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 283067 times)

Online PBaruch

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Re: Big Island Of Hawaii Master Thread
« Reply #380 on: May 07, 2015, 11:21:19 AM »
Chances of lava being this good in August?

If you could accurately predict that then I'd ask you for lotto ticket numbers.
What do you do after your dreams come true?

Offline 3yummyboys

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Re: Big Island Of Hawaii Master Thread
« Reply #381 on: May 07, 2015, 11:22:56 AM »
If you could accurately predict that then I'd ask you for lotto ticket numbers.


How long do these things usually last?

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Re: Big Island Of Hawaii Master Thread
« Reply #382 on: May 07, 2015, 11:31:25 AM »

How long do these things usually last?

Do you always ask questions that are impossible to answer?   :P
What do you do after your dreams come true?

Offline 3yummyboys

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Re: Big Island Of Hawaii Master Thread
« Reply #383 on: May 07, 2015, 11:34:28 AM »
Yup. Drives my husband crazy.

Offline whYME

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Re: Big Island Of Hawaii Master Thread
« Reply #384 on: May 07, 2015, 11:58:44 AM »
debating a trip back to BI in the very near future......

Lava DO anyone?  UA F saver availability next week.   :)
so tempting...
Makes me want to hop on a plane and head over there...

What days/dates are you thinking?

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Re: Big Island Of Hawaii Master Thread
« Reply #385 on: May 07, 2015, 11:59:26 AM »
so tempting...
What days/dates are you thinking?

Maybe for a long weekend - next shabbos anyone?

Can you knock some sense into SF?   :P
What do you do after your dreams come true?

Offline Drago

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Re: Big Island Of Hawaii Master Thread
« Reply #386 on: May 07, 2015, 12:48:16 PM »


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

Lava DO anyone?  UA F saver availability next week.   :)
Can you wait till the end of July?

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Offline 3yummyboys

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Re: Big Island Of Hawaii Master Thread
« Reply #388 on: May 31, 2015, 12:24:17 AM »
Looking to rent a house on BI Kona coast but most of them don't have AC. What has been your experience with just ceiling fans? Is AC really necessary?
Trip is for end of August

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Re: Big Island Of Hawaii Master Thread
« Reply #389 on: May 31, 2015, 12:45:45 AM »
Looking to rent a house on BI Kona coast but most of them don't have AC. What has been your experience with just ceiling fans? Is AC really necessary?
Trip is for end of August

I've personally been fine with no AC.
Check out my site for epic kosher adventures: Kosher Horizons

Offline 3yummyboys

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Re: Big Island Of Hawaii Master Thread
« Reply #390 on: June 18, 2015, 10:08:02 AM »
In the revealed book as well as old posts I have seen, it seems like renting a car from KOA and returning to ITO should incur about $100 fee. When I search rental sites, it's adding a few hundred dollars.
Should I rent as if I am returning to KOA and then call to ask to return to ITO?

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Re: Big Island Of Hawaii Master Thread
« Reply #391 on: June 18, 2015, 02:00:33 PM »
Any recommondations for lodging in Waipio valley that won't break the bank?

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Re: Big Island Of Hawaii Master Thread
« Reply #392 on: June 18, 2015, 02:05:23 PM »
Any recommondations for lodging in Waipio valley that won't break the bank?
There's lodging in Waipio??
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 #393 on: June 18, 2015, 02:08:50 PM »
There's lodging in Waipio??
I saw some Tzimmer type places that seem to be on the edge, or a bit inside.
Haven't done too much research though.

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Re: Big Island Of Hawaii Master Thread
« Reply #394 on: June 18, 2015, 02:12:40 PM »
There's lodging in Waipio??

Some of the locals rent out space in their houses.  On one occasion I bumped into some hikers who asked for a lift out (they didn't feel like walking) because the home owner got sick and backed out of the rental.
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Re: Big Island Of Hawaii Master Thread
« Reply #395 on: June 18, 2015, 02:17:25 PM »
Any recommondations for lodging in Waipio valley that won't break the bank?
Don't think there is any need to stay there.
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Re: Big Island Of Hawaii Master Thread
« Reply #396 on: June 18, 2015, 02:21:20 PM »
Don't think there is any need to stay there.
Even if I want to spend part of 2 days there?

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Re: Big Island Of Hawaii Master Thread
« Reply #397 on: June 18, 2015, 02:33:25 PM »
Even if I want to spend part of 2 days there?
What are you doing in the valley for 2 days?
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Re: Big Island Of Hawaii Master Thread
« Reply #398 on: June 18, 2015, 02:34:33 PM »
You can hike over to the waterfalls and there is horseback riding inside the canyon. 
What do you do after your dreams come true?

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Re: Big Island Of Hawaii Master Thread
« Reply #399 on: June 18, 2015, 02:35:53 PM »
You can hike over to the waterfalls and there is horseback riding inside the canyon. 
Can't imagine it'd take more than 8 hours to do everything in the valley.
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