We've been to Oahu, but would like to take our young adult sons to the big island. What's the biggest city & population. How"s the night life ? We had gone to an area in Maui where the streets shut down at 9pm. I'd love to go to the big island but I'm also looking for night life. I know my sons would like Oahu but would the big island disappoint them.
THANKS

Susan,

You will not find real "nightlife" on the Big Island, especially compared to Oahu, and even compared to Lahaina/Kaanapali area on Maui. Hilo is the largest city, most populated, I believe, but you would not want to stay there. It has some beautiful greenery, waterfalls, flowers and is a neat old town, but very rainy, very little happening, and no good beaches. We stay at Volcanoes Nat'l Park (Volcano Village, actually), when we're on the east side of the Big Island - at Kilauea Lodge, which we love. And believe me, there is NO nightlife around the park.

If your boys love to hike, see natural wonders - swim, snorkel, fish, they'll like the Big Island, but if they have to party at night, they won't!

To our original poster who started this thread, Susan, I agree with the poster above who recommended the Royal Waikoloan - it is the most Hawaiian resort, with an excellent location on "A" Bay - and has just all been renovated and refurbished, so should really be even nicer now. We also enjoyed their luau very much! But try to get a discount - all luaus are overpriced!

I'd recommend staying at the Hilton Waikaloa Village. It's about 30 minutes north of the Kona airport. It's an enormous resort with its own boat and monorail system for getting around. They also have a priceless collection of chinese art, as well as dolphin lagoon where you can swim with them. About the only downside is that you want to stay in the resort to see all that it has to offer, so you aren't as motivated to see the rest of the Island.

Sandy: When I see a message on the Fodor's site there is no e-mail address. I will e-mail Fodor's to see if there is a way of getting this info.

I appreciate all the help and advice.

Susan.

Hi Susan,
My E-mail is [email protected].
Sandy

I just got back from a short stay on the big island.... we stayed at Kona village resort, which is truly outstanding, each guest has their own hale ( hawaiian house), it is full american plan with excellent, high quality food at all meals. it is like being in paradise, not in some big anonymous resort that really could be anywhere.
email me if you want more info

I just booked a property on the Hilo side for my boss and his wife from the www.apoParadise.com website thanks to Sandy's response to you. I spoke to Steve and he was very nice and helpful in booking one of their ocean view properties. I thought the prices were great in comparison to the hotel/resort prices.
I don't know anything about Hawaii, so your message has given me direction, too. I also have them booked at The Four Seasons on the Big Island based on forum recommendations. I found the "800" number representatives were much more helpful than those at the actual property.
Enjoy your trip. Thanks to everyone who wrote.

John([email protected]
Tried to e-mail and it would not go through.
We will be going to the BI next week and were interested in taking the Canoe Paddle Tour. What were your reasons for not recommending the tour.
Thanks