Big Island trip - first timers
Mar 1st, 2011, 03:37 PM
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Big Island trip - first timers
My husband and I are traveling to the Big Island in June. Our plan is to stay on the Kona side for 4 days and then travel to the Hilo side for 4 days. We like to hike, my husband likes to snorkel, we'd like to find a bicycle tour down a mountain. We'd like to go to a luau, see the volcano on land and by helicopter, see waterfalls, a coffee plantation and we enjoy good food. Suggestions about places to stay, good tour groups to contact for our outings, restaurant recommendations would all be appreciated. Thanks already for your help.
Mar 1st, 2011, 04:53 PM
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The big island is my favorite island. I suggest for snorkeling:
West Coast: Two-step, Kahalu'u and if you can afford a boat ride, maybe the Fairwinds to Captain Cook's Monument in Kealakekua Bay. Two step is wonderful as is Kealakekua Bay. I also like Puako but it is not as stronge as the above mentioned. On the Eastside, the best is Kapoho Tidepools (Waiopae). Though you should swim only once past the pools around the outer reef.
Regarding hikes, the national park by the small boat harbor is a great area with few people. I hike to Kiholo with its huge turtle population I also like hiking into Waipio Valley and hiking up the Z trail. I like the Hawaiian Tropical Botanical Graden. There are many hikes in Volcanoes National Park. Ask the ranger about the safety on hiking into the crater and doing Byron's Ledge. I also like the rim trail and bird park.
Food: Keei'i Cafe, Don the Beachcomber, Jackie Reys, Roy's, Kona Brewing Company. Ocean's Deli in Hilo. In Volcano, the Thai Thai and Kaiwe Kitchen was very good last year. Best luau is at Kona Village. It is pricey but excellent food and show in a lovely location.
For lodging in Volcano, I have stayed at the Aloha Junction twice. Nice B&B and moderately priced. I have stayed at numerous rental houses which I won't discuss unless asked. In waikoloa resort I have stayed at Hali'i Kai a very nice condo complex. It's new, quiet and affordable. Oh, it has a great pool complex. For resorts, I stay at Kona Village, which I love but since it is an inclusive and this is your first trip, it might not be what you need.
I love visiting Place of Refuge. This is a must see. I like Hawi a funky little town up north. My favorite beach is Kua Bay. Best wine store on the island, Kamuela Liquors in Wiamea/Kamuela.
Enjoy.
West Coast: Two-step, Kahalu'u and if you can afford a boat ride, maybe the Fairwinds to Captain Cook's Monument in Kealakekua Bay. Two step is wonderful as is Kealakekua Bay. I also like Puako but it is not as stronge as the above mentioned. On the Eastside, the best is Kapoho Tidepools (Waiopae). Though you should swim only once past the pools around the outer reef.
Regarding hikes, the national park by the small boat harbor is a great area with few people. I hike to Kiholo with its huge turtle population I also like hiking into Waipio Valley and hiking up the Z trail. I like the Hawaiian Tropical Botanical Graden. There are many hikes in Volcanoes National Park. Ask the ranger about the safety on hiking into the crater and doing Byron's Ledge. I also like the rim trail and bird park.
Food: Keei'i Cafe, Don the Beachcomber, Jackie Reys, Roy's, Kona Brewing Company. Ocean's Deli in Hilo. In Volcano, the Thai Thai and Kaiwe Kitchen was very good last year. Best luau is at Kona Village. It is pricey but excellent food and show in a lovely location.
For lodging in Volcano, I have stayed at the Aloha Junction twice. Nice B&B and moderately priced. I have stayed at numerous rental houses which I won't discuss unless asked. In waikoloa resort I have stayed at Hali'i Kai a very nice condo complex. It's new, quiet and affordable. Oh, it has a great pool complex. For resorts, I stay at Kona Village, which I love but since it is an inclusive and this is your first trip, it might not be what you need.
I love visiting Place of Refuge. This is a must see. I like Hawi a funky little town up north. My favorite beach is Kua Bay. Best wine store on the island, Kamuela Liquors in Wiamea/Kamuela.
Enjoy.
Mar 2nd, 2011, 09:25 AM
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Second the town of Hawi(have dinner at Bamboo Restaurant),
and Pololu Valley beyond it, and snorkelling at Kealakekua
Bay with Fairwinds (we took their sleeker boat, the Hula Kai). We enjoyed the turtles at Puako. If you can splurge, we stayed at the Mauna Kea Beach Hotel and loved it. Their beach is spectacular.
and Pololu Valley beyond it, and snorkelling at Kealakekua
Bay with Fairwinds (we took their sleeker boat, the Hula Kai). We enjoyed the turtles at Puako. If you can splurge, we stayed at the Mauna Kea Beach Hotel and loved it. Their beach is spectacular.
Mar 2nd, 2011, 10:33 AM
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Try Hawaiian Style Cafe in Waimea. It's a hole in the wall and have limited hours, but the food is amazing (you can check out reviews online). You can call ahead for take out, but if you want to eat there, the line to get into the place is very long.
We are partial to the Mauna Lani on the Kohala coast. It's in a small resort community all it's own. Waikola Resort is much the same way though larger. In fact, we rarely drive into Kona town (officially, it's called Kailua and Keaohou), because we find it too crowded. But if it's your first time, you should definitely check it out.
Let me know if you want info about golf.
We are partial to the Mauna Lani on the Kohala coast. It's in a small resort community all it's own. Waikola Resort is much the same way though larger. In fact, we rarely drive into Kona town (officially, it's called Kailua and Keaohou), because we find it too crowded. But if it's your first time, you should definitely check it out.
Let me know if you want info about golf.
Mar 2nd, 2011, 12:00 PM
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We finally made it to BI last year. We considered I coffee plantation rental, and Puako, but ended up in private rentals in Hawi and Volcano Village. It was a perfect fit for us with 4 night in each area.
From Hawi we explored the area and would have loved to hiked down the Pali at the end of the road - forget the name, but due to a broken limb that was not possible. We also went to Place of Reguge and Painted Church. We origanally planned on a day of kayak/snorkle but made the best of things - a really amazing area. Actually only blew thru Kona, and while fun, not a place we chose to stop and check out. We visited the big hotels and loved exploring the grounds of 4S, Puako and it's Pole 69 beach.
In VV we stayed here. http://mailetreehouse.com/
And adored it. It was perfect to return to Hilo, explore Volcano Park before and after the daytrippers came thru and then head to the end of the road. The lava was far off, so we didn't stay for an evening hike, but a few weeks later Pele made herself be noticed. It all comes down to conditions.
For us, Hawi and VV ended up being perfect. So many choices and so many interesting experiences to consider. We would not have changed a thing. But the place we stayed in Hawi is no longer available, so we might consider something in Puako.
Good luck. I researched a lot and it can be exhausting. I know there is a person that had a bad rental experience recently, so hopefully they will check in and warn you off.
Aloha
From Hawi we explored the area and would have loved to hiked down the Pali at the end of the road - forget the name, but due to a broken limb that was not possible. We also went to Place of Reguge and Painted Church. We origanally planned on a day of kayak/snorkle but made the best of things - a really amazing area. Actually only blew thru Kona, and while fun, not a place we chose to stop and check out. We visited the big hotels and loved exploring the grounds of 4S, Puako and it's Pole 69 beach.
In VV we stayed here. http://mailetreehouse.com/
And adored it. It was perfect to return to Hilo, explore Volcano Park before and after the daytrippers came thru and then head to the end of the road. The lava was far off, so we didn't stay for an evening hike, but a few weeks later Pele made herself be noticed. It all comes down to conditions.
For us, Hawi and VV ended up being perfect. So many choices and so many interesting experiences to consider. We would not have changed a thing. But the place we stayed in Hawi is no longer available, so we might consider something in Puako.
Good luck. I researched a lot and it can be exhausting. I know there is a person that had a bad rental experience recently, so hopefully they will check in and warn you off.
Aloha
Mar 2nd, 2011, 02:54 PM
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We loved our stay last month south of Hilo in the Puna
District at the Kapoho Tidepools (Waiopae).
We had a front row to seat to the ocean and loved this house.
http://www.vrbo.com/53607
There are two grocery stores, a drugstore in a 10 minute drive to Pahoa town, Pahoa Cash & Carry and Malama's (I think)and a drugstore for provisions.
Our fave place to dine in Pahoa is Kaleo's Bar and Grill
http://www.kaleospahoa.com/
but they also have Italian, Thai & Mexican restaurants.
The Kalapana Village Cafe is a great little spot for a ono sandwhich or a burger. This is where the coast road disappears under the fresh lava from Kilaeuea Volcano. There's an outfit out there that leads night hikes
out to the new flow. Have you considered a lava boat trip ?
That is one we missed-so of course we have to return !
Anyway, always ask around if the lava is flowing before
booking any of these tours.
Back in Hilo town we enjoyed Cafe Pesto located in the
old downtown area, but we LOVED the Hilo Bay Cafe
http://www.hilobaycafe.com/
We couldn't find it to save ourselves, then some kind
pedestrian pointed to it over in the Walmart parking lot.
Don't be discouraged by the location-the food is terrific !
We found all the waterfalls to be an easy day trip
from the house out at the tide pools. You will probably want to visit the Volcano the day you drive to the other side-
or if you want to hike down into one of the calderas
you might consider a night somewhere in Volvaco Village-
Kealalani's tree house would be lovely and theri are
many others on vrbo.com
We were not as taken with the Kona side. The house we
had choosen over there sat high on the side
of a hill, and the view was mostly blocked by the VOG
from the Volcano-and the house was unclean & pretty disgusting.
We moved down to the Outrigger Keauhou Beach
http://www.outrigger.com/hotels-reso...u-beach-resort
which was blessedly out of the major hustle and bustle that is Kona.
Keauhou Beach was a fine snorkeling spot.
Their Verandah Lounge juts right out over the water
so you can watch turtles and fish is the shallow tide pools.
We also enjoyed Jackie Reys
http://www.jackiereys.com/
and had the best sushi and Japanese food at
Kenichi Pacific
http://www.restauranteur.com/kenichi/
Have a great trip-you have gotten lots of good advise from the other posters here !
F5
District at the Kapoho Tidepools (Waiopae).
We had a front row to seat to the ocean and loved this house.
http://www.vrbo.com/53607
There are two grocery stores, a drugstore in a 10 minute drive to Pahoa town, Pahoa Cash & Carry and Malama's (I think)and a drugstore for provisions.
Our fave place to dine in Pahoa is Kaleo's Bar and Grill
http://www.kaleospahoa.com/
but they also have Italian, Thai & Mexican restaurants.
The Kalapana Village Cafe is a great little spot for a ono sandwhich or a burger. This is where the coast road disappears under the fresh lava from Kilaeuea Volcano. There's an outfit out there that leads night hikes
out to the new flow. Have you considered a lava boat trip ?
That is one we missed-so of course we have to return !
Anyway, always ask around if the lava is flowing before
booking any of these tours.
Back in Hilo town we enjoyed Cafe Pesto located in the
old downtown area, but we LOVED the Hilo Bay Cafe
http://www.hilobaycafe.com/
We couldn't find it to save ourselves, then some kind
pedestrian pointed to it over in the Walmart parking lot.
Don't be discouraged by the location-the food is terrific !
We found all the waterfalls to be an easy day trip
from the house out at the tide pools. You will probably want to visit the Volcano the day you drive to the other side-
or if you want to hike down into one of the calderas
you might consider a night somewhere in Volvaco Village-
Kealalani's tree house would be lovely and theri are
many others on vrbo.com
We were not as taken with the Kona side. The house we
had choosen over there sat high on the side
of a hill, and the view was mostly blocked by the VOG
from the Volcano-and the house was unclean & pretty disgusting.
We moved down to the Outrigger Keauhou Beach
http://www.outrigger.com/hotels-reso...u-beach-resort
which was blessedly out of the major hustle and bustle that is Kona.
Keauhou Beach was a fine snorkeling spot.
Their Verandah Lounge juts right out over the water
so you can watch turtles and fish is the shallow tide pools.
We also enjoyed Jackie Reys
http://www.jackiereys.com/
and had the best sushi and Japanese food at
Kenichi Pacific
http://www.restauranteur.com/kenichi/
Have a great trip-you have gotten lots of good advise from the other posters here !
F5
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