Need advice on 1st draft itinerary for July/August 2009
 

A little background: me-31; DH-30; and DD-7. It's our 1st trip to Hawaii (going late July-early August 2009). We love natural settings and hiking (easy/moderate since DD is not always up to it). We're staying in Miloli'i 4 nights (I'm aware of the drive to Kailua-Kona & we're ok w/ that) and Keaau 4 nights.

For those of you who have been before, can you offer some insight and advice on the following? This is just a loosely based plan, but I just want to make sure that it looks doable and to pick up any hints I can before we go.


Thurs - flight arrives at 2. Picking up supplies and eating before driving to check-in at house and relax.

Fri - Honomalino Beach, Place of Refuge, Painted Church. Luau at Kona Village in evening.

Sat - Drive to Waipi'o Valley. Ride horses at Dahana Ranch (open to other suggestions, but I've found we're limited on horseback riding since DD is not quite 8). On drive back down, plan to stop at some of the beaches (Kahalu'u Park, Kealakekua Bay, Hapuna?) -- I hate that it's on the weekend, but it's really the only day that works (other than Sun); what kind of crowds should I expect?

Sun - Plan to do morning snorkel w/ FairWind (8:30-1:30); could also visit beaches on this day (maybe less crowded)?

Mon - Will check-out mid-morning and make drive to Keaau; visit Punalu'u Black Sand Beach late afternoon or relax?

Tues - Volcano National Park; Crater Rim Drive Tour, Kilauea Iki Trail, 'Iliahi Trail, Pu'u Loa

Wed - Hilo Farmers Market and shopping; Hawaiian Vanilla Experience Luncheon? Lili'uokalani Gardens. May possibly visit Mauna Kea Visitor's Center at dusk?

Thurs - Visit the different falls (Akaka, Rainbow, Pe'epe'e, and Waiale) and Hawaii Tropical Botanical Garden

Fri - Rainforest Zoo, 'Imiloa Astronomy Center. Flight not scheduled to leave until 11pm from Kona -- what are some other things we could do in Kona until about 9pm (keeping in mind safety issues)?


Also - does anyone know anything about the "Evening at Kahua Ranch"? It sounds like it might be something we could do instead of visiting beaches Saturday (since we'll be in the vicinity), but it doesn't give any info on prices/times on the website (just to call).

I greatly appreciate any input or constructive criticism. I've got so much that I'd like to do, but we're limited on time!

Looks ambitious, but doable. One suggestion for the first Friday. Bayview Farms is very close to the painted church. I think they grow the best Kona coffee. You can take a quick tour of their coffee factory and they have a nice shop. They will also ship anything you buy back to the mainland.

I understand your desire to try to do everything but you are going to be spending lots of time driving. So I hope you will slow down a little and really enjoy Hawaii. Many feel the best thing about Hawaii is just kicking back, relaxing and enjoying the gorgeous surrounding.

My suggestions--on Saturday--as you know it will be a 2 1/2 hour, at least, drive to Waipio-each way. So I would think that one beach would be the most you would want to try to do when you are heading back south--unless you just want to drive by the beaches and look at them. I would pick Hapuna--a classic wide white sand beach. Both Hapuna and Kahaluu will have lots of people--it's the weekend (Sunday will be the same). Kealekakua Bay does not have any sand beaches--except at Ke'ei-at the south end of the bay, down a very rough lava road.

With the long day you will have on Saturday, I would save going to a beach after the Fair Wind cruise on Sunday. Then I would choose Kahaluu since it's in Kailua.

On Monday, I assume that you will take the southern route to Keaau. If so, just stop at Punalu'u Beach on your way. You will be in Keaau by early afternoon. If you want to swim during the afternoon, go to Ahanlanui Park in Puna--it has a volcanically heated pool, lifeguards and is about 20 miles from Keaau.

On Tuesday, you really have a full day planned--it probably would work better if spread out over 2 days. Kilauea Iki takes about 2 hours and 'Iliahi takes about the same. The drive around Crater Rim takes about an hour if you make stops. The drive down Chain of Craters Road to see the petroglyphs will some time also. So start early and be prepared for cloudy, rainy weather--though it could be sunny. We've hiked Kilauea Iki in the rain and in the sun - and if sunny, wear a hat and bring water.

For Wednesday, the Vanilla luncheon is tasty and the tour informative but it is about a 45 minute drive from Hilo. You might want to consider skipping it and doing the waterfalls and Hawaiian Tropical Botanic Garden in the afternoon. That would give you another day to spend in the Park.

If you are planning to drive to the Mauna Kea Visitors Center, be sure your car rental company allows their car to be driven on that road. Some-most-don't.

You also might consider taking your time driving back to Kona on Friday. Do the waterfalls then and stop at Hapuna Beach before driving into Kailua--have some dinner and walk down Ali'i drive before going to the airport.

I personally feel you will enjoy your vacation more if you don't try to do so many things--but to each his/her own.

Big change to add -- we are no longer staying in Miloli'i and are looking at either Sea Village or Kona Reef in Kailua-Kona.

After several responses both here and on another travel site, I decided that although we like quaint, out of the way towns, that maybe this one was a bit too far-out (in more ways than one).

So, does anyone have anything positive/negative on either Sea Village or Kona Reef?

I greatly appreciate it!

I think your decision not to stay in Milili'i is a prudent one. You will enjoy your vacation so much more if you don't have to do so much driving.

I cannot help you with the two places you are now considering--I don't know anything about either Sea Village or Kona Reef other than they are large condo complexes in Kailua.

Have you considered staying in south Kona? It's away from the crowds Kailua but only about a 15-20 minute drive to Kailua. It has the feeling of a more laid back earlier time in Hawaii. It also has Place of Refuge, Painted Church, great snorkleing at Kealekakua Bay and Honounau Bay (2-Step), Kona coffee farms, Amy Greenwell Ethnobotanic Gardens, good restaurants, a nice supermarket (Choice Mart), shopping in Kainaliu.

If you are at all interested, here are only a few of the websites for accommodations there.

http://southkonahideaway.com/rooms.html

http://www.renthawaiihome.com/bungalow/index.html

http://www.renthawaiihome.com/bay/index.htm

http://www.konamangofarm.com/index1.html

http://www.killino.com/home.html