mishka1964

Our first time to Hawaii.....6 days in Kona. We are adventurous ..looking for some Fodorite recommendations! We have rented a car.

hpeabody

I highly recommend an all day drive around the Big Island to go visit the Volcano National Park. Take a look at a map. I typically head out the southern route. I make stops along the way at places like City of Refuge, Black Sand Beach, then arrive and spend time at the national park (it is truly amazing), maybe spend some time in Hilo, perhaps visit Akaka Falls or Rainbow Falls and then return through the rain forest/Parker Ranch on the northern route. This day would likely be the highlight of your trip. I will be there and doing this myself around 4th of July 2011. Aloha

Uma

Just returned from our first visit to the Big Island. We enjoyed the town of Hawi(art galleries and shops, good ice cream and coffee); have dinner at Bamboo. Drive up to the Pololu Valley overlook. Visit turtles sunning on the sand in Puako. We did a whale watching trip with Captain Dan McSweeney, and a snorkel trip with Fair Winds (on their boat Hula Kai). Check out Kauna oa(Mauna Kea) and Hapuna Beaches. For a unique experience, visit the Ocean Rider Seahorse Farm(www.Seahorse.com), where they'll wrap a seahorse's tail around your fingers. Visit the town of Waimea, and Waipio Valley.

Kailani

When you get to the airport, pick up all the brochures and 101 things to do booklets, because almost everything is wonderful, but you can't do it all, and you'll want to relax as well.

Another option, since you'll be based in Kona, is to spend one day driving south to the Volcano, and another driving north to Hawi, and then down to Waimea over hwy 250. It's a lot of driving, but most of the scenery is beautiful. Maybe play some Hawaiian music in your car. Take time to stop and explore a few tiny heritage towns in each corner of the state.

The Big Island has some new ziplines (for the adventurous). If you are there during whale season (late December to early April) take binoculars. A helicopter ride over the volcano is memorable, and they are less expensive (but more limited) from Hilo.

The suggestions from hpeabody & Uma are excellent.

texasjo

One of the highlights of our trip was watching the sunset at the top of Mauna Kea and stargazing afterwards. We went with Mauna Kea Summit Adventures, a little pricey but worth every penny. Awesome watching the sun going down into the clouds and the zillion stars in the black, black sky were simply spectacular!

We also went snorkeling with Fair Winds (great fun!) and agree the drive to Volcano Park is a must with all the stops mentioned. The drive North and through the Parker Ranch is beautiful. Good advice from all.

charnees

We go to Kona every year, and I can agree with what the others have said. In Kona, have lunch at Huggo's on the Rocks. But don't have dinner in their restaurant next door. It's expensive and the food is not prepared well, so it's not worth it. For dinner head south to the Keahou Shopping Center and have Japanese food at Kenichi Pacific. excellent. on Fridays about 6 there is a hula show in the plaza outside Kenichi. The bar at the Keahou Beach Resort has great Mai-tais and a great view of the sunset. Unfortunatey their restaurant is no longer open. Also try ke'ei cafe farther south. (but bring cash.). Bamboo Restaurant in Hawi has live Hawaiian music on weekend nights.