From the best luau’s to where to swim with turtles, our Hawaii family travel blog explores the best things to do in Hawaii with kids
Explore The Island Paradise Of The Hawaiian Islands
There is no destination more idyllic for family travel than the state of Hawaii. This tiny chain of 8 islands in the middle of the Pacific Ocean seem almost designed to be the perfect vacation getaway. The weather is amazing year-round. It rarely experiences tropical storms. And the local customs are among the most welcoming in the world.
Surrounded by topaz-blue water that is teeming with life, the Hawaiian Islands feel like a lifetime away from the continental United States. And, with their remote location, they kind of are. It takes a minimum of six and a half hours to reach Honolulu from the Mainland. But once you get there, you can relax in a paradise that almost always surpasses expectations.
The main island in the Hawaiian chain is Oahu. It’s home to the capital of Honolulu, Diamondback mountain, and the famed Waikiki Beach. The Island of Kauai is a raw and beautiful destination that holds the largest canyon on any of the Hawaiian Islands, the majestic Waimea Canyon. It also has a nearly untouched interior where you can experience tubing through sugar plantations and tunnels.
The island of Maui is the most popular of the Hawaiian Islands after Oahu. Centered by the epic but dormant Haleakala Volcano, Maui is home to the most famous road trip in Hawaii, the road to Hana. Maui is laid out as two volcanoes centered by a wide valley. The island is famous as one of the best snorkeling destinations in Hawaii. And it’s also one of the best islands to do whale tours. Maui is also the base for most people looking to take tours of the sparsely populated island of Lanai.
Molokai is the fifth largest Hawaiian island. This island is primarily laid out for agriculture and ranching. But its epic sea cliffs make it a popular destination for explorers and bird lovers. The smallest of the Hawaiian Islands is Kahoolawe. This island is just 45 square miles, and completely uninhabited. The island was once used for military testing, and unexploded ordinances are still being cleaned up.
The most mysterious of the islands in Hawaii is Niihau. This privately owned island is the home to a group of Hawaiian indigenous people who choose to live in the style of their ancestors. Access to the island is prohibited except by a limited number of tour companies and businesses.
The island of Hawaii, or “The Big Island” as it is commonly referred to, is the largest of the Hawaiian Islands. The island is home to the tallest mountain on earth, Mauna Kea. And the highly active Kilauea volcano in Volcanoes National Park is constantly erupting adding more and more land to the raw shores of this spectacular island.
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Tips For Family Travel In Hawaii
Our Hawaii Guide will give you a breakdown of what you need to know about family travel to Hawaii. If you’re new to international family travel, I highly recommend checking out our well-researched trip planning resources. It’s full of proven family travel hacks.
- Capital
- The capital of Hawaii is Honolulu, which is located on the island of Oahu.
- Weather
- Hawaiian weather remains very consistent year-round. Expect rain showers that are frequent and intense but often very short-lived. The islands are very mountainous, so if you plan on exploring higher areas such as Haleakala on Maui or Mauna Kea on the Big Island, expect drastic temperature drops and near-freezing temperatures.
- Cellular Phone Service
- Cell phone service is readily available throughout the United States. Sim chips are available and can be added to unlocked phones. I have used the Airalo eSim app for all of my international travel.
Important Words And Phrases To Know When Traveling In Hawaii
There are two official languages in Hawaii, English, and Hawaiian. While English is found everywhere and no visitor will have a challenge finding locals who speak it, even those who move to the country embrace the beautiful Hawaiian language, and it is often intertwined with English as the local dialect.
It’s always helpful to know a few words in the Indigenous language whenever you travel to a new destination. So here are a few important Hawaiian words to know before you visit.
Important Spanish Words To Know:
Yes: Ae
No: Aʻole
Thank You: Mahalo
Thank You Very Much: Mahalo nui loa iā ‘oe
You’re Welcome: Noʻu ka hauʻoli
Please: E ‘oluʻolu
Excuse Me: E kala mai iaʻu
Hello: Aloha
Goodbye: Aloha
Bathroom: Lua
How To Stay Connected And Get Internet And Phone Service In The United States
Most major cities throughout the United States have excellent cellular service. If you have an older phone, I highly recommend purchasing a sim either at the airport or as one of your first stops on your travels.
If you have a newer eSim capable phone, you can save yourself time by purchasing an eSim ahead of time and having it activated before you arrive.
There are many companies that offer this service. I have used Airalo for years. It has been seamless in over ten countries. They have World, Regional, and Country-Specific eSims available. The price goes down the more specific you get. The regional sims allow for easy country-hopping if you are visiting multiple destinations.
