Big Island of Hawaii
#1
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Big Island of Hawaii
We are going to the Big Island for a couple of weeks on Sept. 4 for our 52 wedding anniversary.
We have been to Kona before and the Volcano area and will return, but wondered about some out of the way places. We like a hike (simple) and love the beach. Anything specific that we could do. We will have a car and are staying in the Capt. Cook area.
We have been to Kona before and the Volcano area and will return, but wondered about some out of the way places. We like a hike (simple) and love the beach. Anything specific that we could do. We will have a car and are staying in the Capt. Cook area.
#5
Join Date: Apr 2004
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Congratulations on your wedding anniversary! A few suggestions--
Take a day trip to Hawi and have lunch at either Bamboo or Sushi Rock after a trip out to the Pololu overlook. http://sushirockrestaurant.net/
http://www.bamboorestaurant.info/
Do the Kilauea Iki hike in VNP. http://www.nps.gov/havo/planyourvisi...kilaueaiki.htm
Drive up to Holualoa and visit the galleries and have brunch or dinner at the Holuakoa Cafe http://www.holualoahawaii.com/member.../holuakoa.html
A couple of beaches that are usually not crowded during the week
Kekaha Kai beach (Kona Coast State Park)--just north of the Kona airport. Access is over a rough lava road but we have done it many times in a rental car--just go slowly. You can walk north from there to Makalawena Beach--a beautiful white sand beach--take plenty of water.
Kaloko-Honokohau beach--access it from the north side of Honokohau Harbor--there's the remains of an ancient Hawaiian fish trap and, for being so close to Kailua, it is never crowded.
Take a day trip to Hawi and have lunch at either Bamboo or Sushi Rock after a trip out to the Pololu overlook. http://sushirockrestaurant.net/
http://www.bamboorestaurant.info/
Do the Kilauea Iki hike in VNP. http://www.nps.gov/havo/planyourvisi...kilaueaiki.htm
Drive up to Holualoa and visit the galleries and have brunch or dinner at the Holuakoa Cafe http://www.holualoahawaii.com/member.../holuakoa.html
A couple of beaches that are usually not crowded during the week
Kekaha Kai beach (Kona Coast State Park)--just north of the Kona airport. Access is over a rough lava road but we have done it many times in a rental car--just go slowly. You can walk north from there to Makalawena Beach--a beautiful white sand beach--take plenty of water.
Kaloko-Honokohau beach--access it from the north side of Honokohau Harbor--there's the remains of an ancient Hawaiian fish trap and, for being so close to Kailua, it is never crowded.
#6
Join Date: May 2012
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"Access is over a rough lava road..." Make that very rough! We drove less than 1/4 mile down that road last month before turning around, fearing we might damage the rental car. But maybe if we'd had a Jeep? We ended up going to the beach in Kua Bay just north of there (Maniniowali), where the road is paved all the way to the parking lot. It's obviously more crowded though, especially on weekends. Another beach we particularly enjoyed was Waialea Bay. Note that these beaches are all 45+ minutes north of where you'll be staying.
Do you have any interest in snorkeling or kayaking? Captain Cook is near some of the best in all the islands.
Congrats on your anniversary! You're an inspiration to someone who hasn't yet made it to 40 years. Hope we're as fit as you apparently are when we make it to 52.
Do you have any interest in snorkeling or kayaking? Captain Cook is near some of the best in all the islands.
Congrats on your anniversary! You're an inspiration to someone who hasn't yet made it to 40 years. Hope we're as fit as you apparently are when we make it to 52.
#7
Join Date: Feb 2008
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22tango: We travel that road using a Dodge Caliber(small Suv). It has good clearance an a reasonably short wheelbase. Drive slowly, it takes close to a half hour to make the trip, but we've always made it.
#9
Join Date: May 2012
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"...just go reeeaaaaly slow." "...it takes close to a half hour to make the trip.."
We'd read in some guidebook to allow 1/2 hour for the drive, which had us wondering why we shouldn't just walk it. Not something you'd want to do geared up for a day at the beach, but it's not much over a mile, is it?
We'd read in some guidebook to allow 1/2 hour for the drive, which had us wondering why we shouldn't just walk it. Not something you'd want to do geared up for a day at the beach, but it's not much over a mile, is it?
#10
Join Date: Nov 2011
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Head up to Waimea and go to a "Dude Ranch". Or in local terms - become a "Paniolo" for a couple of days.
http://www.castleresorts.com/home/ac...country-lodge/
http://www.castleresorts.com/home/ac...country-lodge/
#12
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The road is over an old lava flow, which is black and absorbs the heat, aAND there is NO shade anywhere along the route.
We also drove out there in a rental Kia and it was fine, but you do have to go slowly.
We also drove out there in a rental Kia and it was fine, but you do have to go slowly.
#13
Join Date: May 2005
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Waimea is a drive through town. Stop for lunch or come back for dinner at Merriman's, that's all you need to do there.
The hike down to Pololu Valley past Hawi is not too bad and can be done in 20 minutes. It's really nice down there, a good place for a picnic lunch. A bit steep on the way up but still easy.
One of my favorite beaches is at the 81 mile marker. Park and follow the path down to the beach. It's a turtle sanctuary and has a turquoise blue lagoon.
Since you are staying in Captain Cook, there is a trail down to Kealakekua Bay and the Captain Cook monument but it is a grueling hike coming back up. One of the best snorkeling places is next to Pu'uhonua O Honaunau called "Two Steps"
Make sure to bring plenty of water no matter where you hike and Happy Anniversary
The hike down to Pololu Valley past Hawi is not too bad and can be done in 20 minutes. It's really nice down there, a good place for a picnic lunch. A bit steep on the way up but still easy.
One of my favorite beaches is at the 81 mile marker. Park and follow the path down to the beach. It's a turtle sanctuary and has a turquoise blue lagoon.
Since you are staying in Captain Cook, there is a trail down to Kealakekua Bay and the Captain Cook monument but it is a grueling hike coming back up. One of the best snorkeling places is next to Pu'uhonua O Honaunau called "Two Steps"
Make sure to bring plenty of water no matter where you hike and Happy Anniversary
#14
Join Date: Nov 2011
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IMO - Waimea is much more than a "drive through town". Hey - it's the second largest town on Big Island - after Hilo - which itself the 2nd largest city in the Islands.
The Waimea/north Hawaii area - going back to the fabled Parker Ranch days - has a lot of history - and there is plenty to see/do in and around Waimea town - although I think there are also a lot of options staying outside of town - including up at Hawi - the northernmost point. http://gokohala.com/
For Waimea: http://gohawaii.about.com/od/bigisla...ile_waimea.htm
http://www.gohawaii.com/big-island/r...-kohala/waimea
http://www.kamuela.com/
The Waimea/north Hawaii area - going back to the fabled Parker Ranch days - has a lot of history - and there is plenty to see/do in and around Waimea town - although I think there are also a lot of options staying outside of town - including up at Hawi - the northernmost point. http://gokohala.com/
For Waimea: http://gohawaii.about.com/od/bigisla...ile_waimea.htm
http://www.gohawaii.com/big-island/r...-kohala/waimea
http://www.kamuela.com/
#15
Join Date: Apr 2004
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Village Burger in the Parker Center in Waimea is good or lunch http://www.villageburgerwaimea.com/ or, during the week, have lunch at Merriman's--less expensive than dinner (though dinner there is wonderful).
#18
Join Date: Apr 2012
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Lots of misinformation mat
One of the worst is the advice that you should only spend a night or two in Hilo and the rest in Kona - - - - Hilo and Kona and the surrounding communities are not defined by the airports' names.
One of the worst is the advice that you should only spend a night or two in Hilo and the rest in Kona - - - - Hilo and Kona and the surrounding communities are not defined by the airports' names.