3Chihuahuas

We will be taking our first trip to Hawaii for 2 weeks in Aug. We're celebrating 31 years of marriage. We have rented an oceanfront house near Pahoa-Keaau for the first 7 nights and then rented a condo in Kona at the Hale Kona Kai for the next 8 nights. I've been following these posts and have some (make that alot of) questions. I have the Big Island Revealed book already
The house is in the Hawaiian Paradise Park subdivision, what is that area like? Safe? How much rain in August? How funky is Pahoa?
Is it true that many cars are broken into near tourist attractions? Leave it unlocked, including the trunk?
Has anyone taken a helicopter tour from Hilo to the volcano? If so what company - I was considering using Tropical Helicopters. I'm just wondering how good the view would be, it seems there is lots of steam, clouds, etc that might cause the view to not be worth the money for the ride.
I have found a boat operator that leaves from Pohoiki and travels 50 miles south past the volcano lava ocean entry to Punaluu. He's Captain Lloyd Good, web site www.whales-dolphins-hawaii.com. Has anyone heard anything good or bad about him and the trip?
Is anyone familiar with the Hale Kona Kai condos in Kona? Tell me what you think. I've read reviews on Trip Advisor on the unit (213) we rented and all seem good.
I'd like to do the horseback riding in Waipo Valley with Naapala Riding, again, anything good or bad about them?
Thanks to anyone that replys!
3 Chihuahuas

GloriaE

Hawaiian Paradise Park is a nice, safe subdivision. About 20 minutes from Hilo. Some lovely homes there, a few not. Most people are year round residents. Hale Kona Kai is a good place in Kona. Really oceanfront, right next to the Royal Kona Resort and within walking distance to all the shops and restaurants on Ali'i Drive. The units are mostly individually owned and vary on the inside. One of my friends stays there every year. Pahoa really IS funky. The outdoor market near Hawaiian Paradise Park on the way to Pahoa on Sunday mornings is not to be missed. Funky, great, local Hawaiian. Stock up on fruit etc. The Hilo side of the island is not as touristy as the Kona side. The BIR book is a good one and usually right on in their evaluations. The rain on the east side usually falls in the mornings and evenings. There will be less in August, but you will probably still get some rain, but it's warm and never stops us. It is true in all of Hawaii that cars are broken into. Do not leave anything in the car you cannot do without. If you like to snorkle, don't miss the lagoons at Kapoho while you are on the east side. Have a wonderful trip, I love the Big Island!

3Chihuahuas

GloriaE - Thank you so much! I put this same post on Trip Advisor and got a very scary and unfavorable reply about the Pahoa area. (He has alot of posts and seems pretty negitive about anyplace other than Kohala). I know it's not the tourist side, but that's the point. We aren't the fancy resort type, besides we're on a budget and with vacation rentals, I can make some meals and we can afford 2 weeks in paradise, instead of just 5 days or so. The markets sound so fun. 4 months, 8 days to go. Just can't wait, I feel like a 7 year old again. Thank you again, or should I say
Mahalo!
3Chihuahuas

MaureenB

If you'd rather not be right in Kona proper, with all the other tourists, I can highly recommend condos at Sea Village. A smaller property, about six three-story buildings surrounding a nice landscaped area with barbeque grills. Free tennis courts. Nice pool with ocean view. Great oceanfront buildings with outstanding views. Very nicely kept place, very reasonably priced. Just a mile or so south of Kona. Do a search on Sea Village and you'll find individual owners' listings as well as a few management companies. Also try Donita's Vacations Unlimited. We have stayed three times at Sea Village and loved it.

GloriaE

Pahoa definately is not tourist Hawaii. It is really funky - - board sidewalks, hippies, Hawaiians and lots of colorful people. It usually does not appeal to fancy resort loving people. It has several good restaurants. We eat at Luquins Mexican restaurant regularly when we are there. Not expensive and pretty decent Mexican food. It can be a little rough - think wild west maybe. My son lives there and he's a really nice guy. In Hilo we love Cafe Pesto on the bayfront for lunch or dinner. If you are interested in seeing the people and culture of Hawaii, but not from a tourist point of view, you are on the right track. Hawaiian people live and work on the Hilo side of the Island. The east side is my personal favorite - - not being a fancy resort type person myself. Check out the www.alternativehawaii.com website and check the calendar for events in that area when you are there. Last Sep. we were there for the Hololaulea in Hilo (music festival) and the celebration of queen Liliokalani's birthday with a mass hula at the bayfront park - breathtaking! Have a great time!

justme22

did the helicopter ride out of hilo and loved it. i cannot remember the name of the company i used, and a friend has my books right now, but it may have been blue hawaii. i went in one with a smaller copter because the book said with the larger more cushy copter, if you are sitting in a rear seat you don't see so well. i was up front with the pilot, just luck, they place you acc. to how the weight needs to be distributed. but do it, you can see things you would otherwise not ever see, even a smoking caldera - don't know if the volcano will still be spewing into the sea when you are there.enjoy.

3Chihuahuas

Thanks to everyone for all the great information. Guess we'll just have to spend the money on the helicopter over the volcano. I also wanted to be in the smaller helicopter, with less people. We did the 4 passenger plus the pilot over the Grand Canyon and it was beyond words. We were both up front with the pilot. Tropical Helicopters out of Hilo has the smaller Bell helicopters and even offers the ride with the doors off. Big Island Revealed has already been a world of great info, however I'm still looking for anyone who know anything about the "Volcano Odyssey" boat tour from Pohiki to Punuluu with Capt. Lloyd Good. He has a link on Alternative Hawaii.
Luquins has come highly recommened, as has Paolo's in Pahoa. What about Cafe 100 in Hilo? Price is right...
We actually based the time of our vacation on when we could have unit 213 at the Hale Kona Kai condos in Kona. I did alot of research to find the best for the money. The unit is oceanfront with a wrap lanai and reasonably priced (compared to others) The owner lives in MA, but is at the condo often. She is extremely helpful and super nice to talk to. Trip Advisor and Yahoo both had glowing reviews on that particular unit.
We've also booked a sportfishing charter from Kona with Mariah Sportfishing. Anyone familiar with them?

Thanks again
3Chihuahuas

justme22

heard good things about paloas too, too bad for me the day i went it was closed, the building is NOT impressive but i was told that was some of the best food on the island. maybe you will have better luck!

circa2

Gloria E....good description of Pahoa..

I usually describe it as a sort of hippie type town where all the hippies now have grey hair!

Agree on Luquins Mex. Food.
Gloria E, you and I agree, BI, Hilo, not resort types...glad to hear someone else's nice evaluations...thank you.

One place I enjoy (eating) when I am in Hilo is
"What's Shakin"; outdoor restaurant/sandwich shop on the "scenic route" north of Hilo. Great smoothies, and local fresh sanwiches..

Hawaii....it's all good!

GloriaE

Circa2 - you are right on! We must really think alike. What's Shakin' has the greatest smoothies! We also like to eat at Paolo's in Pahoa. It was closed for a bit because Paolo sold the restuarant, but the deal fell through and Paolo's is back and we are glad. We will be there next month and plan to on having dinner there. I do love the Big Island!

MaureenB

For great fresh fish sandwiches, an oceanview deck, a low-key atmosphere and good prices, we go to Kona Inn a few times when we're on the Big Island. Right in the middle of Kona itself. They have a more expensive 'restaurant' part, but we have always opted for the outside deck. I think if I'm in Hawaii, I don't need the added attraction of a fancy restaurant-- just give me an oceanview!
There are lots of sportfishing charters if you go to the dock there you can see the boats and talk to the skippers. We went out one rather windy day in a smallish private fishing boat for just the four of us with the captain, just to sightsee and get on the water. It wasn't fun with four foot waves! We were wishing we'd gone on a bigger boat. Also, a real fishing boat can be bloody and grungy, if you know what I mean! Live and learn.

3Chihuahuas

GloriaE - please let me know how your trip goes. I wish I was there next month!

Circa2, Justme22 and MaureenB - thanks for the posts on restaurants and the sportfishing. I think we'll try Paolo's Friday night when we arrive and I'll check out the Kona Inn.

I understand that August is prime Blue Marlin season and I'm so hoping my husband (or ME!) can catch one. I thought it very interesting that in Hawaii, the fish belong to the boat, rather than who catches it, so I made sure that the captain of the Mariah participates in a tag and release of sportfish like Marlin.
Thanks again,
3Chihuahuas

merridith165

We visited the Big Island Aug 2004 and loved it. The Kapohoo tidepools were amazing. I saw at least 10 sea turtles. It was better to wear watersocks in the tidepools. The Blue Hawaiian Helicopter tour from Hilo was great. I sat in the back and my view was good. We also took a trip up Mauna Kea to see the observatory. It was such a clear night.

We had a not so fun Pahoa experience. We were on our way to Luquins for dinner and a truck with several 19-20 year old boys ran us off of the road. When I pulled off to the side they blocked us off and got out of their truck and started yelling. They had empty beer bottles in their hands as they approached our car. They were drunk and angry. They even tried to get my husband to fight them. It was a weird experience. We managed to diffuse the situation...but didn't venture to Luquins after that experience. I guess Wild West is a good description.

virtualzander

Hi I have a question about the Hale Kona Kai COndominiums. I can not find a website to rent #213, I have been to sunquest but they do not feature this condo. Where did you rent it or find it? What did you think of it? Thank you!
Alex

dusty56438

Here is the website for #213. I just did an engine search: Hale Kona Kai Cndominium 213 and found it.


http://www.vrbo.com/global/siteframe...vrbo/41603.htm

annie4

We just returned from a two week stay at Hale Kona Kai = unit 310 and it was wonderful. You simply cannot be any nearer to the water and it was so much fun to watch all the activity from the lanai, including watching sea turtles swim around below our balcony. Unit 213 seemed to be getting major repairs done to the lanaii . You might want to check on that.

lonestargirl1

Hale Kona Kai is a nice condo complex that sits right on the ocean, and is in walking distance to "Kona Town". The 1 BRs are teeny tiny and range from being nicely appointed to complete dumps. Make sure that the property management company you rented the condo through shows you recent photos of the actual condo you are staying in, and not some representative photo. Even then, looks can be deceiving. My family and I go to Kona about once a year and we've found that the best represented condos are from a place called Abbey Vacation Rentals (www.konarentals.net). They have high standards which means that you won't be disappointed. Until we started using them it was hit or miss - and usually miss.

Have a fun trip. Kona is a great place. We love it.

lonestargirl1

Another tip on renting condos (we've learned the hard way, unfortunately). When you rent a condo from an individual that is not located on the island, ask them how they resolve problems - maybe an air conditioner breaks, or a microwave doesn't work, or the dishwasher starts to leak. Who do you call locally to get the problem fixed ASAP. We had a dishwasher break one year, although it looked very new. I called the property management company and they had someone come out and fix it the same day. I was so happy because I couldn't envision spending my vacation washing dishes!!!

Merejones

I just arrived home today from the Big Island. My boyfriend and I went on a horseriding trek down to the Cook's monument. We rode horses about an hour down the trail and then went snorkeling by the monument. Ate our lunch which was prepared by the company and then rode the horses back up. It was fantastic! You ride down a path that was once used for cattle drives. The company's website is konacowboy.com. We started at 9am and were done by 1:30.

Merejones

Forgot to say - we stayed at the Fairmont which was great. By the hotel's suggestion we ate at a restaurant in Waimea called Merriman's. Absolutely fantastic! Before we even received our meal, I had made reservations for another night. Incredible! It's about an 1 hour ride from Kona but well worth it!!!