metcarl

My husband and I along with my in-laws will be traveling to the Big Island the first week of November. My in-laws will be attending a conference on the BI Sunday and Monday morning. After extensive research on this site and the blue books, here is our proposed itinerary:

DAY 1 (Friday)
Arrive Big Island - Kona 6:53 pm
Pick-up rental car(SUV), drive to Fairmont Orchid Resort

DAY 2: (Saturday)
Volcanoes National Park
Pu'u O'o Vent
Pu'u Petroglyph trail
Thurston Lava Tube

Akaka Falls, Rainbow Falls, and Boiling Pots
Hilo Botanical gardens, 4-mile scenic road near gardens
Good place for dinner? - maybe on the way back to the Kohala Coast since it will be late or just a late dinner at the Orchid

DAY 3: (Sunday)
Conference until noon (me - at beach)
Punalu'u Black Sand Beach
Hikiau Heiau - temple
The Place of Refuge
Painted Church
Mauna Kea summit at sunset and stargazing tour??

DAY 4: (Monday)
Conference until noon (me - at beach)
Waipio Valley overlook
Pololu Valley overlook

Depart Kona, arrive Kauai - Lihue 6:45 pm
Pick-up rental car (SUV), drive to Secret Cove rental in Kilauea on (near) Secret Beach
Dinner at rental

DAY 5: (Tuesday)
Helicopter Tour with Inter-Island- waterfall trip
Relax (Secret Beach or pool), watch presidential election

DAY 6: (Wednesday)
Waimea Canyon
Polihale Beach
Sunset dinner at the Beach House

DAY 7: (Thursday)
Kalalau Trail (first 2 or 4 miles)
(Ke'e Beach, Wet and Dry caves)

DAY 8: (Friday)
Kilauea Lighthouse
Wialua Kayak trip or more Secret Beach

DAY 9: (Saturday)
Morning flight to Honolulu (arrive 9:59 am)
Pearl Harbor
Leave Honolulu 6:45 pm

Big island itinerary - we may not do all the above listed activities, only those that time allows (especially the day spent at VNP). My in-laws are not really beach people so we won't be spending much time on the beach, but more touring around and seeing the sights.
We decided not the do the Na Pali coast boat trip due to possibility of rough seas/seasickness and chose the helicopter trip instead.

Has anyone stayed at or heard about the "Secret Cove" rental on Secret Beach?

Any dinner suggestions for the day coming back from VNP?

iamq

Sounds like a great trip! While in Kaua`i, try to spend some time exploring the beaches (Makua (Tunnels), Anini, and others) on the north shore or spend a little time catching the vibe in Hanalei. Hanalei Bay is magical. Stay flexible as the weather and the seas may not always allow you to do what you want. Not to worry though, you will be in paradise!
-Bill

ms_go

metcarl - sounds like a great trip.

My only major suggestion is that day 3 looks too ambitious, particularly if you are leaving to go down to the Punalu'u black sand beach after the conference is over at noon. It is probably a good two hours to get there from the Orchid. Place of Refuge (on the way back) deserves at least an hour. And I think pick-ups for many of the Mauna Kea trips are in the mid-afternoon timeframe.

Similarly, doing both the Waipio and Polulu Valley overlooks in one afternoon might be a bit ambitious. It could probably be done, but might be more enjoyable if you pick one and hike a little bit when you get there. We did a circle up through the town of Waimea, to the Polulu Valley overlook (and some light hiking) and a stop in the town of Hawi. That was an enjoyable day, and very scenic.

Have fun!

metcarl

I agree with your suggestions about Day 3. I think we will plan on not doing the Mauna Kea summit trip (especially due to the fact that I may not be able to go since the trip is not recommended for pregnant women - I'm not, but hope to be by that time). Same for the overlooks - maybe we'll just do the Pololu Valley since we don't have long that day anyway by the time we have to be at the airport.

travelinandgolfin

What, no GOLF??? How sad....

Fulreh

Maybe the greatest view of the Honolulu area is from the "Punchbowl Cemetary". It's also a quiet spot away from the crowds and a place to reflect on the cost of freedom. I highly recommend it to anyone.