We are planning on going to the Big Island for 10 days in March 2000. We are the type of people that like adventure and to be on the go. We are planning on going to National Volcano Park, but are not sure how many days it takes to see everything? Any suggestions? Also, it seems that the hotels offered in package deals are far (2 - 2 1/2 hours) away from the park. The only one that is close to the park is the Hilo Hawaiian - which looks rundown in the brochure. Does anyone have any info on the Hilo Hawaiian?
What other sites/activities are there to do on the island? In order to see many of the sights, what city would you suggest to stay in? Thanks for your help!

Diane - The Big Island is just that - BIG! If you're going to stay on it for 10 days, you want to spend maybe four days on the Volcano side, and six on the Kona-Kohala coast. I would even say, unless you're a hiker, that I would stay on the Big Island seven days and three on Maui Or Oahu (don't let anyone tell you that Oahu is all tourists - it depends on where you go and what you do!) Even with seven days on the Big Island, I'd say 3 days Park side and 4 days Kona side would be just right. No, I wouldn't stay at the Hilo Hawaiian - my sister stayed there and didn't like anything but the restaurant. I'd be happy to recommend some places to stay, eat, etc. if you'd like to e-mail me directly.

Aloha, Ruth

Hi Diane, we just returned from our 7th trip to hawaii. Each trip always includes Maui as it is our favorite island. We did however spend a week on the Big Island many trips ago (I think it was on our second trip in 1993) and were bored out of our mind after a few days. Now of course, different strokes for different folks but we found it very boring. First we stayed at the Hilton Waikoloa village and it was a long drive to anything, (2 hours to the Volcano), and we just thought the island in general was too quiet for our tastes. In fact I don't remember doing much of anything else other than driving a lot- not what I wanted. Now just a suggection if you get bored on the big Island you can always hop to another islanf for a few days. Haleakal has alot of hiking trails as well and as I'm sure you're aware there much more to do on Maui (or any other island) than on Hawaii

I would have to disagree with the previous posting about the Hilo Hawaiian. My husband & I were there last September. No it wasn't luxury, but they had very economical, clean rooms with an excellent view of the ocean and Mauna Kea. The setting along Banyan Drive was nice also. In my opinion, the island is far from boring! It is a long drive from one side of the island to the other, so I would recommend staying in Hilo for part of the time. The drive north of Hilo is beautiful, including Akaka Falls & the Waipi'o Valley. If you like touristy things & crowds then you may not enjoy the island as much as others. The guidebook "Hawaii The Big Island Revealed" published by Wizard Publications is an excellent guide & if you do a fraction of everything in the book, 10 days wouldn't be enough! Have fun

I agree with staying at different spots on the island. You may want to stay at a B&B on the south side of the island, just west of the volcano. We were there for a week, and put 1000 miles on a rental car. If you are adventurous, stay a night or two near Waipio valley. Spend a day or two hiking the valley. There is even a place to stay in the valley. It's absolutely beautiful.

I agree with many of the posters. I have stayed on the big island 2 times, and loved it! Yes, you do tend to drive alot to get to different places, but many of the roads have breathtaking scenery. I would strongly recommend renting a convertible (it's worth the extra money), & taking a nighttime drive from Kona to Waikoloa. We did it one night when the moon was bright, and with the desert scenery, it felt like you were driving on another world!

It depends on what you are looking to do, as to whether or not 10 days is too long. If you like shopping, nightlife, etc., I would stick to Oahu. But, if you like to hike, snorkel, etc., and you don't want to deal w/crowds (e.g. Oahu & Maui), there is more than enough to do & see on the big island.

I agree on splitting up your time there, if you want to deal with packing & unpacking. If that doesn't bother you, I would recommend a Hilo-Kona split. I was in the Hilo Hawaiian's restaurant, and the place looked fine to me.. The only thing negative I remember is that there is a park adjacent to the hotel that had many lagoons, & they had alot of mosquitoes!

I must disagree w/Chuck... there's only one island where you could snow ski and surf all in one day (if you're that adventurous & were there at the right time of the year), & it ain't Maui!

Aloha Diane,
While Maui is our favorite Island, we did spend a wonderful week on the Big Island last January and wished we would have had more time. Each Island is so different from the others. If you are looking for white sand beaches, they are far and few between on the BI, but the Island has it's own special beauty. The snorkeling is out of this world . We especially enjoyed the Puna district. Don't miss the hippy town of Pahoa(great resturants), Lava Tree State Park, The lighthouse spared by the volcano, Millionare's Pond and Vacationland where you can swim and snorkel in water that is bath like temperature by spring water warmed by the volcano and emptying into the ocean. I think you'll find plenty to do with your 10 days on the Big Island, But it sure would be sad to miss going to Maui. By the way Kona coffee is the best in the world.