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 283093 times)

Online Something Fishy

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Re: Big Island Of Hawaii Master Thread
« Reply #560 on: October 21, 2015, 11:05:28 AM »
I think if going to Hawaii, you should expect it to be like the beach all the time.

-1

My experience on five Hawaiian islands has shown me that there are more tznius issues on a single NYC subway car than on an entire island. People are dressed normally, overall. Of course the beaches and swimming holes will have obvious issues, but there are enough places one could find semi-or even complete privacy.

There is an entire thread discussing this as well (search - I'm on Tapatalk so I can't link properly).
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Offline Marco Polo

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Re: Big Island Of Hawaii Master Thread
« Reply #561 on: October 21, 2015, 11:06:23 AM »
-1

My experience on five Hawaiian islands has shown me that there are more tznius issues on a single NYC subway car than on an entire island. People are dressed normally, overall. Of course the beaches and swimming holes will have obvious issues, but there are enough places one could find semi-or even complete privacy.

There is an entire thread discussing this as well.
Not denying you can't find secluded places, but overall, Hawaii is a tropical destination where most people are not dressed in suits.
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Offline normathej

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Re: Big Island Of Hawaii Master Thread
« Reply #562 on: October 21, 2015, 11:18:24 AM »
I thought it might be better in the winter... there's warm weather wear, and then there's beach wear... being the latter, I will look for another destination :(

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Re: Big Island Of Hawaii Master Thread
« Reply #563 on: October 21, 2015, 11:21:01 AM »
Not denying you can't find secluded places, but overall, Hawaii is a tropical destination where most people are not dressed in suits.

Not suits, but it doesn't "look like a beach all the time".
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Offline 3yummyboys

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Re: Big Island Of Hawaii Master Thread
« Reply #564 on: October 21, 2015, 11:52:50 AM »

I thought it might be better in the winter... there's warm weather wear, and then there's beach wear... being the latter, I will look for another destination :(

We went in the summer and did not find people in beach wear other than at the beach. Especially on TBI there is so much to do without going near the beaches, we had no tznius problems

Agree with SF that a NYC subway in the summer presents more tznius problems than we came across. Note that Ali'i starts out by the beach and people will be dressed accordingly.

Offline 3yummyboys

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Re: Big Island Of Hawaii Master Thread
« Reply #565 on: October 21, 2015, 11:53:33 AM »

Not denying you can't find secluded places, but overall, Hawaii is a tropical destination where most people are not dressed in suits.


Agreed no one wears suits but most people were dressed normally

Offline PBaruch

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Re: Big Island Of Hawaii Master Thread
« Reply #566 on: October 21, 2015, 11:54:14 AM »
Just wear really dark sunglasses  :P
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Offline normathej

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Re: Big Island Of Hawaii Master Thread
« Reply #567 on: October 21, 2015, 12:12:44 PM »
-1

My experience on five Hawaiian islands has shown me that there are more tznius issues on a single NYC subway car than on an entire island. People are dressed normally, overall. Of course the beaches and swimming holes will have obvious issues, but there are enough places one could find semi-or even complete privacy.

There is an entire thread discussing this as well (search - I'm on Tapatalk so I can't link properly).

Ok I missed this post entirely.  I'm having a hard time finding the thread you are referring to; can you give me a few keywords that you remember?  I'm not looking for people dressed for the winter, just moderate decency.

Offline normathej

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Re: Big Island Of Hawaii Master Thread
« Reply #568 on: October 21, 2015, 12:13:20 PM »
We went in the summer and did not find people in beach wear other than at the beach. Especially on TBI there is so much to do without going near the beaches, we had no tznius problems

Agree with SF that a NYC subway in the summer presents more tznius problems than we came across. Note that Ali'i starts out by the beach and people will be dressed accordingly.

Ali'i?

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Re: Big Island Of Hawaii Master Thread
« Reply #569 on: October 21, 2015, 12:24:11 PM »
Ok I missed this post entirely.  I'm having a hard time finding the thread you are referring to; can you give me a few keywords that you remember?  I'm not looking for people dressed for the winter, just moderate decency.

Found it - http://forums.dansdeals.com/index.php?topic=49076.0
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Re: Big Island Of Hawaii Master Thread
« Reply #571 on: October 21, 2015, 12:46:20 PM »

Ali'i?

Sorry, meant to write Ali'i Drive, where there are a lot of popular shops and falafel in paradise is right there too

Offline yos9694

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Re: Big Island Of Hawaii Master Thread
« Reply #572 on: October 21, 2015, 12:49:48 PM »
Never seen beach wear at the top of MK or in VNP. At beaches, pools, and resorts expect beach wear. Everywhere else, expect warm weather dress.

Offline keepsmiling123

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Re: Big Island Of Hawaii Master Thread
« Reply #573 on: October 22, 2015, 03:11:58 PM »
In November / December, what is the tznius situation in Hawaii?  Are people for the most part dressed, or is the whole island the equivalent of being at the beach?  Any particular island better or worse if this is a concern?

My wife and I went in the summer and the tznius issue was not bad

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Re: Big Island Of Hawaii Master Thread
« Reply #574 on: October 22, 2015, 03:30:27 PM »
It's no worse than MIA.
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 #575 on: October 22, 2015, 03:31:54 PM »

Offline Dan

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Re: Big Island Of Hawaii Master Thread
« Reply #576 on: October 22, 2015, 03:32:39 PM »
If you'd go to MIA then go to HI.
If not, then don't.
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 #577 on: October 22, 2015, 03:35:14 PM »
How to find out about minyanim in HI, if there are any?
That MIA has in abundance...

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Re: Big Island Of Hawaii Master Thread
« Reply #578 on: October 22, 2015, 03:37:53 PM »
Please read the articles in the Wiki (and continue discussion) here:
http://forums.dansdeals.com/index.php?topic=2098
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