My husband and I have seen most of the big Island. We are going back and wanted to see the Kohala area which is up North. Is this part of the Big Island Worth seeing. That would include Hawi, Waimea, etc.

Thanks for your input.

Yes, Linda it is worth seeing. As you know there are many climate zones on the BI and you will experience more of them in this area. We especially like Pololu'u and hiking down to the black sand beach.

I am just checking- are you making a special trip to Hawaii JUST to see this part of the island, or were you just thinking of driving up for the day from wherever you are staying?

Those little towns are pretty and sweet but it's not enough to build a vacation around.

Most of Kohala is lava interspersed with long driveways to the resorts, which are, literally, just the hotels (and I guess now a tiny shop or two).

In my opinion, it's worth planning a half a day or full day around checking out the sights along the Kohala Mountain. We enjoyed driving along Hwy 250 from Hwy 19 over to Hawi. Then we took a right at 270 to go past the King Kamehameha Statue and onto the Pololu Valley lookout.

Waimea is an interesting little town which is has a rich history of farming and ranching. It's very different than the rest of the island.

Waimea and Hawi would both make good places for grabbing lunch.

Here are just a few photos from our visit:
http://www.govisithawaii.com/2008/03/14/pololu-lookout/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/govisithawaii/2331915347/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/govisit...7600050264425/

_Love_ that area of Hawai`i island!

Hawi has great little shops...spend time walking around. Bamboo Restaurant for lunch or dinner. Try to be there when slack key guitarist John Keawe is playing:
http://www.johnkeawe.com/calendar.html

Parker Ranch is definitely worth a tour. And here's an idea from today's Honolulu Star-Bulletin:
http://starbulletin.com/2008/03/16/travel/tsutsumi.html

Thanks for your quick replies. This is what we are doing. It is our 10th anniversary and we are spending our first 5 nights at Kona Village Resort where we were married. At the prices of Kona village we will not be leaving the property while we are there. However we will leave at 12 noon on a thursday then we will pick up our car and drive from the airport through Holualoa (like this artsy town). From there late afternoon drive to Waimea and stay at a B & b if we can find one we like. Any good recommendations. Looking at Aaah the Views. On Friday we would get up early head towards Waipio, then on up to Kohala Mountains and that area for the rest of the day. Come back to Waimea, dinner at Merrimans. Next morning back to airport for our flight for a week in Kauai.

Do you guys think this is worthwhile and am I giving myself enough time to do all of this.

Any B & b recommendations?

Really appreciate your help.

Govisithawaii I liked your picutures. I really think the pasteurlands are beautiful.

Auntiemaria - just saw your reply. It came through while I was typing the other response. John plays every Monday night at Kona Village where we will be staying. we saw him 9 years ago when we were there. My husband is a guitarist, not slack key, and we enjoyed listening to him very much.

Know of a good B & b to stay in Waimea??

Hi Linda,

Here's a post I wrote for someone looking for a budget place in Hawaii, so not everything applies to your trip. I think your driving plans are a bit ambitious, because Waipio looks close to Pololu, but there is no road connecting, and you have to drive back through Waimea.

The place that has it all is North Kohala, and the tiny former sugar towns of Hawi and Kapa'au.

http://www.gokohala.com/pages/about.html

http://www.alternative-hawaii.com/special/bink.htm

This is one of the oldest places in Hawaii, and the birthplace of King Kamehameha.

I'm a vegetarian also, I'll start with restaurants. The best known is The Bamboo, which is in the old Takata's market, and is "Old Hawaiian" decor and "New Hawaiian" cuisine, which means delicious local produce and fish, and innovative styling. Friday and Saturday nights are wonderful local musicians, especially John Keawe. Many dishes have vegetarian versions with tofu, and I love their grilled polenta and greens salad. Fish is superb.

Then, just down the road is Sushi Rock, which is gaining a world class reputation. We love the baked mac nut chevre salad, the caterpillar roll (avocados thinly sliced to create scales) and the Mac nut torte. The chefs are young and very innovative, and supposedly Alan Wong is a big fan. Wonderful, creative sushi. Tiny, charming old building which is a gift shop by day.

Then, there is a new restaurant that I love called "Pico's Bistro". It's is delicious Greek/Hawaiian food, spanakopita, spinach quiche, almond torte, etc.(closed Tuesdays). Just up from the restaurant on the same property is a tiny museum devoted to the man who lived there all his life and was an artist of sorts. Up from that is a great art gallery/cooperative with reasonable prices.

Luke's Place has live music every night and a living room-like lounge, and Sammy D's (burgers & plate lunches) is owned by the family of Miss Aloha Hula. Short & Sweet is a high end bakery with good sandwiches and pizzas on Fridays.

North Kohala has lots of local musicians, and many colorful characters. There is a great community park with a 6 hole golf course overlooking the ocean where anyone can play for $6! There are several significant archeological sites (Lapakahi, Mookini Heiau) beautiful views (Pololu).

http://www.alternative-hawaii.com/activity/bihckoh.htm

There are no resorts, condos, it is secluded, tropical, lush, rural, great view of Maui and the Kohala mountains, great whale watching, low-key adventures, very nice galleries, wonderful family owned businesses including a big grocery store that stocks organic local products.

If you can be there for King Kamehameha Day, there is the most wonderful ceremony at the statue of Kamehameha in Kapa'au, as well as the most picturesque parade on the planet.

http://www.kamehamehadaycelebration.org/

If you are there for the Iron Man Triathlon in October, Hawi is where the bikes turn around, and everyone comes and cheers.

On Sundays, locals sing at the Kohala Coffee Mill. You might have a 90 year old lounge singer or a garage type cover band, and someone may offer to paint your portrait for free.

There are many affordable guest houses, and the Kohala Village Inn which is $75 a night and is right in town.

http://www.kohalavillageinn.com/index.shtml

I don't know about this next place, but there are a lot of alternative type healing energy places to stay.

http://kohalasanctuary.com/

There are many tiny churches and graveyards, lots of birds, geckos, wild boar. Great organic fruits and vegetables and farmer's markets.

Oh, Kapa'au has the largest used bookstore in the state with the best collection of antique Hawaiian texts.

Some of the links include info about snorkeling, and you are only 20-30 minute drive to the beautiful resort beaches at Hapuna and Mauna Lani.

It is also a half hour drive on the most beautiful road to Waimea, with an amazing view of Mauna Kea. Waimea has the paniolo charm mentioned above, and many great restaurants, my favorites being Daniel Thiebaut's (tofu napoleon) and Merriman's.

Kailani has given you the best advice, enjoy.