Big Island Hawaii Dec 3-10 with 2 teens. Need itinerary help!!!!
Nov 20th, 2011, 05:52 AM
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Big Island Hawaii Dec 3-10 with 2 teens. Need itinerary help!!!!
My husband and I, along with our 2 teens are staying at Kings Land Resort Hilton Property for 1 week in early December. Haven't had much time to research the area. Have never been to big island before. Any suggestions on "must see" while we are there? Sight seeing, hiking, great beaches, good but cheap eats with hungry kids would be be greatly appreciated. Also any Hawaiian Christmas displays or customs we should see while there? Fodor's Forums never lets me down. You guys rock!
Nov 20th, 2011, 06:23 AM
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Here's a bunch of info about the Big Island--
Some restaurants we like
In Kailua Kona
• Kona Brewing Company http://www.konabrewingco.com/ a little hard to find (if you’re going south on highway 19 toward Kailua Kona—turn right on Kaiwi (before you get to the main intersection at Palani) then, in a few blocks, turn left on Pawai and follow it to the end which is the Kona Brewing Company parking lot—good pizza
• Killer Tacos in Kailua Kona on Luhia street- near Tyke’s Laundromat – get the kalua pork burrito
• Jackie Rey’s Ohana Grill http://www.jackiereys.com/ --
In south Kona
• RoadHouse Café—in Kainiliu across from the Aloha Theater—only open for lunch and only on weekdays, I think
• Manago Hotel dining room in south Kona—you’ll be eating with the locals—inexpensive—usually have good fresh fish
• Adriana’s—Captain Cook--located in the Choice Mart lower level—only open for lunch on weekdays—Salvadoran and Mexican food—very fresh and cheap
• Coffee Shack http://www.coffeeshack.com/ breakfast and lunch great view from the lanai
• Ke’ei Café—one of our favorite dinner places—also open for lunch-doesn’t take credit cards- just south of Kainiliu on the mauka (mountain) side of the highway
• Patz at Papparoni—great pizza
In Hilo
• Hilo Bay Café—great place for lunch in Hilo—located in the strip mall between Wal-Mart and Office Max
• Ken’s House of Pancakes http://www.kenshouseofpancakes-hilohi.com/ Great place to try loco moco, a local dish. Something to eat when you are really hungry-- I like it with broiled mahi--
Other restaurants
• Tex Drive-In in Honokaa on the Hamakua coast http://dutchhawaii.com/default.aspx burgers, plate lunches, malasadas (Portuguese doughnuts)
• Village Burger in Waimea http://www.villageburgerwaimea.com/ great burger and milkshakes
• If you want to splurge, Merriman’s in Waimea is usually really good http://www.merrimanshawaii.com/
Beaches we like—
On the Kohala Coast—north of the Kona airport
• Hapuna- north of the Hilton—classic white sand beach
• ‘Anaeho’omalu Bay (aka A Bay)-south of the Hilton—there are some ancient fish ponds behind the beach
• Kakaha Kai (formerly Kona Coast) State Park)-closed on Wed. access is down a very bumpy but usually passable road across the lava—we’ve done it in rental car—just go slow—we’ve been there on weekday mornings when no one else was there
• Kauna’oa Beach—it’s the beach at the Mauna Kea Resort—which is north of the Hilton Waikoloa—only 30 parking passes are available so go early—pull up to the entrance and ask the guy in the little building for a parking pass for the beach—and if they are all gone, drive south to Hapuna
In Kailua-Kona
Kahalu’u – right on Ali’i Drive south of the main part of Kailua-Kona—turtles and calm water for snorkeling—gets really crowded on weekends
Possible day trips
1. Hawi in North Kohala—take highway 19 to Kawaihae—you can visit Pu’ukohola Heiau—a structure built by Kamehameha the Great--it’s free. Continue up highway 270 to Hawi. If it’s clear you can see Maui with its dormant volcano-Haleakala looming to the west. Hawi is a charming little town with a few shops, one with Tropical Dreams ice cream-yum. We also like Bamboo Restaurant or Sushi Rock for lunch. Continue on highway 270 through Kapa’au (where the original King Kamehameha statue is located) to the end of the road at the Pololu Valley. http://tinyurl.com/l5ohh7 You can hike down into the valley—not really difficult—and go to the black sand beach that fronts the valley. I would not advise trying to swim there. The ocean is too dangerous. To return to Waikoloa—go back to Hawi and turn left onto highway 250 which will take you up over the extinct Kohala volcano– great views of the ocean and of Mauna Kea as you come down to highway 19 just west of Waimea. Take 19 back to where you are staying.
2. Hamakua Coast to Hilo-- take highway 19 - a beautiful drive. Sights along the way:
a. Waipio Valley west of Honokaa – you can hike down a short but very steep road to get into the Valley or take a tour (we did this one a few years ago http://www.waipiovalleywagontours.com ). If you do hike down and are too tired to hike up. Hold up a ten dollar bill and a local who’s going up will probably give you a ride in his/her four wheel drive.
b. Akaka Falls—440 ft waterfall—easy walk through the rain forest to get to the falls
c. Hawaiian Tropical Botanic Gardens http://www.htbg.com/ admission is a little pricy – but it is beautiful.
d. Hilo—the largest town on the Big Island—has a wonderful farmer’s market on Saturday and Wednesday (it’s better on Saturday)-- http://www.hilofarmersmarket.com/ It’s a great place to buy fresh fruits and veggies and souvenirs
3. Volcano—it tends to be rainier and cooler in Volcano than where you will be staying—so take a sweatshirt or sweater, just in case
A hike we’ve done several times in the park is the Kilauea Iki hike—take plenty of water if it’s sunny. From the Kilauea Iki overlook, take the trail to the right—it’s easier that way IMO. And an hour and a half later you will be back at the same spot. The trail takes you through the rain forest, down into and across the crater and up the other side. http://www.letsgo-hawaii.com/volcano/kilaueaiki.html
Lava Rock Café in Volcano Village is good for lunch—I always get chow fun
4. South Kona
Tour Kona coffee farm—we like Greenwell but there are many others http://www.greenwellfarms.com/kona-c...reenwell-farms
Pu’uhonua o Honaunau- http://www.nps.gov/puho/index.htm also called Place of Refuge—beautiful location on Honaunau Bay—ancient Hawaiian sanctuary—also can snorkel at Honaunau Bay —(called two-step by the locals) -directions—drive into the Place of Refuge parking lot—turn right before the ticket booth—follow the road until it turns—the area to the left is two-step where you put in—park along the road
Kealekakua Bay—snorkeling and kayaking—rent the kayak up on the highway before you drive down to the bay
Some restaurants we like
In Kailua Kona
• Kona Brewing Company http://www.konabrewingco.com/ a little hard to find (if you’re going south on highway 19 toward Kailua Kona—turn right on Kaiwi (before you get to the main intersection at Palani) then, in a few blocks, turn left on Pawai and follow it to the end which is the Kona Brewing Company parking lot—good pizza
• Killer Tacos in Kailua Kona on Luhia street- near Tyke’s Laundromat – get the kalua pork burrito
• Jackie Rey’s Ohana Grill http://www.jackiereys.com/ --
In south Kona
• RoadHouse Café—in Kainiliu across from the Aloha Theater—only open for lunch and only on weekdays, I think
• Manago Hotel dining room in south Kona—you’ll be eating with the locals—inexpensive—usually have good fresh fish
• Adriana’s—Captain Cook--located in the Choice Mart lower level—only open for lunch on weekdays—Salvadoran and Mexican food—very fresh and cheap
• Coffee Shack http://www.coffeeshack.com/ breakfast and lunch great view from the lanai
• Ke’ei Café—one of our favorite dinner places—also open for lunch-doesn’t take credit cards- just south of Kainiliu on the mauka (mountain) side of the highway
• Patz at Papparoni—great pizza
In Hilo
• Hilo Bay Café—great place for lunch in Hilo—located in the strip mall between Wal-Mart and Office Max
• Ken’s House of Pancakes http://www.kenshouseofpancakes-hilohi.com/ Great place to try loco moco, a local dish. Something to eat when you are really hungry-- I like it with broiled mahi--
Other restaurants
• Tex Drive-In in Honokaa on the Hamakua coast http://dutchhawaii.com/default.aspx burgers, plate lunches, malasadas (Portuguese doughnuts)
• Village Burger in Waimea http://www.villageburgerwaimea.com/ great burger and milkshakes
• If you want to splurge, Merriman’s in Waimea is usually really good http://www.merrimanshawaii.com/
Beaches we like—
On the Kohala Coast—north of the Kona airport
• Hapuna- north of the Hilton—classic white sand beach
• ‘Anaeho’omalu Bay (aka A Bay)-south of the Hilton—there are some ancient fish ponds behind the beach
• Kakaha Kai (formerly Kona Coast) State Park)-closed on Wed. access is down a very bumpy but usually passable road across the lava—we’ve done it in rental car—just go slow—we’ve been there on weekday mornings when no one else was there
• Kauna’oa Beach—it’s the beach at the Mauna Kea Resort—which is north of the Hilton Waikoloa—only 30 parking passes are available so go early—pull up to the entrance and ask the guy in the little building for a parking pass for the beach—and if they are all gone, drive south to Hapuna
In Kailua-Kona
Kahalu’u – right on Ali’i Drive south of the main part of Kailua-Kona—turtles and calm water for snorkeling—gets really crowded on weekends
Possible day trips
1. Hawi in North Kohala—take highway 19 to Kawaihae—you can visit Pu’ukohola Heiau—a structure built by Kamehameha the Great--it’s free. Continue up highway 270 to Hawi. If it’s clear you can see Maui with its dormant volcano-Haleakala looming to the west. Hawi is a charming little town with a few shops, one with Tropical Dreams ice cream-yum. We also like Bamboo Restaurant or Sushi Rock for lunch. Continue on highway 270 through Kapa’au (where the original King Kamehameha statue is located) to the end of the road at the Pololu Valley. http://tinyurl.com/l5ohh7 You can hike down into the valley—not really difficult—and go to the black sand beach that fronts the valley. I would not advise trying to swim there. The ocean is too dangerous. To return to Waikoloa—go back to Hawi and turn left onto highway 250 which will take you up over the extinct Kohala volcano– great views of the ocean and of Mauna Kea as you come down to highway 19 just west of Waimea. Take 19 back to where you are staying.
2. Hamakua Coast to Hilo-- take highway 19 - a beautiful drive. Sights along the way:
a. Waipio Valley west of Honokaa – you can hike down a short but very steep road to get into the Valley or take a tour (we did this one a few years ago http://www.waipiovalleywagontours.com ). If you do hike down and are too tired to hike up. Hold up a ten dollar bill and a local who’s going up will probably give you a ride in his/her four wheel drive.
b. Akaka Falls—440 ft waterfall—easy walk through the rain forest to get to the falls
c. Hawaiian Tropical Botanic Gardens http://www.htbg.com/ admission is a little pricy – but it is beautiful.
d. Hilo—the largest town on the Big Island—has a wonderful farmer’s market on Saturday and Wednesday (it’s better on Saturday)-- http://www.hilofarmersmarket.com/ It’s a great place to buy fresh fruits and veggies and souvenirs
3. Volcano—it tends to be rainier and cooler in Volcano than where you will be staying—so take a sweatshirt or sweater, just in case
A hike we’ve done several times in the park is the Kilauea Iki hike—take plenty of water if it’s sunny. From the Kilauea Iki overlook, take the trail to the right—it’s easier that way IMO. And an hour and a half later you will be back at the same spot. The trail takes you through the rain forest, down into and across the crater and up the other side. http://www.letsgo-hawaii.com/volcano/kilaueaiki.html
Lava Rock Café in Volcano Village is good for lunch—I always get chow fun
4. South Kona
Tour Kona coffee farm—we like Greenwell but there are many others http://www.greenwellfarms.com/kona-c...reenwell-farms
Pu’uhonua o Honaunau- http://www.nps.gov/puho/index.htm also called Place of Refuge—beautiful location on Honaunau Bay—ancient Hawaiian sanctuary—also can snorkel at Honaunau Bay —(called two-step by the locals) -directions—drive into the Place of Refuge parking lot—turn right before the ticket booth—follow the road until it turns—the area to the left is two-step where you put in—park along the road
Kealekakua Bay—snorkeling and kayaking—rent the kayak up on the highway before you drive down to the bay
Nov 24th, 2011, 10:00 AM
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Just a FYI, the fish ponds at A-Bay were pretty much destroyed by the March 2011 tsunami, and the beach was cut in half, making access a little more difficult.
The free zoo in Hilo (with the white tiger) has spectacular grounds.
Kealekakua Bay kayak renting has been curtailed due to new regulations (still do-able).
The free zoo in Hilo (with the white tiger) has spectacular grounds.
Kealekakua Bay kayak renting has been curtailed due to new regulations (still do-able).
Nov 26th, 2011, 06:49 PM
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For a fun lunch in Kona, at a moderate price, try Huggo's on the Rocks, on Ali'i drive next to the Royal Kona hotel. It's all-outdoors dining, and part of the place has sand instead of a floor. You are right on the water. There are plenty of umbrellas so you don't have to sit in the sun. I like their pork quesadilla. (Note that there is a regular restaurant next door, called just Huggo's, but that is only open for dinner and is expensive and not all that great considering the price.)
Also, just opened is Sam Choy's, up on the hill at the south end of Ali'i Drive. It is very big, open, and has some good dishes at moderate prices. I liked the vegetable stir-fry over rice, with your choice of pork or chicken or fish.
I had a nice lunch at Merriman's in Waimea that I did not consider a splurge. In Kawaihai you will find Cafe Pesto, which is about the same price range. There is also a Cafe Pesto in Hilo.
Also, just opened is Sam Choy's, up on the hill at the south end of Ali'i Drive. It is very big, open, and has some good dishes at moderate prices. I liked the vegetable stir-fry over rice, with your choice of pork or chicken or fish.
I had a nice lunch at Merriman's in Waimea that I did not consider a splurge. In Kawaihai you will find Cafe Pesto, which is about the same price range. There is also a Cafe Pesto in Hilo.
Nov 26th, 2011, 06:53 PM
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How could I forget Bamboo in Hawi, at the far northwestern end of the island? Funky old place with all kinds of tropical decorations, friendly staff, and excellent island-Asian food plus burgers, etc if you prefer. Anything with their coconut sauce is yummy. (They will happily give you extra sauce if you need it.). And across the street you can buy Tropical Dreams ice cream for dessert. Great flavors.
Nov 27th, 2011, 09:41 AM
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For your teens: http://www.konaboys.com/
Search there site for a discount coupon to print prior to leaving or just mention this Kona Boyz video: http://tinyurl.com/7rrzrbr
Search there site for a discount coupon to print prior to leaving or just mention this Kona Boyz video: http://tinyurl.com/7rrzrbr
Dec 2nd, 2011, 07:34 AM
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I guess you are about ready to leave, but check out my trip report from last April. May give you some ideas.
Aloha!
http://www.fodors.com/community/unit...-did-we-do.cfm
Aloha!
http://www.fodors.com/community/unit...-did-we-do.cfm
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