another advantage of the Big Island is its size -- there's easily enough diversity of environments and things to see and do to keep teens interested for two weeks... E.g. they usually love Volcanoes Nat'l Park, and the stargazing tours up to Mauna Kea summit. But check with individual tour operators for minimum age requirements on this tour. My favorite operator (Mauna Kea Summit Adventures) doesn't accept anyone under 13.
Feb 19th, 2005, 09:39 AM
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Hi Lcuy
No I just have not been going away for a real vacation so I did not want to come on here and dream about it.
So tell me what kind of things are on the Big Island and Maui that would appeal to teens. I am talking activities that are reasonable. They are going for a month so activities that are $80 a person really are not realistic for them.
The do like beaches but are not hikers sorry to say. They will snorkle. Thanks all feedback is wellcome.
No I just have not been going away for a real vacation so I did not want to come on here and dream about it.
So tell me what kind of things are on the Big Island and Maui that would appeal to teens. I am talking activities that are reasonable. They are going for a month so activities that are $80 a person really are not realistic for them.
The do like beaches but are not hikers sorry to say. They will snorkle. Thanks all feedback is wellcome.
Feb 19th, 2005, 01:54 PM
#5
They could drive down to the south point...interesting windmill farm there.
Go to Volcanoes national park, the visitor center, Thurston Lava tube, and then down to where the lava drops into the sea (currently a 1.6 mile hike).
Go up to Mauna Kea. Arrange in advance for star gazing. Visit Parker Ranch.
Go shopping in the towns of Kamuela(Waimea), Kailua-Kona, and Hilo.
Drive to Akaka Falls & visit the tsunami monument at Laupahoehoe.
Go horseback riding.(okay that one will cost, but on horses in Hawaii is cool).
Visit the huge Heiau up on the north side of the island.
Wander around the lava fields and write messages with white rocks.
Tour a coffee farm.
See where Captain Cook came in.
Stay at the Hilton Waikoloa and play in the pools.
buy a pole and some bait and go fishing off a beach.
If my daughter were home I'd ask her for other ideas, as she loves visiting the Big Island!
Lucy
Go to Volcanoes national park, the visitor center, Thurston Lava tube, and then down to where the lava drops into the sea (currently a 1.6 mile hike).
Go up to Mauna Kea. Arrange in advance for star gazing. Visit Parker Ranch.
Go shopping in the towns of Kamuela(Waimea), Kailua-Kona, and Hilo.
Drive to Akaka Falls & visit the tsunami monument at Laupahoehoe.
Go horseback riding.(okay that one will cost, but on horses in Hawaii is cool).
Visit the huge Heiau up on the north side of the island.
Wander around the lava fields and write messages with white rocks.
Tour a coffee farm.
See where Captain Cook came in.
Stay at the Hilton Waikoloa and play in the pools.
buy a pole and some bait and go fishing off a beach.
If my daughter were home I'd ask her for other ideas, as she loves visiting the Big Island!
Lucy
Feb 22nd, 2005, 05:33 PM
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Thanks Lucy,
I appreciate it. I will do searches.
Sisters are driving me crazy. Not that I have a hard time talking about Hawaii LOL. They are talking about Maui and Kauai now. I told them what you said about Kauai. I think you are right but it has been so long that I have been to the big Island. I only remember Waikola, volcano, T-tube, Parker Ranch. A lot of outdoor stuff.
I really feel like manipulating them into the big island LOL. I just don't have enough personal experience to do a hard sell....! Will try though wish me luck.
I appreciate it. I will do searches.
Sisters are driving me crazy. Not that I have a hard time talking about Hawaii LOL. They are talking about Maui and Kauai now. I told them what you said about Kauai. I think you are right but it has been so long that I have been to the big Island. I only remember Waikola, volcano, T-tube, Parker Ranch. A lot of outdoor stuff.
I really feel like manipulating them into the big island LOL. I just don't have enough personal experience to do a hard sell....! Will try though wish me luck.
Feb 23rd, 2005, 08:53 AM
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At Kealakekua Bay near Kona you can kayak with the dolphins - cant imagine a teen who wouldnt like that - of course there is no guarantee the dolphins will be there the same day you are but I had some friends who just did that and they saw lots of dolphins
