Currently planning a vacation to the Big Island in July. Will be staying in Waikoloa for the first time, at the Hilton Waikoloa Village, and planning to visit Hawaii Volcanoes for a day.

My question is, what's the best/easiest/fastest way to get to Hawaii Volcanoes from Waikoloa? The way I see it, I have a choice of 3 routes - go around the north end of the island thru Hilo, take Saddle Road thru Hilo, or drive south thru Kona-Kailua. Obviously the southern route is the longest but I have driven this route before without any problems from Kona.

I will be traveling with 2 young kids as well, age 6 and 5, if that is any consideration.