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 283228 times)

Offline PBaruch

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Re: Big Island Of Hawaii Master Thread
« Reply #360 on: March 10, 2015, 04:40:24 PM »
No one knows the best activity with a convertible? Southern most point?

South Point is kind of windy - not sure if that would interfere with your ability to enjoy a convertible.  Then again, you can always put the top up.
What do you do after your dreams come true?

Offline efflpetzel

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Re: Big Island Of Hawaii Master Thread
« Reply #361 on: March 10, 2015, 08:22:15 PM »

No one knows the best activity with a convertible? Southern most point?
south point parking lot/green sand beach impossible to do with a convertible,

Imo it's well worth parking your car & using the $15 heimishe shuttle to the green sand beach

Online jj1000

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Re: Big Island Of Hawaii Master Thread
« Reply #362 on: March 11, 2015, 02:09:11 PM »
If anyone wants a room in the Fairmont today for as long as the room is empty, the room next to me is unlocked ;)
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Offline whYME

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Re: Big Island Of Hawaii Master Thread
« Reply #363 on: March 12, 2015, 12:02:03 AM »
Some people like to live the moment :P

Offline TimT

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Re: Big Island Of Hawaii Master Thread
« Reply #365 on: March 12, 2015, 01:12:11 AM »

Totally me. In other news it's the worst week weather wise here in years I'm told. Hasn't stopped raining and mauna kea is closed due to a 2 foot blizzard.
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Re: Big Island Of Hawaii Master Thread
« Reply #366 on: March 19, 2015, 07:15:55 PM »
Un. Freakin. Believable.

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Offline PBaruch

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Re: Big Island Of Hawaii Master Thread
« Reply #367 on: March 19, 2015, 08:06:24 PM »
Un. Freakin. Believable.



Like you haven't seen better.   ;D
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Offline whYME

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Re: Big Island Of Hawaii Master Thread
« Reply #368 on: April 09, 2015, 09:27:39 PM »
And ftr last night I saw the most amazing sunset of my life here. Polihale didn't even come close.
Where was this?

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Re: Big Island Of Hawaii Master Thread
« Reply #369 on: April 11, 2015, 02:28:46 PM »
Where was this?
Just side of the road by the airport.
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Re: Big Island Of Hawaii Master Thread
« Reply #370 on: April 12, 2015, 07:38:35 PM »
Which stores on the big island sell kosher food?

Offline PBaruch

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Re: Big Island Of Hawaii Master Thread
« Reply #371 on: April 12, 2015, 07:56:08 PM »
Which stores on the big island sell kosher food?

Costco sells kosher cornish hens and kosher salmon along with other items.  Island Naturals sells some kosher food.  Also Safeway has some kosher food as well.  Ask Rabbi Chazanow about which bread you can buy.

Rabbi Chazanow also sells wraps, spaghetti, chicken nuggets, franks, etc.  When I last spoke to him he said he was in the process of reopening Falafel in Paradise but I am not sure if its open yet.
« Last Edit: April 12, 2015, 07:59:49 PM by PBaruch »
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Re: Big Island Of Hawaii Master Thread
« Reply #372 on: April 15, 2015, 11:02:08 PM »
Just found out that Falafel in Paradise is open every day for lunch only.
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Re: Big Island Of Hawaii Master Thread
« Reply #373 on: April 15, 2015, 11:03:11 PM »
Just found out that Falafel in Paradise is open every day for lunch only.
I thought they closed years ago?
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 #374 on: April 15, 2015, 11:10:42 PM »
I thought they closed years ago?

It was closed but it is now back.  Rabbi Chazanow told me a while ago he was planning on reopening it but not on Alii Drive as the rent is very high there.   He was planning on reopening it off on a side street.  Got a message from him a short time ago that its now open again.  Not sure where it is located though.
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Re: Big Island Of Hawaii Master Thread
« Reply #375 on: April 30, 2015, 09:20:14 PM »
What do you do after your dreams come true?

Offline whYME

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Re: Big Island Of Hawaii Master Thread
« Reply #376 on: April 30, 2015, 11:47:30 PM »
Pretty good time to be on the BI now. 

http://news.yahoo.com/video/lava-lake-hawaiis-volcano-overflows-231401095.html

That's kinda depressing.

It couldn't happen two weeks earlier? :'(

Makes me want to hop on a plane and head over there...

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Re: Big Island Of Hawaii Master Thread
« Reply #377 on: April 30, 2015, 11:48:18 PM »
That's kinda depressing.

It couldn't happen two weeks earlier? :'(

Makes me want to hop on a plane and head over there...

Don't feel too bad... The only ocean entry in five years or so started the DAY after I left ::).
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Re: Big Island Of Hawaii Master Thread
« Reply #378 on: May 07, 2015, 11:08:39 AM »


debating a trip back to BI in the very near future......

Lava DO anyone?  UA F saver availability next week.   :)
« Last Edit: May 07, 2015, 11:22:10 AM by PBaruch »
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Offline 3yummyboys

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Re: Big Island Of Hawaii Master Thread
« Reply #379 on: May 07, 2015, 11:20:09 AM »
Chances of lava being this good in August?