Big Island - 12 nights too long?

Old Mar 18th, 2006, 03:33 PM
  #21  
bonniebroad
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With all there is to see on other islands also, yes, I think 12 nights on B.I. is too long. I would do a week on Big Island, and five nights on Oahu. That would be a great mix!
 
Old Mar 18th, 2006, 07:55 PM
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6 on Oahu, 6 on Big island.

This info is mostly for Oahu, but a lot of the sites are good for all islands:

List of things to do on Oahu

These are some hints/suggestions for things to do and see on Oahu. Many of the websites listed are good for all islands.

Arizona Memorial: (free) get there early, preferably by 8am. Opens at 7:30am. If you get there after 10am the lines can get long and you may spend 1-2 hours in line. Battleship USS Missouri and Submarine USS Bowfin are in the same area. These are about $15 each so you can go or skip them. Look for coupons in brochures for two for one. You can take pictures of them from Arizona Visitors Center and the Arizona tour ferry. Go on the lawn behind the Visitor's Center (Circle of Remembrance) for great pictures. You can also walk around the Bowfin Memorial area for free without taking the tour. Its worth the time. The Swap Meet is only a couple blocks from here at Aloha Stadium.

Polynesian Cultural Center (PCC): www.polynesia.com General Admission about $50 or the luau buffet package ($80). The evening 'Horizons' show is the best Polynesian show in all of Hawaii. It comes with all ticket price options. The higher priced ticket packages get the better seating for 'Horizons'. Also the earlier you get there, the better the seating is for 'Horizons'. The Ali'i Luau Show that is part of the luau package is also a good Polynesian show. IMAX, Canoe Pageant, Samoa and Tonga villages and Canoe ride are the best other attractions (these are included with any type ticket). Plan on this as an all day event. Get there by 1pm (earlier if possible), leave around 9:30pm. When I take visitors, I try to keep on this schedule: IMAX 1:30, Canoe Pageant 2:30, Samoa 3:00, Tonga 4:00, Canoe Ride around 4:30, regular buffet or Ali'i luau buffet 5pm and 'Horizons' at 7:30. The other villages are nice also, but there is not enough time for all of them. You will have time to do some shopping or looking around between the buffet or luau and 'Horizons'. Closed on Sundays. You can go back for free for two days. Check with PCC employees for instructions before leaving the Center if you want the extra days.
Coupon in Entertainment Book to save $36.

Diamond Head Summit: Drive right into the crater and hike to the top. ($5 per carload or $1 each if you walk into the crater). I prefer to drive in. Awesome 360 degree view from the summit. Best time is around 8am or around 4pm. In between it can get hot walking to the top. Takes about 1 - 1 1/2 hours roundtrip.

Punchbowl (National Cemetery of the Pacific): (free) While you are there, drive to the overlook area. Short walk to the summit that overlooks the entire city. If you have time, take the Mt. Tantalus/Round Top drive through a rain forest. Stop at the Puu Ualakaa State Wayside about 2/3 of the way to the top of the mountain. It has an awesome view of the city from Waikiki to Pearl Harbor. Punchbowl is near the bottom of Mt. Tantalus.

Hanauma Bay: Snorkel. Its for any age. You can rent snorkeling equipment there or some places in Waikiki or bring your own. Closed on Tuesdays. Try to get there as early as possible. If you drive, the parking lot gets filled up by 9:00 or 10:00. ($1 for parking, $5 for each person). You can reserve snorkel tours with several companies. They provide equipment, transportation, etc. They seem to have better equipment than the park does. You can also take the city bus. But the first city bus doesn't leave Waikiki until 8:30 am. Website:

http://www.co.honolulu.hi.us/parks/f...ay/welcome.htm

Byodo-In-Temple (Valley of the Temples): $2 each. Just past Kaneohe. Haiku Gardens in Kaneohe is close by.

Chinaman's Hat: (free) Kualoa Regional Park is just past Byodo-In-Temple. Nice for pictures, picnic, swimming. Also nearby is Macadamia Nut Farm Outlet just before Kualoa Regional Park. Kualoa Ranch is across the street.

Swap Meet: You can buy almost any souvenirs here much cheaper than anywhere else. All items are new. Vendors wrap around the stadium twice. Located at Aloha Stadium near Arizona Memorial. Open Wed, Sat, Sun.

Hilo Hattie's: Nice place to shop. Higher prices than swap meet, but not too much more on many items. Has good selection of clothing, candies and souvenirs. Check brochures for coupons. Can take free Hilo Hattie's shuttle from Waikiki.

Ala Moana Beach Park: (free) Nice beach. Great sunset location in the winter. Walk all the way out to the end of Magic Island. Great view of Waikiki, Diamond Head, Ala Wai Boat Harbor (shown in opening scene of Gilligan's Island).

Hike to Manoa Falls: $5 for parking at Treetops. One mile one way. Short hike through a rain forest. Also small bamboo forest there. Treetops restaurant there (at the previous Paradise Park site) has a good Chinese buffet. Lyon Arboretum is nearby. It is a nice botanical garden. You can park there and walk a short distance to Manoa Falls trail.

Hike to Makapuu Point Lighthouse: (free) Great view from here. Easy one mile hike. In winter months (mid-November to mid-April) it's great for whale watching.

Other Hiking on Oahu:

http://www.hawaiitrails.org/ (good for all islands)

http://www.backyardoahu.com/

http://home.hawaii.rr.com/oahuhikingtrails/home.html

http://oahuhiking.com/

North Shore Beaches: Haleiwa, Banzai Pipeline (Ehukai Beach), Waimea Beach, Sunset Beach, Shark's Cove (Pupukea) &Laniakea Beach. Laniakea Beach has sea turtles. Other nice stops for pictures in the area. Can be huge waves in winter. Good snorkeling at Shark's Cove in the summer. Laniakea Beach is located about 1/2 way between Waimea Bay and Haleiwa.

Other beaches: There are close to 100 beaches on Oahu. Besides North Shore and Waikiki beaches these are some of the better ones: Makaha Beach (west shore), Waimanalo Beach, Waimanalo Bay Recreation Area, Lanikai Beach, Sandy Beach, Hanauma Bay and Kailua Beach (east/Windward side), Ala Moana Beach Park (south shore). All public beaches are free except Haunama Bay.

Dole Pineapple Plantation: On H-2 just past Wahiawa. Can visit on the way to or back from the North Shore. Nice gift shop to browse, but expensive. Go behind the center for pineapple exhibits, gardens and carp feeding pond.

Kualoa Ranch: Several movies have been set here: (Jurassic Park, Mighty Joe Young and others), ATV rides, horseback riding, tours. Located across from Kualoa Regional Park.

Waikiki: Beaches, shopping, dining, nightclubs, shows, some museums. Wide range in dining prices. $3-4 breakfasts, $6-10 lunch buffets, $20-$25 fine dining and anywhere in between. Best Waikiki shows: Creation: A Polynesian Journey, John Hirokawa's Magic of Polynesia, Society of Seven, Blue Hawaii (Elvis impersonator), many more to chose from. Many Waikiki shows offer cocktail show along with the dinner show. They seat you after everyone else has eaten. Regular price of shows around $40-$60. Cocktail show about $25-$35. There are several other short free hula shows and other demonstrations in Waikiki daily. Check the brochures for location, days and times. Check brochures &Entertainment Book for coupons for shows/dining/shopping, etc.

Downtown Area: Aloha Tower (take elevator to the top, nice view), Chinatown, Hawaii Maritime Center, Iolani Palace, Bishop Museum, other museums.

Botanical Gardens: Oahu has many botanical gardens. Most are free, the others charge a few bucks. Haiku Garden in Kaneohe is nice and is a nice stop if you are taking an island driving tour. Located near Byodo-In-Temple (Valley of the Temples).
Here is a nice site for gardens in the state:

http://www.hawaii.edu/sciref/botgarden.html (all islands)

Check brochures or get info on-line for others. Search: oahu botanical gardens

Other: Sea Life Park, Honolulu Zoo, Waikiki Aquarium, Children's Discovery Center dinner cruises, whale watching cruise, submarine tours, parasailing, helicopter tours, horseback riding, Hawaiian Waters Adventure Park, scuba, surfing lessons, other luau shows (Germaine's, Paradise Cove). Many other attractions, things to do. Check the brochures.

Brochures: (free) Can be found in the airport baggage claim area or at hundreds of news stands throughout Waikiki, in hotels, in stores, and at some attractions. These are excellent "things to do and see" guide books (maps, attractions, beaches, dining, night clubs, etc.). There are a lot of coupons in these for dining, shopping, etc. The best brochures are: 'This Week on Oahu', 'Oahu Gold', '101 Things Oahu', 'The BEST of Oahu'. Some of these brochures can also be found for other islands (Maui, Kauai, Big Island) unique to that island. Most of these brochures also have on-line versions.

Websites:

www.thisweek.com 'This Week On Oahu' They will send up-to-date brochures for a few bucks. Also This Week Maui, Kauai, Big Island.

www.spotlighthawaii.com 'Oahu Gold' They will send up-to-date brochures for a few bucks. Also Maui Gold, Big Island Gold, Kauai Gold.

www.gohawaii.com This is the official site for Hawaii Visitors and Convention Bureau. They will send a free brochure.

www.101thingstodo.com

www.visit-oahu.com Oahu Visitors Bureau, for free brochure 1-877-525-6248 (toll free)

www.hawaii.com Good site for comparing hotel locations, prices, etc.

www.hawaiiweb.com

www.alternative-hawaii.com

www.portaloha.com/SecretsOfHawaii

www.alohatower.com

www.chinatownhi.com

www.honolulu.hawaii.edu/tours (driving and walking tours)

www.driveguidemagazines.com Good island maps including many detailed maps. Also good restaurant guide. Good for all islands

www.discoveringhawaii.com Free (pdf) circle island tour map. Also free (pdf) download Oahu movie location map.

www.hawaii-hotels.com Compare hotels

www.bookit.com Compare hotels

www.alohafriends.com

www.alohafriendshawaii.com

www.honoluluadvertiser.com one of two main Honolulu newspapers, has dining & entertainment guides, TGIF calendar

www.starbulletin.com one of two main Honolulu newspapers, also has dining &entertainment guides

Automobiles: Oahu is the only island that you can get around by bus. Oahu has a good bus system, but a rental vehicle gets around a lot better. Parking in Waikiki can be a problem at times. If you plan on renting a car, make sure your hotel allows parking at the hotel or in a nearby lot or garage. Get the parking pass at the hotel registration area. Probably $8-$14/day to park at the hotel. You can get city bus passes at any ABC store in Waikiki for $20 for 4 days ($40/month). Or you can pay $2.00 per trip. There are also many shuttles, tour buses and vans and trolleys that go to many places (some are free). Also 1 or 4 day Waikiki Trolley passes available.

www.thebus.org

www.waikikitrolley.com

Internet Search Engines: Use Yahoo, Google, Dogpile or any other search engine to find information on any thing else on Oahu (or other island) that may interest you. Type in: hiking hawaii, hiking oahu, bed and breakfast oahu, condominiums oahu, botanical gardens oahu, oahu hotels or any other terms that will get you information.

Hotels: Most hotels (or hotel chains) have their own 800 numbers and/or websites:

www.outrigger.com

www.sheraton.com

www.ohanahotels.com

, etc. Or you can use a search engine to find the website or use the search engine's yellow pages for the phone number.
also try www.vrbo.com for more options

Entertainment Book
Entertainment books for Hawaii and many other locations can be purchased online at:

www.entertainment.com.

They cost around $35-$40 plus shipping or if you wait until mid-March, the price is reduced to about $25 (or less) with free shipping, $15 after mid-May. Expires November 1.

Coupons include half price tickets for John Hirokawa's Magic Show. Hundreds of other coupons for reduce price luaus, shopping, dining, movies, attractions, etc. The Hawaii book also has many mainland coupons for hotels, car rentals, Universal Studios, Sea World, etc.

Also:

www.bigisland.org

dusty56438 is offline  
Old Mar 18th, 2006, 08:05 PM
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If you do decide to split your visit between Hilton Waikoloa and another Hilton property, an overlooked one on O`ahu is the Alana Doubletree. Small boutique hotel, on the fringe of Waikiki (close enough, but not too much so) -- with guest privileges at the Hilton Hawaiian Village, just a block away:
http://www.doubletree.com/en/dt/hote...tyhocn=HNLKADT
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Old Mar 18th, 2006, 08:10 PM
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Much too long. I did three days there and that was enough. I would check out the other islands!
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Old Mar 19th, 2006, 09:02 AM
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If three days was enough for travelina, they must have not left the hotel. Get HAWAII,THE BIG ISLAND REVEALED, read it and see how you could spend a month there and still want more. Unless you are looking for nightlife and tons of shopping, and NOT seeing the unique beauty of the BI. The BI has 10 of the 15 types of climates in the world. There are so many unique and beautiful places to see, but remember, it is the BIG island. If you want to spend some time resting and some time seeing the island, 2 wks is great. Any less, and you'll be in te car alot, even if you split up on boths sides of island. Don't do two islands. You'll see nothing but your car, hotel and airports. Get a 4 wheel drive and check out some of the beaches on the Kona coast. Use the book. There are tons of beaches, you just have to know how to find them. Keep an ice chest in car for drinks and snacks. You will also need your 4 wheele drive to get down to Waipio Valley. Beautiful from the top, but so unreal getting down there! Do Not attempt without 4 wh dr! Almost vertical. Order book at www.wizardpub.com. Ordering there, you will be sure to get the most current issue. Where else can you, hike, see water falls, snorkle, do a manta ray night dive, scuba ,swim with wild dolphins!!, walk inside a dorment volcano,look into active volcanos, see lava flowing into the ocean, see SNOW, the obsevatory, bike tours, helicoptor rides, rain forests, vineyards, ranches, cowboys(paniolos), deserts, black sand beaches with some with soft sand and some like black gelly beans, and green sand beaches, along with beautiful white sand beaches like at the Mauna Kea Beach Hotel all in the same place?. Go to the Mauna Kea 1/2 hour before sunset for cocktails, and enjoy the view and relaxing Hawaiian entertainment.So beautiful!!! Have dinner there and then see the manta rays that are lit under water at the hotels manta ray point after dinner. So wonderful. Get a table outside for dinner. They also have the best luau on the island. I went there every year growing up and it still has the magic!!!Get the book,and read all of it, otherwise you wont know where to start, there are so many choices. Of all the islands, this has the most to do, and is the biggest. If you went for 3 days, you would see your hotel and your car. Have a great time!
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Old Mar 19th, 2006, 11:52 AM
  #26  
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Wow, you all are awesome!!!
I wasn't expecting so many replies!!!
Thanks so much for the info!
Linda
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Old Mar 19th, 2006, 07:51 PM
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Hi again, Linda. You wrote above "Don't think we can change our flights unfortunately to add another island, but we might get another hotel on the Hilo side for, say, 3 nights?"

In that case, and if budget and family needs permit (and you'd understandably, rather use those Hilton Points!) may i suggest something similar to what we did (also traveling with two teens) first time on BI? We There about 10--11 nights, we circled the island, in one direction counterclockwise, staying in three different places . That may sound like a lot of traveling/ accomodation change, but you are drivng anyway, and instead of being out on the road a lot, you are enjoying the atmosphere of each 3-4 day home-base place in the evening after sightseeing during the day. In our case, we landed at Kona airport, stayed at the (now Outrigger) Keahou Beach resort which has, based on your desire for more of "non volcanic" look, the added attraction of a lush green setting, turtles in the water next to the hotel, is RIGHT next to good snorkeling beach (2 minute walk) and a quick drive to Kealakekua Bay (also good snorkeling) AND has reasonable rates. After 3-4 days there, we headed south, and SE, stopping at various places, and settled in Volcano Village (at Kilauae Lodge's Tutu Cottage, which had two bedrooms, is lovely, cozy, VERY lush grounds, and roomy for your family). During that time, we did nearby stuff: drove down Chain of Creaters Rd, explored t VNP, and spent a great day in Hilo. All were close enough drive to return to the cottage easily in evening to cook, and start the next day with the yummy included bkfast at the Lodge. Finally, headed back north and west via Hilo to waterfalls (Akaka, others) Hamakua Coast (sp?) and horseriding Waipio Valley, completing the last 3-4 days of the trip at Walkoloa area, which the kids enjoyed for the pool, A-Bay, and Waikoloa shopping center across the road (at the time what is now Marriott was an Outrigger). From there (Hilton Waikoloa) you're also a short drive to the other wonderful beaches (eg Hapuna, or the one in front of Orchid Hotel with its Gilligans Island feel) mentioned in above posts from other Fodor Folks. This way, since it sounds like you will be on BI you get a real if brief FEEL for each place, without spending time/feeling pressured re: long trips back to the Hilton. Also, "country" roads at night on BI are DARK--I count a drive from Waipio through Waimea back to Kona at night on a later trip as one of the scarier , less tranquil, experiences of my life (pitch black, no roadside lights, one lane each way highway people in opposite lane who must've been more familiar with the road, speeding with undimmed bright beams).
Aloha, and whatever you plan... have a great trip (including the fun of planning it)!!
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Old Mar 20th, 2006, 03:54 AM
  #28  
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We did pretty much the same thing as CaliNurse on our trip to the Big Island, except that on the east side we stayed in a cottage at Kapoho Beach Lots. We LOVED our cottage. We never ran out of things to do on the Hilo side. The price of renting a cottage on that side of the island is very reasonable and you save even more by having your own kitchen. I hate lugging a bunch of dirty clothes around, so I appreciated a place to do laundry. You can't beat having separate bedrooms and some space to spread out. I also enjoyed the privacy that you don't get in a hotel.

CaliNurse has good advice. But since you can stay free in Waikoloa, you might want to split your time in only two places. If we ever get another chance to visit the Big Island, we will stay even longer in Kapoho. However, if you're looking for nightlife and shopping, it's definitely not the place for you.
It was peaceful, relaxing and an easy drive to VNP and Hilo.

The cottages in Volcano look very nice too. I've heard nothing but positive comments about Volcano Village. The Big Island is fascinating and beautiful. I sure don't have any objection to lying around a beach for a week, but there is so much more to do on the Big Island. You'll easily fill up your 12 days.
 
Old Mar 20th, 2006, 04:33 AM
  #29  
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Wow, I'm so excited now!!! No longer worried 12 nights may be too long.
We plan to rent a cottage on the East side, probably in Hilo? Question now: How many nites there? We are NOT into nightlife or shopping. We are into seeing beautiful sites, pretty nature, snorkeling, exploring.
We just want "pretty"!!! Thanks!
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Old Mar 20th, 2006, 04:36 AM
  #30  
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Me again. Also, recommendations on cottages / condos in Hilo area? I'll check on Kapoho Beach Lots. Is that too far from Hilo? I think I'd rather be close to the watger than in Volcano.
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Old Mar 20th, 2006, 04:37 AM
  #31  
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Oops, I meant WATER.
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Old Mar 20th, 2006, 04:39 AM
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I'd recommend about 3 nights as the Hilo side tends to get more rain.

This would give you at least one full day at the Volcano plus time to explore Puna and the black sand beaches at a fairly relaxed pace.

There are several waterfalls to visit nearby which can be seen the morning you leave the Hilo side enroute to Waikoloa plus if you take the Northern route you can spend a couple of hours at the Botanical garden.

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Old Mar 20th, 2006, 04:53 AM
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Thanks. I did just read Kapoho has 1/3 of the rain that Hilo has----so may go for Kapoho for lodging.

Thanks.
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Old Mar 20th, 2006, 05:58 AM
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Um, you can't get very close tot he water than in Volcano due to the lava flows! Check out a map...the lava flows cover everything from the village to the sea, and the coastline is constantly expanding due to the lava.
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Old Mar 20th, 2006, 06:09 AM
  #35  
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If you stay in Kapoho, you might really like a cottage with a geothermallly heated pond on the property. You could look at VRBO.com or try this site:

http://www.alohakapoho.com/vacation_rental_homes.htm

 
Old Mar 20th, 2006, 06:24 AM
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I'll do it, thanks!
How many nites do you think?
Four too many?
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Old Mar 20th, 2006, 06:35 AM
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Good choice Linda. We spent 9 days and frankly felt like we missed a few things. There is a gude book titled "The Big Island Revealed". A coworker used it recently on his trip there and found it very useful. Aloha. Larry
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Old Mar 20th, 2006, 06:42 AM
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I don't think 4 nights would be too many. I suggest spending at least one night on the Kona side beforehand because it's a long drive to Kapoho from the Kona airport, and there's a lot to see in-between. FYI, there's a new market in Pahoa where you can buy groceries. It's much more convenient than driving into Hilo. I hope you enjoy your trip.
 
Old Mar 20th, 2006, 06:44 AM
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Wow, such great tips!
Thanks to all.
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Old Mar 21st, 2006, 03:32 AM
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Linda, I wanted to mention something so you have a clear picture of the area. Kapoho Beach Lots is a misnomer because there aren't any actual beaches in Kapoho. There is a naturally heated cove called Champagne Pond and a large area of ocean tidepools. Both are great for snorkeling, especially the tidepools. I'm no expert, but I don't think there are any white sand beaches in Puna. You will find lots of lush tropical vegetation though. Puna is the beautiful, but unpolished, not-as-touristy part of the island.
 
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