Feedback on my Big Island itinerary
Feb 5th, 2009, 06:57 AM
#21
Join Date: Sep 2007
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I'm leaving for the BI tomorrow. We stay at a timeshare in Keauhou. I have been going to the Big Island for years. I love Kona, you have to go there. The Kona Inn (best mai tai's on the island) at the shopping mall is probably my favorite restaurant, second (although pricier) is Huggo's. My other suggestion is the helicopter tour. I went on one out of Waikiloa to see the waterfalls-very cool. It is more epensive to see the volcano from there, going out of Hilo is cheaper. Although I took a small plane over the volcano that was unforgettable!! I would also suggest the snorkleing tours (sorry I can't think of the name of the company) on the rubber boats out of Keauhou bay. It's smaller and they really take their time. We swam with turtle and they would stop to watch the whales! I like Kona and always recommend it, it's less pretentious than Waikiloa. The shopping in Waikiloa is always on my list, however. Have a great time, maybe we'll see each other!!
Feb 5th, 2009, 03:20 PM
#22
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2003
Posts: 237
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Hi All,
We're T minus one week for our trip to the BI! Thanks to all for the great feedback on the forum. I thought I'd share my updated itinerary before shipping off in case there are any last minute insights people have to share.
Thurs: Arrive late, check into the Mauna Kea Beach Hotel
Fri: Hit the beach, play some tennis, dinner at Merriman's
Sat: Stop @ Tex Drive in for Portuguese masaladas; hike @ Waipio Valley; Valentine's Day dinner - the Mauna Kea Hotel clambake on the beach at sunset
Sun: Brunch @ Mauna Kea; afternoon/night Manta Ray dives w/Jack's Dive Locker
Mon: Hop the hotel shuttle to Hapuna Beach; take a drive/lunch in Hawi; dinner at Hualalai Grill
Tues: Check out of Mauna Kea; big breakfast @ Hawaiian Style Cafe; quick stop at Akaka Falls State Park (if there's time); Blue Hawaiian 50-min. helicopter tour from Hilo @ 3pm; check into Volcano Village Lodge @ 4:30pm; dinner @ Kilauea Lodge or Kiawe Kitchen
Wed: Explore VNP mid-AM to early afternoon; stop @ Place of Refuge around sunset on the way back to Kona; last dinner on the island at Rapanui Island Cafe before getting on our flight for home at 10:30pm
Let me know of any other thoughts. Can't wait!
We're T minus one week for our trip to the BI! Thanks to all for the great feedback on the forum. I thought I'd share my updated itinerary before shipping off in case there are any last minute insights people have to share.
Thurs: Arrive late, check into the Mauna Kea Beach Hotel
Fri: Hit the beach, play some tennis, dinner at Merriman's
Sat: Stop @ Tex Drive in for Portuguese masaladas; hike @ Waipio Valley; Valentine's Day dinner - the Mauna Kea Hotel clambake on the beach at sunset
Sun: Brunch @ Mauna Kea; afternoon/night Manta Ray dives w/Jack's Dive Locker
Mon: Hop the hotel shuttle to Hapuna Beach; take a drive/lunch in Hawi; dinner at Hualalai Grill
Tues: Check out of Mauna Kea; big breakfast @ Hawaiian Style Cafe; quick stop at Akaka Falls State Park (if there's time); Blue Hawaiian 50-min. helicopter tour from Hilo @ 3pm; check into Volcano Village Lodge @ 4:30pm; dinner @ Kilauea Lodge or Kiawe Kitchen
Wed: Explore VNP mid-AM to early afternoon; stop @ Place of Refuge around sunset on the way back to Kona; last dinner on the island at Rapanui Island Cafe before getting on our flight for home at 10:30pm
Let me know of any other thoughts. Can't wait!
Feb 5th, 2009, 05:27 PM
#24
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2003
Posts: 237
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
We went on the "cheap" and booked the mountain view rooms, which are still the same size as before. Maybe we'll get lucky and get upgraded to one of the bigger ocean view rooms. If they do, consider it done! Cross your fingers for us...
Feb 6th, 2009, 06:19 AM
#25
Join Date: May 2008
Posts: 12,820
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I often take the garden and mountain views in Hawaii too, How much time do you spend in your room? I know they did quite a bit of renovation throughout the whole property, so it will be nice. It was really nice before. Have a great trip!
Feb 6th, 2009, 10:08 AM
#26
Join Date: Feb 2008
Posts: 923
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I'm a bit worried about your Monday drive to Hawi, as the best restaurants (Bamboo & Sushi Rock) aren't open Monday for lunch.
But, if you go a bit farther into Kapa'au, you can have a marvelous fresh, healthy and delicious Greek-Hawaiian style lunch at Pico's Bistro, and visit the most quaint museum (Kenji's House) and art gallery.
Or, you can go to Sammy D's, a local style plate lunch and burger place that is very popular and busy.
In Kapa'au, you will see the famous statue of King Kamehameha, which has an interesting history. When the original statue was cast in 1883, there was conflict about where the statue would be located. Locals wanted it in his birthplace, but it was decided that it would be in Honolulu.
Well, there was a shipwreck, and the original statue was lost. Because it was insured, a replacement was cast, but then the lost statue was located outside a store in the Falklands. It was brought back to Hawaii, and now stands proudly in Kapa'au.
You'll be in Hawaii for prime whale watching season, so take binoculars along on your drive, and stop for a bit at Pu'ukohola, an impressive heiau, with an interesting Kamehameha legend attached (built by passing water worn stones hand to hand by a human chain from Pololu).
This is near Kawaihae, which is where WaterWorld was filmed. There is a good restaurant there, Café Pesto, as well as some nice shops and galleries.
Then, a small diversion at the charming ancient fishing village of Lapakahi (closes at 3:30). Great for stretching your legs, watching whales and seeing fish from the shore.
Just before Hawi, on the Old Coast Guard Rd or at Upolu Airport are other great whale watching sites.
Stop for provisions between Hawi and Kapa'au at the wonderful family run Takata's Market. In Kapa'au, you can play 6 holes of golf for 6 dollars at the King Kamehameha Park Community Center overlooking the ocean.
Continue your drive to the end, at Pololu. This is a beautiful, tropical drive, with views of Maui on a clear day. Stop at Rankin's Gallery along the way. Next door is an interesting temple. You can enjoy the views of Pololu Valley, gazing towards Waipio, or take a pretty easy but steep hike down to a black sand beach.
There are many tiny churches, and the historical Bond Estate on the way, as well as the picturesque Macadamia Nut Honor Stand, Makapala Shave Ice, and gorgeous pastures of happy horses, sheep, and cows.
If you don't make it up there, you'll see that a lot of the Big Island has similar quirky charm.
And while Kona traffic is awful during rush hour (just one lane each way) and it is touristy, it is still a lovely place, with the historical stone church, Hulihee Palace, walking along the concrete seawall with waves crashing on you, the heiau, and typical souvenir shops (ABC stores) that are fun once in while.
http://www.konahistorical.org/tours-kailuawalk.html
But, if you go a bit farther into Kapa'au, you can have a marvelous fresh, healthy and delicious Greek-Hawaiian style lunch at Pico's Bistro, and visit the most quaint museum (Kenji's House) and art gallery.
Or, you can go to Sammy D's, a local style plate lunch and burger place that is very popular and busy.
In Kapa'au, you will see the famous statue of King Kamehameha, which has an interesting history. When the original statue was cast in 1883, there was conflict about where the statue would be located. Locals wanted it in his birthplace, but it was decided that it would be in Honolulu.
Well, there was a shipwreck, and the original statue was lost. Because it was insured, a replacement was cast, but then the lost statue was located outside a store in the Falklands. It was brought back to Hawaii, and now stands proudly in Kapa'au.
You'll be in Hawaii for prime whale watching season, so take binoculars along on your drive, and stop for a bit at Pu'ukohola, an impressive heiau, with an interesting Kamehameha legend attached (built by passing water worn stones hand to hand by a human chain from Pololu).
This is near Kawaihae, which is where WaterWorld was filmed. There is a good restaurant there, Café Pesto, as well as some nice shops and galleries.
Then, a small diversion at the charming ancient fishing village of Lapakahi (closes at 3:30). Great for stretching your legs, watching whales and seeing fish from the shore.
Just before Hawi, on the Old Coast Guard Rd or at Upolu Airport are other great whale watching sites.
Stop for provisions between Hawi and Kapa'au at the wonderful family run Takata's Market. In Kapa'au, you can play 6 holes of golf for 6 dollars at the King Kamehameha Park Community Center overlooking the ocean.
Continue your drive to the end, at Pololu. This is a beautiful, tropical drive, with views of Maui on a clear day. Stop at Rankin's Gallery along the way. Next door is an interesting temple. You can enjoy the views of Pololu Valley, gazing towards Waipio, or take a pretty easy but steep hike down to a black sand beach.
There are many tiny churches, and the historical Bond Estate on the way, as well as the picturesque Macadamia Nut Honor Stand, Makapala Shave Ice, and gorgeous pastures of happy horses, sheep, and cows.
If you don't make it up there, you'll see that a lot of the Big Island has similar quirky charm.
And while Kona traffic is awful during rush hour (just one lane each way) and it is touristy, it is still a lovely place, with the historical stone church, Hulihee Palace, walking along the concrete seawall with waves crashing on you, the heiau, and typical souvenir shops (ABC stores) that are fun once in while.
http://www.konahistorical.org/tours-kailuawalk.html
Feb 8th, 2009, 12:07 PM
#28
Join Date: Aug 2007
Posts: 5,830
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
We spend 3 weeks each year in Kona, so we go out to eat a lot.
The best restaurant we have found is also very expensive, but worth one splurge. That is Alan Wong's, at the Four Seasons Resort. It's not on the water but is in a beautiful building overlooking the golf course.
Our very favorite waterfront restaurant in Kona is Huggo's. Bubba Gump's does not hold a candle to it. The locals go to Huggo's and the tourists go to Bubba's. The wait staff at Huggo's is also genuinely nice and friendly. We go there a lot when in Kona. They are now only open for dinner, and I am afraid they would not be available after 9, except on the weekend. http://www.huggos.com/
Also, not on the waterfront, but in the Keauhou shopping center at the south end of Alii drive is Kenichi Pacific, with some of the best Japanese food we have ever had. Try their dynamite shrimp! www.keauhoushoppingcenter.com for info and reviews.
A place lots of people recommend is Jameson's, but the food seems to be very undependable. We have been there twice and hated it both times.
The best restaurant we have found is also very expensive, but worth one splurge. That is Alan Wong's, at the Four Seasons Resort. It's not on the water but is in a beautiful building overlooking the golf course.
Our very favorite waterfront restaurant in Kona is Huggo's. Bubba Gump's does not hold a candle to it. The locals go to Huggo's and the tourists go to Bubba's. The wait staff at Huggo's is also genuinely nice and friendly. We go there a lot when in Kona. They are now only open for dinner, and I am afraid they would not be available after 9, except on the weekend. http://www.huggos.com/
Also, not on the waterfront, but in the Keauhou shopping center at the south end of Alii drive is Kenichi Pacific, with some of the best Japanese food we have ever had. Try their dynamite shrimp! www.keauhoushoppingcenter.com for info and reviews.
A place lots of people recommend is Jameson's, but the food seems to be very undependable. We have been there twice and hated it both times.
