Trip report with kids-day 11-12 and wrapup

Day 11, Saturday: The beach near our house (Ho’okena) was totally disguisting, so we headed up to Kua Bay. This is the one most guidebooks don’t even mention yet, because the access road is pretty new. Turn toward the ocean at the sign for the Veterans Cemetary on the mauka side at mm 88. There’s no sign for beach access or anything, but once you drive down past the cinder cone, you’ll see the parking lot, showers, etc. You have to take a few steps on some lava rocks, but not far, and it’s so worth it. This is absolutely the most gorgeous beach I’ve ever seen anywhere in the world! It was a Saturday, 2 days before Chrismas no less, so it was somewhat crowded, especially due to it’s limited size, but still worth it. Gorgeous soft white sand, turquoise water, fabulous waves for boogie boarding, snorkeling at the edges by the rocks. This is the best beach on the island that is accessible on a paved road. Do not miss!!!!

Day 12, Sunday:

Got to airport on Christmas Eve around 10:30 for our 11:30 flight only to find a sign saying that security had been increased to “orange,” so we were a little nervous, but checked in bags easily and headed to the Astronaut Museum. Not very big, but lots of hands-on stuff for kids. We could’ve spent an hour here. Ambled onto the plane 30 min. before takeoff. We tried to bring some guavas (rather than throw them out) but inspectors took them in Honolulu. Oh well, we tried!

Overall, DH and I both felt that this was our best family vacation. Previous ones had been Disneyworld, Baja California Cruise, Cozumel/Cancun. We felt that the big island was a great destination for active families who don’t mind driving and want to see a wide variety of natural sights. Having a van was worth it, not just for the space between the 3 kids, but for the ability to see more since you sit up higher, as well as ease of change clothes in it.

Here are the don’t miss items: Lava flowing at night, Hawaii Tropical Botanical Garden, Pololu Valley Hike, Waipio Valley Overlook, Snorkeling with turtles at Kahalu’u, Tropical Dreams Ice Cream, Hilo Farmer’s Market (any day), Kua Bay, shave ice with ice cream, Bamboo restaurant.

Total cost of trip $5000 for 5 people 11 full days/nights. We really kept costs down by only eating a few restaurant meals, and never at dinner time. And I did not “cook” just had a plan and bought the right things from Costco to throw in the oven each night.

Trip report with kids-day 11-12 and wrapup

I read all your reports, cover to cover. Fantastic job. While I may or may not agree with all your assessments, it was refreshing to read your unvarnished opinions, whether you liked something or not. It sounds like you had a trip you and your children will never forget.

Trip report with kids-day 11-12 and wrapup

Thanks for taking your time to write. Your experiences will certainly help us when we (wife, me, our 4-year-old son, and my mother) go there in mid-March.

Joally,

Glad you had a good time. But shhh about Kua beach. :) Like local San Diegans (I think) there are some things I don’t post on here – gotta have some secrets!

Good luck and happy travels!

Joallyblue-did you find Costco to be a good place to buy all of your groceries? I am unsure because I don%26#39;t want to have to buy in bulk; but we too are going with 3 kids. What did you purchase from there?

Mahalo, Shelley

joally, it was a pleasure reading your reports!

I would agree about Kua Beach ... not too long ago it was a jolting ride over lava boulders or a long hike in, and the few people who made it had ';earned it'; the hard way ... one of the few beaches that people who live here didn%26#39;t feel overwhelmed, and it%26#39;s nice to leave the residents SOMETHING, there is not much for us with all the hotels on the best beaches.

darn, I meant to ask you what was so disgusting about Ho%26#39;okena.