My husband likes Makalei and Kona Country Club for not too expensive golf http://www.makalei.com/ http://www.konagolf.com/

It's been a couple of years since we drove the Saddle Road--at that time the west end of the road was pretty rough. They were working on the east end as we got closer to Hilo--widening and straightening it. This link will take you to Trip Advisor with some more recent comments about driving it. http://tinyurl.com/bdeq649
As to whether it is safe to drive at night, I wouldn't want to, though I'm sure those who drive it all the time would. There are no services and no lights and some unbanked curves as I recall.

I have no advice about luaus (never been to one) or the road to South Point and the green sand beach.

Our family has gone to the Royal Kona Resort luau twice over the years. We like its location, food and drink are good enough, the show is set with the ocean and sunset in the background, and the price is right.

http://www.royalkona.com/Luaus.cfm#

The Saddle Road is a well designed hiway, except for the Westernmost 10 miles, which are the original road( altho fixed up in many places). After you get past that stretch, no problems, except the occasional speed trap. I have never driven it at night, so cannot help you there. Don't outdrive your headlights, you should be OK.

As to the Green Sand Beach, Hawaii Revealed has it right. Tough hike..

martym and peaceout I will check out your links and recommendations...thanks so much!
TravelingMan, I so appreciate your info, did you drive and hike to the Greensand Beach?

martym, I like the Kona Golf...the prices are not bad and I can ride along (do not golf) for $25.00!

PeaceOut, I already had called the Royal Kona for a price and found it is $85.00 with an open bar 5-7pm so appreciate the recommendation.

Offhand don't know of that many unsafe/rip currents in the more popular Big Island snorkeling/diving spots. But even so - always check/ask about the local conditions.

We have enjoyed diving off Kona (was a night dive - saw an octopus jetting around) - and on a day dive - I touched down at 130 feet (only for a few seconds) - and also snorkeling from down by City of Refuge all the way up to the Mona Kea resort.

There is also some good snorkeling (reportedly) over by Hilo - but one popular place - at least at times - has had perhaps a little too much human "content"?

The best snorkeling I have ever done was at Captain Cooks Memorial. Nothing else can top that amazing bay! We have since snorkeled in Jamaica, Roaton and Grand Cayman and it was just not the same

I agree with the Captain Cook recommendation for snorkeling!

"snorkeling from down by City of Refuge all the way up to the Mona Kea resort"

If this means Mauna Kea, that's 40 miles of open ocean. Doubt that that's good idea.
cd, there are great boat excursions, very reasonable, that will take you from Kona Pier (or Keauhou Bay) to Kealakekua Bay (Capt. Cook) and Place of Refuge (Two Step) for snorkeling. No fuss, no muss, no parking, and it's an enjoyable way to snorkel two prime spots in one outing.
If you try to 4WD all the way to Green Sand, you will get the stink eye.

where is the city of refuge?

never mind

Taking a boat for snorkeling is a good idea to Captain Cooks and Two Step, two in the same day? Who does that?
What is the stinki eye?

Obviously - one snorkels off the beaches and bays along the Kona coast (find some rocks), but thanks for the truly relevant distinctions sylvia, and oh yes, ye also looking for ?

One can also rent kayaks to snorkel around at Captain Cook's memorial. Just google away.

We went out on a zodiac I got the name of the company off of Tripadvisor I think. Very cool we even saw some whales while we were out!

The Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) is taking action at Kealakekua Bay State Historical Park to improve the management, quality and sustainability of this heavily visited and significant natural and cultural resource by temporarily initiating a moratorium on the use of specific vessels in the water, starting Jan. 2, 2013.

During the moratorium, there will be no operating, launching, transiting, beaching or landing of kayaks and other vessels from Napoopoo, within the waters of Kealakekua Bay, and at Kaawaloa Flats.

There is a great municipal 9 hole course in Kalaheo on Kaua'i.
http://www.yelp.com/biz/kukuiolono-golf-course-kalaheo
And another municipal one in Wailua on Kauai.
http://www.kauai.gov/default.aspx?tabid=66

Thanks weke but DH has no time to golf on Kauai, has to wait until BI.

"Taking a boat for snorkeling is a good idea to Captain Cooks and Two Step, two in the same day? Who does that?
What is the stinki eye?"

A (very) little research will show you the many many boat tour options that cover those two particular spots in a day cruise (some even serve lunch). Look in any tour book available for free at the airport for coupons: or,
http://www.kona123.com/snorkel.html

Ditto for "stink eye": for example, http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=stink+eye
"The Hawaiian pidgin term for a hard, scornful glare"

p.s. The moratorium is primarily for private boats and kayaks; boats that moor water-only (the main tours) are not affected.

I misunderstood the snorkel tours. I thought you meant there was a tour that would go to Two Step and Capt Cook on the same tour. Two for the price of one so to speak, but I did not find that to be true. Seems it's one or the other.

Would anyone recommend Jacks Diving for the night Manta Ray Dive?

2 for 1: yes, I've been on two tours that both did Capt. Cook first, then on to Place of Refuge (two step), then back to harbor, with views of coastal features there/back. (Plus dolphin sighting, if possible.)Here's one that does both: http://dolphindiscoveries.com/snorkel.html

My son/girlfriend did Jacks Diving pm manta ray, and loved it; however, there are no guarantees of manta rays, and no refunds if they don't show.

Here's another: http://seaquesthawaii.com/deluxe-morning-adventure.html

BTW, this is a great price, $59 for mantas:http://www.bigislandkayak.com/manta.htm?gclid=CPibwPbv-bQCFYs7MgodPFoAqA

Thank you Sylvia! Now if I can just get up early enough to make the 7am one!