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Home › Articles › Family-Friendly Destinations › Aloha Kids

Aloha Kids

Experiencing Hawaii, Family Style

By Elisa Ast All

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Things to Do on The Big Island
Where else in the world can you take your kids to see a volcano that has been actually erupting since 1983? Kilauea, one of the five volcanoes on the Big Island, is comparatively small at 4,000 feet, but it is one of the most active volcanoes in the world. During the past 1,100 years, Kilauea's lava has covered nearly 500 square miles, and you can see now-hardened flows at the volcano and all over the island.

At Volcanoes National Park, the main feature is the 11-mile Crater Rim Drive, which circles Kilauea's summit caldera (the crater created when the summit of the volcano collapsed). On this easy drive, you can see steam vents, pit craters, recent lava flows (with dates telling you which year the place you're standing on was buried in lava) and a walk-through lava tube. If you're lucky, you might actually view lava pouring into the sea, but that occurrence varies day to day.

If you're into easy hiking and spectacular views, you can walk 3 miles round trip into the Pololu Valley on the north end of the island to a 500-foot waterfall. The land is privately owned, but Hawaii Forest and Trail has permission to take small groups on the historic, cliffside trail 1,000 feet above the valley floor. It's a 30-minute drive to the trail entrance (with some off-roading), and the tour guide picks you up at your hotel. Kids ages 8 and older can go, and it's a walk you'll never forget. As you round several mild turns, the valley opens up into the sea, providing a breathtaking view. The guides are exceptionally informative so it's also an educational experience.

One day should be reserved for snorkeling, and there's no better place to go than a protected marine sanctuary with 80-degree water and 100-foot visibility. Fair Wind Snorkel and Cruise offers a half-day trip that includes breakfast, lunch and snorkel gear to take you to one of the best fish-viewing locations. The boat leaves in the morning from Keauhou Bay (in Kona) and takes a 40-minute cruise to Kealakekua Bay, a protected marine sanctuary with incredible tropical fish. During the winter months you may even spot humpback whales diving and playing as you cruise to and from the snorkel spot.


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