Big Island Itinerary Feedback
 

Hello everyone. Our family of four leaves for the Big Island Monday the 12th. We are staying at the Fairmont Orchid until The 19th. With help from all of you I put together an itinerary and wonder if you might have any last minute suggestions in clouding any restaurants near our daily activities. Ok here goes.....

October 12- Arrive Kona early afternoon ,hotel checkin, dinner at Ruth Chris for my hubbies 50 th , patio seating to view hula at shops at Mauna Lani (weather permitting)

13th- Dad and son island hop to Oahu for USS Arizona memorial back the same day. Mom and daughter snorkel, relax, take advantage of activities provided at the hotel, eat yummy food for dinner . Suggestions anyone?

14th Wednesday- farmers market at Parker Ranch, family chill day, possible manta ray night snorkel

15th- Hona Ka'a to Akaka Falls, Hawaii Tropical garden, Hilo , ( is there a Banyon tree archway to walk under?), back to hotel

16th- Evening VNP tour with Kapohokine Adventures all day.

17th- Chill Day

18th- Pololu lookout via Mountain road stopping at Hawaii style for breakfast, hitting Hawi for Ice cream And taking ocean road back

19th - late flight home , Place of refuge. Any other thoughts for something we could do enroute to kona airport
Thanks to one and all who respond. Looking forward to your tips.

On the Hilo day (don't know what Hona Ka'a is), I recommend viewing Banyan Drive and Liliuokalani Gardens, then walking to Hilo Bay Cafe (http://hilobaycafe.com)for lunch.

What you want in Hilo is the Hilo Walk of Fame in which many celebrities and recognized people have planted trees. That and a stroll thru the Queen Liliuokalani Gardens is a nice visit.

I don't know of a great bfast joint in Hawi, (there may be)but since you're taking Mountain Rd, head a bit further up the road to Waimea and have a hearty bfast at Hawaiian Style - huge portions, aloha service.

http://hawaiianstylecafe.com/menu-waimea/

On your ocean drive back, we've enjoyed strolling Lapakahi State Historical Park. Make sure to get a map at the visitor shack to explain the ruins.

LOL, we are on the same page slyvia3 - Banyan Drive

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Banyan_Drive

Thank you. We will definitely check out Banyan Drive and already had Hawaiian Style on our list. Thanks everyone.

I've stayed at the Fairmont before. They let us use a hospitality room to shower because we also had a late night departure. That way we could swim and snorkel all day then shower in the hospitality room prior to leaving for the airport. Ask the hotel.

Yummy food on the 13th suggestion- Brown's Beach House right at the Fairmont.

As for Pololu- if you are able, don't just stop at the lookout. Hike down to the black sand volcanic beach. It's gorgeous. There is a forest behind it as well that is beautiful.

Have a great trip!

Fairmont is a lovely hotel too.Great Spaa there..Love Browns at the Fairmont.. Always our signature dinner when on the BI. Recommend Cafe Pesto about a 15 minute drive up to the harbor. Low key and great food....If you plan on taking the hike down to the black sand and rock beach at Polohu Valley, please wear good shoes not FLIP FLOPS. It is rocky and can be slippery. Great hike and most interesting beach (not swimmable however) We did it on our last trip and I was shocked at the people who were doing this in flip flops including people carrying kids on the shoulders. OAHU I presume you have reservations for the Arizona.. Aloha and enjoy

Thanks brubenow. We do not have reservations for the Arizona. It never even occurred to me to try to make them early. I have looked since this post and there are none, so hopefully they will get two of the 1300 walk up tickets set aside for release daily. Their flight gets in at 7 am so hopefully...... My son will be very disappointed if it doesn't happen. I'll look the day before as well. I understand they release tickets at 7 am daily for the following day.

We'll have to check out cafe Pesto. It's been recommended in other posts as well, so it must be good.

Shar- good to know about the hospitality rooms. That sounds
Ike a terrific service.

Anyone ever used Fairmont gold program and was it worth the expense?

Cafe pesto is OK, but be warned, even though it's the harbor, it's not a "view" restaurant. Don't forget to vie the NPS site of Kamehameha's heiau there!

En route to the airport (at least, I think it's en route) you might tour the seahorse farm--Ocean Rider. I found it fascinating, but it's probably even better for kids. I think the tours are at specific times, so check into it if you're interested.