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 283215 times)

Offline PBaruch

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Re: Big Island Of Hawaii Master Thread
« Reply #600 on: July 31, 2016, 10:23:58 PM »
Looking at boat tours to see lava, pricing $150-200 for most. Anyone know of anything cheaper $100 range?

Is it possible to hike to see the current lava flow without a guided tour? Any info would be appreciated.

1. No.

2. Yes- just follow the yellow brick road.

https://www.nps.gov/havo/planyourvisit/lava2.htm

However, the guys at Kalapana Cultural Tours can drive you most of the way on one of their gators which will significantly cut down on the length of your hike.

http://www.kalapanaculturaltours.com/
What do you do after your dreams come true?

Offline efflpetzel

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Re: Big Island Of Hawaii Master Thread
« Reply #601 on: August 01, 2016, 02:30:14 AM »


Of the Manta Ray snorkel trips, which company is best?


The BI revealed book has some very good recommendations including a manta ray scuba night trip by the Sheraton which sounds amazing

Offline Zalc

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Re: Big Island Of Hawaii Master Thread
« Reply #602 on: August 01, 2016, 02:38:35 AM »
1. No.

2. Yes- just follow the yellow brick road.

https://www.nps.gov/havo/planyourvisit/lava2.htm

However, the guys at Kalapana Cultural Tours can drive you most of the way on one of their gators which will significantly cut down on the length of your hike.

http://www.kalapanaculturaltours.com/

What do they charge for the Gator drive?

You can also rent a bike from http://kaimurentals.com/ for $10/hr, so you only need to walk 1 mile to the lava. (there is a 3 mile dirt road before the park gate)
« Last Edit: August 01, 2016, 02:43:30 AM by Zalc »

Online Something Fishy

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Re: Big Island Of Hawaii Master Thread
« Reply #603 on: August 01, 2016, 07:43:41 AM »
What do they charge for the Gator drive?

You can also rent a bike from http://kaimurentals.com/ for $10/hr, so you only need to walk 1 mile to the lava. (there is a 3 mile dirt road before the park gate)

Sounds like an intriguing idea, but where pray tell are you supposed to leave the bike?
Check out my site for epic kosher adventures: Kosher Horizons

Offline Zalc

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Re: Big Island Of Hawaii Master Thread
« Reply #604 on: August 01, 2016, 07:44:47 AM »
Sounds like an intriguing idea, but where pray tell are you supposed to leave the bike?
They give you a lock, and they say you tie it to the gate at the park entrance.

Online Something Fishy

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Re: Big Island Of Hawaii Master Thread
« Reply #605 on: August 01, 2016, 07:45:55 AM »
They give you a lock, and they say you tie it to the gate at the park entrance.

Wow, sounds great then. Will definitely look into that option now.
Check out my site for epic kosher adventures: Kosher Horizons

Offline Zalc

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Re: Big Island Of Hawaii Master Thread
« Reply #606 on: August 01, 2016, 07:47:41 AM »
Wow, sounds great then. Will definitely look into that option now.
There are 1000's of visitors daily now, so I'd call them to see what the deal really is, and how far in advance they are booked.

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Re: Big Island Of Hawaii Master Thread
« Reply #607 on: August 01, 2016, 07:48:42 AM »
There are 1000's of visitors daily now, so I'd call them to see what the deal really is, and how far in advance they are booked.

Absolutely.
Check out my site for epic kosher adventures: Kosher Horizons

Offline Yehoshua

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Re: Big Island Of Hawaii Master Thread
« Reply #608 on: August 02, 2016, 09:33:35 AM »
http://www.foxla.com/news/184171470-story Who knew volcanos had faces?

Offline 3yummyboys

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Re: Big Island Of Hawaii Master Thread
« Reply #609 on: August 02, 2016, 01:21:36 PM »
http://www.foxla.com/news/184171470-story Who knew volcanos had faces?

Saw that last night. L❤️ve it!!

Offline Yehoshua

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Re: Big Island Of Hawaii Master Thread
« Reply #610 on: August 02, 2016, 03:49:25 PM »

If my then 8 month old could do it, so could your DH.   :)
Did you have to pay for your child?

Offline PBaruch

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Re: Big Island Of Hawaii Master Thread
« Reply #611 on: August 02, 2016, 05:04:57 PM »
If you are referring to the heli flights, I always book a private charter.
What do you do after your dreams come true?

Offline Yehoshua

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Re: Big Island Of Hawaii Master Thread
« Reply #612 on: August 02, 2016, 05:07:20 PM »
If you are referring to the heli flights, I always book a private charter.
Oh. Is it cheaper for a large group or did you do it because you know a guy?

Offline efflpetzel

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Re: Big Island Of Hawaii Master Thread
« Reply #613 on: August 02, 2016, 05:08:39 PM »
Oh. Is it cheaper for a large group or did you do it because you know a guy?
Both

Offline PBaruch

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Re: Big Island Of Hawaii Master Thread
« Reply #614 on: August 02, 2016, 05:15:49 PM »
Oh. Is it cheaper for a large group or did you do it because you know a guy?

I'm friends with the owner of Paradise Helicopters. He is joining us in Kauai in January. He's a very special and fine person.
« Last Edit: August 02, 2016, 05:20:24 PM by PBaruch »
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Offline Yehoshua

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Re: Big Island Of Hawaii Master Thread
« Reply #615 on: August 02, 2016, 05:42:09 PM »
I'm friends with the owner of Paradise Helicopters. He is joining us in Kauai in January. He's a very special and fine person.
Does he offer discounts for DDF friends of yours?

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Re: Big Island Of Hawaii Master Thread
« Reply #616 on: August 02, 2016, 05:59:53 PM »
Lol
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Offline 3yummyboys

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Re: Big Island Of Hawaii Master Thread
« Reply #617 on: August 02, 2016, 09:49:52 PM »
Any advice for those who aren't going to summit of Mauna Kea for sunset, anything to do nearby? Don't want to wait that long at visitors center but we all want to be there for stargazing after dark

Offline shulem92

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Re: Big Island Of Hawaii Master Thread
« Reply #618 on: August 03, 2016, 08:16:47 PM »
Do the different versions of the Hawaii revealed books make such a difference. I want to know if I need to buy the most updated one...

Offline Dan

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Re: Big Island Of Hawaii Master Thread
« Reply #619 on: August 03, 2016, 08:22:37 PM »
Any advice for those who aren't going to summit of Mauna Kea for sunset, anything to do nearby? Don't want to wait that long at visitors center but we all want to be there for stargazing after dark
Why not go to the summit?
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.