Planning help for family of 4

Question

This post builds off of a prior post to the main Hawaii forum…posting to here and the BI 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

Nice—you’ve already done the hard part (narrowing to two great options). Below I’ll compare the two islands specifically for your family needs (2-bedroom condo, low-rise, walkable-ish shops/restaurants, active but low-stress days, and a short volcano stay if you go to the Big Island). I’ll also give practical notes on the properties you mentioned (Honua Kai, Wailea options, Haliʻi Kai, Volcano Village Lodge) and some persuading points to help convince a creature-of-habit husband to try the Big Island.

Quick bottom line: If you want the easiest, most resort-centric, walkable beach vacation with minimal driving, Maui (Kāʻanapali / Honua Kai or Wailea) is the lower-effort choice. If you want variety—black-sand and white-sand beaches, coffee country, lava fields and a short volcano stay—while still having quiet, low-rise condo options, the Big Island (Waikoloa + Volcano Village) gives you more unique experiences for roughly the same travel time. Either is excellent for kids aged 7 & 12.

About Honua Kai (Kāʻanapali)

Honua Kai is a highly rated condo resort on Kāʻanapali with resort-style pools, water features, and condo floorplans (including 2-bedroom units) that give you the “resort plus kitchen” combo you want. It’s family-friendly, with easy pool/beach access right on Kāʻanapali. Reviews and visitor threads consistently praise the pools and family amenities.
Kāʻanapali gives you more dining/shop walking options than many parts of the Big Island; it’s a comfortable, familiar Maui resort experience (less exploring required). If you love the Kāʻanapali beach/resort formula, Honua Kai ticks most boxes (2-bedroom condos, on-site restaurants nearby, easy beach/pool days).

About Wailea (if you’re considering south Maui instead)

Wailea has many condo villages (Ekolu, Ekahi, Wailea Beach Villas) that are lower-rise, very family oriented, and often within walking distance of shops, cafés and calm beaches—excellent for families looking for a quieter, upscale condo vibe with kitchen and resort pools. If you want a more subdued, upscale, walkable resort village than Kāʻanapali, Wailea is a strong alternative.

About Haliʻi Kai at Waikoloa (Big Island)

Haliʻi Kai is a gated condominium community on the Waikoloa resort strip offering spacious 2–3 bedroom villas and resort amenities. It’s low-rise and condo-oriented (so matches your “no high rises” preference). The development fronts lava shoreline with oceanfront common areas and an “ocean club,” but note the primary nearby sandy public beach (Anaehoʻomalu Bay, “A-Bay”) is roughly a short drive or a 15–25 minute walk depending on where you’re staying in Waikoloa. Many guests drive to A-Bay for easy sand and swimming.
In practice: Haliʻi Kai gives you quiet lanai sunsets and condominium comforts (grilling at your place, full kitchen, roomy living areas), but you’ll likely drive a couple of minutes to the best sandy swimming beaches and the main shops/restaurants at Kings’ Shops/Queens’ Marketplace. If you want a condo and don’t mind driving a short distance to the sand, it’s a great fit.

About Volcano Village Lodge (your potential 2-night volcano stay)

Volcano Village is the quiet, cultural gateway to Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park and Volcano Village Lodge is well-positioned and highly recommended by many visitors for its proximity, cozy rooms, and local feel. It’s a great splurge for kids who’ll enjoy the rainforest vibe and easy access to the park’s short trails and ranger programs. Staying in Volcano Village gives you time to explore the park without long daily drives.

Why the Big Island might win your husband over (persuasion points)

Unique variety: one island gives you black-sand beaches, white sand, lava fields, coffee farms, and a real volcano—so you can scratch “explore somewhere new” without hopping islands.
Low-rise, quiet condos: Waikoloa/Haliʻi Kai offer condo life with big lanais and grilling—very similar to the home-lanai vibe you like at Kapalua, but with far fewer high rises.
Short volcano stay is easy to add: 1–2 nights in Volcano Village gives the family a memorable experience (park hikes, lava landscapes, and cultural learning) while the rest of the trip is lounge-and-beach time—so it balances adventure and relaxation nicely.
Room to spread out for the kids: condos in Waikoloa and Volcano Village often have bigger living areas than comparable Maui condos, which helps families who like home-cooking and sunset grilling.

Practical itinerary idea (9–10 days total: 2 nights Volcano + 6–7 nights Waikoloa)

Day 1–2: Arrive Kona, pick up car, settle into Waikoloa condo, easy beach/pool day and groceries for grilling.
Day 3–4: Explore Kona/Kealakekua (snorkel at Two Step, coffee farm visit, Captain Cook cultural stops).
Day 5–6: Drive to Volcano Village (splurge 1–2 nights at Volcano Village Lodge), visit Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park (short hikes and visitor center), stay local for dawn/dusk if lava viewing is active (check current conditions).
Day 7–9: Return to Waikoloa for beach days (A-Bay), petroglyphs, beach markets, relax and grill sunset dinners.

Tips for choosing between Honua Kai (Maui) vs Haliʻi Kai/Waikoloa + Volcano (Big Island)

If you want minimal driving, more walkable resort shopping, and the classic Maui beach/resort rhythm, pick Honua Kai (Kāʻanapali). It’s turnkey and family-focused.
If you want more “destination variety” (volcano + beaches + cultural stops), quieter, low-rise condo living and don’t mind driving short distances to beaches or sights, pick the Big Island (Waikoloa + Volcano Village). Haliʻi Kai gives you low-rise condo comfort and Waikoloa’s sandy A-Bay is a quick drive/short walk away.
For families on the fence: splitting the trip (2 nights Volcano + remainder Waikoloa) gives the best of both worlds and will likely be more memorable than staying on Maui only—while still leaving your Maui week afterwards to “relax Kapalua style.”