Hawaii Cruise

Old Jan 18th, 2016, 09:52 AM
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Hawaii Cruise

We are doing a Trans Pacific cruise late April that starts on Oahu. It then over nights on Maui followed by a day in both Kailua Kona and Hilo. We have visited Oahu, Kauai and Maui many many times but have never made it to the Big Island. Our plans in Oahu are taken care of. Not so much for the rest of the islands...

We arrive on Maui at 8 am docking in Lahaina. We were thinking a catamaran snorkel cruise that day but most of the cats go out too early for us. Gemini is the only one that I have found so far. It leaves from the Westin at Kaanapali at 11am. Do you think we would have time to make it traffic wise? We dock in Lahaina but we must tender to shore. Rent a car or take a cab? Any other suggestions? The second morning on Maui we plan to get up at 3am and bike down Haleakala. What company would recommend for that?

Since this is our very first trip to the Big Island I would love to hear suggestions for activities and tour companies. I am sure that my husband will want to see the volcano. How would you suggest? Tour company or rent a car and travel on our own? Are the beaches and snorkeling fabulous there too? What about catamaran snorkel trips?

We are two couples in our late 50's early 60's. Love the water, love to snorkel, like to be active but realize (at least I do, maybe not my husband) that we are not 20 anymore (or 30) LOL!!!
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Old Jan 18th, 2016, 10:26 AM
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I know two people who were seriously injured doing that bike ride (unrelated incidents), rather a high average; people have died, and it has even been stopped for times. I strongly recommend doing an online search.

For the Big Island, your own car would be nice for seeing the volcano (and driving down Chain of Craters Road); some fine snorkeling can be found in several places on the west side (two step, next to O'Honaunau) is wonderful.
Several snorkel trips are available for a reasonable price that stop at Captain Cook (Kealakekua) and Two Step.
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Old Jan 18th, 2016, 12:11 PM
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Read this thread on TA -- then reconsider Haleakala

http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowTopic...ui_Hawaii.html
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Old Jan 18th, 2016, 12:12 PM
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I agree with sylvia about skipping the bike ride, it is very dangerous as she said and so many people have been injured with some fatalities as well, that the Park Service has not let the bike tours start inside the park for a long time now. Plus there are no separate bike lanes so you have to watch out for traffic while you are braking (not biking) downhill. Just drive up instead.
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Old Jan 18th, 2016, 12:31 PM
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Also see
http://www.seattletimes.com/life/tra...r-third-death/
Nothing has changed.
You might try going up Haleakala in the afternoon and staying for the sunset; it is outstanding!
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Old Jan 18th, 2016, 03:24 PM
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There's a lot to see and do right in Lahaina and that you could do on foot in town. May or may not be of interest to you... but there's a self-guided historic walking tour around the central area, art exhibits, shows like U'lalena, Feast of Lele, Cirque Polynesia, etc. and of course a lot of good restaurants.

No way would I bike down Haleakala in the dark. No way!
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Old Jan 18th, 2016, 03:26 PM
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Or after sunrise... Seriously. It looked so dangerous and not fun at all to me.

Our family didn't want to get up in the middle of the night. So we had a nice breakfast in town, then made the drive out, and spent quite a bit of time at Haleakala. Don't miss the viewpoints and hikes on the way up. Visitors center. It's not only about the summit.
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Old Jan 21st, 2016, 06:46 AM
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Okay, so bike ride is not recommended...got it! I was really hoping to get more information about the Big Island with limited time. Any ideas for one day in Kona and one day in Hilo ?
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Old Jan 21st, 2016, 08:16 AM
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VNP is best viewed from Hilo. Rent a car and drive Chain of Craters, hike Kiluaua Iki stay to watch the glow from the crater after dark.

There is Dengue in Kona so I would drive north to Kohala. There is great snorkeling there (Makaiwa), historic heius, beautiful beaches. Waipio Valley is also closed due to Dengue but I believe Polulu is still open. Hike down to the beach and stop in Hawi along the way for shave ice.

Have a great trip.
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Old Jan 21st, 2016, 10:34 AM
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Snorkeling on Big Island's west side is better than anywhere else in Hawaii, so would be a good activity for the day in Kailua-Kona, whether from one of the Kohala coast beaches, or a tour. The dengue fever taitai mentioned is more of a concern in the district of South Kona (vs. the town of Kailua-Kona), but yes, Pololu Valley is open, and would fit nicely into a loop tour/drive of north Kohala that could also include Waimea.
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Old Jan 21st, 2016, 01:10 PM
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Anything on land that you could take a tour of you could do in a rental car (except Mauna Kea summit and Waipio Valley, which is closed anyway).
From Kona, you could snorkel in a variety of places, drive north up the coast and visit a very large heiau (http://www.nps.gov/puhe/index.htm); along the route, Lapakahi is very scenic, well worth a stop (if the trails washed out by rain are reopened; http://dlnr.hawaii.gov/dsp/files/201...chure_2014.pdf), and go as far as Polulu for the awesome view (be warned: trail down is a bit steep and slick, depending), then stop at Bamboo in Hawi coming back, or back in the Kawaihae harbor location of Cafe Pesto for a meal (although I think the fish truck, if opened, is a delicious lunch alternative).
From Hilo, you could spend 1/2 day at the volcano (or more); alternatives or additions to the north: could include Akaka Falls, Laupahoehoe Point Park (gorgeous crashing surf and cliff views), and old Onomea road is a fabulous short scenic byway off 19.
To the south, Pahoa transfer station offers a wonderful look at very recent lava flow, and Lava Tree State Monument has a lovely short trail through lush foliage where you can see replaced trees (now basalt).
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Old Jan 21st, 2016, 04:37 PM
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Perfect! This is the information that I was really looking for...THANKS!
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Old Jan 22nd, 2016, 03:16 AM
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P.S. a reminder: when you visit the lush areas (that is, moist, with possibilities of mosquitos and little air movement), don't forget the repellent! We've only had a problem with them at a few places, but better safe than sorry.
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Old May 18th, 2016, 02:39 PM
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Just back from our Hawaii trip and I just wanted to say that the highlight of our trip was the bike ride down Haleakala. For the first time ever I am SO GLAD that I did not take the advice given on Fodor's. The bike ride was glorious!!!!! The tour company took very good care of the 10-12 bikers and made several stops. We never had an issue with traffic and pulled over several times so that if there was an issue, cars could have easily passed. I just don't want anyone to change their plans (like I almost did ) after reading this thread.
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Old May 18th, 2016, 04:51 PM
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I guess its all about how much risk you want to take on. We have done the ride down, unescorted (Haleakala Bike Co.), and it was a good trip, and we didn't feel that it was particularly risky, but now that I've done it once, wouldn't do it again. I also wouldn't consider it a 'must-do' for someone else.
On the other hand, we haven't done any helicopter trips on the islands, as DW thinks helicopters are too risky. Well, some people tell you to stay out of the water because of sharks, rogue waves, etc.
Life is a risk, but we often get to pick how much we take on. Being careful does lower the risk, as we all know.
I get a kick out of some people getting paranoid when their cell phone doesn't work, in a dead zone. To them, that's a huge risk.
Given the way some people are, I'm a bit surprised that there isn't more fear expressed, of dengue.
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Old May 19th, 2016, 06:35 AM
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My issue isn't about the risk. Please explain the fun of riding down in the dark. For me, watching the sunset from the summit--high above the clouds--is one of the most spectacular, memorable things of my lifetime.

What do you see (other than stars) at 3 AM? I must be missing something!
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Old May 25th, 2016, 11:06 AM
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Songdoc, we didn't ride down in the dark. We watched the glorious sunrise. Took the time to take some once in a lifetime pictures and then the van took us out of the park...in the sunlight...where we began our bike ride down the mountain...so beautiful, so exhilarating so much fun!
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Old May 25th, 2016, 12:27 PM
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We did a snorkeling tour out of Kona with Sea Quest. I believe it was their deluxe morning adventure. We had a great time. The snorkeling is fantastic.

Otherwise, I'd suggest a visit to Volcanoes National Park, but be forewarned that you may not necessarily be able to see any active lava flow. It really depends on current conditions and weather. There is active flow right now though that is viewable under the right conditions. Keep on eye on the nps website for updates.
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Old May 25th, 2016, 06:33 PM
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The only active flow visible is from a helicopter.
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Old May 26th, 2016, 04:32 AM
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Ohhh!!! That sounds fantastic! Thanks for explaining.
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