What to do in Kona?
 

My wife and I are going to Hawaii in June 2011 and will be staying at the Outrigger Beach Resort in Kona. We're very active and would love suggestions on things to do/go see. The volcano park is def high on our list. Any other suggestions? Thoughts on the Outrigger?

If you do an overnight in the Hilo area, you could see the volcano park, Akaka Falls, the scenic beach with the tsunami memorial (begins with an L), botanic gardens, waterfalls in Hilo proper, and maybe the next day snorkel the tide pools (kapoho) and visit the Lava Tree state park. ON Kona side, I'd recommend a boat trip to snorkel Captain Cook and Place of Refuge, plus drive north to visit the postcard beaches of Hapuna and Mauna Kea, and even visit the Kamehameha heii national monument. Farther north past Hawi for sea cliff and valley views, and dine at Bamboo.
If you're really adventurous, try exploring the lava tube caves along the old Mamaloa Highway.

heiau, that is. There are several on the BI.

I would never suggest going to the other side and back in one day. It is just too much and will end in exhaustive and dangerous driving. Try to plan a night or two over there.

Or if you don't want to take a snorkel cruise it is quite easy to drive from the Outrigger resort--which I believe is located in Keauhou which is just south of Kailua town--to either Napoopoo on Kealekakua Bay or to Honaunau Bay at Place of Refuge (called Two Step locally). Great snorkeling at both places. If you'd like more specific directions, let me know. http://hawaii.gov/dlnr/dar/coral/mlcd_kealakekua.html http://www.nps.gov/puho/index.htm

On your way to Two Step--stop in at Painted Church--http://www.thepaintedchurch.org/

The hike across Kilauea Iki in Volcano National Park in fun. You walk through rain forest then down and across the Kilauea Iki crater and up through the rain forest to where you began. I suggest going to your right from the Kilauea overlook to begin the hike--it's easier that way. (It takes about 2 hours) http://tinyurl.com/2f8ga7d

Be sure to go to Waipio Valley in Hamakua near Honokaa--you can hike down or there are various tours and I believe there is a ride the rim tour on ATV's. http://www.waipiovalleywagontours.com/ http://www.ridetherim.com/

Parker Ranch in Waimea may interest you--gets you into the paniolo culture of the Big Island. http://www.parkerranch.com/

Kaloko-Honokohau http://www.nps.gov/kaho/index.htm has a nice beach, Hawaiian cultural sites, fish ponds, trails

Another beach that is often deserted during the week and not crowded on weekends is Kekaha Kai (Kona Coast State Park) http://tinyurl.com/24pwnf2 to get there requires a drive on a rough lava road--which is doable in a rental sedan--we've done it many time. Just go slowly. You can also hike from there to Makalawena Beach - http://tinyurl.com/2denwmt

A wonderful morning at Keholo Bay is worthy of a little research, too.

We loved our stay on the Big Island a couple of years ago.
Here the link to my brief trip report:
http://www.fodors.com/community/unit...big-island.cfm
One change I'm aware of: the Hualalai Grill at the Four Seasons is no longer affiliated with Alan Wong.
Still on the wish list for a return visit:--snorkeling in Kealakekua Bay, a horseback ride in Waipio Valley, hiking the Kilauea Iki trail.

Every year when we go to Kona we go on the snorkeling trip with Fairwind. The boat is pretty big, but it's a good trip and Kealakakua is the premier snorkeling area on the Big Island.

The Outrigger is a nice, simple hotel. It's right next to an excellent snorkeling beach, and on the other side are two ancient he'iaus (stone platforms for worship.). The bar has excellent Mai-tais and a great view of the sunset. There's a huge ancient fishpond right below the bar where youmsometimes see turtles. They have hula lessons at the hotel, and also ukulele lessons, that are given by a local Hawaiian hula school (halau).

If you like to walk early in the morning before it get too hot, just go out of the hotel to Ali'i Drive and walk along the shore.

By the way, with the vent degassing, Kilauea Iki trail can often be due downwind of some pretty noxious stuff; if you can't see the air, reconsider the hike.

All good tips given above. The outrigger is next to Kahalu'u beach which is one of the better snorkel spots. Always go very eary in the morning to beat the crowds. The heiau at Napoopoo is interesting as is that whole little community. Then drive to Place of Refuge, the National Park, park there walk to twe-step for some of the best snorkeling in the islands. After snorkeling tour the park and hike the 1822 (?) tax trail, very nice little hike, lot of thing packed in to it.

North of Kona is Kua bay the best beach for playing in the waves. Great sand! The National Historical Park next to the small boat harbor has great walk along the ocean and nobody goes there.

The petroglyp field at the Muana Lani Resort complex is very interesting.

For a snorkel cruise, I liked Fair Winds out of Keauhou which take you to Kalakekua Bay.

Since you are very active people, I would suggest adding swimming with dolphins to your list of things to do. The Big Island is one of the only places in the world were it isn't captive dolphins, but dolphins in their own environment. We did it with a tour that left from Keauhou bay and it included the place of refuge snorkel stop.
This is the tour we took a couple of months ago
http://www.hawaiicruiseexcursions.co...theDolphin.htm
awesome tour if you like to snorkel and like dolphins!

Since you are very active people, I would suggest adding swimming with dolphins to your list of things to do. The Big Island is one of the only places in the world were it isn't captive dolphins, but dolphins in their own environment. We did it with a tour that left from Keauhou bay and it included the place of refuge snorkel stop.
This is the tour we took a couple of months ago
http://www.hawaiicruiseexcursions.co...theDolphin.htm
awesome tour if you like to snorkel and like dolphins!

Puako is a great place to see sea turtles on the shore. For a splurge, have dinner at the fancier restaurant at the Four Seasons Hualalai.

At the risk of starting another ugly incident, there are many on the island who believe dolphin swimming tours is not good for the dolphins. Dolphins use 2 step and Kealakekua bay as a resting place. It is speculated that the pesting by humans have caused them to go elsewhere and, stresses them.

I am not telling you what to do. I am not telling you how to live your life. I am merely stating a point for your consideration.

http://www.aloha.net/~yoshie/newsApr062003.html

You can also drive to all the way to the north on the west side, to a town called Hawi (ha-vee). It's a small artsy place, and the Bamboo restaurant is a funky, fun place to have lunch, and all the wait staff are friendly people. Try their coconut sauce -- we can't get enough of it!! (They will bring you more if you ask.) Or for dinner on the weekend there is live Hawaiian entertainment. Across the street from Bamboo is the best ice cream on the island, Tropical Dreams.

You can go to the end of the highway, where there is a deep valley called Pololu. There's a steep train that takes you down about 400 feet to the valley and the beach. It takes a lot longer to come back up! It can be slippery if it has been raining.

If you go to Kekaha Kai beach, be VERY careful. the road is super rough, and every year we see a car whose oil pan has been ruptured, leaving it stranded. The rental agencies consider driving on that road as violating the contract, so you will be on the hook for repairs. Try to get an SUV or some other car with slightly higher clearance than a normal sedan.

Thanks for all the great suggestions!

Keithman, that is a trail down into Pollolu Valley, not a train! Sorry.

We have spent several vacations on the Big Island, because it is so versatile and with so much to do.

We have stayed at a nice, well-managed, small condo complex below Kona, that I highly recommend. It is called Sea Village and units are individually owned and usually VRBO. Free tennis on property, easy parking, direct oceanfront units, lovely garden with barbecues, small pool, great condos with washer/dryer. Very good prices usually. (Years ago, we paid $500 for an entire week for an oceanfront, 2 bdrm/ 2 bath condo. When the lady quoted that price, I thought she meant for the night!)

Eat at the Kona Grill, on their great waterside patio, for the best-priced fresh fish sandwiches.

Peaceout, I am trying to place the Kona Grill. The only thing I find on google is a chain that is not in Kona(!). We go to Kona every year, and I cannot remember this place.

I will look it up and post back.