Hawaii

[Bihan]

Planning a dream trip but haven't ever been abroad so hoping for some tips!

We are a family of 5 with kids ranging from 14 - 8 years old.

What are the must haves to have in itinerary for a 10 day holiday in Hawaii? Which islands would you recommend in particular? TIA!

We went to the big island hawa’ii and had a ball but it’s eye wateringly expensive and so so far away. It’s probably too far for 10 days with no other stopover to acclimatise. It wouldn’t be my first choice destination for people who have never been abroad. We climbed some of the volcano but parts were shut due to volcanic activity. Beautiful beaches and saw seals and dolphins and swam (in nature) with turtles. I’d probably suggest staying much closer to home but it is great.

we did the flight in economy and changed in Seattle. We had 3 hours to transit and made it by the skin of our teeth. Had a day in Seattle on our return. Delta were shocking. I’d go business with younger kids-it was really quite tough.

I’ve been and have to be honest I really didn’t love it all that much. Is there a particular reason you chose Hawaii?

Americans go but that’s because it’s close.

I went for three weeks and the jet lag killed me. It was totally worth it though. We saw Maui, Oahu and the Big Island by cruising. All were contrasting in character and scenery.

We spent 3 weeks there and I wouldn’t have wanted to go for less than 2. Sound advice we got there was the more chickens and the less people, the better the island!

We went to Oahu, Maui and Big Island. Highlights on Maui were the road to Hana (we had stayed in Lahaina which is now destroyed unfortunately) and on Big island was tubing north of Kona. Get in and out of Honolulu, recommend the north shore for Oahu.

Also try not to stay in big resorts and pay into local businesses. It’s extremely expensive to live there and native Hawaiians are priced out by large resorts and expats.

Hawaii simply because the kids all voted. One said Hawaii and then of course they all chimed in. We have had a huge (to us anyway) money gift from a parent and wanted to spend it on a holiday which kids could remember. I don't really mind where we go as long as I can watch them all enjoy themselves after a particularly difficult year.

We were thinking of Ohau and Honolulu but that's as far as we got to

Not looking forward to the jet lag. Thinking of that and the packing makes me feel a lot less enthused!

wanted to spend it on a holiday which kids could remember.

If you've never been abroad then the kids will remember it pretty much wherever they go. If Hawaii is their suggestion, I suspect they may have no idea what the journey involves (18 to 22 hours, ugh), or what 10 hours of jet lag will do to their energy for at least the first four days of the holiday.

You are also going to be dropping something around £20,000 on the whole trip even if you travel in economy, for which you could go on safari in South Africa (no jet lag) or have two very nice all-inclusive holidays in Europe. So I would consider finding a way to let them down about Hawaii and go for something less ambitious. 🙏

I wouldn't go to Hawaii for a first time holiday. That would need a lot of planning. If you're in the uk why not book with TUI. They can organise anything including airport transfers.

For me it’s not just the jet lag, or even the expense ( which are both considerable) but the fact it’s a bit like, say, an Indian Ocean holiday ( which would be closer) but with massive skyscrapers and built up areas, even along some of the better beaches. It’s a combination that just sets my teeth on edge for some reason…

Thank you all for your comments. I'm going to start exploring other destinations I think. Kids were so keen and the family member coming with us had no preference that I was happy enough to go with Hawaii but I think because

a) the windfall isn't quite 20k, more like 14k (but I could potentially add to this)
b) all the points raised so far

I'll give it some more thought so we are being sensible. We want sun, sea and somewhere they can just rest with natural beauty and recuperate.

I'll probably post a new thread if I get confused as to where we should go. The world seems so small unless you're about to plan a dream, lifetime holiday and then all of a sudden, it's far too big! Thank you everyone 🙏

DH went to Hawaii for work and wasn’t too impressed. He said it rained nonstop and was like a typical built up city. Ok so that’s only one view and I’m sure the weather is usually a lot better and most of Hawaii is much much nicer.

however I really don’t think I’d go there. £14k while a good sum won’t go that far. If you’re set on it get a price from Trailfinders or similar. Also think about how much spending money you’ll need. I was staggered at how expensive accommodation and food were in the USA last year.

Depends on what time of year you’re going but why not go to somewhere with a really lovely beach /activities in the Med or even Florida?

I live in Vancouver, Canada, and it is a five hour direct flight to Hawaii. I have been twice and love it - I've been to Oahu and Maui for work conferences but added a holiday afterwards. Hawaii is stunning.

I wouldn't recommend travelling with kids all the way from the UK - the journey will kill you. As will the expense! All the islands are extremely expensive.

How about Barbados? Easy to get to not as far and some beautiful memorable things to do there. Catamaran tours snorkeling with tropical fish and turtles. Amazing wildlife and world renowned botanical gardens. Beautiful beaches and sea. It's a sub-tropical climate so the DC will be impressed with hummingbirds, tree frogs, fireflies and local crabs.

I think you’d be utterly mad to go to Hawaii if you’ve not been abroad before. You can’t fly direct from the UK so you will have to transit in America including collecting and rechecking your luggage which will be extremely stressful if you’re not used to doing it regularly. The journey is very long and there’s a big time difference. Then you’d have to get on top of the American tipping culture, driving or Ubers to get around etc. etc. There’s no ferry between islands so you’d have to fly again to move between them. We will be doing Hawaii when the kids are older but we’re pretty seasoned travellers and will be staying at the Disney resort and combining it with Disney California for ease, the island hopping would be too much with kids even for us.

I think Mexico would be a great shout for an alternative. You get sun, sea, sand, ample water sports, culture etc. and all the sorts of things kids of those ages would love, plus you can fly direct from the UK. I think you’d have a great time with minimal stress that way and you could have a really lovely holiday for £14k, maybe even two!

It would necessitate stopping over on a west coast US city on both outbound and return to the US mainland. It’s about 10.5 hours to LA than another 6 hours on a second plane to the island of Oahu. Honolulu is the capital but most holiday makers go to Waikiki.

What time of year are you thinking of travelling? This would also have a bearing re weather.

Id go to the Indian Ocean. Seychelles is beautiful, and you’d get something luxury hut style- maybe even private beach - for about that price.
In Hawaii the accommodation is more concrete block high rise Hilton style.

Just with the jet lag, we take the kids to see their grandparents in Sydney as often as we can, but the 9 hours of jetlag (in August) is a killer. It takes about 5 days of being there to start to feel human, you start of struggling to fall asleep and happily sleeping until 11am or later, but you have to force yourself out of bed. I'm often awake in the middle of the night, it's a bit miserable, but we do it because the kids need time with their paternal family. I wouldn't want to be travelling home again after just 10 days. Loads of fab places to visit in Europe and East coast US is more manageable in terms of jet lag.

I LOVE Hawaii but i also wouldn't go for a first trip abroad, especially as you have to all get an ESTA to visit which another piece of admin and worry if one didn't get approved.
If you can fly out of London what about Mauritius or Seychelles, both beautiful. Mexico? I lived Riviera Maya and being able to go to the Xcaret parks and to Tulum/Chichen Itza.
St Lucia was lovely too.

Ive been to Hawaii many times as have family there. Firstly Honolulu is on the Island of Oahu. Fly via San Francisco and spend a few days there as it's a fab place to visit, and will break the journey up. LA not so much..

Stay at Waikiki beach where all the action is. All the hotels eye watering expensive, so look for some deals. Hilton Hawaiian village is my go to. It's a beautiful hotel on the east side of the beach. Close to Ala Moana shopping centre which is a must.
The hotel offer surf lessons, they have a submarine you can visit and do a trip in as well as a "free" Friday night fireworks display on their lagoon.
They have plenty of restaurants /pools/entertainment. They offer Luaus as well which is a must do.

Take a trip around the island. Visit Pearl Harbour, do the Jurassic park trip, the Dole Pineapple plantation. North shore, Polynesian cultural centre. Hanama bay good for snoring. Nice treks at Waimea falls and Diamond head.

If you have time to visit a second island, the Big Island is pretty cool. You could do a trip to the Volcano national park

Enjoy. It's fab. Whatever your budget is, prepare to double it though.

We want to Maui. Stunning. But fuck it's a long way. I don't think I'd go for ten nights.

We went to Vegas first, and SF on the way back. I wouldn't bother with SF again and Vegas not ideal for kids so I'd look at somewhere else to break it up.

The holiday I think the kids are imagining is Costa Rica. Id do there or Thailand sooner than Hawaii. I’ve sailed around the Hawaiian Islands and visited many of them. The almost uninhabited were my favourites. Honolulu is quite horrible. Very American, and quite dirty with a lot of poverty. Maui is like Capri island, just designer shops near the port and caters to the rich.

Then as others have said, the journey is very far! I was living in Asia when I went so it wasn’t insanely far.

I would second Costa Rica, having been there and Hawaii. Its beautiful and full of wildlife and adventure. We hired a car and travelled for 3 weeks, it was amazing! Direct 11 hour flight from the UK so pretty easy to get to in comparison.

We used to live in California so were lucky enough to visit Hawaii a few times.

those who are saying it’s built up clearly never left the resort towns or went to Kauai. It’s stunning - Maui is lovely but is a lot of resorts, the Big Island is super adventurous - some of the best star gazing in the world is up Mauna Loa and the black sand beaches are otherworldly. But my favourite is Kauai - there is one mid sized hotel on the whole island, we stayed in a private house on a beach where we saw maybe 5 other people the whole week. Hike the canyon, swim in the natural ocean pools, it’s just wonderful and no where near a sky scraper, it doesn’t take much to get off the beaten path in Hawaii to be honest

that being said - it’s 6 hours from LA so a very long way from the U.K.!

If you want the crystal-clear-water and beach type holiday, go to the Ionian islands. Kefalonia in particular. And only a 3 hr flight instead of 20hr!

Food was amazing. Beaches were phenomenal. Loads of history if you want a bit more culture. Easily our best holiday ever, and we've done a lot of travelling.