Hawaii hotel discount

Hawaiian resorts offer some of the finest children's programs in the world.

Designed to educate as well as entertain, these programs feature first-class facilities and are staffed with well-trained professionals who do far more than just babysitting. Off-property, kids learn the history and geography of the Islands by hiking, sailing, and snorkeling.

THE BIG ISLAND

Within Hawaii Volcanoes National Park are scenic drives, 150 miles of hiking trails, a visitors center, a museum, an observatory, an art center, and a hotel perched on the rim of a crater. Most points of interest can be reached by car, so hiking is optional, but views of a steaming caldera and simmering lava flows will awe kids and parents alike. Admission is $5 per car.

Another family favorite is the Atlantis Submarine, offering daily 45-minute dives off the Kona Coast to view underwater sea life and a reef. Prices are $79 for adults; $39 for children under 12 (no children under 3 feet tall). Atlantis operates submarines on Oahu and Maui, too. For more information call 329-6626.

MAUI

One of the best children's programs is the Keiki Camp at the Westin Maui. Westin also offers family packages that let kids under 18 sharing a room with their parents stay free, and a discount of 25 percent for additional rooms occupied by children.

At the Embassy Suites on Kaanapali Beach, family-size suites come with VCRs to entertain kids on the occasional rainy day. A full breakfast is also included.

In nearby Maalaea, one of the newest attractions is Royal Hawaiian Cruises's Lanai Voyage of Discovery aboard Navatek II, a specially designed vessel that eliminates the bumps and swells of most boat rides so passengers won't get queasy. It departs Maalaea harbor and traces the western coast of Lanai. Included on the tour are breakfast, lunch, whale-watching (in season), and stops for snorkeling. Prices are $120 for adults; $60 for children 5 to 12. Call 661-8787 or 800/792-8444. A larger boat on Oahu offers whale-watching and dinner cruises, minus the snorkeling stops.

To experience the natural side of Maui, book a guided natural history tour with Hike Maui ($70 to $110 for adults; $50 to $85 for children under 16; call 879-5270). Hiking guide Ken Schmitt takes up to eight people at a time across ridges, into valleys, to waterfalls and coastal areas, discussing the natural history, biology, and archaeology of the region. The hikes cover all levels of difficulty.

KAUAI

For a shallow-water tour of a coral reef, try Snuba Tours of Kauai. "Snuba" is a cross between snorkeling and scuba diving, and no experience or certification is necessary. Instruction is provided, and the tour is open to anyone over age 8. Dive tours last an hour and a half for groups of up to four people; price is $49 per person. Call 823-8912.

Kauai's mountains rival its reefs for beauty; an all-day four-wheel-drive adventure offered by Kauai Mountain Tours makes the most of it. It's the only company with a state permit to enter the Na Pali-Kona Forest Reserve, and the guide provides a running commentary on the plants, wildlife, and legends. A catered picnic is included; cost is $84 for adults; $56 for children under 12. Call 245-7224.

For more outdoor fun, take the kids to nearby Poipu Beach Park for swimming and snorkeling. A shallow pool rimmed by lava boulders is fun and safe for smaller children.

OAHU

A great low-cost outing is a Stories of Honolulu Walking Tour, provided by Kapiolani Community College. Each of several tours has a specific theme, and a kumu (teacher) accompanies the trip to spin tales that reveal a historical perspective. Prices range from $2 to $5; call 734-9245 for schedules and reservations.

To learn about native sea life, see the Waikiki Aquarium. It has been remodeled recently to include interactive exhibits, after-hours tours, and night walks along the reef. Admission is $6; children under 12 are free. Call 923-9741.