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Expert Answers
Which Hawaiian Islands Are the Best for a Young Family of Four?
Steve's Question:
I have a family of four, including a six-year-old girl and a three-and-a-half-year-old boy. We would like to take a first-time family vacation to the Hawaiian Islands. My ideal vacation would be a one- to two-week house rental on or near a beach where the kids could swim and snorkel. Friends have said that Kauai is a fun place for"kid" travel. What would
you recommend?
Many Thanks,
Steve Kupec
Alice's Answer:
Steve,
I checked with GORPtravel and found a variety of suggestions of places to stay with your family on Kauai or Maui.
Kauai
Several operators recommend Poipu Beach as a great place for families. It offers good snorkeling, sunny weather, and less rain than some of the other beaches. High praise came in for:
 Grantham Resorts, with condos and houses on and
off the beach
Kiahuna Beachside or Kiahuna Plantataion (condos)
Maui
Kaanapali Beach is the best spot in Maui for kids. Yes, it has the most tourists and most hotels, but it also has the best beach and lots of children's activities within walking distance. Nice places to stay include:
The Maui Marriott: At the far end of the beach, it offers the most privacy (condos available).
Kaanapali Alii: It has extremely nice condos (high-rise) and is right on the beach.
The Maui Eldorado: Though set back a bit from the water, it offers nice condos and is within walking distance to the beach.
Kahana Village: This is a good choice if you don't mind a five- to ten-minute drive to the beach in exchange for a nice condo on the water (near a reef) in a quieter spot. The condo complex is spacious and not a high-rise, with beautiful grounds, a nice pool, and barbecue area.
One of our GORPtravel friends summed up the Maui experience like this:"Maui is a destination you can visit again and again and have a different experience each time. You can hike or bike in upcountry, visit botanical gardens, or tour villages and wineries. You can sail, whale-watch, boogie board, surf, and windsurf. There are rain forests, sea-level beaches, and a 10,000-foot volcano. You can visit pristine beach after beach after beach. The locals are friendly and amenable."
You may find J. D. Bisignani's guidebook, Hawaii Handbook, helpful.
Steve, I hope you and your family have a wonderful vacation. You may want to peruse GORP's Destination pages for things to do while you're there. Try Recreation Drives and Backpacking in Kauai to start.
Finally, contact the folks at GORPtravel for help booking your trip.
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