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Ok, this might not happen if we don't do well on out taxes next month but just in case I need to start planning now. The game plan as of right now is that I'll get scuba certified between now and July so that my son and I can scuba dive where ever we end up going to in Hawaii (my son is already certified).
Questions:
Assuming I get certified, what are the top places to scuba dive on?
Assuming I don't, where are the best places to snorkel?
Just as general first time Hawaii goers, where would you suggest to stay in Hawaii?
Thanks in advance!
I'm more of an Oahu person myself but if you're looking for somewhere to scuba I think Maui is much more better than Oahu. Molikini is a cool place to snorkel. In Makena there's a place called "fish bowl." I believe you can no longer walk to fish bowl so you'll have to kayak or swim there. I've never been to the big island but I've heard that place is good and they also have the manta ray night dive.
John 
John
My son will be going to Oahu in a couple months. What outdoor stuff do you like to do there?
Thanks
Steve
Thanks guys. For those that don't know me, it'll be myself, my wife and our son that's 16 and our daughter who will have just turned 18.
Best diving I have EVER done in my life was off of Kauai! There is a dive shop called "Bubbles Below" http://bubblesbelowkauai.com/ that is fantastic.
They are one of Two dive shops allowed to dive off the coast of Niihau (island about two hours off of Kauai). It isn't exactly beginner stuff, however you can talk to them about getting you out there. They liken Niihau to the Gillapagos as it is so far away from........well.......EVERYTHING! The Topography is unbelievable and they have a special Anthias that ONLY live in Hawaii at approx 120' down a wall. They also have large Munk Seals that are very endangered and they love to swim with the divers. They are HUGE and make this crazy grunting noise when they are swimming with you. Caves and swim throughs that are fantastic with Reef sharks hiding in the shadows. Rent a light and have FUN!
Not a lot of coral in Hawaii in general. Maui does however have night diving with the the Manta Ray's. Can't argue with that. They sink ya to the bottom with weights......give you a giant light that you aim straight up to attract all the krill and the Rays just glide right over you...........doing loop after loop and literally touching your body as they glide over you. Sorry, I get a bit excited about diving.
Anyway, check out bubbles below. They are a great dive shop and VERY eco-friendly. Their goal is education about Hawaii's specific troubles and unique sea life. Lot's of reef sharks and they have a turtle dive right off Kauai that was CRAZY cool. Turtles way bigger than me, and at one point I counted 12 that I could see at one time. Unfortunately this is due to a sugar cane factory that drains fertilizer into the ocean causing massive algea that the turtles like, but it was still amazing. They also have a TON of Octopi! Ok, nuff said. If you have any questions, you can PM me. I have done a lot of diving, but can't wait to go back to Kauai!
Thanks Kris.
You didn't mention that your whole family was going 
I snorkeled on 3 islands places there.
Oahu - hanluma bay, big nice place, lots of fish, waaaaay overcrowded, water tastes like sunscreen
big island - cook's monument (kayak only). Very nice, almost no people. Pretty big, some fish, a big drop. Just a very nice place overall.
kauai - 2-3 places on north shore, all within 30min of driving. Very calm, not crowded, very nice fish. I saw divers there. And a shark.
I also snorkeled maybe a dozed random beached. All nice but nothing spectacular. The thing is you can get lucky and bump into turtles, flying fish, etc
Kona coast is the bomb.
One of the top ten dives in the world is diving with the Manta rays.
http://www.bigislanddivers.com/MantaDive.html
There are several snorkel/dive spots that are very accessible from shore.
Highly recommend.
Stay anywhere. It's paradise after all.
We enjoy Maui. Lots of beauty and outdoor stuff to do. Snorkel or dive Molokini, Turtle Town or Arches, Honolua Bay. On a snorkeling trip on the Pacific Whaling Foundation boat, we had great snorkeling, saw spinner dolphins, turtles, and humpbacks. Awesome trip. Also snorkel the Mile 14 marker on the way to Lahaina. You'll have a blast. Good father son bonding.