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photo courtesy of Kaanapali Beach Hotel.
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Hawaii All-inclusive

From Teresa Plowright,
Your Guide to Family Vacations.
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Hawaii all-inclusive vacations: do they exist?:

Families used to the all-inclusive resorts of the Caribbean and Mexico need to adjust their thinking, in the Aloha state: the typical "AI" that provides food, drinks, snacks, watersports, kids' programs, and more -- often for $100/night or less-- is not part of the landscape here.

One can see the sense in this: consider the cost of wages in Hawaii, and the cost of transporting in food and goods.

Below are several suggestions for those seeking Hawaii all-inclusive resorts:

  • A luxury property on the Big Island, where price includes meals, kids club and many activities
  • a package including some meals at a good-value resort with free kids' programs and family activities
  • several resorts that provide complimentary kids' programs
  • Family Adventures that provide meals, lodgings, activities
Kona Village- a close-to- all-inclusive Hawaii resort :
At Kona Village, on the Big Island's Kohala Coast, guests stay in hale (hah-lay) cottages spread over 82 acres, price includes meals, and most activities are complimentary, so the end result is a close-to-all-inclusive price. Kona village has complimentary kids programs for ages 6 to 12, and teen activities. Family activities include bamboo pole fishing, hula lessons, lawn games, and more, on-property; also, complimentary guided outrigger canoeing and glass-bottom boat rides.
"All-inclusive Hawaii Packages":
Read with care, when you see these words. They might refer only to a package that combines airfare plus lodging.

In other cases, a package might include some meals. For instance, at "All-Inclusive Hawaii", a sample two-island package includes stays at two Hyatt Regency hotels, all breakfasts and dinners, sightseeing outings, luaus, inter-island airfares, and more. (Check for current packages.)

Packages at individual resorts:
Packages with meals provided are hard to find, but one excellent possibility is the Ka'anapali Beach Hotel, picked by FamilyFun Magazine as a top spot for families. A sample package includes lodging, car rental, daily buffet breakfast, one dinner, and some sightseeing. The Ka'anapali -- known for good value-- has a creative (and free!) kids' program, and complimentary Hawaiian activities.
Complimentary kids' programs:
In the generally non-all-inclusive Hawaii environment, any service provided free is a bonus: as, for example, the free kids program at the Ka'anapali, above.

The high-end Four Seasons Hualalai and Four Seasons Maui at Wailea resorts also offer free kids programs for ages 5 to 12. (Other resorts might charge $60/day.)You can find some complimentary activities too: such as putting green, snorkeling, croquet, DVD library, games room, at the Maui property.

"Family Adventures":
A final suggestion for a (nearly) all-inclusive Hawaii vacation is -- like much in Hawaii-- an upscale option.

"Family Adventures" are small-group tours with best-of-the-best itineraries; all details are handled, and guests just let the good times roll. Price typically includes all activities and nearly all meals; expect to pay $2000 or more per person (land-only) for these deluxe experiences, with modest discounts for kids.

Family Adventures are typically offered by adventure companies, and several have Hawaii tours: Backroads, for example, has Hawaii trips with biking, sea kayaking, volcano-hiking, snorkeling, and more.
Bottom line: If your heart's set on a full-scale all-inclusive in the South Pacific, you may have to steer yourself south of the Aloha state-- to Club Med in Bora Bora, Polynesia.
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