Someone posted a similar question about Kauai and received lots of great info that I am planning on using during my upcoming trip. Hopefully, the same question about the BI will yield equally interesting and useful results.

1. Visit a live lavaflow & Voclano Nat'l Park
2. See over the clouds on Mauna Kea or Mauna Loa (both over 13K feet high)
3. Fly in a hot air balloon over Parker Ranch in Kamuela.
4. Whale watching (when in season) or swim with Manta Rays at night
5. Kayak down the Hamakua ditch (formerly used to irrigate but now a scenic ride).

Just take in the diversity and beauty of this island.

No particular order:
1. Fairwinds snorkel/Scuba or just boat cruise from Kona to Keakakua Bay (Capt. Cook Memorial). Not very pricy and very fun.
2. Dolphin Quest at Hilton
3. Volcano National Park
4. Hapuna Beach (public beach -the best beach on the island)

If you decide to go aloft for a tour, take a helicopter -- not a plane. According to the plane tour advertising, they fly as low and can fly as slowly as the helicopters, but we tried it on the Big Island and it was not the case.
Also, if the weather is even questionable, try to cancel. We booked for a full isalnd tour out of Kona but got only slightly less than half way and not even to the volcano, the best sight, and had to turn back because of the weather. We felt we should have gotten at least a 50 percent refund but had to fight to get 25 percent.

John, Thanks for your flightseeing advice. The problem always is that theses companies want 24 hours notice to cancel, and most of the time you don't know about the flying weather until the day of the flight. I think that's how these companies get you so that they don't lose money. I know that they are usually willing to reschedule, but that is not always possible, depending upon when you are leaving the island. We have a helicopter flight leaving out of Hilo the morning of the day that we are leaving the island. If I cancel, I will probably out the money.

dcp, isn't it difficult to get a dolphin quest reservation at the Hilton if you are not a guest, especially if you are an adult? Please tell me the best way to obtain this reservation. I have always wanted to do this. Thanks

Surferjoe, you recommended an activity that I had never thought of -hot air ballooning! I'll have to look into it. The views would probably be magnificent from a balloon! What an outrageous experience that must be! I have to admit, though, that I feel a little chicken thinking about it. I WILL look into it though.

Hoping for a few more replies.

Aloha!

My wife & I go to the Big Island every year with a group of 4th graders doing their Hawaiiana school component. Every year the teachers alter the itinerary just a bit, and have been fine tuning the trip for the last 12 years. Are there going to be kids on the trip? What time of year do you plan to go? Are you the outdoors type, shopping, set tour or nightlife type?
Would ditto much of what the other posters have said:
1. Visit Halemaumau volcano. If you have several hours and like a light hike you can hike across Kilauea Iki Crater which leads to Devistation(sp) Trail. While in the area, Thurston Tunnel.

2. On the west side of the island, a drive up to the North Kohala area with breathtaking views.

3. The balloon ride up Kamuela/Waimea side of the island which is kind of near the North Kohala area might not be in operation right now. Some insurance problem shut them down for a while tho not due to anything they did.

4. The Dolphin Quest program is neat for kids and is really reserved for guests of the Hilton Waikoloa Hotel and special VIP guests. They have a lottery system and in the 3 times we tried as guests of the hotel, were not lucky enought to get our kids chosen.

5. Captain-Cook, City of Refuge area. You can check out the area where the only coffee in the USA is grown. City of Refuge is also nice tho hot at times. They have a self-guided tour with park rangers on duty to help with questions.

6. The open market in Hilo is a nice way to see locals and tourists shopping/browsing over local produce, food and craft.

I guess I need more info...

Thanks for choosing to vacation in Hawaii!

Oh, btw, I think the volcano is still erupting and if you're willing to take a short walk can see the molten lava pour into the ocean. Would suggest early morning while it's cool or early evening before sunset (could be crowded). This is something to behold and not very many locals get to experience this in their whole lifetime on the island.

The highlight of our trip was renting a kayak and paddling to the Captain Cook Monument in Kealakekua Bay to snorkel. Wild dolphins were swimming and jumping in the bay. It was amazing! We rented our kayak from Kona Boys, they were very helpful and friendly.

Milton, thank you for your reply. My husband and I will be visiting in August without children. We enjoy natural beauty -especially open vistas and tropical flowers. We enjoy some nightlife but are not big partiers -so this certainly is mandatory. Shopping is not important but I do enjoy looking at crafts native to the island. Based on this information, if you think of anything else we might enjoy, please let me know.

Mahalo