Aloha, with many trips to the islands, we have yet to visit Hawaii. I'm really having trouble breaking down lodging searches. We love towns like Hanalei and Hana and Paia and Lanai City. We love towns where we can walk to dinner or breakfast and talk story with locals, be near water.

I have looked at a lot of threads and the Big Island still remains an enigma. Other then staying at the grand hotels or condo's of kona and a couple of nights a volcano national park - well I'd like to find a more local experience.

There are so many areas to investigate. Would love all ideas of how to break it down.

Mahalo,
g

When we went in '07, we met up with Matnikstym. He showed us the Kohopo Tidepools & Kehena Black Sand Beach, etc. A very gracious host!
I loved the Tidepools - like snorkeling in a fish bowl - well several fish bowls! The fish just hung in groups around me - seemingly less concerned with my presence than anywhere else I'd been. Loved it! I dream of renting a home directly on them. Matty could give you loads of recommendations.

I also recommend the Kilauea Lodge. It is cool there & a bit fairy land like with the moss, huge ferns & cool misty air. Great restaurant!

Thanks OSB. I am hearing mixed things about Kopoho - a leaching filed problem? And the gated part of the community seems wierd to me. Hard to get a handle on that area, although I like the idea of great snorkling.

Kilauea Lodge is definately a highly recommended place for a night or two. I've read that Hawi and Kapa'au are fun old towns - not sure. also heard Pahoatown is a good place to hang.

Yes, I had read about that problem before we went - but saw no evidence while we were there. I even scraped my knee that day & no problems healing, if that means anything. Mat snorkels there on a regular basis, from what I understand - so I don't think that in this particular area it is that bad.
Do you think it could be like the 'Rainy Hellhole' reputation?

Hawi and Kapa'au are wonderful! You can visit easily from the Kohala resorts. It is about a 45 minute (Waikoloa) or 20 minute (Mauna Kea) drive on a beautiful highway. If you are there during whale season you will see them flipping off the coast.

There is one hotel (that I know of) in Hawi, it seems nice and inexpensive, but reviews are mixed: Kohala Village Inn. http://www.kohalavillageinn.com/ Otherwise, people stay at local guesthouses.

There are a lot of great restaurants: The Bamboo http://www.bamboorestaurant.info/, Sushi Rock, Pico's Bistro http://www.kohalaartists.com/bistro, as well as several nice coffee & lunch places. Luke's Place (where the Village in is) has nightly Hawaiian music in a living room like bar. The Bamboo has slack key guitarist John Keawe and his wife Hope who hula dances every other week either Friday or Saturday nights, and other great musicians play there as well.

Locals hang at a couple of places. The Kohala Coffee Mill (good coffee, Tropical Dreams ice cream, lilikoi fudge and a kava bar upstairs).

Sammy D's in Kapa'au is owned by a local hula family, and it is very popular at lunch for plate lunch and grilled hamburgers. An ice cream store is next door, owned by a lovely young woman fulfilling her childhood dream.

There is a golf course where you can play 6 holes for $6 at King Kamehameha Park in Kapa'au. It's newish, and you overlook Maui on a clear day.

Here is a website about community activities in North Kohala, http://www.northkohala.org/projects_gallery.html to give you a sense of the local energy. The history, charm, aloha spirit, natural beauty, and culture are captivating.

Drive to the end of the road to Pololu. It is so charming, and the typical, tropical Hawaii with bright orange tulip trees in jungly gulches, with tree houses, the King Kamehameha stone, tiny old churches, colorful galleries along the way.

Hike down to Pololu for a lovely black sand beach, or just take pictures at the top while you look across the valleys to Waipio.

There are a lot of fun festivals in North Kohala, especially on King Kamehameha Day, and the Kohala Country Fair in October. The Iron Man Triathlon bike race turns around in Hawi, and the whole town turns out to cheer.

On the way to Hawi, I like to stop at Lapakahi, http://www.hawaiiweb.com/hawaii/html...ical_park.html and there are other interesting beaches and gardens along the way. http://www.puamau.com/area.htm

Takata's Market (family owned since the '20s), in between the two towns has everything if you need provisions.

There is a new zipline in Kapa'au, too. http://www.bigislandecoadventures.com/ I hear it is really fun.

The weather is rainier and windier than Kona, however the air and skies are normally pure and clear (vog is rare), and nights are great for star gazing away from city lights. Hawi and Kapa'au are the birthplace and childhood home of King Kamehameha, and the area is full of history about his life.

Waimea is also very interesting and picturesque with its Paniolo (cowboy) culture. The drive over the mountain from Hawi is breathtaking on a clear day with views of Mauna Kea and the Kohala coast.

If you are on the Big Island on the Saturday near the full moon, the Mauna Lani holds a free Talk Story night on the beach with great Hawaiian music. All the resorts are fun to walk around and most have interesting historical features such as ancient fish ponds, petroglyphs, and beautiful beaches, some with sea turtles.

The resorts are very nice also, and range from $100 on Priceline (Hapuna-very nice! - see Bidding for Travel), a couple around $200 (Marriott, Waikoloa), and the top of the line (Mauna Kea, Mauna Lani) $450 and up.

I think you will enjoy exploring the north end of the island.

One day, I'm finally going to get here as my "get away from it all place" -
http://www.cliffhousehawaii.com/

I've done a week here - http://www.hiltonwaikoloavillage.com/

With a day to drive clockwise around the island and spending a night here - http://www.haleohia.com/ near Volcano NP

and then back to the Hilton (detour to Kauai) and then four days here.
http://www.fourseasons.com/hualalai/

Next trip, I'm going to stay a few days on the Kona coast again, on to the Cliff House on the north end of the island and then on to Volcano NP again and back around to fly out of Kona. I'd like at least 4-3-2-3 days at those stops.

I found the "getaway cottage" here -
http://www.alternative-hawaii.com/

Aloha Kailani, mahalo for your reply. I was hoping to hear from you. Once upon a time I was banned from these forums and took on the name Kealalani. Sometimes people confuse my olde name with yours.

I am thinking BwanaBobs for part of our stay http://www.hawaii4two.com/cottages.htm

for now I will continue to google as my head spins. it is such a more difficult island for me to grasp. I KNOW that Hana calls me on Maui. I KNOW that Hanalei and the northshore calls me on Kauai. I KNOW that I am more up country Lanai City then Manele. I KNOW that I am an east coast girl on Molokai. I just have no clue on Hawaii

Malama Pono
g

mahalo starrs

gyppielou, I think I brought up a 2 year old thread of yours for my very first post on this forum, not even noticing the dates, so we must be connected!

The Big Island is fun for adventuring!

First of all, I'm delighted you call it by the proper name, Hawaii Island. Have you considered visiting Hilo? It sounds like the type of town you are looking for--small-town feel, quaint, historic area, and by the water (Hilo Bay).

There is a movement to preserve Hilo's historic character-- old-fashioned buildings with false fronts, covered sidewalks. The people are very friendly and welcoming, and the shops are one of a kind. Not too touristy.

There are good restaurants, both in the downtown area (Cafe Pesto), and just beyond the historic area, like The Ponds (just opening), Seaside (fish), Hilo Bay Cafe (yum!), and Sombat's Fresh Thai.

Museums like Pacific Tsunami Museum, Moku Papapa (northern Hawaiian islands' reefs and shoals), Imiloa Astronomy and Cultural Center, Lyman Mission House and Museum are either in downtown, or within a five minute drive.

Botanical gardens, farmers' markets, waterfalls, snorkeling, surfing, kayaking are all here, too. Volcano national park is 45 minutes away, and the lava goes into the ocean near Kalapana, also about 45 minutes away. Free stargazing nightly on Mauna Kea with large telescopes--just 45 minutes away, too.

Best accommodations are the B&Bs like Hilo Honu Inn and Shipman House B&B, both within walking distance of the historic downtown.

Weather--Although there's an average of 120" rainfall per year (about 1/3" per day), most falls at night. Typical temperatures are 60's to high 70's/low 80's in winter, and 70's to mid/high 80's in summer, much more comfortable than the Kona side.

Hilo offers the lush green Hawaii that visitors expect to find. Friendly people in Hilo add to its charm.

I agree with Hilo- nothing fancy but authentic.

Another suggestion is Kamuela which you could use as a base to explore Kohala and the area to the west.

The area to the south is really pretty wide open and no town to speak of, just villages.

You might fly into Kona and make your way around to Kamuela and Hilo, return via South Point back to Kona.

Or if time does not allow this, fly out of Hilo.

Have fun.

Hi gyppielou, Kailani and Hulagirl have about said it all. Hawaii is our favorite island of them all. We like to stay part of the time in Volcano or Hilo and then move on to the Kohala coast. I can highly recommend the Volcano Village Lodge. I also really like the towns of North Kohala to visit but after cooler days in Volcano and Hilo I like to stay somewhere hotter to warm my east coast bones before going back home.

If you don't like the thought of the resorts I might suggest you look for a rental in Puako. It is a charming community close to the Hapuna Prince and Mauna Kea that might suit you.

The Hapuna Prince is the more laid back of the two and where we have stayed three times.

Tripadvisor's Island of Hawaii forum has several threads by local experts discussing the issues of Kapoho tide pools and Champagne Pond. These would be good to read before deciding whether to swim/snorkel or not.

I am also a fan of the northern end of the island. Although not on the beach, I think Waimea (Kamuela) would be a great home base. It has some nice little shops and restaurants and a good Farmers Market on Saturday AM's. The Parker Ranch Homes are nice to visit, also. Just a short hop over to the island's best beaches: Mauna Kea, Hapuna, and Spencer Beach Park (my favorite). Easy drive to Hawi and Kapaau. Also convenient to visit the Hamakua Coast for a stroll around the old town of Honokaa and a "must do" visit to Waipio Valley. Here's the place I've picked out for my "next time" trip: www.alohacottages.net. I had reserved there a couple years ago but had to cancel due to illness in the family. I drove down Puako Road on my last visit and agree that it would be great for a laid back place to stay on or near the water. Not really a town. Just a quiet road with houses and one general store. An agency with some nice rentals there is www.letsgohawaii.com

For me, Hilo is a nice day trip. I am from the wet Northwest and don't want to spend my vacation in a place noted for its rainfall. I don't care for the wild, rough ocean on that part of the island. It makes me feel edgy and unsettled.
That's just me. I hope your research helps you find the place(s) best for you!

As far as lodging goes, Kona Village is a very unique experience. It is located 6 miles from the Kona airport between the big Kohala hotels and Kona. You can't walk to town/restaurants/shops from there but you may be willing to give that up for the thatched roof individual hales with no phones, TV or AC. Turtles on the beach, fabulous snorkeling and ancient Hawaiian fishponds on property and NO cement anywhere.

Right now their rates are the lowest I've seen them at $199 pp per night. $398 includes 3 meals a day, their fabulous luau twice a week, snorkel gear, kayaks, etc and soda, water and coffee in your fridge. They will pack lunch for you (included in the meal plan) or provide you with restaurant vouchers for lunch if you're out and about. You can also do a breakfast only plan.

This might not sound like what you're looking for, but it is unlike any other place we've stayed on the three Hawaiian islands we've visited multiple times, natural and peaceful, so it may be worth looking into.

Kailani provides lots of great recommendations. I stayed in a guesthouse in Hawi while on the BI and wished I'd had all that information. There's always next time!

Aloha. Puako is a nice,small residential area. We stayed in the Puako Condos (a very small condominium complex), where there are not only visitors but actual residents! Just down the road from the condos, across from a church, are wonderful lava rock pools with turtles everywhere.

Near Hilo, we stayed at a place called Noelani's Nest, which is a house for rent by some really nice folks. (It is also referred to as Noe's Nest).

Can't help you with what area or property, but you can read the entire Big Island brochure online now. Includes clickable links to lodging, restaurants, shopping.

www.bigisland.org

http://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/bivb/vacationguide09/

Aloha dusty!

Wekbourn3, mahalo fofr your Noe's Nest recomendation. I have bookmarked it!

Wekborn, I have heard that the upcountry area of Noe's nest is actually rainier and moldier than other areas of Hilo. Any thoughts on your stay?

I've also heard that Bwana Bobs may not be in the best location - no water access. At this point I'm focusing on Hilo and North Kohala as home bases since there will be much driving and exploring on this first journey.

I must say that the raw sewage, mold and dirty sand rival the hellhole! I am sure the bugs are enormous and there are sharks in the water too. I especially enjoy the marketing of the frogs and birds squawking as a bonus!

I gather that many would agree that 4x4 would be the vehicle of choice when exploring Hawaii - no?