Our first trip to the Big Island. We're staying at the Kona Coast Resort from April 9 to 16. Would like advice on things to do and see in the area. Also, any dining and musical entertainment tips for Kona and beyond (we will have a car). We are an active 60's couple that love wining & dining, nature and music.

Muffletoes:

Have stayed at the Kona Coast Resort a couple of times; I think you'll like it. Take the two hour drive to Volcanoes National Park; you could spend all day viewing/exploring the craters & lava tubes. On the way back to Kona, stop at Punalu'u; a lovely black sand beach. Take a drive up the Kohala Coast (north of the airport); very nice resorts with beautiful white sand beaches. Try snorkeling with the turtles at Kahalu'u Beach; a great location for the novice snorkeler to enjoy these beautiful creatures. For restuarants, try the Kona Beach Club Bar & Grill and/or the Kona Inn Grill (both in Kona). Drysdales II is located in the shopping center across the street from the Kona Coast Resort. Aloha

I spent a week at the Sheraton resort on the Kona coast in October. We drove the coast road a few times and stopped at a couple of the coffee plantations for their tours. The small town has a farmers market with cheap wonderful tropical fruits and some crafts. We found a great Japanese restaurant in the small mall just a mile or so from the Sheraton. There is a grocery store there too, for supplies, and a Costco a couple of miles from the airport. There isn't a lot of nightlife but there are hotel happy hours. Enjoy your trip.

Had great breakfasts at Lava Java. On the way to the volcano be sure to cut off to see the "Painted Church". Very pretty & interesting location.

We've been to the BI several times, but never get tired of a trip to VNP, the Lava flows are always different and fascinating. Our first couple of trips were before the current eruption which began in '86 I think, and VNP was not nearly so interesting. Evening trips are the best, but be sure to take long pants, good shoes and a very good flashlight. It would be easy to break an ankle walking the flows. If the lava is flowing to the ocean, consider a day trip rather than evening.

Also, consider a sunset drive to the top of Mauna Kea (13,986 ft.), and evening of stargazing at the visitors center. They set up very nice optical telescopes and you can see star formations that flatlanders just never get to see. Four wheel drive is required to go to the top, but any car will get you to the visitors center. If you are planning to go up, be sure to pack some warm clothes, particularly hats and gloves. It is cold and quite windy. If the weather is nice, you could combine this with day trip to Hilo, to visit the farmers market and some to the scenery on the windward side of the island. It is a dramatic contrast to the Kona coast. It would be a long day, but would save a bit of driving in the long run.

Finally, a early morning Kayak trip on Kealeakakua Bay to get a close up view of the wild dolphins. Sea kayaks are very easy to paddle and the water is usually calm. The dolphins in their wild habitat are very entertaining. Take some reef runners so you can paddle to Cooks Monument, there is some very good snorkeling over there.