I'm planning on visiting the Big Island in January and need help with lodging and activity suggestions. First, where to stay! We want something ON a beach, a nice beach. It doesn't have to be a resort, but we're not the B&B type of people either. Also, I've seen lots of companies that give guided hikes. Can you do these trails by yourself, or are they restricted to the companies? I'd rather have the freedom to explore and go at our own pace. Also, I've heard of "Riding the Plume". What exactly is this? Is it a nature thing, or is it just a water-slide? Thanks for any help!

I can offer a few small pointers. We were there on a business trip a few years ago.
We stayed at the Hilton Waikoloa Village (Kona Coast). It was really nice but a bit overdone / Disney-like for my taste. But I'm a B&B type person, so take that for what it's worth. There were several decent-looking hotels in Kona, & the beach there is pretty nice.
I thought the more interesting part of the island though was the opposite side, by Volcanoes National Park. We stayed at a wonderful B&B there. This might best be a daytrip for you, because there aren't beaches & hotels there, but there was some wonderful hiking.
We hiked right to the edge of the lava flow, & it was easy to do with no guide. I'm assuming you've hiked before, & have appropriate boots, water containers, etc. You MUST wear sturday hiking boots if you're going to hike on the old lava fields, because your feet will melt in tennis shoes. And carry as much water as you can, because it's hot! We didn't get to hike up further north, but some of the valleys up there are said to be gorgeous. Bottom line, I didn't see or read about ANY hiking trails in Hawaii that couldn't be handled by someone with average hiking experience.

Hi - I have a couple of suggestions to offer; I hope they're helpful. The King Kamehameha Hotel is on a beach; they have their own beach and are next to the public beach by the pier in Kona. Other posters on this site have suggested that the King Kam has seen better days, and this might well be true; however, I stayed there a few years ago and walked through there this past winter and it seemed pleasant enough. Now: "Riding the Plume." Could you be referring to "Fluming the Ditch?" This is a new-ish activity; I haven't done it but from what I read when I was there, it's a natural setting, not a waterslide. I agree with the previous poster who said virtually all of the hikes can be done without a guide; there is one, however,where they advise you not to try it unless you're very experienced or have a guide with you. It's to the green sand beach at South Point. We didn't go, but I've heard it's extremely beautiful but VERY strenuous and difficult. Probably worth it. Have a great trip!

We stayed next door to the Hilton Waikoloa Village when we went. It was a Sheraton back then and called the Royal Waikoloan. Now it's an Outrigger and it's located on a beautiful stretch of beach in lovely Anaehoomalu Bay. We had a great time there and would definitely go back.

We also stayed at Outrigger Waikoloa and loved it. It has an absolutely fabulous beach with incredible Snorkeling. We visited the Hilton just to see it and were surprised it didn't have a natural sandy beach just a manmade one on the lagoon. Just something to keep in mind about that property. The Outrigger offers the "Entertainment rate" with the Entertainment card (the coupon books sold all over) but we booked ours through the internet and got a $175 ocean view room which got upgraded to concierge level because we told them it was our anniversary. We couldn't have been happier.
The fluming thing is a kayak ride through the irrigation canals on the island and while I didn't do it, it has gotten some negative reviews on this board. It was widely acclaimed as "boring". Good Luck!

Hi,
I just returned from the Big Island last week. If you're looking for a nice beach, then take a look at the Hapuna Beach Prince or the Mauna Kea Resort (located next to each other). These two resort have IMHO the best beaches on the Big Island. Both beaches have been ranked #1 by various travel magazines.

Re: Hike to Green Sand Beach - I did not do it (I am NOT very fit) but my husband (who is quite fit) did it. His comments - Very Hot, YOU MUST BRING SOME WATER, at least wear running shoes - Sandals are not suitable. He said I could have done it BUT I would have been very hot and tired. He thought the hike was worth it.

I visited the Big Island this April. Stayed at the Orchid. Absolutely wonderful place! I would highly recommend it. All of the hiking that we did we did alone - no guides. No problems. Just bring your boots, water, and a sweatshirt (layers). Bring a camera too - gorgeous scenery!

Bobby (above) gave the best recommendation. While the others are fine, the Hapuna Prince / Mauna Kea have the best beaches on the entire island. Enjoy!

Definitely the Hapuna. We stayed there over a year ago. Absolutely best beach on the island for white sand. King Kamehameha was a nice little hotel right in town too. Stayed there several years back, but the beach, if you really call it that, is tolerable at best. There is a certain quaint quality to stayin right in Kona town, not luxurious or anything, but pleasant!
Pay for an ocean view though or partial ocean if you do decide to stay at King K, as it would be a drag to face the road and hear the automobiles and stuff like that. My vote though still lies with Hapuna!!!!! Pricy hotel though. I notice that they've reduced the rates by 25 percent; all westins and sheratons apparently and Hapuna Prince Beach Resort is a WEstin property.

To the above posters-

The Hapuna Prince closed down - 2 weeks ago. They moved the few guests they had to their sister property at the Mauna Kea. No word on whether they will ever reopen.

The Hapuna Prince is actually open. I stayed there last week. However, several restaurants are closed as are many of the restaurants at other hotels. Occupancy at the Hapuna was low. It was the same at other hotels that I visited (Mauna Kea, Mauna Lani Bay, Hilton Waikoloa).

My recommendation for a truly unique place to stay is Kona Village Resort. You can read what I wrote about it in the Rants & Raves section. It has a nice beach (how bad does it really get in Hawaii??) - not as nice as the Mauna Kea beach. But, it offers a true relaxed and casual feeling that is really hard to describe. It is very expensive, and it was a sacrifice for us to stay there for four nights, but I don't regret one penny I spent at Kona Village. As for hikes, I don't think you need a guide. Get a good guidebook and always start early, and you will be fine. Have fun.

Thank you all so much for your suggestions! I don't know if we'll be able to afford the Mauna Kea or Hapuna Beach - maybe they have some deals with tourism down! Another quesiton, what is the driving like on BI? How long will it take to get from Kohala Coast area to the Southern Point, the Volcano National Park, and, is it worth a trip to Hilo? Is there anything there to see?

Hi kcd,
There's a reason why it's called the Big Island. Be prepared for the long drives. I would suggest leaving early if you're going to the volcano natl park starting from the kohala coast. From Hapuna, we cut through Waimea (it's so green here) to Hilo (about 1 hr drive). Please visit the waterfalls around Hilo. We visited Umauma Falls (multi-tiered) and Akaka Falls (400 ft drop). Both were breathtaking. We had an excellent lunch in Hilo at a place called Cafe Pesto. The drive from Hilo to VNP takes about 1 hr. Be prepared to spend several hours there. Afterwards, around sunset, we headed east on 130 to watch the lava flow into the ocean. AMAZING. (note: if you plan on watching the lava flow at night, bring a flashlight.)

The drive to South Point from Kohala seemed to take forever (2-3hrs). After passing through Kona, the road became fairly windy. I wouldn't recommend speeding. Several cars that passed us were promptly pulled over. First drive a little past South Point and check out the Black Sands beach. The road to South Point becomes very bumpy the closer you get.

I second Kona Village Resort. It is paradise on earth. It is worth every penny and the food is great.

We'll be spending part of our honeymoon at the Orchid at Mauna Lani. I've never been to Hawaii before and this hotel looked breathtaking! So, that's my suggestion.

We on the BI in January--the King Kamehameha is reeeallly rough around the edges and the beaches in Kona just don't cut it. We stayed at Mauna Lani, which is great, but the beach at Mauna Kea is far and away the best of all.

The Flume is a guided, four- or five-hour kayak trip through the old ditches on the sugarcane plantations north of the Kohala Coast. It is fun, and a neat way to get a sense of the plantation landscape. Don't expect gorgeous scenery--just lots of sugarcane. We enjoyed it and would do it again.

Thanks everyone. Another question, which, do you think, are the best hikes to see spectacular waterfalls? How long, extreme are the hikes? We'd like something a bit challenging, to get some exercise and beautiful scenery while on vacation.

kcd,
my suggestion is to grab a copy of Hawaii The Big Island Revealed; The Ultimate Guidebook. This book covers everything from restaurants, lodging, hiking, and snorkeling and much more.
my favorite waterfalls would have to be Akaka Falls (400ft drop) and Umauma Falls (multi-tiered). The hikes for both are relatively simple. If you're looking for a challenging hike, i would suggest going to VNP.