<p>Our first trip to Hawaii, we went because D2 was touring with a children’s choir, so most of the trip, her time was going to be scheduled. We went ahead of the time she had to meet up with them in Honolulu, and let her make one choice of something she wanted to do since she wouldn’t have the freedom like the rest of us (on top of this, we actually paid for one of D1’s friends to come along with us so D1 wouldn’t be bored with just H and me) for the rest of the trip. The one choice she made was the Big Island because she wanted to see an active volcano. </p>
<p>We left on a Friday the 13th in July and had to change planes in LA. Our layover turned into nine hours instead of two (thank you American Airlines), so by the time we made it to Honolulu (where we had to catch another flight to Hilo), we had missed the last flight out to Hilo, so we had to stay in Honolulu that night, and fly into Hilo the next morning. So the one night we were supposed to stay near the volcano and then tour it, got scratched because once we arrived the next morning, we had to drive over to the other side of the island where our reservations were starting that night. So we never got to see the volcano. It was too far of a drive to do a day trip to once we were settled at Hapuna Beach. I always felt sorry for her (don’t know why - how many middle schoolers get to go to Hawaii??), that she never got to see the volcano. She’s been back to Hawaii twice since then, but never to the Big Island.</p>
<p>As a geologist, I understand your DHs desire to see an active volcano. Thats still on my bucket list since nothing was erupting the last time we were there. That may conflict with what the rest of you want. Because it is such a new island, fewer beaches, less snorkeling, no lush landscapes. Don’t get me wrong, I love Kona!
Maybe the family goes to an older island and settles there and DH takes a day trip to Volc. Nat Park?</p>
<p>The young juvenile male humpback whales arrive in late October-early November. Some years back, I was SCUBA diving off Puako (Kohala Coast of the Big Island) and our dive group spotted the first humpback of the season: November 4th. The females come about a month later and give birth when they arrive. A month or so after that, it’s mating season. (Humpbacks are pregnant for 23 months. Not my idea of a good time.)</p>
<p>Whales are not, IMHO, the most interesting marine mammal in the Hawaiian islands. My personal favorites are the spinner dolphins. They travel in groups of up to 200 dolphins and they leap out of the water and spin. They’re amazing. (They also spend approximately 1/3rd of their adult waking hours having one kind of sex or another. Another extremely memorable SCUBA dive was the one where I learned the spinners have sex while they swim, even though they’re swimming very fast.)</p>
<p>AllThis, I had fun going through the questions on one of those “which island should I choose” type sites. And checking out Tripadvisor. Went with a package deal, btw (hotel, flight, car rental). Much of it probably depends on what you and your family most like to do.</p>
<p>My lung doc forbids me to get anywhere near the volcanoes without a full respirator (like what firefighters wear). Be sure to read the website (if it’s still up) about precautions to take if you want to go near the volcano. If there are folks with lung issues like asthma, double check with their docs before you commit to the Big Island for the volcano. </p>
<p>We really liked the Fairmont on the Big Island. It has a lagoon with resident turtles, and they do not mind when the hotel guests go to swim with them in the mornings. :)</p>
<p>IMO, the best place in HI in December is… Ko Olina. The lagoons were very swimmable even when the rest of the island was experiencing record breaking waves (the traffic jam created by the wave peeper tourists on the roads leading to the North Shore was soooo bad it made the national news!). We are going to Ko Olina to ring in the new year - I’m so excited! There is usually a fireworks show courtesy of the Marriott Beach Club.</p>
<p>Yes, it was one of the worst Friday the 13th story days I’ve ever had. It was not a good beginning to the trip! Thankfully, we fought, and were nicely compensated by American Airlines, but it never got us back that night we were supposed to spend near the volcanos.</p>
And checking out Tripadvisor. Went with a package deal, btw (hotel, flight, car rental). Much of it probably depends on what you and your family most like to do.</p>