With my wife busy and the little one still in the womb, my three-year-old son Augustine and I took an opportunity to spend a couple days in Hawaii. It was a short but extremely satisfying trip and a great Hawaii initiation for him.
Each year my parents vacation on Oahu during the month of February. This year, Augustine and I decided to join them…not for the week (nothing to spoil a vacation like your grown son and his kid coming along…) but for a couple days.
As much as I love traveling the world solo, the best trips are always those with loved ones. I hope my parents have many years, even decades left on this earth, but life is unpredictable and this year I have resolved to take advantage of more opportunities to spend time with family. So I think this Hawaii trip will become an annual tradition.
Isn’t that expensive? No, thanks to Turkish Airlines. Turkish Miles & Smiles charges only 7,500 miles one-way for economy class or 12,000 for business business. We flew coach…this was in February pre-COVID and decided to make the trip at the very last minute. First class was already full on my parent’s flight, but we chose to fly with them behind the curtain instead of traveling later.
We flew back in coach as well, a redeye for another 6,000 miles each, and that worked out perfectly in terms of Augustine sleeping. 12,000 miles plus $11.20 for a round-trip to Hawaii? Sold.
We spent the night at The Kahala, which was ideal. Not only is that my favorite hotel in Hawaii, but it gave me the chance to let Augustine swim with dolphins, a quintessential experience for children.
It ended up being a gorgeous two days of relaxation and family time. This will be a brief report covering:
- United Airlines 777-200 Economy Class – High Density Configuration
- Review: Kahala Dolphin Lanai Room
- The Dolphin Experience At The Kahala
Is Hawaii worthwhile for a three-year old? No in the sense that they cannot fully appreciate the natural beauty. Yes in the sense that we had a wonderful time together and the weather was lovely.
The infamous 777-HD – the worst plane in the UA fleet (well, save for the CR2, or maybe 739)
Do you know if these were supposed to go Polaris prior to Covid, or were they going to stay dedicated on the Hawaii routes? At least they took them off Europe.
My understanding is that that they were going to remain for Hawaii only, but there was talk of restoring PTVs to economy class (never happened, of course, under Kirby).
The Kahala is ideal for a 3 year old. The calm private beach is wonderful,
The Trump Hotel and Ritz are better than the Kahala..
Perhaps, but I love the Kahala and have no desire to deviate.
Lived in Honolulu for 2 years and visited many times. The Kahala is also my preferred hotel of choice on the island. Is it the most luxurious property in the world? No. But the rooms are large, the mid-century style lobby is lovely and the location is perfect – away from the mess that is Waikiki but still in the city and close to the best beaches on the island which are on the windward shore. It has a great blend of being a quiet residential resort with quick access to the points in the city I always like to visit.
So many people have commented to us over that years “why bother taking your baby/toddler/young child along when they will never remember” We will remember and that is what is important. There is a very special type of joy seeing the world thru a young child’s eyes.
I think its wonderful you travel with your son.
After a handful of trips with my son (he turns 4 in August), I honestly think they remember far more than we give them credit for. He throws me for a loop every now and then with some random factoid from one of our trips. Who knows if those memories will stick with him when he’s a grown-up, but still, it’s fun to observe now.
Funny you mention that, because Augustine looked at my screen while I was putting together this report and vividly recalled many details.
Long time reader, rare poster here.
Not a vegan, not a progressive, not a conservative, but calling swimming with dolphins in captivity “a quintessential experience for children?” Really, Matthew??!!
If my parents had taken me to do that as a child, I’d be ashamed and embarrassed today. I was fortunate that my family had the means to take us all over the globe as children and I am thankful for those experiences, but my jaw hit the floor reading that.
Dolphins are such gentle and smart creatures. We can get into a debate over ethics when I post the review.
“nothing to spoil a vacation like your grown son and his kid coming along…”
You’d be surprised. My mom and dad used to literally beg me and my siblings to invite ourselves on their vacations. Heck, mom still does.
We took Ashok to Hawai’i in December for a week. The Christmas crowds weren’t my cup of tea, but he had a great time – and based on his reactions, I think you’d be surprised at how much Augustine probably enjoyed the natural beauty. But I have to agree with AR on the dolphin thing…
Pictures (of Augustine) or it didn’t happen!