Holua Resort at Mauna Loa Village

Hawaii’s Big Island is a big ohana, and that means family, whether it’s a traditional mom & dad and kids, blended, extended, multi generational family reunion or a group of old friends.  The Big Island ohana embraces groups of people traveling together, of different ages, with different interests and tastes.  And there’s an adventure waiting for anyone with a sense of play and imagination.

In one day, a family can experience the desert like lava plains along the Kona Coast and the rainiest city in America, Hilo.  Go from sea level to the world’s tallest mountain Mauna Kea (13,796 when measured from sea level, 33,500 from the ocean floor), cruise through green rainforest or black lava rock.  Watch whales, swim with dolphins, whisper to horses or listen to rare birdsong, sleep in the hotels industry best, or camp out in seldom seen places.

It’s all here, in a big way, on Hawaii’s Big Island

Four Awesome Family Fun Adventures on the Big Island:

• Big Island Beaches.  Isn’t this why you came?  The Big Island’s white, black, gray or green sand is where everyone’s toes want to dig in and kick back.  From remote and secluded to activity-packed and popular, you’re never more than 26 miles from the coastline.
• Explore Volcanoes National Park.  A place full of wonders; steamy craters, misty lava caves, a  museum with a movie and make-your-own earthquake machine, acres of exploration, volcano inspired arts, the intrigue of Madame Pele’s legend, and the amazing creation of new land where living lava pours into the sea. If you can’t make the drive, try a helicopter “flightseeing” tour for a bird’s eye view of the best action.
• Ocean Adventures.  Lucky families visiting from December to April have a rare opportunity to see our biggest guests, humpback whales, who migrate here from Alaska every winter.  If you’re not here in time to take a whale watch cruise, the rest of the year is perfect to snorkel, snuba, boogie board. Sail, kayak, fish, surf, windsurf, or kite surf.  Parasail 300 feet above the water or take a submarine excursion 100 feet below.  The ocean is an endless discovery.
• Learning Adventures. Hawaii’s Big Island is alive with history.  On the west side, experience Pu’uhonua O Honaunau a restored Hawaiian village three centuries old, complete with thatched huts, hand carved tiki deities, a temple and a sense of awe.  You can tour an historic coffee plantation or a major ethno-botanical garden, call on a royal residence, visit the first official Christian church in the Islands or see the home of Hawaiian paniolo (cowboys) in Waimea town.  Or, gaze into space on a Mauna Kea summit astronomy trek.  In east-side museums, discover the power of a tsunami or take a virtual undersea voyage, check out a macadamia nut factory, missionary manor house, orchid farm or active volcanoes.

• Go Geocaching! Take on an affordable adventure and go geocaching! Experience the various trails in Hawaii's Big Island and discover a treasure or two along the way. Many geocaching adventures await onwww.geocaching.com

Play Tennis with the Pros or learn from USPTA Tennis Pro at the Holua Tennis Center. Holus Tennis Center is one of the largest tennis facilities in Kailua-Kona in Hawaii's Big Island. With 10 courts, 1 ATP and WTA Stadium court and 8 lighted courts, you can play day and night. Under the direction of Donnia Bondallian (Director of Tennis), an array of tennis programs and activities are at your disposal, including the world renowned TennisCize Hawaiianstyle. Visit donniabondallian.usptapro.com for more information.

Discover Kona Le'a Plantation, home of Holualoa Kona Coffee Company on the gentle upland slopes overlooking the Kona coast, just 10 minutes from Kailua-Kona. You'll enjoy the scenic drive on Mamalahoa Highway through the prized Kona coffee belt. 77-6261 Mamalahoa Highway, (808) 322-9937.

Have a unique cultural experience. “Drums of Polynesia” is a fast-paced, entertaining musical journey through the islands of the South Pacific. Featuring a talented cast of singers, drummers, musicians and dancers performing songs and dances rarely seen in typical luau shows, the dynamic performance culminates with a spell-binding Samoan fireknife dance.  An open bar serves guests throughout the evening.  Royal Kona Resort, 75-5852 Alii Drive, (808) 329-3111.

Learn a little bit of history. The Kona Historical Society holds over 40,000 photos, artifacts, and publications, in temperature controlled, monitored conditions. 81-6551 Mamalahoa Hwy, (808) 323-3222.

Situated on Alii Drive in Kailua-Kona, Hulihe'e Palace was the vacation residence of Hawaiian royalty. Today it is a museum operated by the Daughters of Hawaii and is a showplace of beautiful furniture and fascinating artifacts. 75-5718 Alii Dr, (808) 595-6291.

Go to a Lu’au!  The Island Breeze Lu'au is held under the stars, on the historic grounds of the King Kamehameha's Kona Beach Hotel. The Hotel is located adjacent to the pier at Kailua Bay, on Palani Road in Kailua-Kona. 74-5599 Luhia St, Ste E5, Luhia Center II,
(808) 326-4969.

Take surf lessons from Kona Mike's Surf Adventures on the Big Island. Kona Mike's instructors are experienced Hawaii surfers and are well trained in CPR, first aid, lifeguard certified and trained in professional rescue. You and your family will be well taken care of! Visit www.konasurfadventures.com or call (808) 334-0033.

Get up close and personal with the Hawaiian coastline and marine life on Sea Hawaii Rafting's exciting boat tours and snorkeling adventures! Located in Kona, Sea Hawaii Rafting offers an adventure of a lifetime. The Zodiac adventure tours are state of the art and environmentally friendly. Offering exciting excursion including snorkleing trips to secluded beachs, dolphin encounters, Kohala Coast Waterfall tour, cave and lava tube exploration and whale watching! Their team of experienced captains and crew will lead you to discover the best Hawaii has to offer. www.seahawaiirafting.com (808) 325-7444

Play with the dolphins at Dolphin Quest on the Big Island! Choose from a variety of programs including feeding the dolphins, meeting the dolphins face to face, and behind the scenes training adventure. 425 Waikoloa Beach Drive, Waikoloa, Hawaii 96738.
(808) 886-2875.

Visit Yoga Hale for a calming yoga experience. Yoga Hale's classes are set in a friendly and relaxed environment and welcomes people of all ages, genders, and experience. Offering expert instruction and two instructed classes per day inlcuding "Hot" style yoga, Vinyasa style yoga, Gentle Yoga designed for beginners or anyone who wants to reacquaint themselves to basic yoga techniques & Yin & Yang Yoga which is a mixture of light hatha yoga flow followed by meditation. For more information and details about upcoming class schedules and other Yoga events visit www.yogahale.com or call 808-938-9980.

Visit the only zoo in the United States situated in a tropical rain forest.  The Pana’Ewa Zoo is located in Hilo, on the Island of Hawaii. Free admission. (808) 959-9233.