was just there for the weekend and saw A LOT - drove the Saddle Road, Mauna Kea summit, lava flowing at Kilauea, Kohala Coast, Akaka Falls, South Point (green beach), Kailua-Kona, Waimea, Hilo - rather than writing a trip report, just please ask if you have questions.

Where did you stay?

I'm not familiar with those places you names. What kind of things did you go at these locations?

I'm trying to decide if the Big Island is for me or not.

Were the beaches nice? What about snorkeling?

Stayed in Kona at a very cheap condo - Kona Islander Inn. It was very well located, we could walk to Alii Drive( along the waterfront) and to all the restaurants. The beaches tend to be small, but there are many pretty beaches in the Kona area and then up the Kohala coast (the best ones are in the resorts there). Mauna Kea is an inactive volano - you can drive to the summit where several countries have telescopes and the view is unlike anything you could see anywhere else.
Kilauea is the active volcano in Volcanoes National Park which is flowing now - you can drive to where the lava flows out into the ocean.
We did not snorkel, but there are various beaches that offer snorkling and are supposed to have many varieties of sea life (esp. Kahalu'u Beach Park near Kona).
South Point is the tip of the island, the southernmost point in the U.S. Very beautiful black cliffs and a green sand beach.
Waimea is in the beautiful green hils east of the Kohala coast area. There are many ranches

Hi natalie

I am going to the big island in February 2003 I have lots of questions
How long did it take you to hike to green beach from South Point?

Did you stay in Hilo or day trip?

If you did day trip how long did it take from Kailua?

Besides the lava what what the best area you saw

Thanks

ED

That is a start of my questions.

Natalie I am on Hilo side on the 19th how restrictive was the viewing of the lava flow? Where you there at night? Can you keep a good distance and see the night glow. Other friend was there last week said park was suggesting you wear a rain slicker I am guessing for hot ocean splash did you find you needed this? What was your experience like?