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 283024 times)

Offline westman812

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Re: Big Island Of Hawaii Master Thread
« Reply #440 on: July 28, 2015, 09:16:34 AM »
Hey all! Staying on TBI from 8/9 to 8/12. Going to be in the Fairmont Orchid and Marriott in Kona.


Renting a Toyota RAV4 or similar. Can anyone advise if this is sufficient to drive on any of the unpaved roads/sand on the island?

Thanks!
Had a similar dilema. The issue is that most of the "similar" cars aren't 4X4. We rented through Alamo and when we got there none of the options were 4x4 so ultimately we decided against unpaved roads in south point and waipo. Def don't go on the sand unless(and still would be weary) it's a 4x4, that's the widespread opinion. The upsells to the 4x4 were way too expensive.

Offline jj1000

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Re: Big Island Of Hawaii Master Thread
« Reply #441 on: July 28, 2015, 09:19:02 AM »
Had a similar dilema. The issue is that most of the "similar" cars aren't 4X4. We rented through Alamo and when we got there none of the options were 4x4 so ultimately we decided against unpaved roads in south point and waipo. Def don't go on the sand unless(and still would be weary) it's a 4x4, that's the widespread opinion. The upsells to the 4x4 were way too expensive.
Be sure not to trust the rental agent about 4x4. They told me upgrade is $50 a day but none are available. I went to the lot found a Jeep Patriot that had a dedicated 4x4 button, and asked for that car. The guy tells me but you know that doesn't have 4x4, I smiled and said that's ok.
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Offline Something Fishy

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Re: Big Island Of Hawaii Master Thread
« Reply #442 on: July 28, 2015, 09:47:29 AM »
This isn't specific to the BI, but just wondering if anyone can comment on using walking sticks for hiking? Does it really make it easier?

Absolutely.
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Offline 3yummyboys

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Re: Big Island Of Hawaii Master Thread
« Reply #443 on: July 28, 2015, 11:18:52 AM »

Absolutely.

Forgive the n00b question, but do you buy one or just find one on the trail?

Offline Something Fishy

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Re: Big Island Of Hawaii Master Thread
« Reply #444 on: July 28, 2015, 11:44:28 AM »
Forgive the n00b question, but do you buy one or just find one on the trail?

I've found on the trail, but they can't really be counted on (especially in places with few trees, like a lava field).

I bought one recently and it was absolutely worth it. And it works much better than an old branch as well...
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Offline 3yummyboys

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Re: Big Island Of Hawaii Master Thread
« Reply #445 on: July 28, 2015, 02:57:25 PM »
Thanks. Around how much do they cost? I need for Kauai and BI but I would imagine it's not worthwhile to shlep.

Offline PBaruch

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Re: Big Island Of Hawaii Master Thread
« Reply #446 on: July 28, 2015, 03:13:04 PM »
Thanks. Around how much do they cost? I need for Kauai and BI but I would imagine it's not worthwhile to shlep.

They vary in price and you can get some pretty cheap.  Also, they collapse to a small size.

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Offline 3yummyboys

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Re: Big Island Of Hawaii Master Thread
« Reply #447 on: July 29, 2015, 12:53:19 PM »
Is a jeep sufficient or is a Chevy Tahoe better for BI driving?

Offline jj1000

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Re: Big Island Of Hawaii Master Thread
« Reply #448 on: July 29, 2015, 12:56:28 PM »
Is a jeep sufficient or is a Chevy Tahoe better for BI driving?
Don't need more than a 4x4 doesn't really matter which one.
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Offline 3yummyboys

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Re: Big Island Of Hawaii Master Thread
« Reply #449 on: July 29, 2015, 01:04:26 PM »
4WD vs AWD doesn't make a difference?

Offline Something Fishy

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Re: Big Island Of Hawaii Master Thread
« Reply #450 on: July 29, 2015, 01:05:02 PM »
4WD vs AWD doesn't make a difference?

For highly technical driving, yes. For tough roads in Hawaii, no.
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Re: Big Island Of Hawaii Master Thread
« Reply #451 on: July 29, 2015, 01:14:45 PM »
4WD vs AWD doesn't make a difference?
AWD isn't officially allowed into Waipio.
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Offline Something Fishy

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Re: Big Island Of Hawaii Master Thread
« Reply #452 on: July 29, 2015, 01:16:47 PM »
AWD isn't officially allowed into Waipio.

I was actually thinking if I should add that point to my initial comment, but I wasn't certain if that was the case or not.
« Last Edit: July 29, 2015, 01:28:57 PM by Something Fishy »
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Offline Dan

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Re: Big Island Of Hawaii Master Thread
« Reply #453 on: July 29, 2015, 01:21:14 PM »
I was acrually thinking if I should add that point to my initial comment, but I wasn't certain if that was the case or not.
http://www.dangerousroads.org/images/stories/Newroads108/waipiovalley5.jpg
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Re: Big Island Of Hawaii Master Thread
« Reply #454 on: July 29, 2015, 01:36:43 PM »
Thanks

Offline yoohoo

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Re: Big Island Of Hawaii Master Thread
« Reply #455 on: July 29, 2015, 08:00:39 PM »
I have a United flight into HNL, connecting Island Air flight to Maui. Will my luggage go straight to Maui or will I have to grab and recheck it?
Tia

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Re: Big Island Of Hawaii Master Thread
« Reply #456 on: July 31, 2015, 12:20:55 PM »
I have a United flight into HNL, connecting Island Air flight to Maui. Will my luggage go straight to Maui or will I have to grab and recheck it?
Tia

All booked thru United.com
If all on United.com, it's almost certain to be able to be checked through. Just make sure you confirm with agent at check in.

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Re: Big Island Of Hawaii Master Thread
« Reply #457 on: July 31, 2015, 12:39:45 PM »
For highly technical driving, yes. For tough roads in Hawaii, no.
I'm not sure that's true, on Kuai I'd say it's for sure not true, but for Hawaii it may be ok, guess I don't have enough experience with AWD.
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Re: Big Island Of Hawaii Master Thread
« Reply #458 on: July 31, 2015, 08:06:27 PM »
I just came back from Waipeo, and it appears that there is s/o who checks the cars, so you would need to have 4-wheel drive.
I advise spending at least half a day there (we spent the night down there). The beach is great and quite empty, and if you have the stamina, the Z trail is very nice, and you can go into the next valley over which is emptier.

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Re: Big Island Of Hawaii Master Thread
« Reply #459 on: August 01, 2015, 10:01:23 PM »
we spent the night down there
Where?
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