abrianthodges

Aloha!

My family and I will be leaving for a 15 day trip to Hawaii (10 days - Big Island + 5 days - Oahu). There will be 5 of us (2 adults and 3 children --- 17, 11 and 7.... the kids are good travelers). This will be our 1st visit to the Big Island and our 7th trip to Oahu. We do not have plans this time around to visit the Hilo side (nor the volcano area) of the Big Island (we'd like to concentrate all of our time on the Kona side and next time stay on the Hilo side and explore there). Any tips on a 10 day itinerary on the Kona side of the Big Island? We have the following place on our list as must sees. However, not sure of the best way to structure the week: Hamakua Coast (Akaka/Kahuna Falls), Kalopa State Park, Waipio Valley (best tour groups??), Kailua Bay, Kamakahonu Beach, Punaluu Beach, Kapoho Tide Pools, Kealakekua Bay.

We'll be staying at a friends condo while on the Big Island and will be doing most of our cooking. However, we'd also like to go out a few nights (or late lunch) so, restaurant suggestions would be nice..... Husband and I just celebrated 20th Wedding Anniversary so, it can be a romantic restaurant or more family friendly.

Any tips for Oahu would be nice also.......... because we have been to Oahu many times, it would be nice to receive suggestions for places that visitors oftentimes miss (or perhaps don't know about). We will be staying at the Ko'Olina Resort while on Oahu.

Final thing! My daughter and I are avid photographers............. It seems every moment/location on the Islands are an opportunity for "that" shot but, if you have any must see locations (and times of day) please pass on!

Mahalo!

sf7307

The closest town to Ko'Olina is Kapolei, which is a regular suburb, with all the chain stores and restaurants you have at home (Costco, Target, Starbucks, Outback, etc.) We found two good local restaurants, however....Hapa Grill (coffee shop atmosphere, but not a typical coffee shop menu) and Kunio (very popular Japanese restaurant). There's also Assaggio, which is certainly a serviceable Italian restaurant, but nothing to write home about.

FWIW, the grill at the pool at the Ko'Olina timeshare (Marriott) is pretty good, and a beautiful setting.

mumpsimus

For a really nice dinner, I can recommend the Hale Samoa at Kona Village Resort. To see a picture and a glimpse of the menu, go here: http://www.davidshttp://www.davidskv.../9._Dinner.htm

If you're interested in a lu'au, Kona Village has the best ones on the island. To see pictures and video clips, go here: lkvr.net/Life_in_the_Soft_Lane/18._Luau.html

David

mumpsimus

Sorry, I messed up the links. Try this: http://www.davidskvr.net/Life_in_the.../9._Dinner.htm

and for the lu'au just go to page 18 Lu'au.
David

mumpsimus

Sorry again. Try this: www.davidskvr.net and go to pages 8 and 18. That's the best I can do.
David

martym

First of all some of the things you want to do on the Big Island are on/close to Hilo side--Akaka Falls, Kapoho Tide Pools--not that that means you shouldn't go there-but that's where they are.

Other things to do more on the Kona side--
Visit Parker Ranch--near Waimea--lots of activities--http://parkerranch.com/

Kalopa State Park--has a nice walking trail--worth an hour or so

Drive to Hawi and Pololu Valley in North Kohala--there is also a zip line up there somewhere--http://www.bigislandziplinetour.com/

Visit Waipio Valley--we use this tour and found it fun--http://www.waipiovalleywagontours.com/

Visit Pu'uhonua o Honounou (Place of Refuge) in south Kona--http://www.nps.gov/puho/index.htm Honaunau Bay is also the site of a good snorkeling area-which people call Two-Step (though no sign says that) Directions--when going toware the parking lot at Place of Refuge, turn right before going in the parking lot, when the road turns right again look to your left and that is Two-Step--you will probably see people on the lava and in the bay snorkeling--park along the road

If you want to snorkel Kealakekua Bay--go to the town of Napoopoo--there are a couple of places to put in there--people also like to kayak in the Bay--suggest renting kayak on the highway before going down

Kohala (north of Kailua town) has the best BI beaches--some of our favorites

Hapuna Beach--the classic Hawaiian white sand beach-lots of parking--almost no shade

Kauno'oa Beach (Mauna Kea)- arrive early since there is limited parking there. Stop at the gate to the Mauna Kea Resort and ask for a parking pass. And if they ar all taken, go back to the highway and go south a few miles and go to Hapuna--plenty of parking there

A'haeno'omalu Bay--(A Bay)--grey sand--lots of shade--ancient fish ponds

Kekaha Kai (Kona Coast State Park)--your chance to be on a gorgeous beach with no one or almost no one around--it does require a drive across a bumpy, unpaved road (but we've done it many times in a rental sedan (just go slowly). We were there one weekday (more people there on weekends) in the morning and no one was there. Take water etc-does have porta potties.

If you go to Puna to the Kapoho Tide Pools to snorkel--plan to be there during high tide--the pools are fuller then and it's easier to go from pool to pool. Also in the area is Ahalanui Park--a beautiful warm place to swim with lifeguards and picnic facilities. and it's free Located on highway 137--called the Red Road by the locals.

If you decide you do want to go to Hilo--they have a great farmers market on Saturday.


Restaurants--just a few (let me know where the condo is and I can recommend some more)
in Hawi--http://www.bamboorestaurant.info/restaurant.html
in Honokaa (near Waipio)--Tex Drive Inn - cheap--great malasadas
in Kailua Kona--Kona Brewing Company-good pizza http://www.konabrewingco.com/

BBEAR

We were recently on the Big Island for 7 days and it was our favorite island. We did go to Hilo and Volcano (which you could easily do with 10 days) - here are our highlights (4 adults, no children):
Day 1 - Blue Hawaiin helicopter tour from Hilo (Circle of Fire and Waterfalls), Pacific Tsunami Museum, Hawaii Tropical Botanical Gardens, Akaka Falls
Day 2 - A Bay - great beach, view manta rays at night from Sheraton
Day 3 - Volcano National Park - Visitor Ctr, steam vents, Jagger Museum & crater overlook, Chain of Craters Road, Petroglyph Trail (Puu Loa), Thurston Lava Tube
Day 4 - Morning snorkel tour to Kealakekua Bay with Sea Paradise, Greenwell coffee plantation tour, Place of Refuge, Painted Church
Day 5 - Snorkel at Kahaluu Beach Park (right near our condo),
Mauna Kea Summit Tour with Hawaii Forest and Trail
Day 6 - Snorkel at Kahaluu, Afternoon horseback ride in Waipio Valley with Na'alapa Stables
Day 7 - Snorkel at Kahaluu, leave for Maui

We were busy, but loved everything we did! Snorkeling at Kahaluu became a favorite activity! The horseback ride was a highlight as was the helicopter ride. I think children must be 16 to do the Mauna Kea Summit Tour.

This was also our first trip to Oahu so we mostly did the touristy things. Snorkeling at Shark's Cove (North Shore) and eating at a shrimp truck (Giovanni's) were favorites.

Have a great time!

wbpiii

snorkel spots on the west side: two-step, kahalu'u

interesting places: Place of Refuge (honaunau), the National park by the small boat Harbor (Kaloko-Honokohau National Historical Park). Kaloko has a beautiful coast hike and water access with few people. Waipio Valley Overlook. Muana Lani resort property including petroglyph hike, petroglyph hike at Waikoloa, hike to kiholo bay. The little coast parks north of the Muana Lani.

Beaches: Kau Bay, Beach 69, Muana Lani boathouse beach, Muana Kea Beach, Hapuna Beach. A-bay, Kekaha Kai park. BTW recommend going to beaches on weekdays, but that's just me, unless it is a resort park like Muana Kea or Muana Lani.

Snorkel Tour to Captain Cook, Kealakekua Bay, on the Fairwinds.

Restaurants: Kona Brewing Company (pizza), Don the Beachcomber (good food, great sunset view), Roy's, Merrimans, Merriman's Cafe, Sensei Sushi, lunch of dinner Kee'i Cafe in Captain's Cook, Daniel Theibaut in Waimae.

Bill

abrianthodges

Thanks Everyone for the feedback. Looks like we may be venturing a bit into North Hilo --- otherwise, we would miss some of the places we want to see along ther Hamakua Coast.

MartyM mahalo for the detailed information (I've made dinner reservations at the bamboo Restaurant)........ The condo we are staying at is located in Kailua-Kona on Alii Drive.

Another oddball questions....... My daughter/husband and I love taking Zumba lessons! Any being offered on the Big Island or Oahu that we should know about? We've been told the one offered at Ala Moano/24 Hour Fitness is great!

Mahalo!

sf7307

Hopefully suze will check in here, because she has done Zumba in Waikiki.

abrianthodges

David-
Thank you for sharing your blog --- Your memories of Hawaii/Kona Village makes me more excited for our vacation. Friday (the day we leave) can't get here soon enough! Your memories of Eleanor were beautiful and heart touching. Thanks.

dusty56438

Lots of info:

http://www.fodors.com/community/unit...trip-to-hi.cfm

Driving Tours, Maps, North Shore, Websites & more:

http://www.tripadvisor.com/AllReview...hu_Hawaii.html

Big Island:

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Travel-g2...ackground.html

For free Oahu & Big Island brochures:

1-800-GOHAWAII

Songdoc

My favorite BI places were Place of Refuge and the Seahorse Farm that no one seems to mention. I found it fascinating and loved having the seahorses wrap around my fingers.
http://www.seahorse.com

abrianthodges

songdoc that is really cool! My kids would LOVE seeing the seahorses! Thanks!

abrianthodges

Songdoc..... One other thing. I took a look at the website for the seahorse farm --- Unfortunately, I am having problems opening the link that says how much they charge for tours. Do you recall how much it was (children and adults)? Thanks!

sf7307

abrian, the top link doesn't work, but the one below it does. It's $35 for adults and $25 for kids 4-7.

martym

We've visited the seahorse farm a couple of years ago--I also thought it was really cool. Be sure to wear a hat and take water. It is located out on the lava and does get warm.

Kailani

On your drive up to Hawi, stop for pictures at Pu'ukohola Heiau. I also like Lapakahi. Both are free and easily accessible, offering historical perspectives and spectacular vistas. http://www.hawaiiweb.com/hawaii/html...ical_park.html

Hopefully, you'll have time for a drive to Pololu for the incredible view. Hawi and Kapa'au have lots of charming small buildings, churches, and temples, and several large banyan trees in the main park.

The Big Island has many wonderful festivals and music and hula performances, so check out the papers for local events.

I also enjoyed photographing the Painted Church, near Pu'uhonua o Honounou (Place of Refuge).

The petroglyphs are interesting to photograph as well.