Activities in Kauai/Big Island
Jun 27th, 2008 | 08:30 AM
#1
Original Poster
Joined: Apr 2007
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Activities in Kauai/Big Island
1.Looking for suggestions on the best snorkeling trip and other water activities for group of 9 age ranges from 10 to 60.
2. Also, looking for suggestions for other fun activities--will be on each island for one week.
3. What are the best places to buy groceries/fresh food near Kona and Haneli? Any suggestions for restaurants with good food and sunset views?
Thanks
2. Also, looking for suggestions for other fun activities--will be on each island for one week.
3. What are the best places to buy groceries/fresh food near Kona and Haneli? Any suggestions for restaurants with good food and sunset views?
Thanks
Jun 27th, 2008 | 11:52 AM
#2
Joined: Feb 2003
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For snorkeling recommend Fairwind II will accomodate most everyone, or Sea Quest Raft Adventure if your group is looking for less party and more snorkeling experience both out of Keauhou Bay, near Kona:
http://www.fair-wind.com/II_fw_overview.htm
http://www.seaquesthawaii.com/
On Kaua`i the Holoholo snorkel cruise to Niihau is awesome but more $-) and recommend
amp;Bonine.
http://www.holoholocharters.com/
Volcanoes National Park on Big Island is a must (Crater Rim Drive, Thurston Lava Tube) and recommend drive to where flowing lava may be viewed outside the park after sunset.
Supermarkets are present in Kona and in Princeville just before Hanalei.
Snorkeling good from land on Big Island at Honaunau Bay near Place of Refuge and Kahalu`u Beach Park in Kona.
http://www.letsgo-hawaii.com/snorkeling/kona.html
On Kaua`i, recommend snorkeling from Poipu and Ke`e Beach Park.
http://www.fair-wind.com/II_fw_overview.htm
http://www.seaquesthawaii.com/
On Kaua`i the Holoholo snorkel cruise to Niihau is awesome but more $-) and recommend
amp;Bonine.http://www.holoholocharters.com/
Volcanoes National Park on Big Island is a must (Crater Rim Drive, Thurston Lava Tube) and recommend drive to where flowing lava may be viewed outside the park after sunset.
Supermarkets are present in Kona and in Princeville just before Hanalei.
Snorkeling good from land on Big Island at Honaunau Bay near Place of Refuge and Kahalu`u Beach Park in Kona.
http://www.letsgo-hawaii.com/snorkeling/kona.html
On Kaua`i, recommend snorkeling from Poipu and Ke`e Beach Park.
Jun 27th, 2008 | 12:11 PM
#3
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 111
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On the Big Island, I love the beach snorkeling on the Kona coast. There are lots of places and it can be quite excellent.
Kauai groceries: it depends on you but here goes. Costco is about 5-10 minutes from the airport. Do it first if you decide to shop there. Big Save in Lihue is that chain's largest and best store. They have one in Hanalei and one in Kapaa (on the way), but they aren't nearly as good or complete. There's also Safeway in Kapaa, but I don't recommend it.
Aloha, beatofhawaii.com
Kauai groceries: it depends on you but here goes. Costco is about 5-10 minutes from the airport. Do it first if you decide to shop there. Big Save in Lihue is that chain's largest and best store. They have one in Hanalei and one in Kapaa (on the way), but they aren't nearly as good or complete. There's also Safeway in Kapaa, but I don't recommend it.
Aloha, beatofhawaii.com
Jun 27th, 2008 | 02:10 PM
#4
Joined: Apr 2004
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There's a Safeway, and a KTA market in Kailua-Kona and Costco is between the airport and the town.
Activities on the BI--drive to Volcano via the northen route--stopping at Waipio Valley http://gohawaii.about.com/cs/bigisla...pio_valley.htm, Akaka Falls, Hawaiian Tropical Botanic Gardens http://www.htbg.com/. If it's on a Wednesday or Saturday, stop in Hilo at the big Farmers Market.
In South Kona, tour a coffee farm--I like Greenwell Coffee Farm http://www.greenwellfarms.com/; visit Painted Church; vist Place of Refuge http://www.nps.gov/archive/puho/home.htm There's a popular place to snorkel right by the Refuge (Two Step).
Activities on the BI--drive to Volcano via the northen route--stopping at Waipio Valley http://gohawaii.about.com/cs/bigisla...pio_valley.htm, Akaka Falls, Hawaiian Tropical Botanic Gardens http://www.htbg.com/. If it's on a Wednesday or Saturday, stop in Hilo at the big Farmers Market.
In South Kona, tour a coffee farm--I like Greenwell Coffee Farm http://www.greenwellfarms.com/; visit Painted Church; vist Place of Refuge http://www.nps.gov/archive/puho/home.htm There's a popular place to snorkel right by the Refuge (Two Step).
Jun 27th, 2008 | 03:00 PM
#5
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 371
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1. never snokeled on the BI but I can recommend Kauai Sea Tours on Kauai for there snorkel cruise BUT I'd suggest the sunset cruise along the Na Pali Coast and snorkel at Ke'e and Tunnels beaches on the N Shore and Poipu on the S Shore.
2. lots of free activities on each island
BI - Volcanos Nat'l Park, exploring the Kohala Coast
Kauai - Kilauea Lighthouse and Wildlife Refuge, Waimea Canyon (Grand Canyon of the Pacific), explore Hanalei
3. Can't help for BI but on Kauai there is Costco and Walmart in Lihue near the airport, Safeway (Kapa'a - get the membership card), Big Save (Hanalei, Kapaa and Lihue) , Foodland (Kapa'a and Princeville)and don't forget the Farmers markets. Also, the Hanalei Dolphin has fresh seafood that you can buy.
Restaruants with good sunset views are happy Talk Lounge at Hanalei Bay Resort and The Beach House in Poipu.
Enjoy your trip.
2. lots of free activities on each island
BI - Volcanos Nat'l Park, exploring the Kohala Coast
Kauai - Kilauea Lighthouse and Wildlife Refuge, Waimea Canyon (Grand Canyon of the Pacific), explore Hanalei
3. Can't help for BI but on Kauai there is Costco and Walmart in Lihue near the airport, Safeway (Kapa'a - get the membership card), Big Save (Hanalei, Kapaa and Lihue) , Foodland (Kapa'a and Princeville)and don't forget the Farmers markets. Also, the Hanalei Dolphin has fresh seafood that you can buy.
Restaruants with good sunset views are happy Talk Lounge at Hanalei Bay Resort and The Beach House in Poipu.
Enjoy your trip.
Jun 29th, 2008 | 01:28 PM
#7
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 8,798
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Foodland in Princeville is where we do most of our grocery shopping when we stay in Hanalei on vacation.
Agree with beth_fitz about the farmers markets in Hanalei too. There is one on Saturday morning at 9:30 am at the ball park and community center and another one about 1 mile out of town Waipa Farms on Tuesdays at 2:00 pm. Both are good and get there early for best selection!
For a fun activity, how about surfing lessons in Hanalei Bay?
http://www.kauaisurflessons.net/
http://www.hawaiiactive.com/activiti...i-surfing.html
Have a great trip.
Agree with beth_fitz about the farmers markets in Hanalei too. There is one on Saturday morning at 9:30 am at the ball park and community center and another one about 1 mile out of town Waipa Farms on Tuesdays at 2:00 pm. Both are good and get there early for best selection!
For a fun activity, how about surfing lessons in Hanalei Bay?
http://www.kauaisurflessons.net/
http://www.hawaiiactive.com/activiti...i-surfing.html
Have a great trip.
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Sep 17th, 2008 | 01:43 PM
#8
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 3
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We have always used Sea Quest for our snorkeling trips (Captain Chuck is the best captain). It's a lot of fun on those rafts! A great place to snorkel is Kahalu'u Beach, lots of fish and lots of turtles. Also Captain Cook and the Place of Refuge. As far as markets in the Kailua-Kona area, there is a Safeway and a Costco. Walmart is also a good place to get snacks and drinks. There are also local markets. Don the Beachcombers is a good place to eat and so is Bubba Gumps. Huggos has a great view but the food is so-so. A couple of restaurants that are great for local food is Big Island Grill and Kona Mixed Plate.
