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.

The Big Island Revealed book has many excellent suggestions and maps for what you are looking for.

We have also stayed in the Kona area, at at the Hilton Waikaloa. For out-of-the-way places, we liked driving to the northernmost part of the island.

AND at the Hilton.

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.

"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.

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.

What travelingman76 says--we've driven that road maybe 6 times in a sedan--just go reeeaaaaly slow.

"...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?

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/

I believe it's maybe a mile and a half and people do walk it or drive part way and walk the rest of the way. It would be a very hot walk, though, since the road is over a lava flow.

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.

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

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/

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).

YOU ALL are GREAT!! Thanks

Waimea is the second largest town in acreage on the Big Island, but Kailua-Kona has a larger population.

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.

Second Village Burger. It really was a delicious burger. Chunk of change but worth it.

Hanging out watching the surfers was one of my best activity memories.

Enjoy and congratulations!

Lots of misinformation mat
True Lookin_Glass....and always by the same person(s)