Take Your Family to Hawaii: America’s Tropical Paradise

With five islands to choose from all sporting lush tropical vegetation, miles of beach, and warm temperatures tempered by island breezes, a trip to Hawaii is on many people’s list of places to visit. You might think Hawaii is for honeymoons only, but there are a surprising number of family-oriented activities and attractions, especially on the big island of Hawaii. Any time of the year is fine to visit but keep in mind that the rainy season lasts from November to March and hurricane season lasts from June to November.

Hawaii Volcanoes National Park

What makes this park unique is the opportunity to see an active volcano, Kilauea, in constant eruption since 1983. There is also a second volcano in the park (Mauna Loa) that has been dormant since 1983. Visitors to this 330,000-acre park can actually get close enough to see lava as it flows into the ocean as well as experience volcanic features such as lava tubes, cinder cones, and steam vents. Within the park there is a visitor center, the Jagger Museum featuring exhibits about Hawaiian volcanoes, Volcano House, which contains a gift shop, restaurant, and hotel, and the Volcano Art Center Gallery. Hawaii Volcanoes National Park is 30 miles southwest of Hilo and is open every day. The park entrance fee is $10 per car.

Pu`uhonua O Honaunau National Historic Park

Known in ancient times as the “place of refuge” by the Hawaiian people, there are two sections to the park, the Royal Grounds and the Place of Refuge. Visitors take a self-guided tour that includes archaeological sites such as royal fishponds, petroglyphs, and remnants of villages. There is also a reconstructed temple as well as examples of traditional Hawaiian canoes made from Koa wood and coconut fronds. Pu`uhonua O Honaunau is located near the town of Honaunau and is open from 6am to 8pm during the week and until 11pm on weekends and holidays. The visitor center is open 9am to 5pm. The entrance fee for the park is $5.

Dolphin Twilight Camp at the Hilton Waikoloa Village

Dolphin Quest offers a series of programs that allow children to interact with and learn about dolphins. The twilight camp, for children ages 5 to 12, consists of four hours of fun including dolphin playtime, a pirate treasure hunt, picnic dinner, and twilight camp T-shirt. The Hilton at Waikoloa Village is about 18 miles south of the Kona International Airport. Reservations are required for the Dolphin Twilight Camp. The admission price is $120 for the first child and $105 for each additional child.

For more information: http://www.resqwest.com/docs/hilton.asp

The Parker Ranch

The Parker Ranch in Waimea has been a working ranch since 1809 and is credited with starting the cowboy tradition in Hawaii. Here, visitors can learn about the history and culture of one of the largest cattle ranches in the United States. Visit the Parker Ranch Museum located in the visitor center, or tour the two historic homes that are open to the public. To see the ranch itself, take the 45-minute Kohala Carriage Tour in an old-fashioned wagon pulled by two Belgian horses. Tickets to the carriage tour are $15 for adults and $12 for children under the age of 12. The museum fee is $6.50 for adults and $4.50 for children. The house tours are $8.50 for adults and $6 for children.

For more information: http://www.parkerranch.com/

Sea Turtles at Punalu'u Beach Park

A few miles east of the town of Na’alehu in the southern part of the big island is Punalu'u Beach Park with its beautiful black sand beach. The sand is black due to the erosion of the volcanic lava. Green Sea turtles, an endangered species, inhabit this beach and Hawksbill turtles another endangered species sometimes nest here as well. Swim, snorkel, relax and enjoy island life at its best—all for free.

~Heleigh Bostwick Staff Editor

Growing up in Vermont, her education and work as a botanist and landscape architect, and now her job as a mom of twins, have all contributed to Heleigh’s “Green Living” lifestyle. She has a BA in Botany from Connecticut College and a Master of Landscape Architecture from the University of Pennsylvania.