Family of 4 trip planning

Question

This post builds off of a prior post to the main Hawaii forum…posting to here and the Maui forum to narrow things down further. After doing some more research and discussing with the kids (who will be 7 and 12 when we are traveling in June), I *think* we are between returning to Maui and staying in Kaanapali Beach (after looking into Honua Kai Resort, I think this would be a great option for us) OR going to the Island of Hawaii and doing 2 nights near the volcano park (maybe splurging on the Volcano Village Lodge, which I think our kids would love) and spending the remainder of the time (5-7 nights) in the Waikoloa Beach area.

A few more questions...with regards to Maui, should I be considering any places to stay in Wailea? Again, looking for family friendly, 2 bedrooms, on a beach, preferably with restaurants/shops within walking distance. Any specific feedback on the Honua Kai Resort? It seems like a great mix of resort amenities without the craziness or expense of a 2 bedroom unit with a name brand hotel chain, but I'd love to hear specific thoughts.

With regards to the big island, I personally am leaning more towards this option, as I'd like to explore somewhere new and I like the variety of places to explore here, but my husband is more a creature of habbit. Any advice or tips that I can use to persuade him? Specifically with regards to the Hali'i Kai resort, I see that it is on a black sand beach and there seems to be a "beach club", but I can't tell if the beach at the resort is actually accessible for use. Is there a nice beach within walking distance of the resort, or should we expect to drive to access a beach?

I so appreciate all of the advice!! Thank you!

Answer

You’ve got two very strong family options — returning to Maui (Kāʻanapali / Honua Kai) or trying the Big Island (2 nights near Volcano/Volcano Village + 5–7 nights in Waikoloa). Both work well for kids ages 7 & 12; the right choice depends on whether you want the familiarity and easy beaches of Maui or the variety and “adventure” of the Big Island. Below I compare the two choices, give specific feedback on Honua Kai and Haliʻi Kai, suggest a sample split for the Big Island, and finish with practical tips to help you decide.

Short summary recommendation: If your family prioritizes easy, walkable beaches, multiple pools, and condo-style living that feels like home, Honua Kai (Kāʻanapali) is an excellent, low-stress choice. If you want variety — volcano/forest + beaches, different ecosystems, and more to explore — the Big Island (Volcano Village + Waikoloa) gives a broader range of experiences that kids usually love.

Honua Kai — quick thoughts (why it’s great for families)

Honua Kai is a purpose-built condo resort on Kāʻanapali with large two-bedroom units that have full kitchens, washers/dryers, and family-friendly layouts — ideal for cooking and everyday condo life.
The resort has multiple pools, a good pool layout for kids, and easy access to Kāʻanapali Beach and nearby restaurants / Whalers Village (short drive or walk depending on building). That makes it much like your Kihei experience but on West Maui.
For families who want “resort plus condo” without a huge hotel price tag for 2BRs, Honua Kai is consistently recommended. Expect to book early for June.

Wailea on Maui — should you consider it?

Wailea offers lovely, family-friendly 2-BR condos with resort pools and easy beach access (Wailea Beach, Ulua, Keawakapu). It’s quieter and more upscale than Kāʻanapali; walkability to shops/restaurants is generally good along the Wailea promenade. If you want a super-relaxed luxury condo vibe, Wailea is worth considering — but it’s a different neighborhood vibe than Kāʻanapali (less nightlife, more resort calm).
If your kids like being close to activity/food trucks and slightly more casual beach life, Kāʻanapali (Honua Kai) is often a better “all-ages” match; Wailea skew more resort-luxury.

Big Island option — Volcano Village + Waikoloa (why it’s appealing)

Volcano Village is a magical, rainforest town very close to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park — great for kids to experience lava fields, lava tubes, and rainforest hikes; Volcano Village Lodge is a popular, highly-rated B&B option just minutes from the park entrance (about 2 miles). That makes overnighting near the park easy and fun for kids.
The Waikoloa / Kohala Coast area (Hapuna, A-Bay/Anaehoʻomalu, Mauna Kea, Puako) delivers excellent sandy beaches and family snorkeling; Hapuna and A-Bay are among the best family beaches on that stretch. You’ll get resort/condo choices with pools and easy beach access.
Splitting 2 nights Volcano + 5–7 nights Waikoloa gives kids a dramatic contrast (cool rainforest/volcano + sunny beach resort), which many families love.

Haliʻi Kai at Waikoloa — beach access clarity

Haliʻi Kai is an oceanfront/cliffline condo complex on the Waikoloa coast with excellent resort-quality pools and grounds, but it is not a wide sandy beachfront property in the way Hapuna or A-Bay are. Some units sit on lava cliff/reef—beach access depends on exactly where the unit is located and you may need a short walk or short drive to reach the best sandy beaches (Anaehoʻomalu Bay/A-Bay or the Mauna Kea/Hapuna beaches). In other words: wonderful ocean views and resort feel, but don’t assume you’ll have a big sandy beach directly in front of every building.
If your priority is a condo with a sandy beach literally a two-minute walk away, look instead for properties marketed specifically as “Anaehoʻomalu Bay / A-Bay front” or ones near Hapuna/Mauna Kea (the hotels there share limited public parking and beach access). Haliʻi Kai is great for sunsets and snorkeling close by, but check the exact building/unit location regarding beach access.

Convincing a spouse who prefers habit — persuasive points for the Big Island

Two very different “vacations” in one trip: rainforest & volcano for novelty + resort beaches for relaxation — kids often remember both strongly. Volcano Village is unique and memorable (close to the Park and quieter than most resort towns).
Less crowded-feel: The Big Island’s Kohala Coast tends to spread people out among several beaches (Hapuna, Mauna Kea, A-Bay), which can feel less congested than West Maui’s busiest strips in high season.
Easy logistics: Driving between Volcano and Waikoloa is straightforward; family-friendly condo options in Waikoloa offer the comfortable “home kitchen” set-up you want. If he prefers “what works,” emphasize that you can get the same condo comforts (full kitchens, pools, calm evenings) while adding once-in-a-lifetime volcano experiences.

Sample 7-9 night Big Island plan (family-friendly)

Night 1–2: Volcano Village — Stay at Volcano Village Lodge or a nearby cottage; easy evening strolls, short drives into Hawaii Volcanoes NP for sunset/glow (if active) and day hikes (Kīlauea Iki, Thurston Lava Tube).
Night 3–8 (or 3–9): Waikoloa / Kohala Coast — Base at a 2-BR condo (Haliʻi Kai if you like its style but confirm exact beach access, or look for Anaehoʻomalu Bay / Waikoloa Beach Villas / Mauna Lani / Mauna Kea area condos if you want immediate sandy beach access). Day trips: Hapuna Beach, Puako tide pools, snorkeling at A-Bay or Two Step, optional Kona town half-day.

Practical tips & things to watch for

Book early for June — 2-bedroom condos at Honua Kai and Waikoloa properties are in high demand.
If choosing Haliʻi Kai, ask the owner/manager for the exact building/unit number and confirm “how far to the nearest sandy beach or Anaehoʻomalu Bay” — descriptions vary and some units are cliff-front rather than sand-front.
If your family wants the easiest, most predictable beach access and on-site resort life (restaurants, pools, easy snorkeling), Honua Kai or Wailea condos will deliver that with minimal driving.
For the Big Island alternative, emphasize the Volcano Village stay as a short, magical detour — it’s only minutes from the park so you won’t lose beach time but you’ll gain a memorable nature experience for the kids.

Bottom line

If you want the safest “same-as-Maui” family condo + beach formula, pick Honua Kai (Kāʻanapali). If you want a slightly more adventurous, varied trip that includes volcano country and excellent Kohala Coast beaches — and you’re okay with confirming the exact beach access at the condo you pick (especially at Haliʻi Kai) — then the Big Island option (Volcano Village + Waikoloa) is an outstanding family choice that kids will remember forever. Either way, booking 2-BR condo units early for June is the number-one actionable step.

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