What to do on Big Island?
 

We will be on the Big Island for six nights at Orchid at Mauni Launa at end of April, spending a couple days enjoying resort and rest of time exploring Island. <BR>If we had to make choice would my son, 15, enjoy helicoptor tour over volcano or Dolphin quest , communing w/dolphins, most What's the best helicopter tour company? What is the best luau on Big Island? What experience has people had with the Orchid? Thanks for help -- this will be our first trip to Hawaii. <BR> <BR>

Elane, we are leaving thursday for 6 nites at Mauna Lani, next to the Orchid. The Helicopter tour of the volcano is the best way to see it. It's very expensive - but IMO worth it. Other suggestions, Parker Ranch, North Shore valleys, Drive around the south end of the island. We have no experience with the dolphin swims, consider a deep sea fishing trip. The BI is beautiful in its own way. Good luck on your plans, I'm sure you will love Hawaii. This is our 8th trip. If you email me after 3/1, I'll report any additional info while it's fresh. <BR>Aloha, bart <BR>

We have not stayed at the Orchid but have friends that have and they all loved it - very relaxing and quiet. Last year we stayed at the Hilton Waikaloa which is also on the Kohala Coast. The Dolphin Quest is located there and my 7 and 9 year old went and enjoyed it. It wasn't cheap and you are with a group of about 6 other people and you really don't have much time with the dolphins. I think your money would be better spend on the helicopter tour-how many opportunities do you have to see an active volcano! You can sit on the shore anytime and watch the dolphins up fairly close at the Waikaloa. Going around the island by car is a must. This island is very diverse and has everything from high peaks, arrid land to rainforests. Going to the top of the volcano is a must see-incredible, like you're on the moon. Be prepared for seeing lava fields EVERYWHERE along the Kohala coast where your hotel is. These hotels are all manmade greenery on lava fields. The good thing is though it never rains there and you will be assured of a sunny day everyday of your vacation. Enjoy!

My wife and I were on the Big Island in January. <BR>We took the volcano helicopter tour through Blue Hawaiian Helicopters. They were good and seemed safe. All of the helicopter tours charge about the same rates, you pay based on the length of the flight. I personally wouldn't do the Dolphinquest because I don't like the idea of holding dolphins captive for our entertainment, but to each his own. <BR>I would recommend picking up some of the tourist pamphlets at the airport. The best was the Big Island Beach & Activity Guide. It was well organized, had good maps, had prices, descriptions and times for tours and excursions, plus decent discounts. <BR>A must do: snorkel and feed the fish at Kahalu'u Beach Park. But be ready for them to get up real close once you break open the fish food.

I was on the Big Island a few years ago, and had a really exciting and interesting trip to the top of Mauna Kea in a van; that's where all the observatories are. One thing possibly worthy of note was that the van driver advised very strongly against the helicopter tours over the volcano. He pointed out that the gases from the volcano can easily interfere with the internal combustion engines on the helicopters and cause them to lose power. He showed us a number of spots on the highway which he said were places where the helicopters had to crash-land. These incidents certainly don't always end in fatalities or injuries, but he emphasized that this is not a safe thing to do. Subsequently, one of the news magazine shows, 20/20 or 60 minutes or one of those, had a piece about exactly the same thing. There are lots of beautiful things to see without taking a helicopter tour and the trip up the mountain (to about 14000 feet) is not to be missed! <BR>