Kona Ocean Front Homes

Big Island big hit with kids, no matter the age

I was in big trouble.

Two hours into a Hawaiian vacation, my 14-year-old stepdaughter, Dana, and I sat lounging by the pool at the Four Seasons Resort Hualalai on the Big Island. Already she had sampled an open-faced lobster BLT for lunch, downed a mango smoothie, ducked under the waterfall of the Sea Shell Pool and swum in the ocean. Relaxing on a lounge chair, she ate a Popsicle and asked quite seriously, "Are we going to do nothing all week?"

"Nothing" sounded like paradise to me, especially because this was our first major trip with 5-month-old daughter Carolyn. Problem is, my husband and I had molded Dana into a different type of traveler. Our vacations usually involved rising with the sun and resting only when our stinging feet demanded it.

We chose a Hawaiian vacation for a much different experience. We now had children separated in age by 14 years. Finding a vacation suitable for both was not easy. Plus, my husband and I needed a rest -- babies will do that to you.

But there I sat, before having a chance to soak away life's stress or sample my first mai tai, and suddenly this trip had the earmarks of disaster. The 14-year-old wasn't buying into paradise.

"This is Hawaii," I tried to explain. "The idea is to relax, enjoy the pools, play in the ocean."

She simply stared at me. I held my breath. Then she shrugged and asked, "And drink more smoothies?"

Turns out, it involved four more smoothies, two Hawaiian shave ice, a whole lot of seafood dishes, plus snorkeling, swimming, stand-up paddle boarding, seashell collecting, arts and crafts, a ukulele lesson, shopping, attending a luau and dining with the ocean as our constant companion. Not exactly nothing, but more than enough to keep our entire family happy for five days on the Big Island.

Swimming 101

We divided our trip between two oceanfront Kailua-Kona properties: the secluded, five-star Four Seasons Resort Hualalai and the budget-friendly, centrally located King Kamehameha's Kona Beach Hotel (slated to become a Courtyard Marriott later this year).

To start our vacation, we had to dispense with important business. Namely, introducing the baby to a real pool.

For that we tapped the talent of Rita Hirai, who oversees the Four Season's "Mommy, Daddy & Me" swim lessons, designed for children 8 weeks to 4 years old but also anxious parents, like me. Hirai works with up to four children in each session.

Kona Style – Kealakekua Bay Oceanfront Picture Perfect Home For ...

Built for the climate and the location—with cement floors, bleached wood walls, built-ins, and colorful fabrics—this home is relaxed and ready for wet bathing suits and kids, yet still high style. All rooms open to the ocean, even the garage/kayak and surfboard storage area.

It sits right on Kealakekua Bay. Historic K-Bay is home to a huge pod of dolphins, some of the best snorkeling, kayaking, and stand-up paddling in the islands. This home has its own water access right from its backyard. This is the same bay that Captain Cook first made contact with the Hawaiians in, only later to return and meet his demise. Just across the bay is his memorial, which to this day is British soil.

This home would make a spectacular vacation rental although, if you are like the current owners, you would want to keep it all to yourselves. Just up the hill is the town of Captain Cook with restaurants, shopping, and services. It is just a short drive to Kailua-Kona, but here on the bay, you are in Old Hawaii and far from the modern world.

Looking for a stylish getaway and the anti-resort property? This is it. For other stylish homes here on the Kona Coast check out my Architecturally Distinctive Homes of the Kona Coast gallery.

Fodor's Big Island of Hawaii

Fodor's Hawaii 2009

Fodor's Big Island of Hawaii

Hawaii for Dummies

Fodor's Big Island of Hawaii, 2nd Edition