Hawaii is a beautiful vacation destination. It makes for either a quiet and mild vacation consisting of countless hours lying on a beach or wildly active vacation sure to please event the most avid thrill seekers. What thrill seeking vacation would be complete without exploring Hawaii Volcanoes National Park (HAVO). The national park occupies a vast array of terrain ranging from tropical beaches to the sub arctic Mauna Loa summit. The huge park has two active volcanoes.

Kilauea Caldera is the youngest and most active volcano on earth. The landscaping is amazing complete with hardened lava and dozens of craters. The park has 140 miles of hiking trails and is open to the public for camping. The park is over 333,000 acres of land so plan to stay a while if you truly want to explore the park.

If you don’t have a lot of time, you should plan to at least drive through the park. It is worth the hour or so that it will take you to see everything. The volcano erupts regularly, so in most cases you will get to see some sort of lava flow. However, don’t expect to see eruptions spewing into the sky like in the movies. The flow is fluid and constant, not nearly as dramatic as Hollywood depicts.

The terrain changes so frequently due to the ever changing lava flow that it makes it difficult to follow maps, however the most up to date versions will be available at the visitor’s center. The map can be used for driving as well as hiking. The park has a hotline that tells you what is happening with the volcanoes that day and where to best view the lava flow.

Unlike the rest of Hawaii the weather can change very quickly in the park. The temperatures can be about 15 degrees cooler here than in Kona, so plan to dress appropriately. The park can have blistering heat from the sun’s reflection off of the lava flow. It can be hot and steamy one minute and change to a chilly downpour of rain with little or no warning.

If planning to visit the volcanoes you should be prepared and dress appropriately. Wear hiking shoes or boots; bring sunscreen and lots of water. The heat can cause dehydration quickly so be prepared with lots of fluids because this little nuisance is preventable. Always follow the signs and stay on the trails. Fatalities do happen here at HAVO. The most common are due to people wandering off and getting lost in the park and people getting too close to newly formed lava paths. These lava flows can collapse causing injuries, or even worse death.

If and when the lava reaches the ocean, sulfuric acid and hydrochloric acid permeate the air. These gases are toxic. Every one should be careful, especially pregnant women, young children and people with upper respiratory problems. The smell of sulfur is strong in the air.

Whether it’s magnificent hiking trails you seek, or simply marking visiting a volcano off of your to do list, HAVO is sure to please.
 

Not all of the Hawaiian Islands have been as westernized as equally as others. Most people would say that Oahu is by far the most commercialized of the islands and that Molokai is the least. They are only partly right. The little known island of Ni’ihau is actually the least modernized and the least populated of the islands. Ni’ihau is located less than twenty miles from the island of Lanai. It is a private island not open to tourism. Thus the island has earned the name as the forbidden island. Ni’ihau is the only island where the predominant language is still Hawaiian. There is one school here that runs grades K-12 and the lessons are taught in Hawaiian.

English is introduced as a second language. The entire island is owned by the Ni’ihau ranch, which is owned by the Robinson family. The Robinsons provide food, clothing shelter, education and just about anything else their people need. There is no widespread electricity here. Don’t expect to find cell service for your phone either.

Ni’ihau is the smallest inhabited Hawaiian Island; it’s about 70 square miles. The economy of the island depends on farming, but that has not been very prosperous for over thirty years. The Robinson family has looked to the government for support in exchange for allowing military drills and mock practice operations. The Robinsons do not allow visitors on the island. In fact if a resident marries someone from even another Hawaiian Island, they will not be invited back into the community.

Ni’ihau is such a closed community that there really is no way to visit the island. The Robinsons have, however allowed a small window of opportunity to peak into the island. One is through a helicopter tour, but don’t expect this one to be listed in the budget category of a tourism book. The pilot will fly the visitors to a beach location of the island. Here they will have the opportunity to go snorkeling, and lunch is provided. When leaving the island, the pilot will fly over most of the uninhabited parts of the island.

The second opportunity to see the island is to go on a Nihau Safari. Again, don’t expect this one to be cheap. Everything needed to hunt for Polynesian boar and sheep will be provided for you. There are also snorkeling and scuba diving tours around the island of Ni’ihau. Most of these tours depart from Kauai and you cannot come ashore during your excursion.

There is a supply boat that runs from Lanai to Ni’ihau once a week. The boat runs from Kaumakani, which is headquarters of the Ni’ihau ranch. There is also a settlement of former residents that prefer to live in Lanai. The residents of Ni’ihau are free to go to Lanai and shop and do really whatever they want.

There are about 250 residents of the island, most of whom live in Pu’uwai, which means heart in Hawaiian. The village is on the western side of the island. Each house is surrounded by a stone wall to keep out the neighboring wildlife. The living here is pretty basic. They still collect their water and they have no indoor plumbing.

All across the world, there are several locations you can choose for your family beach vacation. Below, you will find many different locations, and what they will offer you and your family.

Maui

Throughout the West Coast of Maui, you’ll have many choices for your beach vacation. If you plan to enjoy golf, the Kapalua Resort is a great choice, as guests will receive 30% lower golf rates than those who don’t stay at the resort. The resort also includes the Kapalua Bay Hotel, Kapalua Villas, and the Ritz-Carlton Kapalua.

One bay over from the Kapalua Bay is the Napili Kai Beach Resort, which is a low rise family resort that offers comfortable beach front condos. The Napili Kai also offers complimentary programs for children ages 6 - 12 from mid June to the end of August, during Easter and Christmas. The condos are seconds away from the beach, and they include kitchens as well as laundry facilities.

If you prefer a more secluded area, the Maui Prince hotel is located in a quiet setting surrounded by two scenic golf courses and a large sandy beach that kids never seem to get enough of.

Mololai Family Adventures

The island of Molokai is filled with empty beaches, no traffic lights, and few tourists. Many tourists visits only for a day or so, with some going to the island because they assumed they were going to Molokini (which is a snorkeling site near Maui).

The island of Mololai is accessible by ferry from Maui or by plane from Honolulu. The island is ideal for those who like the outdoors with a twist of adventure. When you visit here, you shouldn’t expect shopping or nightlife.

Florida

The Breakers Hotel in sunny Palm Beach Florida has a spa, golf course, and a 1/2 mile sandy beach. There is also a seperate pool for the kids, a family entertainment center, and a kid’s program. Families can reserve up to five adjoining rooms while children under the age of 16 can stay for free in the same room as their parents.

If you decide to take your beach vacation in Orlando, the Loews Hard Rock Hotel offers you plenty of beach and amusement rides, with a 240 foot slide and a white sandy beach.

California

With several family beach vacation resorts in California, the Hotel Del Coronado is among the most famous. The hotel offers many different facilities for families, including lessons in kayaking, surfing, tennis, and biking.

Georgia

The barrier islands in Georgia offer ambiance, sandy beaches, and a laid back prospective to life as you know it. Jekyll Island offers you miles of paved bike path with three 18 hole golf courses, which is perfect for golf enthusiasts.