Hawaii Island] Enjoy a family vacation on the Big Island of Hawaii! Travel attractions, recommended activities, and sightseeing spots!

What is the Big Island of Hawaii like?

Hawaii Island is the newest of the Hawaiian Islands, having been created by volcanic activity that raised it from the ocean floor.

The island is nearly twice the size of the other islands of the Hawaiian archipelago combined, making it aptly nicknamed the Big Island.

Historically, Kona is known as the site of the first Polynesian settlement 1,500 years ago, and the ruins of an ancient Hawaiian temple can still be seen in Kona.

It is also the birthplace of King Kamehameha the Great, who unified the Hawaiian Islands.

 

How to get to Hawaii Island

Kona Airport on the Big Island of Hawaii is approximately 7 hours and 30 minutes by direct flights from Haneda and Narita airports.

If you are coming from another airport, take a domestic flight through Honolulu to Kailua-Kona or Hilo airports.

The trip from Honolulu to the Big Island of Hawaii takes approximately 50 minutes.

 

Enjoy a family vacation on the Big Island of Hawaii!

The island of Hawaii, which used to require a connection from Honolulu, is now much more accessible from Japan with direct flights now in service.

Flights depart late at night, making it easier for children to fall asleep and easier to get around, making it a great place for first-time family travelers.

 

Why Family Travel?

It is not only about accessibility.

Stargazing experiences at the World Heritage Kilauea Volcano and Mauna Kea also provide learning opportunities for children to experience the power of nature.

In addition, the encounter with dolphins and sea turtles, which in Japan can only be seen in an aquarium, is so exciting even for adults that it will surely remain in the children's memories forever.

As for the food, on the other hand, there are plenty of options that children will like, such as hamburgers, loco moco, and delicious fruit.

There seems to be no need to worry about getting sick due to food incompatibility, which is often the case when traveling abroad for the first time.

For these reasons, we highly recommend visiting the Big Island of Hawaii with your family.

 

It will surely be a memory of a lifetime!

There are five mountains on the Big Island of Hawaii, and because of their high elevation, they offer a wide range of enjoyment, including ongoing volcanic activity and powerful stargazing, and as a result, many spectacular sights can be seen.

A trip to the Big Island of Hawaii, filled with natural attractions that go beyond the beach, will surely be a trip of a lifetime.

 

Relax and enjoy family time!

I think that many people find it difficult to devote themselves to play on holidays in Japan because they are reminded of work and school....

In this respect, the wilderness of the Big Island of Hawaii allows you to forget all about work and study and just play.

The beautiful ocean and sky of Hawaii, the pleasant breeze and the sound of waves will make you forget the hustle and bustle of the city.

Just lying on the beach with the family and relaxing will be enough to make it a wonderful family time.

 

Enjoy the activity experience with your family!

The island of Hawaii is a great place for families to spend time together because of its many natural attractions.

The activity experiences in particular are fun for both adults and children, so be sure to bring the whole family.

 

Recommended Family Travel Spots

Let's take a look at some of the classic sights that are perfect for a family vacation.

 

Kilauea Volcano

It is located in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, a World Heritage Site.

After the massive volcanic activity of 2018, there are restrictions on where you can visit, but you can still experience the overwhelming power of the volcano up close.

Recommendations

The Halemaumau crater, which has undergone significant changes since volcanic activity, and the jet-black lava plateau, where you can feel the energy of the volcano...

This is a great opportunity for children to see and feel the magical power of nature firsthand.

Access

Hawaii Volcanoes National Park is about a 2 hour and 15 minute drive from Kona International Airport.

 

Mauna Kea

Mauna Kea is one of the volcanoes that form the Big Island of Hawaii and means "white mountain" in Hawaiian.

It is so called because the summit is covered with snow.

Recommendations

The weather is stable and the air is clear near the summit, making it possible to enjoy stargazing with great intensity.

It is a mysterious beauty that is sure to impress both adults and children.

Access

From Kona International Airport, it is approximately 1 hour and 40 minutes by car.

 

Rainbow Falls

The Wailuku River, which runs through the city of Hilo on the Big Island of Hawaii, is crossed by a number of waterfalls, the most popular of which is Rainbow Falls.

As the name suggests, it is known for the rainbow over the basin of the waterfall.

Recommendations

When the morning sun shines, water droplets dancing from the waterfall reflect the sunlight and form a rainbow.

However, rainbows appear only in the morning.

It is said that a rainbow appears when the sun is around 42 degrees behind you with the waterfall in front of you.

Access

From downtown Hilo, take Wai'anue Ave. west for 5 minutes.

 

Akaka Falls

This beautiful waterfall is located in Akaka Falls State Park and is approximately 135 meters high.

The park has a hiking trail with a circumference of approximately 800 meters that leads visitors to the waterfall while strolling through the tropical rainforest.

Recommendations

In addition to Akaka Falls, there is also Kahuna Falls with a drop of about 30 meters.

The area is thick with wild orchids, bamboo forests, ferns, and other lush tropical foliage, making it an adventure for the whole family.

You will be healed by the many trees and the negative ions of the clear air.

Access

From Kona International Airport, it is approximately 1 hour and 56 minutes by car.

 

hero

Hilo is also known as the Old Town of the Big Island of Hawaii.

It is said that the town was founded by Japanese Americans who came here as sugar cane farmers in the past.

Kamehameha Avenue, facing Hilo Bay, retains a strong old-fashioned town atmosphere.

 

Recommended family activities

Here are some activities for adults and children to enjoy together.

 

snorkeling

You can enjoy snorkeling in the ocean's natural environment. This marine activity is easy for beginners and children to try.

Recommendations

You can enjoy an underwater walk with colorful tropical fish. If you are lucky, you may even see a sea turtle!

 

Lava Tour

Lava tours are also a must-do activity when talking about the Big Island of Hawaii.

There are many tours that families will want to take, including a national park where you can learn about the formation process of the Hawaiian Islands, including craters and lava trails, and a tour where you can get a close-up look at the steam vents rising from the crater.

Recommendations

Sightseeing at a volcano is an experience that is not possible in Japan, so please take this opportunity to witness the spectacle created by the power of nature.

 

riding horse

Horseback riding is also popular for parents and children to enjoy a relaxing time together. Ride a well-trained, adorable horse along pastureland, mountain trails, and seaside areas.

Recommendations

The great thing about horseback riding is that you can get in touch with both nature and animals.

Japanese-language guides are provided, so beginners and children can experience it with ease.

 

Dolphin Tour

If you come to Hawaii, you want to see dolphins in the wild! If you come to Hawaii, you want to see dolphins in the wild!

The Pacific white-sided dolphin, which is said to have the highest encounter rate among wild dolphins, has a very playful personality.

Recommendations

We recommend tours that include snorkeling where you can swim with the dolphins, or if you have young children, a relaxing dolphin-watching tour from the boat.

 

stargazing

If you come to the Big Island of Hawaii, enjoy the star-filled sky at Mauna Kea, the highest mountain in the Pacific.

The stars are so crowded together and so brilliant that you can never see them in the city. It is breathtakingly beautiful.

Recommendations

Stargazing on Mauna Kea can be combined with sunrise or sunset. This moving experience is sure to be the climax of your trip to Hawaii.

 

Recommended tours for family vacations on the Big Island of Hawaii

Here are three recommended tours offered on the Big Island of Hawaii.

 

Hawaii Island Sightseeing Kilauea Volcano,
Tour of 15 places including Akaka Falls + B-class gourmet tour

This tour allows you to efficiently visit 15 famous places such as Kilauea Volcano and Akaka Falls. You can also enjoy eating loco's favorite B-class gourmet foods such as loco moco and malasada.

 

Wild Dolphins & Kealakekua Bay Snorkeling Tour

If you want to see dolphins, this is the tour for you. You can enjoy dolphin watching and snorkeling in Kealakekua Bay, the clearest bay in Hawaii Island.

The maximum number of participants is six, so it will be safe to bring children.

 

Mauna Kea Sunset & Stargazing Tour

This is a sunset and stargazing tour on Mauna Kea. After watching the beautiful sunset, you can take your time stargazing with binoculars or a large telescope at about 2,000 meters at the foot of the mountain.

Take a commemorative photo with your family with the sky full of stars in the background.

 

summary

We are all cautious about traveling abroad, especially if our children are still young. However, the Big Island of Hawaii is perfect for a family vacation, both in terms of climate and accessibility.

The lineup of activities and dining options is also fun for adults and children alike, making it a great destination for a first family vacation.