I need some advise re: Hilton Waikoloa and, possibly, other places on the Big Island. We are planning a family vacation to Hawaii -- for the first time -- and we would like to stay on the Big Island. We are budgeting 8 nights. Since I am Hhonors Gold and since I will have accumulated enough points for ALON2 award, my first inclanation was to go for 6 nights at Waikoloa and then move south, closer to the volcano, for the final two nights. However, after reading many reviews about Waikoloa in this thread, I am wondering if we will have enough things to do in and around the resort to keep us entertained for 6 days. We are an active family, and would like to see different things. I am sure we will be walking with open jaws for the first couple days no matter where we are in Hawaii, but I am thinking that "beautiful grounds" of the Waikoloa resort would not be enough. We want to see the beaches (black, white, green, and all other colors); we like snorkleing; we like waterfalls; we would like to climb the mountain. Is Waikoloa a good base to explore everything on the Big Island? Or would it better for us to get 4 nights AXON award (I have AmEx) at Waikoloa and spend other 4 nights at a different place? Would you say 4 days is more than enough to see everything at Waikoloa and surrounding areas? Which alternative places (both hotels and attractions) would people recommend? What locations on the Big Island?