Topic Wiki

List of TR's:
JewJitSew, Something Fishy, Cbs, MendyP, PBaruch, mechayamom, 3yummyboys, PBaruch, shulem92, Yehoshua, CGR

Kosher Food/ Restaurants:

Synagogue:

Things to Do:
Lava (find out in advance what the best way is to see the lava):
  • Helicopter
  • Hike/Bike
    • Surface flow - depending on the conditions, it might be possible to hike to surface flow.  Inquire with Kalapana Cultural Tours.
    • Ocean entry - At the present time, there are three ways to access the area where lava is flowing into the ocean: (i) walk the approximately 10 miles round trip over the county emergency access road from Kalapana (you can also walk over the road from the National Park side as well) - UPDATE - you are now restricted to .5 miles from the surface flow due to dumb tourists putting themselves in danger and almost getting killed. As a result, viewing ocean entry from land is not as enjoyable as it used to be; (ii) rent a bicycle from one of several companies and ride to the ocean entry; or (iii) pay for Kalapana Cultural Tours (www.kalapanaculturaltours.com) to drive you most of the way and then hike or bike the remaining approximately 1.8 miles each way. 
  • Boat

Caves/lava tubes
  • Thurston Lava Tube (parking now restricted to 30 minutes)
  • Kaumana
  • ranger-led to?
  • Cave 3
  • Kazamura Caves http://kazumuracave.com/

Mountains
  • CAUTION: after SCUBA diving, wait 24 hours before going up the mountains
  • Mauna Loa
    • Mauna Loa Observatory - if this interests you, contact MLO to arrange tour; they'll ask, "you know we don't do astronomy, right?"; will give you code to gate; one-lane, seriously winding and undulating road
    • ways to summit:
      • day hike from parking lot just before MLO gate
      • minimum 3-5 day hike from Mauna Loa Access Road
  • Mauna Kea
    • visitor center for telescopes in evening
    • to do at summit
      • view sunset
      • Keck Observatory
      • Lake Waiau
      • adz quarry

Waterfalls

Historical/museums

Beaches
  • Waipio
  • Kalapana/Kaimu - black sand; 10(?) minute walk over lava rock
  • Punalu'u - black sand; good place to see turtles (I once saw 4)
  • Papakolea/Mahana/Green sand beach - there is a local family that shuttles folks from the parking area to the beach for a nominal fee.  Private tours can also be arranged to the beach and surrounding area.
  • Hapuna - has been rated #1 in US, top 10 international

Snorkeling

Snuba (ages 8+)
  • from shore
    • Snuba Doo available (ages 4-7)
  • Fair Wind snorkel trip to Kealakekua Bay
    • no Snuba Doo
    • may allow <8 if child has done Snuba Doo

SCUBA

Swimming with dolphins

Coffee Farm Tours

NPS sites
  • If you plan on going to more than one NPS site in your time in Hawaii, it probably makes sense to get a Hawaii Tri-Parks Pass, which costs $30 per year for all three parks that collect fees (HAVO,HALE,PUHO), instead of up to $25 for a few days for one park.
  • Hawaii Volcanoes NP (HVNP) (ALL BUT KAHUKU UNIT IS CLOSED FOR NOW)
    • Jaggar Museum/Halemaumau overlook
    • Thurston lava tube (Definitely do the dark end if open, but has been closed for years.)
    • Chain of Craters Rd. to Holei sea arch
    • Kahuku (only weekendsEXPANDED HOURS FOR NOW)
    • Easy hikes:  Sulphur Banks, Devastation Trail, Pu'u Loa Petroglyphs
  • Pu'uhonua o Honaunau NHP
  • Kaloko Honokohau NHP
  • Pu'ukohola Heiau NHS (heiau means temple)

Botanic Gardens
  • Hawaii Tropical Botanical Garden htbg.com

Miscellany
  • Lava Tree State Monument CLOSED
  • Ahalanui (covered by lava, July 2018)
  • Seahorse Farm (great place for kids)- http://seahorse.com/
  • Cape Kumukahi Lighthouse - you can see where the lava came right up to the fence surrounding the lighthouse
  • South Point
  • Atlantis submarine
  • Hilo farmers market, Wednesdays (and Saturdays)
  • Pololu
  • Pana'ewa Rainforest Zoo
  • Mauna Loa Macadamia Nut Visitor Center - skippable; more expensive than Walmart; Rabbi Chazanow, previously of the BI has said that nuts without any chocolate/dairy are PAREVE, including Dry Roasted and Honey Roasted, even when bearing the OU-D

Hotels:
  • Kohala
  • Kona
  • Volcano
  • Hilo

Getting Around:
  • rent a car
    • Harpers - only rental car company that allows you to drive anywhere on the island
  • Bus
  • tours
  • bike
  • hike

Notes:
« Last edited by cgr on February 24, 2022, 09:16:15 PM »

Author Topic: Big Island Of Hawaii Master Thread  (Read 283207 times)

Offline SSLPhD

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Re: Big Island Of Hawaii Master Thread
« Reply #740 on: January 09, 2017, 05:30:09 PM »
How grueling can an hour drive be?
You must've missed the biking part.  Miles each way over gravel.
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Offline PBaruch

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Re: Big Island Of Hawaii Master Thread
« Reply #741 on: January 09, 2017, 05:34:32 PM »
You must've missed the biking part.  Miles each way over gravel.

My tuchus is still sore.  :)
What do you do after your dreams come true?

Offline shulem92

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Re: Big Island Of Hawaii Master Thread
« Reply #742 on: January 09, 2017, 05:44:09 PM »
You must've missed the biking part.  Miles each way over gravel.
I did. Unfortunately :( :)

Offline israbear89

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Re: Big Island Of Hawaii Master Thread
« Reply #743 on: January 09, 2017, 05:54:09 PM »
Where are you spending the night?  Do Halemaumau at night, ocean entry the following morning, making sure to be there at least half hour(?) before dawn for the full effect.

I'm driving to Kona that night...

Offline Yehoshua

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Re: Big Island Of Hawaii Master Thread
« Reply #744 on: February 06, 2017, 12:27:35 PM »
My Big Island TR is up here.

Offline yuguy

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Re: Big Island Of Hawaii Master Thread
« Reply #745 on: February 21, 2017, 09:08:17 PM »
(Good) Kosher alert: Brown's Deli at the Fairmont Orchid has a soft serve ice cream machine. Only serves one flavor (vanilla) and is OU-D.

Offline RavChik

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Re: Big Island Of Hawaii Master Thread
« Reply #746 on: May 07, 2017, 03:08:26 PM »
My family rarely travels, but we consider the family trip of 6 (2 adults and 4 kids under age of 7) to Hawaii this August.
Any suggestions and tips where to start the research? What the best island/places for kids? Kosher food availability? Best use for points to get there? Thank you

Offline SSLPhD

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Re: Big Island Of Hawaii Master Thread
« Reply #747 on: May 07, 2017, 04:55:57 PM »
My family rarely travels, but we consider the family trip of 6 (2 adults and 4 kids under age of 7) to Hawaii this August.
Any suggestions and tips where to start the research? What the best island/places for kids? Kosher food availability? Best use for points to get there? Thank you
Start here:  http://forums.dansdeals.com/index.php?topic=2098.0
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Offline 3yummyboys

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Re: Big Island Of Hawaii Master Thread
« Reply #748 on: May 08, 2017, 11:00:34 AM »
My family rarely travels, but we consider the family trip of 6 (2 adults and 4 kids under age of 7) to Hawaii this August.
Any suggestions and tips where to start the research? What the best island/places for kids? Kosher food availability? Best use for points to get there? Thank you

We just did Kauai and TBI with kids this past summer. It was great, let me know if you have specific questions!
 

Offline SSLPhD

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Re: Big Island Of Hawaii Master Thread
« Reply #749 on: May 16, 2017, 11:13:17 PM »
Wiki posted.  Needs a lot of work, better organization, links.
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Offline yitzyul

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Re: Big Island Of Hawaii Master Thread
« Reply #750 on: May 16, 2017, 11:19:16 PM »
Wiki posted.  Needs a lot of work, better organization, links.
Good Job~ nice start.
Thanks

Offline EandN

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Re: Big Island Of Hawaii Master Thread
« Reply #751 on: May 24, 2017, 01:27:14 AM »
Does anybody know if the Costco there carries the kosher cheese and bread that they carry in CA?

Offline PBaruch

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Re: Big Island Of Hawaii Master Thread
« Reply #752 on: May 24, 2017, 05:15:32 PM »
Does anybody know if the Costco there carries the kosher cheese and bread that they carry in CA?

I do not believe Costco has kosher cheeses and bread, (we were able to buy kosher cornish hens and other kosher food there) but you should call the Chabad Rabbi to find out about kosher food.  There is a brand of bread that the Rabbi said was permissible to buy (don't remember what it was) and we found kosher food in various supermarkets, Walmart, and health food stores on the Big Island.
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Offline SSLPhD

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Re: Big Island Of Hawaii Master Thread
« Reply #753 on: May 24, 2017, 06:06:12 PM »
Does anybody know if the Costco there carries the kosher cheese and bread that they carry in CA?
Had to run this past my kids.  They say yes, they believe there was a 2 lb package of Muenster cheese, CY, in Costco on the BI.  I know Maui for sure had when we were there, and I think we skipped Costco on Kauai, so the place we decided against buying it must've been on the BI.  Still, these things change, so definitely call the Chabad Rabbi.  If the new rabbi isn't on the BI, try the HNL rabbi, see if he knows or can put you in touch with Rabbi Chazanow, previously of the BI.

If CY is important, that's all that might be available.  If CS is fine, there are plenty of products in Safeway and Walmart.  They are right near each other, but easier to go to Safeway first.  Safeway has the bread.
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Offline Dan

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Re: Big Island Of Hawaii Master Thread
« Reply #754 on: May 24, 2017, 06:09:11 PM »
Call the Costco and ask them. Will be easier if you have the Costco item number.
Save your time, I don't answer PM. Post it in the forum and a dedicated DDF'er will get back to you as soon as possible.

Offline EandN

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Re: Big Island Of Hawaii Master Thread
« Reply #755 on: May 25, 2017, 01:41:17 AM »
Great info! Much thanks to all.

Offline efflpetzel

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Re: Big Island Of Hawaii Master Thread
« Reply #756 on: May 25, 2017, 04:12:27 PM »
isn't the new rabbi in yet

Offline SSLPhD

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Re: Big Island Of Hawaii Master Thread
« Reply #757 on: May 25, 2017, 04:31:02 PM »

If CY is important, that's all that might be available.  If CS is fine, there are plenty of products in Safeway and Walmart.  They are right near each other, but easier to go to Safeway first.  Safeway has the bread.
Correction:. This may actually be different bread.
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Offline Dan

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Re: Big Island Of Hawaii Master Thread
« Reply #758 on: May 25, 2017, 04:41:51 PM »
Is there a shabbos minyan on TBI these days?
Save your time, I don't answer PM. Post it in the forum and a dedicated DDF'er will get back to you as soon as possible.

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Re: Big Island Of Hawaii Master Thread
« Reply #759 on: May 28, 2017, 09:48:52 AM »
Is there a shabbos minyan on TBI these days?
Never was a guaranteed minyan in the past although now I'm not even sure the new shaliach started yet