Originally Posted by
iahphx
For most folks with kids, I would recommend the Waimea Plantation Cottages (especially on their half off Entertainment card rates) as the perfect place to experience Hawaii with kids. Admittedly, that is a bit slow -- days spent on the beach snorkeling and swimming , buying Taro chips in Hanapepe and shave ice at Jo-Jos, attending a local hula demonstration, walking the swing bridges, watching the sunset from a hammock on the beach, etc. But simple pleasures are obviously not what everyone is looking for on vacation.
When we stayed at the Waimea Plantation Cottages (the main house; set my father-in-law back a pretty penny, but it was worth it
), just about the only thing we
couldn't do was snorkel in the water there. IIRC, the river empties into the sea very close by, and visibility was non-existent and locals warned about tigersharks prowling the waters
. (something about the nutrient rich water attracting things tigers like to eat, and the poor visibility giving them a predatory edge). We
did make a driftwood fire everynight, however, and gazing at the night sky is otherworldly.
The beaches at Barking Sands or Poipu were great, but a bit of a drive from WPC.
I second what everyone else says: spend a week each on Maui & the BI.
Just do your research and realize that a 3 yr old will limit some options regardless of Island. For example:
He can't do the ride down Haleakala on a bike.
Be mindful of the sulfur in Volcano Nat'l Park if he has respiratory issues.
And so on.
That said, we have several great threads on both Maui and the BI, so search, read and ENJOY!
A hui ho!
Ted