How the Hunts do Hawaii- Adventure Travel with Kids
We went to the big island of Hawaii a few years ago and LOVED it. We went back in April/May and took all the things we loved and added more. We are adventure travelers I would say. The Hunt way is generally to sleep on a tarp on the side of the road or in National Forest property. I was thrilled when we started using tents when we had kids. We try to go light and make it easy. Here is some beta if you want to have a great adventure!
TO PACK:
Boogie boards (we cam strap 3 boards together and check them in as luggage, or buy them at Costco in Kona-- check stock availability before!)
Swim masks, snorkels, fins
Duct tape
First aid kit
Extra Ziplocks (for ice for cooler, etc)
Chapstick/sunscreen
Fat and the Moon Healing Salve
Ear Plugs (my fav are Mack’s Dreamgirl Ear plugs for women)
Anti-fog swim mask cleaning drops
Sarongs (to be used as towels and beach blankets)
IF YOU PLAN TO CAMP:
Hipcamps are easiest way to go, it is when people open their yards/land for us to camp on
State campgrounds are ok too but usually more expensive and need to book in advance. We love Ho’okena beach and state campground.
CAMPING GEAR (we usually wait till REI does their 20% off member sale and stock up on these items):
We usually bring a stove, pots and bowls/spoons
Mountain Smith 5 person tent
Big Agnes King Solomon double sleeping bag for me and Luke
2 Big Agnes mats
Boys share one thin ¾ length therma-rest and each have a REI Kids down sleeping bag
We do not bring a ground tarp or extra camp mats, etc. We keep it it a bare minimum. I do have 2 inflatable pillows, one for between my knees and one for under my head. The boys and Luke use some of their clothes as a pillow.
We pack our clothes into Mountain Smith Basic Bundle Cubes, so each kid has a color. Then I put all of these into a big Patagonia duffle bag, 4 fit perfectly. Luke packs himself in his own backpack.
What we packed for each boy:
1-2 cotton T shirts
1 swim shirt/rash guard
2 pairs swim trunks
1 fleece coat
1 rain coat
Water shoes/Flip Flops
Tennis shoes
3 pairs socks
1 pair Adias pants
For me:
T shirt
1 pair pants
2 capri yoga type stretch pants
2 tank tops
1 sundress
2 bathing suits
4 underwear
3 socks
bra
Fleece
Long sleeve sun-shirt (Colombia brand polyester shell shirt)
Rain coat
Flip flops
Tennis shoes
FOOD
Go to Costco and do a big shop for the time as we do not eat out in general. I do not like using the time that way and it is way cheaper to prepare own simple foods.
Dinners:
Organic refried beans (Canned), Salsa, Chips, Organic canned olives, baby organic carrots, avocados
Annie’s Mac and cheese with Tuna
Costco Pizza from Food court for the first day (they are salty and good for a rare indulgence). We order 2 and eat one for dinner and one for lunch the next day, easy beach food.
Free range Beef hotdogs
Zucchini (travels well for camping)
Breakfasts:
Granola
Macadamia Nut milk (in a 5 pack boxed)
Fruit
Lunches:
Dave’s Killer Bread
Organic jam
Organic almond butter
Canned Tuna
Salami
Cheese (kids fav is individually wrapped fresh mozzarella)
Cheese sticks
Sliced salami
Baby carrots
(they also have hummus)
Avocados (you can buy these on the side of the road at farm stands)
Sliced Havarti cheese
Chips (tortilla and potato, the salt tastes great at the beach)
Juice (canned or bottled, we got Guava and Mango juices) to mix into water bottles to flavor the water
Sweets: Clif Z Bars (we go through a lot of these)
Chocolate macadamia nuts
Coffee/Tea (I bring a bag with me from home)
Costco usually has boogie boards, check ahead of time, we buy sunscreen there too.
FLIGHT TIPS
Bring Hydroflask cooler (18-20 Liter) as a carry on and pack it with food. Sandwiches, cookies, apples, cheese sticks, etc. Bring three large metal water bottles and fill in airport after you go through security.
Let kids watch downloaded movies and listen to stories on flights
Rent car from Enterprise, get 4WD so we can go off roading and drive up volcano
Places we love:
Kona:
For those who want to eat out, we were told the restaurant at Magic Sands is great as is Umeke’s FIsh Market Bar and Grill (we were told)
Boogie Board early at Magic Sands Beach in Kona
North West Hawaii: Set up camp at Hip Camp Pitch a Tent in Eden with David. Added the fruit basket option for $10 which was great. He let kids camp free.
Set up camp and take a walk to explore the farm and creek there.
Hike into Pololu.This is a sacred valley and you can walk into the next valley where there is a bamboo forest and great little river to swim in. We spent about 6 hours hiking and exploring and eating and swimming. The beaches are rough but the river was great.
Ate Poke at the spot just out of Pololu called Kohala Farmstand- Fresh off the grid Address: Akoni Pule Hwy, Kapaau, HI 96755 (Open Sat-Monday) and got lots of fresh papayas. DELICIOUS!
Watch moonrise at Pololu parking area over ocean (so cool to see moon rise, rare for us West-coasters)
Sunrise over ocean from Pololu parking area (only 3 mins from our camp site)
Volcanos: You can drive up Mauna Kea in our 4WD. This always trips me out to go from sea level to about 14,000 feet and I would not have ability but Luke does so I go along. It is intense but beautiful.
Volcano National Park at 8am and explore Thurston Lava Cave and go Kilauea-iki hike. From parking lot of the hike do Lava cave first and hike to the left and walk down switchbacks to the volcano floor. Beautiful hike across the caldera. Go early as can be hot. We also love the Rim trail from the Volcano house out to viewpoint then walk back Sulfur Trail back to Visitor Center. We love the Visitor Center and other vistas
Hilo: Recommend Richardson Beach for snorkel and family friendly and our absolute fav beach (great boogie boarding and locals scene) was Honoli’i.
We got incredible poke at Suisan Fish Market 2 days in a row (go early)and incredible Shaved Ice at Kula Shave Ice (organic and right next to Farmer’s Market so we got more papayas and bananas!)
Kealakekua Bay
We came here 2 years ago and swam with the Spinner Dolphins and it was my dream to stay here for a few nights and swim with them every day. SUCCESS
We bring an inflatable paddle board and a pack raft to paddle out. I bought a Spring suit wetsuit and the boys and Luke all brought their wetsuits. We also all brought snorkels, masks and fins.
(we each still checked only one bag despite all this gear!)
I just swim out with my fins and no floatation device, people swim out with noodles, etc.
You are required to get a permit to be out in the bay, go online before and get one and print it and bring it with you.
Dolphins are around in the mornings usually and we had epic swims with them every day.
Our fav beach around there is Ho’okena (we camped there for 3 nights last time but this time it was closed temporarily). We went there two days in a row then up to Magic Sands Beach again in Kona one day after our morning dolphin swims.
Stayed in Waikoloa at a friend’s condo. Waikoloa has great warm sunny weather in general. Last time we rented one. Last time we also splurged and did one night at the Hilton Waikoloa and they have really fun water slides, etc.
Our all time fav boogie board beach is Hapuna north of Waikoloa. We go every day when we are in the area. We also love Manini’owali Beach (Kua Bay). There are lots of great beaches in the area depending on what you want to do. The boys are hooked on boogie boards.
Other Tips:
STAY ON CALIFORNIA TIME as best as possible because it gets dark about 8pm and light at 6pm
