How long and hard is drive from Kona to Hilo on BI Hawaii
Jul 25th, 2003, 08:06 AM
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How long and hard is drive from Kona to Hilo on BI Hawaii
We have a chance to stay free at a house south of Hilo on BI next year. I am booking award travel on UA soon (as dates open up) and see they have nonstop LAX to Kona, but if I want to fly to Hilo need to do LAX to HNL then get the connection to Hilo. Question -- about how long is the drive from Kona to Hilo? How easy / tough is the drive?
Also, what is recommendation of those that have flown into BI -- do I do the drive (I also have to do it for departure) or do the connection and land 15 miles from where I am staying? Thanks.
Also, what is recommendation of those that have flown into BI -- do I do the drive (I also have to do it for departure) or do the connection and land 15 miles from where I am staying? Thanks.
Jul 25th, 2003, 08:51 AM
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The drive is very easy and scenic through old lava fields, about 2 hours, you even pass a Starbucks about halfway. Here is website with map:
www.nps.gov/havo/visitor/map.htm
I recommend the drive, not the HNL connection.
www.nps.gov/havo/visitor/map.htm
I recommend the drive, not the HNL connection.
Jul 25th, 2003, 10:13 AM
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The drive is part of the charm of the BI, so I'd opt for the direct flight. You might want to get to Kona, drive the southern route to Hilo and spend your first days there, then make the northern drive with a visit to Waipio, ending at the Kohala resort area for the last night or two - easy access to Kona and great beaches at Mauna Kea or Hapuna resorts. (Hilo beaches are minimal, at best.)
Jul 25th, 2003, 11:08 AM
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I just returned from the Big Island last week and we drove around the entire island. We stayed in Hilo and the drive north from Hilo to Kona seemed longer to me than the drive south from Kona to Hilo. But, both are must-see's because they're so different. Going north, you see lush valleys, then it suddenly turns to dessert. Going south, you see all these towns that the locals live in and then you see the newest volcano activity on the island. It took us all day to make the drive around the entire island and it's not the straightest roads, but I'm glad we did it. So don't fly! Drive... 
Jul 28th, 2003, 08:46 AM
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From ~o) Starbucks ~o) website:
Pupukea
59-720 Kamehameha Hwy.
Haleiwa, Hawaii 96712
808-638-0341
Hilo drive-thru
438 Kilauea Ave
Hilo, Hawaii 96720
Kailua Village
539 Kailua Road
Kailua, Hawaii 96734
808-263-9548
Kona
74-5588 Palani Road
Kailua-Kona, Hawaii 96740
808-329-1166
Parker Ranch Cntr.
67-1185 Mamalahoa Highway
Kamuela, Hawaii 96743
Waikoloa (King's Shops)
150 Waikoloa Beach Drive
Waikoloa, Hawaii 96738
And no I do not work there or own stock, at least yet! Be sure to check out the local Kona brews!
Pupukea
59-720 Kamehameha Hwy.
Haleiwa, Hawaii 96712
808-638-0341
Hilo drive-thru
438 Kilauea Ave
Hilo, Hawaii 96720
Kailua Village
539 Kailua Road
Kailua, Hawaii 96734
808-263-9548
Kona
74-5588 Palani Road
Kailua-Kona, Hawaii 96740
808-329-1166
Parker Ranch Cntr.
67-1185 Mamalahoa Highway
Kamuela, Hawaii 96743
Waikoloa (King's Shops)
150 Waikoloa Beach Drive
Waikoloa, Hawaii 96738
And no I do not work there or own stock, at least yet! Be sure to check out the local Kona brews!
