Family Reunion in Paradise: A Detailed Guide to The Westin Hapuna Beach Resort

Aloha! This comprehensive travel guide is designed for your family reunion at The Westin Hapuna Beach Resort on the Island of Hawaii (Big Island). With a diverse group ranging from energetic toddlers (1 and 3 years old) to active seniors, this itinerary balances relaxation, adventure, and logistical ease.

Trip Overview

Dates: Monday, March 16 – Saturday, March 21, 2026
Location: The Westin Hapuna Beach Resort, Kohala Coast, Island of Hawaii
Travelers: Grandparents (60s), Older Daughter’s Family (30s + 1yo & 3yo), Younger Daughter (25yo)
Key Consideration: The itinerary accounts for toddler nap times, age restrictions at high altitudes, and your late "red-eye" departure on Saturday.

Resort Snapshot: The Westin Hapuna Beach Resort

Situated on one of the best white-sand beaches in Hawaii, the Westin Hapuna is ideal for families. It underwent a major renovation recently and shares amenities with its sister property, the historic Mauna Kea Beach Hotel.

For the Toddlers: The Family Pool is a 6,800-square-foot freeform pool with shallow areas perfect for little ones. There is a daily Koi Fish Feeding at 9:00 AM at the resort ponds which is a hit with small children. Note: The Westin Family Kids Club is generally for ages 5-12, so the toddlers will need parental supervision, but the facilities are family-friendly.
For the Adults: The Adults-Only Infinity Pool offers a quiet sanctuary with stunning ocean views. The Hapuna Spa by Mandara and the CrossFit Studio provide wellness options.
Dining:
- Meridia: Upscale Mediterranean-inspired cuisine (Dinner). Great for a romantic couples' night.
- Naupaka Beach Grill: Casual poolside dining (Lunch/Dinner). Perfect for the whole family (burgers, salads, poke).
- ‘Ikena Landing: Open-air breakfast buffet with made-to-order omelets.
- Piko Coffee + Bar: Grab-and-go Kona coffee and light snacks.
- Reciprocal Privileges: You can charge dining at the Mauna Kea Beach Hotel (home to the famous Manta restaurant) to your room. A complimentary evening shuttle runs between the two resorts.

Proposed Itinerary

Day 1: Monday, March 16 (Arrival)

Midday: Arrive at Kona International Airport (KOA). Pick up your rental car(s). The drive to the resort is about 30–40 minutes.
Check-In: Settle into your rooms. Request a crib for the 1-year-old if not already arranged.
Afternoon: Decompress at the Family Pool or take a gentle walk on Hapuna Beach to let the toddlers play in the sand.
Dinner: Naupaka Beach Grill (On-site). It’s casual, open-air, and requires no driving—perfect for a travel-weary group.

Day 2: Tuesday, March 17 (Beach & Luau)

Morning: Breakfast at ‘Ikena Landing. Spend the morning at Hapuna Beach. The water is generally calmest in the morning, making it safer for the toddlers.
Lunch: Order poolside or grab sandwiches from Piko.
Afternoon: Nap time for the kids. Adults can rotate supervision while others visit the Adult Infinity Pool.
Evening Activity (Whole Group): Mauna Kea Luau (Tuesdays & Fridays). Located at the sister property (Mauna Kea Beach Hotel), this is one of the most respected luaus on the island. It features fire dancing and authentic food. Tip: Book this well in advance as it sells out.

Day 3: Wednesday, March 18 (Culture & Mantas)

Morning: Visit Puʻukoholā Heiau National Historic Site (5-minute drive). It’s a massive ancient temple with a paved path that is stroller-friendly (mostly). You can often see sharks in the bay below.
Lunch: Drive up to Waimea (Kamuela) (20 mins away). The air is cooler and the vibe is paniolo (Hawaiian cowboy). Eat at Merriman’s Big Island (upscale farm-to-table, great for lunch) or Village Burger (casual, high-quality beef).
Afternoon: Return for rest/pool time.
Late Afternoon:
- 25yo Solo Option: Drive to the Pololu Valley Lookout for stunning views. The hike down is steep and not recommended for toddlers or seniors with mobility issues, but the lookout is accessible.
Dinner: Manta at Mauna Kea Beach Hotel. Even if you don't eat here, go to the Manta Ray Viewing Deck after dark. Large floodlights attract plankton, which attract giant manta rays. The toddlers will be amazed seeing them from the safety of the railing.

Day 4: Thursday, March 19 (Adventure Split)

Option A (Toddlers & Grandparents): Glass Bottom Boat Tour in Kona. See the reef without getting wet. Alternatively, visit the Ocean Rider Seahorse Farm (near the airport) where kids can see and even hold seahorses (check age rules for holding, but viewing is fun for all).
Option B (25yo & Active Adults): Mauna Kea Summit. Critical Note: Children under 13 are not allowed at the Mauna Kea Visitor Station or Summit due to altitude health risks. The 25-year-old can book a sunset/stargazing tour to the summit. The rest of the family can enjoy stargazing from sea level at the resort—the Kohala coast has incredibly dark skies.
Dinner: Lava Lava Beach Club (Waikoloa). A "toes-in-the-sand" restaurant with live music. Very fun, casual, and loud enough that a crying toddler won't disturb anyone. Arrive by 4:30 PM to get a table for a large group as they often don't take reservations.

Day 5: Friday, March 20 (Snorkel & Turtles)

Morning: Drive south to Kahalu’u Beach Park (Kona). This is the best snorkel spot for beginners and kids. The water is shallow and protected by a breakwall. You are almost guaranteed to see Sea Turtles (Honu) feeding on the rocks in shallow water.
Lunch: Kona Brewing Company in Kailua-Kona. Great pizzas and local vibes.
Afternoon: Stroll Ali’i Drive for souvenirs or return to the resort for a final relax.
Dinner (Couples Night): The Grandparents and the 25yo (Auntie) could babysit the toddlers while the 30-something parents have a romantic dinner at Meridia. Or, the Grandparents can enjoy a fine dining meal while the younger generations order room service.

Day 6: Saturday, March 21 (Departure)

Strategy: Since you have a red-eye, you need a plan for the gap between 11:00 AM checkout and an evening flight.
Morning: Enjoy a leisurely breakfast and a final swim.
Midday: Check out. The Westin Hapuna offers a Hospitality Lounge with lockers, showers, and restrooms specifically for guests with late flights. Confirm access to this when you check in. Store your main bags with the bell desk.
Afternoon Activity: drive north to the charming town of Hawi. Browse the boutiques and get ice cream. Drive to the end of the road to see the Pololu Valley Lookout if you missed it earlier. It's a scenic, low-stress drive.
Pre-Flight Dinner: Tommy Bahama Restaurant at The Shops at Mauna Lani or Jackie Rey’s Ohana Grill (casual, local favorite). Both are on the way to the airport.
Evening: Return to the resort to use the Hospitality Lounge to shower and change into comfortable plane clothes before heading to the airport.

Specific Activity Suggestions by Age

Toddlers (1 & 3): Koi feeding at the resort, sandcastle building at Hapuna, viewing turtles at Kahalu'u, Seahorse Farm.
25-Year-Old (Solo): Manta Ray Night Snorkel (an absolute must-do for active adults), Mauna Kea Summit Stargazing tour, Helicopter tour over the volcano area.
Seniors (60s): Puʻukoholā Heiau, enjoying the Lanai at the resort, sunset cocktails at Copper Bar (Mauna Kea Hotel), leisurely drive to Waimea.

Logistics & Tips

Mauna Kea Altitude Warning: Do not attempt to drive the babies or toddlers up to the Mauna Kea Visitor Center (9,000 ft). The altitude is dangerous for their developing lungs.
Groceries: Stop at Island Gourmet Markets in the Queens' Marketplace (Waikoloa) or Foodland (Mauna Lani) to stock up on milk, snacks, and diapers.
Whale Watching: March is the tail end of Humpback Whale season. Keep your eyes peeled on the horizon from your hotel lanai; you don't necessarily need a boat tour to see them breaching!

Backgrounder Notes

Based on a review of your itinerary and destination, I have identified several key terms and concepts that appear in the text. To enhance your understanding and preparation for the trip, here are brief backgrounders for each:

The Kohala Coast This region is located on the leeward (western) side of the island, blocked from the prevailing trade winds by the massive volcanoes Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa. Consequently, this is the driest and sunniest part of the Big Island, receiving only about 10 inches of rain annually, making it the premier location for beach resorts.

Heiau (specifically Puʻukoholā Heiau) A Heiau is a traditional Hawaiian place of worship or shrine, ranging from simple stone markers to massive temple complexes. Puʻukoholā Heiau is particularly significant as it was built by King Kamehameha I in 1790-1791 to fulfill a prophecy that suggested its construction would allow him to conquer and unite the Hawaiian Islands.

Paniolo (Hawaiian Cowboy) Referring to the culture found in the town of Waimea, Paniolo implies a cowboy tradition that actually predates the American Wild West; Mexican vaqueros arrived in Hawaii in the 1830s to teach locals how to handle cattle. The term is believed to be a Hawaiianized pronunciation of "Español," acknowledging the Spanish-speaking roots of the original vaqueros.

Honu (Hawaiian Green Sea Turtle) Referred to in your itinerary simply as sea turtles, the Honu is considered an aumakua (ancestral spirit) in Hawaiian culture and is a symbol of good luck and longevity. It is critical to note that they are federally protected under the Endangered Species Act; visitors must maintain a distance of at least 10 feet (3 meters) and never touch or feed them.

Kona Coffee To be labeled "100% Kona Coffee," the beans must be grown exclusively in the Kona Districts on the slopes of Hualālai and Mauna Loa, where the unique combination of porous volcanic soil and afternoon cloud cover creates ideal growing conditions. It is one of the most expensive coffees in the world due to the labor-intensive hand-picking required on the steep volcanic slopes.

Acute Mountain Sickness (Pediatric Risk) The itinerary warns against taking toddlers to Mauna Kea; this is due to the rapid ascent from sea level to nearly 9,200 feet (Visitor Center) or 13,800 feet (Summit). Young children and infants have developing lungs and cannot effectively communicate symptoms of altitude sickness (headache, nausea, dizziness) or equalize the pressure in their ears, posing significant health risks.

Filter Feeding (Manta Rays) The Manta Rays mentioned in your itinerary are attracted to the hotel coastline not to interact with humans, but to feed on plankton. The bright floodlights shined into the water by the hotels attract dense clouds of plankton, which in turn draw the Mantas to glide through the light beams with their mouths open to scoop up their microscopic food.