As for weather - from south of Kona up to the Mauna Kea - I think is all pretty much the same - and no VOG concerns north of Kona town.

One can always dream - lovely to have those opportunities. I am very quickly coming to the conclusion that the people of Hawaii (and those that live close enough for regular visits)are so lucky to have so many beautiful locations to choose from - no wonder there are people counting down their next arrival from the day they leave!:-)
Ok Tomsd - but now I am googling VOG - hadn't even thought of those sort of things! - 2 of us are prone to mild Asthma - more reactive / seasonal than all the time and may occur if already have a cold/cough. I imagine if we ensure preventatives are taken during this time we may avoid problems. Which areas are usually/likely to be a problem?

I think there has been some discussion in here under Hawaii/Kona on VOG - but I really don't know that much about it. I have been lucky not to experience it during my trips to the BI - but it supposedly blows from the Volcano area - around the south end - coming up toward the southern end of Kona. For more info - here is one page: http://www.konaweb.com/vog/index.shtml

there is not much VOG in Kona lately since the lava flow into the ocean is not much volume wise as it was 2-3 years ago. Depending on the winds, you might not even see the vog. I was over on the Kona side two weeks ago and the skies were clearer than I've seen them in years.

Great thanks Tomsd - something to think about anyway - maybe a reason to stay up north on Kahola coast rather than Kona.

Another reason to think about the Kohala Coast is that there really are no good beaches in Kona.

About the VOG - when it's present, prevailing winds put Kona directly in it's path. We experienced it, staying south of Kona last June, like a haze hanging over the mountainside. And an associate of mine who spends six weeks each winter on the south Kohala coast regularly sees it. At worse, it exacerbates respiratory problems for some; at best, it adds beautiful reds to sunset photographs. The further up the west coast, the less likely you'll see it.

Thanks matn and 22tango - good to have this information from your first hand experiences and we all do enjoy a good beach.Having the car means we can still go down Kona way for a visit if we decide to stay Kahola.

Here's a good website for information about vog
http://weather.hawaii.edu/vmap/index.cgi

Hi Martym - Thanks for the website it is really helpful and I am building up quite an online resource now. I also searched Vog on fodors and found some other great info from you and many others on a few of the posts - wouldn't it be great if Fodors had a "save to own trip" feature?
Still like the looks of Maka Nui - have you ever seen much VOG around there / know if it is an issue. Also the website says beautiful views of the ocean - the photos don't show this clearly but the reviews seem to rave about it. Can the views be seen clearly from the house as well?
You must be counting down the days now.....:-)

Maka Nui looks really great. Suggest you keep monitoring the VOG up until a couple weeks before you depart - or whenver the cancellation deadline is. Guess it makes for good sunsets, sort of like the smog around LA used to.

During our the first week of our Honeymoon - back in '86 - we stayed "below" it - on the ocean at the Keauhou Surf and Racquet club - 4 miles down Ali drive from Kona town. http://www.alohacondos.com/bigisland...d-racquet-club

There was a little lawn area in front - before the rocks above the ocean - and we loved watching a local Mongoose family play during the day. Like cats really, very quick and agile :)

They imported the Mongoose to deal with the rat population - but rats are nocturnal? and the Mongoose hangs out during the day. Who knew?

BTW - the last pic looks like the home has a spectacular - panamoric view of the ocean - from up on the hill of course.

And as they say - being up and to the south of Kona town - you are closer to the Volcano - 90 minutes - so you could use this as a base to go over there one day - and also - another day - travel up the west side - as far as Hawi if you chose.

<i>22tango on Feb 8, 13 at 7:41pm
Another reason to think about the Kohala Coast is that there really are no good beaches in Kona.</i>

One of the best snorkeling beaches on the west coast is Kahalu'u Beach Park just south of Kailua town. Also Honaunau Bay (two steps) is pretty spectacular.

loumike, we have stayed on the Maka Nui property 4 times now--twice in the cottage and twice in the large house. The views of the ocean, which are spectacular, are from the lanai which wraps the house on three sides. I spend lots of time on the lanai when we are there--it has the most comfortable day bed--great for reading and naps. We always have morning coffee there, watching the Kona coast wake up and waiting for the sun to crest Mauna Loa (we're early risers).

As to the vog, for me personally, it has always been a non-issue. We've been going to south Kona since 2000 and go twice a year now. The upcoming trip in two days will be our 21st. Vog has never interfered with anything DH and I have wanted to do and at worst, to me, looks like a little haze in the air when I look off in the distance.

BTW-if you are interested in Maka Nui in December the 8th through the 18th are the only days still open. Just something to keep in mind.

Thanks Martym good to have that info I am sure we will be fine too but reassuring to hear it from you all the same - it really does look like a perfect spot we also are early risers so will happily keep the tradition of morning coffee going! - I am trying desperately to confirm our itinerary so we can book asap, DH has to check a few things with work this week to ensure we can be away all that time -things are starting to book up quickly. I haven't contacted them yet but the website calendar still says it is free all of Dec up to 18th? you may have some inside info.....We may have to move things around to make it work if the dates are as you say. Fingers crossed. 2 Days until your trip is very close - Have a great time!

Tomsd - I'll have to watch out for the Mongoose - they sound like interesting little things! On Rottnest Island over W.Australia way they have similar sized creatures called Quokkas ( they are however marsupials and herbivore which is a little different) and they just hang around during the day and are considered mainly nocturnal. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quokka

LOL about the Quokkas. Will look them up.

When it comes to piecing together accommodations for a month or so - in 3 to 4 different places, I suggest you try to lock down what you think you like the best and then work around it.

And obviously check to see what the cancellation policies are where you want to go. This far out - I would hope they would not be that significant.

Seems to me that you are a point now where you could sort of go for it - and then tell hubby - hey Dear - let's try harder to make this happen for the family.

Above all - Hawaii is such a great place as even if you don't hit your "perfect" plan - your family will still have a blast wherever you stay. :)

As for snorkeling at Place of Refuge (Two Step) - we enjoyed it - but check out DebitM's posts - as she got caught in a tide up against the rocks or some such and had a heck of a time getting out.

Always inquire about local conditions - and then also - check the tide tables. And wear fins. Even then - nature can deal you a couple of bad hands in a row so the most important thing to remember is try not to panic and keep tabs of each other.

We were snorkeling off Sandy Beach once on the south shore of Oahu - and trying to get out beyond the break - (were going to do a little body surfing as the visibility wasn't that super) - and my wife - who is a better swimmer than moi (she swam competitively while growing up) - and has been in the ocean many times - caught a little wave/water in the snorkel and was a little unplussed for a couple of minutes. We chatted a bit and she was fine - but again, ole mother nature can surprise ye.

The other park recommended - Kahalu'u Beach Park and http://www.hale-hoola.com/Kahaluu-Beach-Park.htm http://tinyurl.com/an6jey2 - is pretty much surrounded by reefs - and has a lifeguard as I recall. It can also get busy with families - more on weekends? - so I would also ask about that.

Hey - the Quokkas are big. Them seem almost a cross between a Mongoose and a small Roo? :)

In general - the Mongoose is smaller. They have some at the San Diego Zoo too - and they can be characters. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mongoose

And have you ever seen the great story about - Rikki Tikki Tavi? A classic fairy tale for sure. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rikki-Tikki-Tavi

Check the vrbo site for the upstairs rental of the house http://www.vrbo.com/343436 - if the upstairs is rented, the house is not available.

Was reading the new/April edition of Surfing magazine this morning at the local grocery store - and it's dedicated to the North Shore of Hawaii.

Their website also has some great videos of surfers challenging the fabled Pipeline, their first memories of seeing the North Shore, etc. see: http://www.surfingmagazine.com/#

Hopefully there will be some big surf up while you are there.

Thanks to everyone and martym I did overlook that calendar connection thanks for the heads up on that one - I'll see how it all works out - there is so much accommodation I am sure I will get something even if I have to leave it a few weeks and if I miss something I really want we will just have to plan to come back!
I will keep a check of all the ongoing trip reports for more hints - so much to learn from reading all the different threads :-) and I know I just have to ask if I get stuck!