KAUA'I, WHERE 'OHANA MEANS FAMILY - The Perfect Place for Family Fun -

The Menehune, the mischievous Leprechauns of the Pacific, made their home on the Hawaiian island of Kaua'i. And when Disney's notorious space alien Stitch, met little Lilo, it was on beautiful Kaua'i. The island has a special magic that appeals to everyone's youthful heart; and special places that delight the young of all ages. Some things are just fun, others have educational opportunities built in.

At the Kilauea Point National Wildlife Refuge, booby birds show off their bright red feet, while prehistoric-looking great frigate birds soar overhead. It's a wild place of wind and cliffs, guarded by an old lighthouse. Monk seals bask on a wave-lashed offshore isle. Well-placed signage explains the wildlife, and rangers offer guided hikes.

The Koke'e Natural History Museum in Koke'e State Park, is a good place to get acquainted with some of the world's rarest birds and plants. The Museum also has staff personnel who are very knowledgeable about area hiking, and can recommend trails geared to your family's skill level. Koke'e State Park hiking trails range from the easy mile-long Nature Walk to a longer trek to Waipo'o Falls.

Kaua'i, being far from any urban center, has exceptionally clear skies for stargazing. Once a month, parents can bring their children to the Barking Sands Airfield to view the heavens through powerful, computerized telescopes.

A whale-watching excursion is another educational opportunity that doesn't feel like school. Boats head out to sea in search of whales, while narrators share their lore of the humpbacks that winter in Kaua'i waters from November through April. Here the gentle giants of the deep give birth to their young and celebrate life in fantastic gymnastics, leaping, spouting and waving their flukes.

On the other end of the size scale, the tiny Menehune are credited with building one of Kaua'i's wonders, the ancient aquacultural facility, Alekoko Fishpond, popularly called Menehune Fishpond.

Learning a new sport can be the highlight of a family vacation. Take snorkel or scuba lessons, try horseback riding, rent a bicycle and ride the flat old sugar roads of Po'ipu and Koloa. Famed champion surfer Margo Oberg specializes in teaching children at her School of Surfing in Po'ipu. She guarantees to have them standing, riding the waves in one lesson, and maybe Grandma, too.

From the arms of mommy and daddy, the littlest children can look at small crabs and fish in the many tidepool areas. Protected shoreline pools are at Po'ipu, 'Anini Beach, Salt Pond Beach and Lydgate Park. Lydgate also has the amazing Kamalani Playground with its maze of caves, slides and tunnels.

Rewards can be delicious on Kaua'i. Treat the keiki (children in Hawaiian) to "shave ice," a snow cone in tropical flavors. Go for "rainbow," a yummy mix; add ice cream from one of Kaua'i's local dessert shops. Island bakers turn out fragrant, crisp cookies such as coconut, guava, lilikoi and good old chocolate chip.

The favorite treat of island children is "crack seed" or dried, pickled fruit. Look for it in big glass jars or neat little cellos packs. Warning: It's an acquired taste. Good training flavors are wet plum, cherry or mango.

At meal time, you can succumb to burgers or pizza, or try a Chinese restaurant where food is served family style. A few hotels such as the Aloha Beach Resort and Kauai Coconut Beach Resort invite guests under 12 years old to eat free when dining with an adult.

At the larger hotels such as the Kaua'i Marriott Resort and Beach Club, and the Sheraton Kauai Resort, there are well planned children's activities offering Hawaiian arts, crafts, cultural encounters and nature activities. Both hotels offer toddler wader pools.

When considering a bed-and-breakfast, you'll usually find child-friendly hosts, who often provide games, videos and sports equipment for their littlest guests.

Families often prefer the convenience and economy of condominiums, and Kaua'i has many in prime locations. When reserving, inquire about room and car packages.

To get in the groove, the first thing a keiki in Hawai'i needs is a pair of rubber slippers – flip-flops to Mainlanders. Next is a pair of shorts and a tank top. Toss in a sun hat, a tube of good sun screen and the family fun will come naturally.