Samsaf

Here's our October itinerary:

3 nights Hale Hualalai B&B (Kona area)
2 nights Country Goose B&B (VNP)
5 nights Fairmont Orchid (N. of Kona)

We had planned to drive the Southern route to VNP and then the Northern route to Fairmont Orchid.

The Hilo Farmer's market is on Wednesday, and that is the day we'll be driving TO the VNP. Does the Farmer's Market last all day? Is it worth seeing?

Driving the Southern route to VNP and then the Northern route to Fairmont Orchid makes the most sense by just looking at the map, but we're not sure if that's the best way to do it. There are lots of stops we want to make while driving the Northern route. Would it be better to plan this as a day trip while we're staying at the Fairmont?

Thanks for your help!

Pumpy

Yes, the route outlined makes the most sense.

matnikstym

the Farmer's Market begins to shut down around 2-3 oclock. Lots of beautiful flowers, fruits, vegetables, fish, crafts, clothes etc. it is worth going to, but if pressed for time, it's not a "must see" if taking the southern route to Hilo, there's really only 3 stops worth seeing. Pu'uhonua Honaunau...(place of refuge which could be a side trip from Kona), Punalu'u Black Sand Beach, and Na'alehu (for sweet bread). If you leave Kona early enough you can make it to the farmer's market in time, see Rainbow Falls/Boiling Pots/Akaka Falls then head north to the Orchid. You can do Waipio Valley while at the Orchid, but you'd be hard pressed to do it all in 1 day.

Samsaf

We'll be driving from Kona to the Volcano area, and we stay there for 2 nights; so you're saying it would make more sense to drive the Southern route from Kona to the Volcano, and then two days later drive the northern route from Country Goose to Fairmont Orchid?

I don't think I was very clear with my question. Sorry.

Thanks for any info.

matnikstym

yes, that's what I was saying. Kona to Volcano is around 2 hours + stops, Volcano to Hilo is less than an hour, Hilo to Fairmont Orchid is less than 2, not counting stops which you'll want to make.

Samsaf

Thanks for the information. We can't wait to get there!!!!!!!!1

echolynch

Samsaf,

Keep in mind there is paving in Waimea which is reducing travel to one lane in either direction and if you arrive in Waimea anytime between 7 – 4 plan on spending about an hour waiting. There are also other stops along the way and a portable traffic light for construction along the Hamakua coast.
The Hilo farmers market is a must see, and is excellent but you will want to be there early as the best stuff sells out quickly.

Try to get to Onomea, Akaka, Tex’s Drive in and Waipio on this trip over to the Orchid, since the bottleneck in Waimea will be there for a while it appears. See Trip Advisor posts for more info.

Good luck and happy travels!

Samsaf

Thanks!