Just back from 10 days on the Big Island
 

We just returned from a fabulous 10 day vacation on the Big Island. We were in Volcano and the Volcano National Park, in Kona and Kohala as well as on the Hilo side.<BR><BR>Let me know if I can answer any questions for your planning. We did lots of hikes, my husband golfed some, lots of beaches and drove all over. <BR><BR>Maria

Maria,<BR>Did you go to see Waipo Valley. We're flying into Hilo at 9am getting a rental car and touring up the Hamakua Coast to Waipo Valley. I'm thinking about taking a horse ride there with wife and 8 year old daughter. Any recommendations.

Rick,<BR><BR>Yes we went to the Waipio Valley. It was the last day of our trip and we were so exhausted from hiking the previous days we just enjoyed the lookout view. We have friends who hiked down to the valley and across the beach and up the other side...might be too much for your 8 year old. You can drive down with a 4WD vehicle and, of course, there are tours that go down. Another hike we misssed but heard that it was FABULOUS and a lot less strenous than the hike down and up is to approach the valley from the back side. You get to the trailhead a little outside of Waimea maybe 2 miles toward Honoka'a and then find a road that takes you to the trailhead. I have heard it is a very level and easy hike but then you get to the back of the valley along the ridge the views are spectacular but you are on a very steep and sheer drop to the valley floor. Let me know if you need more specific info about the hike and finding the trailhead as I can locate it in our stuff.<BR><BR>Maria

Hi Maria -<BR><BR>Where did you stay in Hilo, and what did you think of the town? Any activities you would recommend?

Hi Maria, We are heading to the BI this Thursday. Would appreciate it if you could give us some info on the trailhead as that is one of the things I want to do this time. Also, where did your husband golf and what did he think of the courses. My husband hopes to golf a few times. Thanks for your help.

Carley,<BR><BR>The back of the Waipio Valley hike is described in the book &quot;Hawaii The big Island Revealed&quot; which is a great resource for all travelers to the BI. The diections to get to the trailhead are: take Hwy 19 out of Waimea heading towards Hilo or Honoka'a. at approx the 54 mile marker(3 miles outside of Waimea intersection of 190 and 19) you will see a road called White or Lindsey Road.Take a right onto White Road and follow it to the end. This part is through the Hawaiin Homelands cattle area so you are advised to be respectful, leave nothing behind and close the gates. You can hike in 2 to 4 miles to the edge of the valley.<BR><BR>My husband golfed at Hapuna Beach Prince resort and Mauna Kea Resort. He said the course at Hapuna was nicer. If you get a chance to stop at Hilo Hattie's in Hilo and shop you will receive a sheet of some really fabulous coupons for golf (lots of 2 for 1 offers) that save hundreds of dollars in greens fees.<BR><BR>Anything else? Just ask here.<BR><BR>Maria

Pat,<BR><BR>We did not stay in Hilo itself. We were in Volcano for 2 nights and Honoka'a for one night which are both on the Hilo side. Activities in Hilo that we did not do but were recommended were the Tsunami Museum also the Lyman Museum is considered very good. We did take the very short drive up to see Rainbow Falls (best in the morning), Boiling Pots and Pe'epe'e Falls which were low on water. <BR><BR>Akaka Falls and Kahuna Falls (same stop) are just a little farther north and very accessible on a trail from the parking lot.<BR><BR>North of Hilo is the Hawaiin Tropical Botanical Garden which was excellent although pricey at $15 apiece but the flowers are fabulous even if you think you aren't a gardener you will love it. Don't miss taking the 4 mile scenic drive that this is on as well as making a stop at &quot;What's Shakin'&quot; which has the best fruit smoothies and other great sandwiches on the island. Farther North is Kalopa State Park that has a small 3/4 mile nature hike through an original piece of the Hawaii Rainforest which we enjoyed.<BR><BR>Let me know if you have other questions.<BR><BR>Maria

Thanks for the info Maria. I bought the book last year when we went so will look it up. What way do you think is the best route to take to get down into the valley. We are quite active and walk alot so don't mind hiking. I have always wanted to go down but never seem to make it, so this is the year. Any other tidbits?

Carley,<BR><BR>We did not hike down into the valley but friends did. They just hiked down the 4WD road at the loolout, then crossed the beach (watch out for high tide as you have to cross a river that gets quite deep at high tide) and then they hiked up the opposite side. Again, I think the hike is described in the Revealed book. <BR><BR>Hikes I can personally attest to are: <BR>the hike from the Polulo lookout on the North end of the BI down to the black sand beach, cross the beach and find trail on the other side and go up and over to the next valley (don't be fooled by the &quot;false summit&quot; at the top of the ridge). Make sure you continue to follow the trail up another very short easy ridge to the true top and the view into the next valley is fabulous. This trail was very muddy as it had been raining so we were a real mess at the end. I would really advise good hiking boots rather than cross trainer athletic shoes that I was wearing and ruined. <BR><BR>Another very challenging hike that was excellent (also described in BI Revealed book) was the hike from Napo'opo'o Road (just south of Kona) 1200 feet down and 2 miles long to Kealakekua Bay (the Captain Cook Monument). This Bay is almost inaccessible except by kayak or a snorkle boat tour. Make sure you bring a swimsuit, teva shoes, and your snorkle stuff as it is the best snorkling on the island. Of course the return trip up 1200 feet in elevation for 2 miles is the killer. There is absolutely no shade on this trail and it is very rocky so make sure your footwear is appropriate and you have lots of water.<BR><BR>We also loved the drive from Hawi (on north end of island) on Hwy 250 south to Waimea through all the mountain pastures filled with unbelievable vistas and cows. Kind of like a cross between Switzerland and Wisconsin. <BR><BR>We also hiked to Kiholo Bay (trailhead is off of milemarker 81 on Hwy 19 North of Kona). You can hike along the shoreline which has LOTS of sea turtles soaking up the sun or snacking on all the green stuff in the waters of the bay. <BR><BR>Of course, Volcano National Park is also unique and we did lots of hiking there also.<BR><BR>Wish I were headed back again!<BR><BR>Maria

I get exhausted reading your report. That is a LOT of hiking! <BR> <BR>My husband and I are in good shape but don't hike very much on vacations. After reading this though, it seems as if many people do. Is it just for the scenery or a scenery/exercise combo?<BR><BR>Just wondering how the other half lives! FYI -We're the ones floating lazily on a raft somewhere and doing some snorkeling followed by afternoon naps, a long dinner and an early bedtime!<BR>

Quinty,<BR><BR>Thanks for your comments and I do not want to mislead people into thinking we are some kind of fitness crazed jocks - we are not at all!!! I am a 48 year old Wisconsin housewife in decent shape and my husband is a 48 year old wants-to-lose-20-pounds guy. We do like an active vacation but believe me we do spend lots of time sleeping in late, he golfs and I read at the beach or pool, and then we also enjoy either a picnic lunch or hanging out a beach bar in the afternoon and a nice dinner. <BR><BR>Some of the hikes we took were challenging in that the elevation changes were dramatic but pacing yourself and having the right footwear and water available makes it very do-able. So I do want others to be prepared for conditions. Others (Kalopa State Park, Akaka Falls, the Kiluea Iki trail in Volcano National Park, Kiholo Bay and the Waipio Valley from the back side) are much easier and the rewards and sights along the hike are fabulous. Many of these things cannot be seen from the road. <BR><BR>Also, we would do a couple of hours of hiking in the morning and then just flop down at the resort for the rest of the day so hiking was a pretty small chunk of time.<BR><BR>The descriptions in the BI Revealed book are excellent guidelines for people to know if they are taking on an easy stroll or some serious elevation challenges.<BR><BR>Maria<BR><BR>

Maria, do you notice that it's a lot of homework to do posts on Hawaii becuase of all the long, unusual names?<BR>You do a good job though...<BR>Funny descriptions of you and your hubby. Gave me a good chuckle.<BR>

Rickd: re:Waipio. We had the wonderful opportunity to stay in the Waipio Valley with our two children a couple of years ago when you could still rent a treehouse near the back of the valley. It was quite a memorable couple of days, we felt like the Swiss Family Robinson and our kids loved it. Waipio is an Eden; virtually no cars, lush foliage, wild horses, roads that go down the middle of rivers. Incredible. I would hardily recommend a horse back ride in the valley. It is really the only way to cover much ground with an eight-year-old. The stable provides transportation down into the valley which is an experience in itself. They do a great job and are friend folks. Looking down into the valley from the overlook is not doing justice to such a lovely place. Our eight-year-old still talks about Waipio.<BR>Re: Hilo and museums. If you only have time for one, I'd recommend the Lyman Museum. The tsumani museum was a bit of a dissappointment. We were there in late December and everywhere we went afterwards, our children would ask if we were in a tsunami zone. After we left the Big Island we spent a week on the Northshore of Oahu and were evacuated at 3a.m. due to exceptionally high surf. The kids, of course, were a little freaked out (as were we, to be honest) but it sure makes a good story! If you are in Hilo on a Wednesday or Saturday be sure to check out the Farmer's Market downtown. It is pretty amazing. I would also recommend Cafe Pesto in Hilo. Good service and good food. <BR>Also, Kealakekua Bay and Napo'opo'o are easy to get to by car. There is a well marked exit off of Highway 11 near Captain Cook. If you drive done to the Bay, stay on the road that hugs the coast and don't miss the Place of Refuge about two miles south of Kealakekua. There is wonderful snorkling near the boat launch (easier access than Kealakekua) and it's fun to watch the outrigger canoes come in at sunset. South Kona is beautiful.