this is brief report- for more details just email me.

Stayed at the Four Seasons in Kailua-Kona. This is truly a spectacular resort, with the most amazing beach setting. Its not cheap, but a unique place. If you stay there, I highly recommend snorkeling in King's Pond there (its their own salt water pond with all types of fish/rays)
Also, attend their Beach BBQ on Saturday night. Wonderful setting and great food (grilled lobster tails and many other treats) you can even toast marshmallows and make smores right on the beach!

Trip to the Kilauea Volcano: I wish I would have known its a 25 mile drive to view lava once you enter the park. Be sure to fill up on gas before you get there!

IMPORTANT: once you park your car where you hike to see the lava flow, its a 1/2 mile hike to the end of the road, then another 1 1/2 mile hike over lava rocks. It is very dangerous- walking over the rocks for this amount of time can be strenous. Wear good, close toed shoes. I don't recommend going at night when its pitch black, even with a flashlight. The colors may be amazing, but its very dangerous. Not meant for little kids or the elderly. I saw one woman carrying a 3-month old baby after dark with no flashlight. If you get hurt, the nearest ranger is far away and its hard to get immediate help.

we went out at sunset and returned just when it was getting dark. Our friend tripped and gashed his leg, and ended up in the emergency room. Please be careful!! Its a truly remarkable site, but you must heed warning.

Stop at Tex on the way out for some good Hawaiian plate lunch and amazing Malasadas (portuguese donuts) delicious!!!

any more questions, just email me

Pmode, really valuable advice for those planning to hike to see the lava flow. My sister tried it, and the heat, fumes, etc. bothered her so much she had to turn back. I have never tried hiking down to the lava......... I've just enjoyed things in the park from "afar." Thanks for sharing your trip with us.

Those "malasadas" are amazing, aren't they?

Thanks for the TR pmode. We're going to Maui in a week, but I'm already starting to plan a trip to the Big Island next.

I had to laugh at the malasada comments. Here I am frantically trying to get in shape & lose every last pound before the trip; planning for swimsuits, hiking and snorkeling. Then, what does my good 'ol DH look forward to most? -- loco moco, malasadas & being flat on his back in the sand.

oh the malasadas were heavenly!

and SAP, you crack me up because I worked so hard to lose weight before the trip. I came within 1 pound of my weight goal before- needless to say now that the trip is done, im several pounds away from there! way too many mai tais, pina coladads, hula pie and malasadas! and that is with plenty of exercise on my trip! oh well, it was well worth it!

What exactly do you mean when you say that it's not cheap? $300? $400? DId you book through a travel agent or online?

How was the resort itself? Location, pool, food, etc? Thanks

our travel agent booked it for us- it was actually cheaper to do it separately than book thru a package.
we booked a golf/ocean view room and it was $550 a night including breakfast.

location was about 8 miles north of the airport- but there wasn't anything around the resort in terms of gas stations, shopping, restaurants. closest was either 20 minutes north at Waikoloa or 25 minutes south in Kona.

there were several pools on property which were gorgeous. they have a salt water pond that you can go snorkeling in and see amazing fish. food was great but expensive (lunch and drinks was $82 one day) breakfast buffet was good overall except for very disappointing, unripe pineapple. isnt this supposed to be the pineapple capital of the US??

Hawaii is the pineapple capital of the U.S., BUT they only produce about 10 percent of the world's supply now. I always read that the best fruit in Hawaii is found May through October, so don't know why yours was not up to snuff! Maybe as simple as them just serving them too green......... which would annoy the devil out of me, paying the rates you do for breakfast at Four Seasons!

How was the beach at the Four Seasons .... I have heard it was very rocky and craggly and required water shoes? If the beach wasn't that great there, how far of a walk a more sandy and enjoyable beach? Thanks.

How about there spa Hales - did you see them?

Yes, the beach at the FS BI is rocky and narrow, and yes, water shoes are a good idea when going in the water there.

As for better beaches, there's nothing within walking distance. The best white sand beaches on the island are a 20 minute drive north of the FS along the Kohala Coast. You can also go south 15-20 minutes to Honokohau Harbor (also rocky, but a little better than FS), or to Old Airport Beach south of the airport (better still, but nothing compared to Hapuna, Kauna'oa etc).

the spa there was AMAZING!! I only had one treatment, but enjoyed the outdoor lava showers, and the plunge pools. i was very impressed!