Travel with teenagers may be fun, or it may be difficult. Some teenagers are mature young adults with sophisticated interests and tastes, while others have unpredictable moods that radically shift with the changing wind. Some make delightful traveling companions, while others are easily bored or are utterly and intractably embarrassed to be around their parents. Whatever the temperament of your traveling teen, it's a good bet that few will refuse a trip to Hawaii. The sunny beaches and possibilities for fun are many, and the one who returns home tanned and glowing gets plenty of bragging rights among his or her peers.

Although it's hard to make too many universal characterizing statements about teenagers, we can cover at least a couple of trends that seem to be widespread. These include the teen's need to be somewhat independent and feel grown-up, and a desire for privacy. To accommodate your teen, you might decide to allow them to have their own room in the hotel (next door to yours) and let them have some input in the day's planning.

Like a child of any age, suggest age-appropriate activities that will get them excited. A surfing lesson or ATV ride might be more exciting to them than a coffee-tasting venue or a botanical garden. On the other hand, exposing them to activities that require a less aggressive sense of satisfaction may make them feel more mature and might possibly introduce them to some finer things. Try a little negotiating. Perhaps the family museum visit can be balanced with a little teenage beach time.

One idea that several travel experts suggest is, if you can afford it, to bring a best friend along with your teenager. They'll probably entertain each other, look after each other if they go out without you, and be a lot more pleasant to be around as a result. It might even provide you with more rest time and privacy. On the other hand, there's also the possibility of double trouble.

During the teenage years, kids are often more influenced by their peers than by their parents, and their personal relationships with their friends can become the focus of their lives. For teens pining for the boyfriend/girlfriend of the week, consider providing them with a telephone card that inexpensively provides hours of chat time. This will save you a big phone bill from the hotel and will hopefully dramatically enhance your teen's disposition. Alternatively, you might think about bringing along your laptop computer. It might entertain them on the plane, you can check your e-mail (if you must!), and they can stay in contact with their friends.

Once you're in Hawaii, there are so many things to do that both you and the kids might enjoy! Go ahead. Bring those youngsters along! Keep them involved in the planning and activities, and you will likely be rewarded by a family-bonding vacation with wonderful memories that they'll cherish for a lifetime.