Big Island Family Exploration

Situated on 15 acres of tropical gardens and palm trees along the Big Island's Kohala Coast, the Waikoloa Beach Marriott Resort & Spa features a free-form pool and tension-melting spa treatments, and is approximately 18 miles from Keahole-Kona International Airport. Local attractions include Kailua-Kona Town, approximately 25 miles away, and Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, located 116 miles from the resort.Overlooking Anaeho'omalu Bay and ancient Hawaiian fish ponds, this resort features ocean equipment rentals, including boogie boards, kayaks, and snorkeling gear. The freeform swimming pool area also contains a children's pool, a sundeck, and towels, in addition to a new infinity pool. The Mandara Spa pampers guests with massage therapies, beauty treatments, and a steam room. The fitness center contains state-of-the-art exercise equipment, and water and towel services are provided. Additional resort amenities include a business center, tennis court, and inter-resort shuttle. Guests may also participate in Hawaiian cultural activities, such as Lei-making, Hula dancing, ukulele classes, and a walking tour. For entertainment, an evening Hawaiian Luau show takes place twice each week. Other amenities include an ATM, newspapers, currency exchange, laundry facilities, safe deposit boxes, dry cleaning service, beauty salon, vending machine, and a gift shop. Dining options include seafood at Hawaii Calls Restaurant and Lounge and the Kona Coffee Shoppe.Guestrooms feature lanais, refrigerators, coffeemakers, safes, high-speed Internet access, air-conditioning, alarm clocks, irons and ironing boards, safes, hairdryers, cable TV, and voicemail.

With its shade trees, picnic tables and gentle surf, this is a great place for family outings or afternoon naps. It is a quiet neighborhood beach just outside of Kawaihae. The same elements that draw swimmers and snorkelers tend to dissuade surfers, windsurfers and other thrill seekers. The shorebreak is gentle and usually small. Facilities include barbecue pits, showers and even tennis courts. The soft, golden sands are usually not very crowded.

Each winter season when the humpbacks come to rest in Hawaiian waters, most marine tour companies offer a whale watch excursion. However, Captain Dan is a devoted whale researcher and marine activist who leads tour groups out to commune with whales year-round. His tours take people to the lesser-known whale hang-outs, places which he has found by dint of extensive research. While most whale sightseeing companies offer various guarantees about sightings, Captain Dan McSweeney's Whale Watch is dedicated finding you whales. If you don't get a glimpse of the magical creatures, there policy is, "See a Whale or Come Again Free" and the offer never expires. Tours last three hours. Check website for pricing and tour times.

This restaurant is nearly three-quarters of a century old. It is a mainstay on the tourist circuit, known for its nightly specials. While some people claim that this place is overpriced, others name it as their favorite on the island. Signature menu items include the fish & chips, the Keahole Maine Lobster (served on Monday) and the Prime Rib (served on Thursday). Vegetarian dishes are also available. There is a full bar featuring an extensive wine list.

On the far end of the Big Island's Windward side is this pretty little park noted for its magnificent waterfall. The hike to the waterfall overlook is short (less than a half-mile) and not too difficult. The path is even paved. The waterfall is impressive; it is a 440-foot cascade over a volcanic cliff. Lush greenery blankets the area. Visitors enjoy quite a few nice places for pictures or picnics on the 65-acre property.

This Discovery Center was built in 2003 by the Natural Hawaiian Islands Coral Reef Ecosystem Reserve, to understand the culture, history, natural science and marine environment of the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands. Ever wanted to go down into the mysterious depths of the ocean? Now you can at least stimulate that experience with the Research Laboratory's Pisces V submersible. A theatre, state of the art models and interactive displays, make the whole experience much more fun for kids and adults alike. Colorful panels and a large coral reef mural leave you enthralled as sharks circle over your head! Video kiosks with virtual field guides are scattered all over the center and are great fun and very informative. This is an interesting place for all age groups and you can call in advance to arrange for a group tour.

While a rare and precious commodity in almost any town, the 24-hour restaurant is almost unheard of in Hawai'i. Thank goodness then for Ken's HOP, which not only serves all night long, but is reputed to serve the very best breakfasts on the Island of Hawai'i. It has won a half-dozen people's choice awards in the past few years for service, food quality and all-around excellence. Everything from the famous pancakes to spaghetti to Kalua pig is on the extensive menu. All-you-can-eat specials are featured on Wednesday and Sunday.

Looking for an adventure-packed guy getaway escape? Check out these six active volcano locales for a hot time with molten lava.

More than two million people visit the active Kilauea Volcano each year, enthralled by the sight of the forbidding black mountain and the fiery streams of molten lava that flow from it. The other active volcano, Mauna Loa, is the largest one on earth; the summit towers at more than 13,000 feet above sea level. There are many hiking trails in the park, which spans 217,000 acres. The Kilauea Visitor Center and Jaggar Museum offer the chance to learn more about the park's history and geology.

This white sand beach is the stuff of movies, photo shoots and imagination. They stretch as far as the eye can see. The sand is sugar-fine, warm and clean. The waves are deep blue in the distance, foamy when they hit the shore. Among the Big Island's white sand spots, this one stands out and is regularly ranked among the top beaches in the world. The half-mile strip also has great facilities like a paved walkway leading from the parking lot, which is a rarity in Hawaii!

Reach for the stars, planets and supernovas at the Big Island’s world-renowned astronomy center.

It may be small (less than a tenth of a percent of the size of Volcanoes National Park), but this place is of immense historical significance. Once the site of an ancient Hawaiian place of refuge, law or code breakers flocked here to obtain mercy from the wrath of the gods (or the community). Other places of interest include royal grounds, reconstructed temples and ancient fishponds. A short walking trail winds through many of the interesting sites. Orientations are given several times daily. Artists and craftspeople often display their works onsite. Admission: USD5.

It isn't often that one has an opportunity to see the way people lived and worked in past generations. This 'Living History' farm allows just that opportunity. It is a representation of the Kona coffee industry in the years between 1925 and 1945. Observe the procedures of an Old Hawaii coffee plantation, from the orchards and fields to the roasting plant. Artifacts and authentic landscapes add to the effect. There is a gift shop onsite. The admission prices are very high.

Luaus, originally private family celebrations held on special occasions, are now one of the mainstays of the Hawaiian tourist industry. Traditional Hawaiian food is served along with plenty of tropical cocktails each Tuesday. Live musicians and hula dancers perform. The Westin's luau is a grand affair, complete with the ceremonial removal of the roast pig from the underground oven. The entertainment is provided by Kumu Hula Nani Lim. Admission: USD72 for adults; USD36 for children.