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 283089 times)

Offline PBaruch

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Re: Big Island Of Hawaii Master Thread
« Reply #780 on: January 07, 2018, 11:38:22 PM »
Where are affordable places on Kona side to buy produce? Does Wal-Mart have a decent produce selection? Others?

Safeway has a large selection but is quite expensive.  Fruit stands are definitely the way to go.  You can check out Cooks Bounty Fruit Stand and Judy's Fruit Stand if not too far from where you are.  Pictures of both fruit stands are in this TR if you are interested:

http://forums.dansdeals.com/index.php?topic=66190.0
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Online Something Fishy

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Re: Big Island Of Hawaii Master Thread
« Reply #781 on: January 07, 2018, 11:49:20 PM »
Fruit stands are definitely the way to go.

Always the best option, all over Hawaii.
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Offline SSLPhD

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Re: Big Island Of Hawaii Master Thread
« Reply #782 on: January 08, 2018, 12:35:54 AM »
Fruit stands are great for fruit.  Not so great for other produce.  Don't recall ever seeing a potato, carrot, or salad veggie at a fruit stand, which might be what the poster is looking for.  If you go when Hawaiian sweet corn is in season, buy it from whomever you see set up on the side of the road.  Some things NOT to try: noni, breadfruit, durian.

On one of my recent visits to HI, there was a parsnip shortage back home.  When stores got it back in stock, it was extremely expensive.  Even Safeway was cheaper.  Personally, I like the convenience of Safeway a lot.  Would rather pick up staples there, and consider fruit stands as bonuses.
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Offline Mtl18

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Re: Big Island Of Hawaii Master Thread
« Reply #783 on: January 08, 2018, 09:14:31 PM »
Thanks. Ya, was thinking more like veggies for meals. Fruit are a nice bonus but seems the fruit stands are great for that. We'll try walmart  and safeway.

Online Something Fishy

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Re: Big Island Of Hawaii Master Thread
« Reply #784 on: February 05, 2018, 09:30:17 AM »
http://khon2.com/2018/02/01/tour-guide-dies-after-group-overcome-by-noxious-steam-cloud-near-lava-flow/

Very sad. I've been following his work for years, he was a consummate professional.
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Offline PBaruch

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Re: Big Island Of Hawaii Master Thread
« Reply #785 on: February 05, 2018, 01:41:37 PM »
Anyone have intel on the SPG Westin Hapuna Beach Resort opening in Spring of 2018 (after renovation) in Waimea?  It's listed at Cat 5.
« Last Edit: February 05, 2018, 01:45:55 PM by PBaruch »
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Online JudahMcB

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Re: Big Island Of Hawaii Master Thread
« Reply #786 on: March 21, 2018, 07:18:49 AM »
The Hilton Waikoloa Village is completely sold out Jan 17-27. I confirmed with Hilton that a group booked the whole hotel but they wouldn't tell me which group. These dates suspiciously line up with Yeshiva Break 2019. Anyone familiar with the program or know how I could find out which program will be there?

Offline SSLPhD

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Re: Big Island Of Hawaii Master Thread
« Reply #787 on: March 21, 2018, 08:15:29 AM »
The Hilton Waikoloa Village is completely sold out Jan 17-27. I confirmed with Hilton that a group booked the whole hotel but they wouldn't tell me which group. These dates suspiciously line up with Yeshiva Break 2019. Anyone familiar with the program or know how I could find out which program will be there?
https://www.healio.com/meeting/hawaiianeyemeeting/home has it Jan. 19-25.  Is there a reason you need to be at that particular hotel during those dates?  There are other, better, hotels on the BI.
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Online JudahMcB

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Re: Big Island Of Hawaii Master Thread
« Reply #788 on: March 21, 2018, 09:24:16 AM »
There are other, better, hotels on the BI.

What would be better where I could use Hilton points? I currently have a reservation at Kohala Suites by Hilton Grand Vacations (we're 6 in total and need a 2-3BR suite with a kitchen) which has access to the entire Waikoloa Village facility.

Offline Yehoshua

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Re: Big Island Of Hawaii Master Thread
« Reply #789 on: March 21, 2018, 09:24:49 AM »
https://www.healio.com/meeting/hawaiianeyemeeting/home has it Jan. 19-25.  Is there a reason you need to be at that particular hotel during those dates?  There are other, better, hotels on the BI.
+1, just stay somewhere else, like the Sheraton for example. It's a nice hotel, just missing a beach.

Offline E R K

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Re: Big Island Of Hawaii Master Thread
« Reply #790 on: March 21, 2018, 09:36:37 AM »
+1, just stay somewhere else, like the Sheraton for example. It's a nice hotel, just missing a beach.

Fairmont Orchid SO MUCH nicer.

Offline Yehoshua

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Re: Big Island Of Hawaii Master Thread
« Reply #791 on: March 21, 2018, 10:30:29 AM »
Fairmont Orchid SO MUCH nicer.
Maybe, but I haven't stayed there so I can't compare.

Offline israbear89

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Re: Big Island Of Hawaii Master Thread
« Reply #792 on: March 21, 2018, 01:04:29 PM »
Fairmont Orchid SO MUCH nicer.

+1000

Online efflpetzel

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Re: Big Island Of Hawaii Master Thread
« Reply #793 on: March 25, 2018, 11:40:48 PM »
Fairmont Orchid SO MUCH nicer.
Comparing apples to oranges.

Sheraton is a plain 3* hotel compared to the Fairmont which is a nice 4.5* hotel

(My rating)

Offline israbear89

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Re: Big Island Of Hawaii Master Thread
« Reply #794 on: March 26, 2018, 09:42:45 AM »
He wasn't really comparing; he was giving an additional option that's also an upgrade. (they're also both still hotels if you're splitting hairs)

Offline brodes18

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Re: Big Island Of Hawaii Master Thread
« Reply #795 on: April 18, 2018, 04:00:08 PM »

Offline brodes18

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Re: Big Island Of Hawaii Master Thread
« Reply #796 on: April 22, 2018, 05:55:00 PM »
Lodging Question: Should I AirBNB / VRBO on the Kona side or the Hilo side?

I'll be heading to TBI in August with 2 others for my first visit. I'll be arriving on Sunday and leaving on Thursday (3 full days).

I plan on renting an apartment instead of hotel for a few reasons (~100 a night, includes a kitchen, has 3 beds).  I am torn about which side to stay on.

On one hand, Kona has better weather, beaches / snorkeling, and I'll probably be flying into there. On the other hand, many of the activities that I'd like to do such as Volcano, waipio valley, mauna kea among others are closer to the Hilo side. I'd like to pick a side and not move around during my trip for the most part.

Also, any suggestions on specific Airbnb / VRBO would be appreciated.

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Re: Big Island Of Hawaii Master Thread
« Reply #797 on: April 22, 2018, 06:22:42 PM »
Seems to me like you answered your own question. You want to do Volcano, waipio valley, mauna kea and not move around much... which sounds like you want to stay on the Hilo side for the most part... Otherwise you're looking at over 4 hours of driving (there and back) if you stay on the Kona side

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Re: Big Island Of Hawaii Master Thread
« Reply #798 on: April 22, 2018, 07:10:23 PM »
We stayed in an Volcano VRBO back in '08. Closer to the things I wanted to do on TBI.
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 #799 on: April 22, 2018, 11:32:48 PM »
Lodging Question: Should I AirBNB / VRBO on the Kona side or the Hilo side?

I'll be heading to TBI in August with 2 others for my first visit. I'll be arriving on Sunday and leaving on Thursday (3 full days).

I plan on renting an apartment instead of hotel for a few reasons (~100 a night, includes a kitchen, has 3 beds).  I am torn about which side to stay on.

On one hand, Kona has better weather, beaches / snorkeling, and I'll probably be flying into there. On the other hand, many of the activities that I'd like to do such as Volcano, waipio valley, mauna kea among others are closer to the Hilo side. I'd like to pick a side and not move around during my trip for the most part.

Also, any suggestions on specific Airbnb / VRBO would be appreciated.
Read my TR. We stayed in Volcano for 2 nights and near Kona for 2 nights. Ended up working your great.