montereybob

Although we have been to the other islands many times, we are planning our first trip to the BI. It will be in Jan. or Feb. We have a total of 8 nights. We are planning to spend a few nights in the Hilo area and a few nights on the other side of the island. We'd like to get advice regarding the pros and cons of staying in Kohala as compared with staying in the Kailua-Kona area. Any info you could give us would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

Shar

Kohala area is more resort like with fabulous beaches - Hapuna Beach is long, white and loely. Kailua Kona is a more funky area with lots of little funky shops and some good condos. I don't think the beaches are as nice but there is nice snorkeling in that area. It is more "town like" with shops, markets although the Kings Shopping Center at the waikoloa resort in Kohala has shops and market and Starbucks!. Kohala more upscale, Kailua Kona more home town......Hope that helps. we were there in February 2012 and loved the Kohala area staying at the Mauna Kea resort. wonderful beach there. Just about my favorite in all of hawaii and of course it is open to the public but one needs to get there early to grab a parking space if you are not staying at the hotel. recommend the Blue Dragon restaurant just up the coast a bit from the Mauna Kea - low key, good food and live music....

DebitNM

If you are interested in a great place to stay in Hilo - we stayed here for 3 nights in Feb 2012.

http://www.airbnb.com/rooms/231062

We stayed in Kona for our time on westside of BI this trip. We liked it quite a lot, fun to be able to walk around and while we did have to drive to get to beaches etc we found it ok to do so, just had to plan to not be driving during rush hour.

Last time we were on BI, we stayed at Hapuna Beach Prince. It was lovely being able to just walk out to the best beach on the island. We were only there 3 days on that trip, one day was spent driving to and from VNP.

We spent all of our time on the west side of island exploring different areas and beaches, so we would have had to drive no matter where we stayed. We went all the way up to the northern most part of the island and then all the way around the southern part and then into the middle. {on different drives, of course}

SO, if you are going to stay in one place and not explore, I would stay in Kohala area or at HBP. If you are going to explore, than I would say Kona would work just fine.

Hope this helps.

Tomsd

Have stayed in Kona town and in condos south of there a number of times and also - up coast at the mega resorts.

Usually prefer the better "deal" price wise - and love the down home feel of Kona - but do check on what is happening with the VOG - the pollution coming from the lava flow/volcano and affecting as far around the island as Kona, or at least to the south of it.

Some don't like it.

Also check out places up at Volcano Village - and we knew the people that sold this one - but it's still probably very good.

Tomsd

Here is the webpage for Volcano Village Lodge. look at this http://www.finance15ianews.net/biz/?employment=5015242

I would try to fly into Hilo (great views of Waipio Valley usually from the plane) - and spend 2 - 3 days there and then enjoy the beautiful drive over to the Kona side, going the southern route.

Tomsd

Geesh - somehow the cut and paste got messed up:

http://www.emmaspencerliving.com/volcano-village-lodge/

martym

Here's a good website to help monitor the vog http://weather.hawaii.edu/vmap/index.cgi

Tomsd

And - it's hard to beat the beach at the venerable Mauna Kea. One of the best ever IMO - even though next door at Hapuna is also highly rated.

Tomsd

Uno Mas: When Rockerfeller first built the Mauna Kea - back in the 60's was it - he had the choice of any bay/location on BI - and chose this one.

About 10 years ago - with some deep pockets in tow - we tried to buy (broker really) - the Muana Kea/Prince Resorts - when the owner - the once wealthiest man in the world - who is from Japan - was having some cash flow problems, but alas - twas not to bee.

A cool Billion or more was tossed around - but valuations can take many forms.

One of my law school buddies - who practices in Hono - knew the #2 guy at Prince - and we also had some ins with some of the trusts in Hawaii - but again, a deal that big has many twists and turns and is always a long shot - but sure fun to play with.

Anyhow - the Mauna Kea is just a classic design/location - and they used to have great art on the walls but think some of that has been "relocated".

http://www.princeresortshawaii.com/m...a-beach-hotel/

Tomsd

Here is a little background on the Prince Hotels. In Japan - people used to spend tens of thousands of dollars (and more) - to have weddings at their hotels, etc. - but those bountiful times are in the past.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prince_Hotels

Tomsd

Here is the inside story of the fomer owner of Seibu Railway - which also owned the mega lucrative Tokyo subway. It was said that everyone in Tokyo paid him at least $3 a day in fares, etc.

http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?p...d=awIOqvwl_d5c

cd

BM

montereybob

Thanks for all the great info. It's very helpful.