Maui
The swimming area is a big draw for families at the Grand Wailea Resort on Maui. The Wailea Canyon Activity Pool features nine pools at six levels, all connected by a river. Kids love swimming along the river from one pool to the next at varying speeds. There's also a white-water slide, rope swing, water elevator, sand beach and infant pool.
Supervised hotel camps include activities such as arts and crafts, water play, crab hunting and movies. When parents head to one of the five nearby championship golf courses, the kids can have an equally good time.
Grand Wailea
3850 Wailea Alanui Drive
Wailea, Maui, HI 96753
(800) 888-6100
http://www.grandwailea.com
Kauai
Sheraton Kauai prides itself on Keiki Aloha Kauai, its action-packed kids' program. The many activities include bamboo pole fishing, pool play, kite flying, lei making and ukulele lessons. There's so much going on that children often request the full-day rather than half-day sessions, which gives parents time to explore some of Kauai's eight golf courses.
The Sheraton also has two fresh-water swimming areas. The Beach Pool has a slide and whirlpool, and the Garden Pool features a waterfall; both contain children's pools. The hotel's beach activity center offers equipment such as snorkeling gear and boogie boards, plus lessons in water sports.
Sheraton Kauai
2440 Hoonani Road
Poipu Beach, Koloa, HI 96756
(808) 742-1661
http://www.sheraton-kauai.com
Oahu
The Kahala Hotel and Resort is known for its family water adventures such as canoe and outrigger tours, and swimming with the dolphins. It has a popular year-round children's club that includes activities such as learning the hula, designing sand castles, making fish prints, performing puppet shows and playing traditional Hawaiian games.
The hotel is located in a charming residential area of Oahu, a half-hour drive from Koolau and Luana Hills golf courses. Parents can head out for a day, knowing their kids are safe and sound and having a blast.
The Kahala Hotel & Resort
5000 Kahala Ave.
Honolulu, HI 96816
(808) 739-8888
http://www.kahalaresort.com
Big Island
Children get a royal welcome at the Big Islands Four Seasons Resort Hualalai. When families check in, kids are offered milk and cookies, child-size bathrobes and toiletries, and their own menus. Hotel activities include surfing lessons and snorkeling adventures, and access to a game area, boogie boards, paddle boards and kayaks.
Parents who want to enjoy a game on the resort's Hualalai Golf Course can arrange for a hotel-endorsed baby-sitting service.
72-100 Ka`upulehu Drive
Kailua-Kona, HI 96740
(808) 325-8000
http://www.fourseasons.com/hualalai
About The Author
Barbara Dunlap is a freelance writer in Oregon. She was a garden editor at "The San Francisco Chronicle," and she currently specializes in travel and active lifestyle topics like golf and fitness. She received a master's degree from the University of Missouri-Columbia and has been a Knight Foundation Fellow.
