Who
The Ananthanarayan, Garla, and Naga families, all related.
Home Base
New Jersey.
Just Back From
Hilton Hawaiian Village (hiltonhawaiianvillage.com; doubles from $479) in Honolulu, the resort with the biggest swimming pool on Waikiki Beach.
Flight
Eleven hours, direct from Newark to Honolulu on Continental. Unexpected bonus: seat-back TV’s!
Itinerary
“Every day we had a plan—parasailing and snorkeling, submarine rides, a visit to Pearl Harbor—we wanted to do it all,” explains mother of three, Padma Garla. “But we included two days of downtime.”
Parents Loved
The all-day trip to the Polynesian Cultural Center (Laie; 800/367-7060; polynesia.com): seven re-created villages, with lessons in lei making and coconut cracking.
Kids Loved
The helicopter ride over Hawaii Volcanoes National Park (nps.gov) on the Big Island. “We could smell the sulfur and feel the heat,” says Varun Garla, 15.
Daily Ritual
The beach! “The resort has its own uncrowded corner,” Padma reports. “First thing every morning, the kids would run out to the water.”
Previous Trip
Pittsburgh, to visit Sri Venkateswara, a Hindu temple.
Next
An Alaskan cruise.
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