travellyn

I'm finally leaving for the BI next week. There will be four of us: 2 adults, an eleven year old, and a fourteen year old. The hotels are locked in, but just about everything else is up for grabs. We'll have a 4WD. Do you have any other restaurant and oddball activity suggestions? Please excuse misspellings.

Day 1: Arrive about 5 pm, pick up car, check into Keauhou Beach Resort. Adults drink mai-tais.

Day 2: French Bakery for breakfast? Explore Keauhou and Kailua-Kona. Maybe Keei Cafe or Aloha Angel for supper.

Day 3: Sea Quest snorkel trip in AM. Buy picnic food for evening. Mauna Kea stargazing program in evening.

Day 4: Rent kayaks and paddle Kealakekua Bay in AM, then cofee tour and Place of Refuge. (I know that we will have already been to the bay the day before, but I think we'll like it enough to come back.)

Day 5: Check out of hotel. Drive to Volcano, detouring to South point and black sand beach. Check into Kilauea Lodge. Lava viewing if possible.

Day 6: Explore national park. Supper at Kilauea Lodge, without kids.

Day 7: Explore Hilo, maybe Pahoa and Kapoho, if time. Maybe lava viewing. We may trade days 6 and 7 if we can line up the Wild Lava Tube hike for day 7. I won't know till next week.

Day 8: Check out of lodge. Maybe Pahoa and Kapoho, if not done before and there is time. Akaka Falls and 4 mile scenic drive. Check into Waikoloa Beach Marriott by around 4:30. Supper at Roy's with kids.

Day 9: Drive to Waipio lookout. I take 5-6 hour hidden waterfall ride with Waipio Ridge Stables. Husband and kids explore Waimea area. Meet after ride, and all drive into valley for 1-3 hours of exploration. Quiet evening at hotel.

Day 10: Husband takes Mauna Kea summit tour. I walk with kids over to Hilton, then hang out at our hotel later. Maybe have date with my husband later in evening.

Day 11: Morning trip to Hawi and Polulu Valley. Luau in evening (at Marriott, so husband and I can drink all we want without having to drive afterward).

Day 12: Late checkout, then explore Kohala beaches or something we missed earlier, have sunset dinner at Huggo's or Canoehouse, do last minute shopping, etc. Plane leaves at 11 PM.

Thanks!

MileKing

If you are going to Waimea, I would certainly have dinner at Merrimans. We returned from the BI a few weeks ago. Merrimans was the best meal we had on our two week honeymoon, better than the Canoehouse and Kilauea Lodge, both of which were excellent. Hope you have reservations for dinner at Kilauea Lodge. The breakfast there is excellent as well.

The lava flows are constantly changing, but when we were at the volcano it was a two-mile hike one-way over poor terrain to get there. We passed on that. I wouldn't count on seeing lava flows.

patg

I don't think there's enough in Waimea to keep your husband and kids busy while you take a 5 hour ride. Are they not interested in riding? Also, even with a 4 wheel drive, I wouldn't recommend driving into Waipio. It's one lane and a very steep grade with pullouts. Check your insurance! There is a company that runs 1-2 hour horseback rides from the valley and will drive you in.

Have a great time - you've certainly done your homework!

Molly2

I agree with patg. Your itinerary sounds near perfect. But there may indeed not be enough to keep Hubby and kids ocuppied while you tour Waipio Valley. And do be sure that your tour includes transport into the valley, as the ride in is indeed quite steep and best left to an experienced driver IMHO.

My 14 year old {at the time}son enjoyed our mule-drawn buggy tour of Waipio Valley when we visited - maybe your kids would like Waipio more than they think. The valley is amazingly beautiful, and there are several options for tours.

Molly2

Just reread your message - didn't notice on first read that you're planning to drive into the valley after your tour. Have to reiterate; a tour is by far the best way to see this area, and transport {unless you're avid hikers} is best left to an experienced driver.

makai1

Aloha travellyn,

While you're exploring the south shore, make sure you venture out to Green sand beach.... it was awesome!!

Have a wonderful time...

AAAAHHHHLOHaaaa!

Gardyloo

I would add two stops. First, see St. Benedict's - the painted church, just off the main road on the way to the place of refuge.

Second, try Sam Choy's diner in the industrial park between town and the airport for breakfast or lunch. The real deal - loco moco, fried eggs on fried rice, yum.

If you can swing the cost, think about a helicopter or fixed-wing flyover above the lava if it's visible and/or flowing into the sea. Worth the money and how.

travellyn

Thanks for your helpful feedback.

I was also wondering about my husband and kids having too much time on their hands in Waimea. They may end up taking the hike from around there to Waipio Rim described in the BI Revealed book.

Regarding Waipio, my longer ride is a birthday present. It leaves from the artworks store on the rim. My husband doesn't want to ride for more than 2 hours, and neither kid is comfortable enough on a horse to plan on even that long.

I know the grade is steep driving into the valley, but just how steep is it? The BI Revealed book made an error describing the grade. I think they said that a 25% grade was a 45 degree angle, and I'm pretty sure that's not true.

We are experienced in four wheel driving in Colorado, mostly on very rocky one lane roads. Assuming that we have an SUV with a low range, will the slope still be too much?

The only reason that I had planned for us to drive into the valley was to save money. I was hoping that after the horse ride I could tell the other 3 what I had learned about the valley. I'm considering the wagon option. It would be fun, but somewhat expensive (less so than a car crash). I would also like for us to have more of a say in how much time we spend in the valley.

Since we are experienced hikers, and we live at over 7000 feet elevation, I have assumed that we could manage the hike back up from the valley. In that case, I wouldn't want to do it right after a long horseback ride, maybe on the last day we're there.

DawnCt

We have snorkeled twice at Kealakekua Bay, and while it is truly lovely, I would choose kayaking or the Sea Quest tour, not both. Also, I would allow a couple of hours to visit the Tsunami Museum in Hilo. The Tsunamis have been a significant part of Hilo's history and perhaps their future. We really enjoyed the tour there.

Meesthare

If you're planning on dinner at Keei Cafe, make sure you have a reservation. It's a very small, unassuming, informal place (with absolutely fantastic food) but because it is small, you really can't just walk in. Enjoy!

Molly2

travellyn, It's been several years since my family ventured unto Waipio Valley. I don't know the grade into Waipio Valley, just that we all hid our eyes at points, and hoped for the best! I duunno, if you're more intrepid adventurers than ourselves, it might not affect you the same way....

The wagon tour we took was led by a native from Waipio Valley, and extremely informative and entertaining. I think that the horseback riding trip sounds great also - perhaps you have more time to explore. I do know what you mean about time on horseback lol; my husband and I went horseback riding last summer in the Canadian Rockies for several hours, and could barely walk normally for days after!

Re Kealakua Bay: we would have enjoyed spending more than one day here snorkling and sea kayaking, though I don't see why you couldn't combine the two activities. We hiked up and back { rather grueling and hot over steep beds of lava} to snorkle, but wished that we had kayaked in. We took a seperate sailing trip to another snorkling spot -couldn't get enough!

Re lava viewing: When we visited, people were restricted to viewing from a half-mile away, as sections of lava cliffs had recently fallen into the sea. Still, we thought the slightly difficult hike to see the spectacle of lava flowing into the sea at night was an adventure and well worth it - matter of opinion I guess.

Re luau: Be selective. We went to an indoor luau {it rained}, and would have been disappointed had we not lucked out and scored a seat close to the performers. Some people were so far back they couldn't see a thing, and were not happy campers! As a compensation of sorts, they got to get in the buffet line first.

The tropical gardens around Hilo, especially the one that has {had?} a hefty admission charge - can't recall its name - are very lovely, but would probably bore your children. My husband and I thought it was a beautiful picnic spot. The macadamia nut factory and nearby small zoo might be enjoyed by your kids, though if time is an object, I wouldn't consider them essential stops. The farmers' market in Hilo is also an interesting diversion. I think that it was held on Saturday when we visited.

GloriaE

If you are going to be in the Pahoa/Kapoho area, check out Ahalanui (Warm Pond)- the kids will like it. Also, alternate snorkle spots are Kahalu'u Beach or "Two Steps" next to the Place of Refuge if you don't want to be at Kealakekua Bay twice.

dolciani

Hi, you didn't mention which days of the week you were going to be travelling, but for your info: There is a great farmers market in the town of Hilo on Saturday mornings - there is also a great farmer's market in Kona town. Marriott has a superb Friday night buffet w/ gobs of seafood (all you can eat) tuna, salmon, shrimp,etc. Yes, Roy's was great too (and within walking distance - is was one of our best meals). We, unfortunately had terrible food and terrible service at Merrimans (which I know supposedly has a good reputation - my husband was sick all night (he thinks he got food poisoning) and we almost missed our snorkeling trip the next day (we would have lost about $200 unrefundable $$s)- but he was a trooper - my meal was bad there too - I could not recommend Merrimans - and there's not much to see or do near the restaurant. Btw, the beach in front of the marriott often is a resting place for sea turtles - remember (and the tell the kids) it is illegal to touch them - but take your camera to the beach. I hope you're planning to visit the Hilton to see the dolphins - take your camera again - you can walk there via the beach for part of the way. Enjoy!

circa

WOW! I'm impressed....good itinerary.

Also some good suggestions in above posts.

Yes....Tsunami Museum in Hilo
Pahoa won't take long...but interesting ...looks like 60's hippy town with grey hair!.....But continue down the road [Hwy 132 to where 132 and 137 intersect. Turn right and go to the end of the road. Where the lava stops the road. This is the old Black Sands beach that got destroyed in 1990 by lava. The new waterfront is 1/4 -1/3 mile hike from the road. Head back and stay on Hwy 137 and take the loop around by Isaac Hale Park...this is some rural Hawaii...pretty.

Yes....Painted Church
[If you do the Painted Church, Bayview Farms[[Kona coffee plantation and Gazebo, processing plant tour]] is just 1/4 mile down the road.]
These can all be done with the City of Refuge trip.

Scenic Drive...north of Hilo...stop by
"What's Shakin'" for lunch, snack, or at least for a smoothie [best in the islands]

Akaka Fall....you go thru Honomo....stop in at the little store next to the old Ishigo's Store for an ice cream [it is/was closed up] However Mr Ishigo was living in the back still.[local history]

Hawi....Bamboo resturant....good smoothies here too.....interesting place,and the KOA galley is worth a visit.

Kapaau...on the way to Pololu lookout...there is the "original" King Kamehameha statue....take the kids picture by it!

Shopping tip: In Kona at the King Kamenameha Hotel. Visit the artist co-op galley. Local artist's originals

Have a great trip....

Hawaii....it's all good!

Leburta

You have a very nice itinerary along with some very good restaurants. If either of the adults golf, there are some wonderful golf courses along the Kohala coast.

Leburta

Forgot to mention that the Hilo Farmers Market, which another posted correctly discribed as wonderful, is also held on Wednesdays.

travellyn

Thanks again for this great information! I'm printing it out to take with us.

I'm planning the Hilo farmer's market for a Wednesday. I've read a few posts about the Tsunami Museum, but don't see it in any guidebooks. I'm assuming it's new. I have seen nothing but positive reviews regarding the museum. We'll definitely go.

I'm hoping we get to see lava, but I understand that it may not be possible. My son has his heart set on it, so I'm crossing my fingers.

10 more days!

DawnCt

Travellyn, The Tsunami Museum has a web site. I don't have the url but just do a google search and it will pop up.

patg

Have your son take a look at this site
http://www.nps.gov/havo/visitor/lava.htm#where

and after becoming familiar with park and volcano terminology, click on the Eruption Update link. There are day-to-day postings of the lava sightings.

myst

Your itinerary sounds great, but the Mauna Kea Stargazing and summit tour are usually combined so you do not need to do it on two days.

When I went they let those of us who wanted to go up to the summit go up while the others took photos near the observatories. The trip up to the actual summit was only about 20 minute round trip hike. Incredible!