Big Island Of Hawaii Master Thread

[@Yehuda]

Does Hawaii really need wikis? Step 1: read the respective Revealed book and mark off anything that looks interesting. Step 2: follow up in the thread on which activities you should pick from your list based on your length of stay.

[jj1000]

Been on my to do list for a while...

In the next week would be great

Does Hawaii really need wikis? Step 1: read the respective Revealed book and mark off anything that looks interesting. Step 2: follow up in the thread on which activities you should pick from your list based on your length of stay.

That's the point of a wiki, I don't have to read a whole book for basic info.

[PBaruch]

Does Hawaii really need wikis? Step 1: read the respective Revealed book and mark off anything that looks interesting. Step 2: follow up in the thread on which activities you should pick from your list based on your length of stay.

There are plenty of activities that will never make it into any guidebook for a variety of reasons.  While some of those activities wouldn't make it into a wiki either, there are other activities that can be included in a wiki which may be of use.

[@Yehuda]

In the next week would be great
 That's the point of a wiki, I don't have to read a whole book for basic info.

But the books are so good! And besides, the book will list 10 "great" hikes and 2 might make it into the wiki, but those 2 might be challenging ones so you won't want to do them. Had you read the book, you might have found 2 hikes that sound like they're more to your speed and then you could ask questions here specifically about those hikes. You wouldn't have even known those existed (since they didn't make it into the wiki) unless you read the book. Just an example.

There are plenty of activities that will never make it into any guidebook for a variety of reasons.  While some of those activities wouldn't make it into a wiki either, there are other activities that can be included in a wiki which may be of use.

Let's not see another raging war over your "secret" activities. Good think AJK is busy and hopefully won't join this debate again.

[PBaruch]

Oh pulease.  The sole intent of my post was to inform you that the guidebook isn't complete.  After 6 trips to the BI I found lots of useful info off the beaten path on my own - stuff that was not in the Revealed books.

[@Yehuda]

Oh pulease.  The sole intent of my post was to inform you that the guidebook isn't complete.  After 6 trips to the BI I found lots of useful info off the beaten path on my own - stuff that was not in the Revealed books.

The wiki is editable by anyone. Feel free

[PBaruch]

The wiki is editable by anyone. Feel free

Seems like SF volunteered.   

[jj1000]

But the books are so good! And besides, the book will list 10 "great" hikes and 2 might make it into the wiki, but those 2 might be challenging ones so you won't want to do them. Had you read the book, you might have found 2 hikes that sound like they're more to your speed and then you could ask questions here specifically about those hikes. You wouldn't have even known those existed (since they didn't make it into the wiki) unless you read the book. Just an example.

I own the books. Wiki's serve a different purpose than the books.

[3yummyboys]

I own the books. Wiki's serve a different purpose than the books.

Agreed. Aside from the fact that a wiki gives me all the info I need in less than 5 minutes, there is often info about chabad, shabbos, etc. that is obviously not in the book. Anyway, I like reading what different people's opinions are. I love the revealed books but that's all Doughty's point of view.

[@Yehuda]

Agreed. Aside from the fact that a wiki gives me all the info I need in less than 5 minutes, there is often info about chabad, shabbos, etc. that is obviously not in the book. Anyway, I like reading what different people's opinions are. I love the revealed books but that's all Doughty's point of view.

A wiki doesn't really show people's opinions, unless you read people's TRs that are perhaps listed in a wiki. I like wikis for their super concise way to find out what the top 10 activities are and then I can Google them to see what interests me before asking Q's in the thread about those specific activities/logistics.

[3yummyboys]

A wiki doesn't really show people's opinions, unless you read people's TRs that are perhaps listed in a wiki. I like wikis for their super concise way to find out what the top 10 activities are and then I can Google them to see what interests me before asking Q's in the thread about those specific activities/logistics.

I guess I didnt really mean opinions I meant experiences. Like info about particular hotels, which ones are better etc.

[PBaruch]

Howdy to all.  Here is a trip report from our 6th trip to the Big Island, my favorite place on the planet.

We arrived in Kona on Sunday night and once again our first stop was at WM.  We then stopped by Chabad to pick up some food and off we went to Volcano, where we stayed for the first four nights.  We always break up the trip into two parts - Volcano and Kona.  This way we get to experience the best of both worlds. 

Chabad provides a variety of prepared food for sale.  In addition, I was told that they would soon be reopening a falafel place in Kona.  Also, for those who are interested, Costco sells kosher cornish hens and other items of kosher food.  Ask Rabbi Chazanow about which bread you can buy. 

On Monday, we visited friends in Hilo and then went off to Kalapana, where there is a nice black sand beach.  This year, there was quite a bit of sand on the beach.  There have been times in prior years when most of the sand was washed away.  We all had quite a bit of fun playing in the sand and surf.  Since we were all a bit jetlagged and tired, we took it easy and relaxed.

Kalapana  2015 by peterbryan718, on Flickr

Kalapana 2015 by peterbryan718, on Flickr

Here is a really cool VW van that one of the locals restored all by himself.  He even painted it all by himself.

DSC_0608VW Van by peterbryan718, on Flickr

The locals at Kalapana lead guided lava hikes but this year the lava wasn't flowing in an accessible area. As a result, there were no guided hikes this year (not that I need one).

Information for those who are interested can be found here:  http://www.kalapanaculturaltours.com/

Tip:  If you go when the lava is flowing in an accessible area near Kalapana, request a private tour.

When there is ocean entry, another option to view lava is to take a lava boat tour.  We did that in the past and it was really nice.  Information for those who are interested can be found here:  http://www.lavaocean.com/

Even without the lava flowing in an accessible area this year, I still did my share of chasing lava and was not disappointed.  That is, of course, the primary reason I keep coming back to the Big Island.

On Tuesday we took a chartered helicopter flight with Paradise Helicopters. Once again, Cal, the owner of the company, personally came out to fly us around the volcano.  Many thanks to Cal for another awesome VIP experience.  A clip of our flight can be seen here:

Of course, the little guy came along for the flight.

Heli Charter by peterbryan718, on Flickr

Last years flight with Cal can be seen here.

On Tuesday evening we drove up Mauna Kea to the visitor center.  We couldn't drive all the way up to the summit since my kids are still too young.  Nevertheless, we had a nice time stargazing and looking through the telescopes.  I took a picture of the moon from the visitor center.

Moon from Mauna Kea 2015 by peterbryan718, on Flickr

On Wednesday, my buddy drove us down to the black sand beach at Waipio in his pickup truck, where we had tons of fun.  I sat with the kids in the truck bed on the way down.  The kids insisted on sitting in the truck bed by themselves on the way up. (For those of you wondering, no - the baby didn't ride in the truck bed).

DSC_1353  Waipio by peterbryan718, on Flickr

Waipio 2015 by peterbryan718, on Flickr

DSC_1293 Waipio by peterbryan718, on Flickr

Waipio 2015 by peterbryan718, on Flickr

Waipio 2015 by peterbryan718, on Flickr

On Thursday, we went to South Point/Green Sand Beach.  This year, we went earlier in the day and it was really crowded.  Of course, the little guy came along.

Green Sand Beach 2015 by peterbryan718, on Flickr

A YouTube video from the drive last year can be seen here:

Afterwards, we drove over to Kona, where we stayed for the remainder of our trip.

On Friday, we did a snorkeling trip to Captain Cook Monument.  Along the way, we saw tons of dolphins and humpback whales.

Kona Whale 2015 by peterbryan718, on Flickr

Kona Whale 2015 by peterbryan718, on Flickr

Kona Dolphins 2015 by peterbryan718, on Flickr

A video of the snorkeling adventure can be seen here.   As you can see, the water is crystal clear.

On Shabbos, we all relaxed.  I was able  to see humpback whales from our ocean view porch and I took a very relaxing nap.

On Sunday, we were off to Greenwell Farms, where we go every year for awesome Kona coffee and our annual family photographs. This year we ordered a ton of coffee for our family and friends and for a nominal fee had them ship it to us, rather than shlepping it back.  Once you have Kona Coffee, its hard to go back to the other stuff.

IMG-20150201-WA0018[1] by peterbryan718, on Flickr

Say hi to the gecko.

IMG-20150201-WA0008[1] by peterbryan718, on Flickr

On Sunday evening we snorkeled with manta rays.  A video of our manta ray adventure can be seen here.  And yes, they really get that close - inches away.

On Monday, we went swimming at our secret spot in Kona and then we were off to meet up with my buddy and his wife for a beach bbq at another secret spot in Kona.  I purchased some chopped meat and hot dogs from Chabad for the grill.  While grilling, we saw humpback whales very close to the shore.  I never saw them that close before and of course they were gone in an instant.

Here is a long exposure I took at the bbq.

Kona Beach BBQ 2015 by peterbryan718, on Flickr

Monday evening, we flew back home.

Stopped by the AA lounge - no kosher food.  I asked for fruit but it was all cut up.  I did get some whiskey.

IMG-20150202-WA0011[1] by peterbryan718, on Flickr

IMG-20150202-WA0013[1] by peterbryan718, on Flickr

Flight home.

DSC08240 by peterbryan718, on Flickr

After each Big Island trip, I think to myself that it can't get any better.  However, each year it does get better.  It still remains my favorite place on the planet.  If DW agreed, I'd move there in an instant and would never look back.  As I said in last years trip report, to those who don't think the Big Island totally rocks, go to Maui, Kauai, or wherever you want.  I'm more than happy to keep the Big Island to myself.  :O)

Can't wait till next time.

Thanks for reading and I hope you enjoyed this trip report.

A final note:  whoever said you can't take kids to Hawaii or have fun with kids in Hawaii hasn't done Hawaii PBaruch style.  My little guy was all over the Big Island and went almost everywhere we went.  He was by Kalapana, Waipio, Green Sand Beach, up in a helicopter, and he went with us snorkeling (of course he couldn't snorkel but I still took him in the water).  The only activity the little guy couldn't go on is the manta ray trip.  My older kids did it all and loved every minute of it.

If anyone would like further information, feel free to send me a PM.

[Super Speed]

Howdy to all.

Awesome read, great videos!

[efflpetzel]

Awesome read, great videos!

do you realize what you just did

[TimT]

Nice TR, thanks.

do you realize what you just did

[Super Speed]

do you realize what you just did

Nice TR, thanks.

Fixed

[Drago]

Very nice, much appreciated.

Any advice for a 3 day trip? 2 adults, and we'd prefer to be in the green areas most of the time.

[Something Fishy]

Nice! I gotta do the manta rays one day...

[PBaruch]

Very nice, much appreciated.

Any advice for a 3 day trip? 2 adults, and we'd prefer to be in the green areas most of the time.

Depends on what activities you enjoy.  Your question is a bit too vague.  Also, 3 days isn't enough to spend on both sides of the island.

That being said, I'm sure you would enjoy Waipio (assuming you like the beach as well) - it is very lush and green.  Also, its is almost never crowded and you may find that you have the beach to yourself.  In addition, Waimea is very green and beautiful.

[Dan]

Awesome TR, let me know when you convince the DW to move.