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 283112 times)

Offline Yehoshua

  • Dansdeals Lifetime 10K Presidential Platinum Elite
  • *******
  • Join Date: Aug 2011
  • Posts: 10172
  • Total likes: 213
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 1
  • Gender: Male
    • View Profile
  • Location: Los Angeles, CA
Re: Big Island Of Hawaii Master Thread
« Reply #620 on: August 03, 2016, 08:24:03 PM »
Why not go to the summit?
Traveling with kids.

Offline efflpetzel

  • Dansdeals Presidential Platinum Elite
  • ********
  • Join Date: Aug 2012
  • Posts: 2836
  • Total likes: 133
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 1
    • View Profile
Re: Big Island Of Hawaii Master Thread
« Reply #621 on: August 04, 2016, 01:34:40 AM »
Traveling with kids.
So?

The stargazing at the visitor center is really boring ime

If you insist on doing it take along some instant noodle soup, it get really cold up there

Offline Dan

  • Administrator
  • Dansdeals Lifetime 50K Diamond Elite
  • **********
  • Join Date: May 2008
  • Posts: 67599
  • Total likes: 16912
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 16442
  • Gender: Male
    • View Profile
  • Location: CLE
  • Programs: UA GS, AA EXP, DL Dirt, Hyatt Glob, Fairmont Lifetime Plat, DD Diamond, Blocked By @NeriaKraus
Re: Big Island Of Hawaii Master Thread
« Reply #622 on: August 04, 2016, 01:38:44 AM »
Just acclimate the kids before driving to the summit.
Amazing sunset from up there.
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.

Offline 3yummyboys

  • Dansdeals Lifetime Platinum Elite
  • *******
  • Join Date: Apr 2013
  • Posts: 1736
  • Total likes: 32
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 0
    • View Profile
Re: Big Island Of Hawaii Master Thread
« Reply #623 on: August 04, 2016, 07:55:13 AM »
Kids from 2-12, anyone take young kids all the way up? I was going to send my two older ones and stay back with little ones.

Offline Yehoshua

  • Dansdeals Lifetime 10K Presidential Platinum Elite
  • *******
  • Join Date: Aug 2011
  • Posts: 10172
  • Total likes: 213
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 1
  • Gender: Male
    • View Profile
  • Location: Los Angeles, CA
Re: Big Island Of Hawaii Master Thread
« Reply #624 on: August 04, 2016, 10:40:12 AM »
From what I read I was under the impression kinds under 16 shouldn't go up.

Offline sedge

  • Dansdeals Platinum Elite + Lifetime Silver Elite
  • *****
  • Join Date: Aug 2015
  • Posts: 546
  • Total likes: 6
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 0
    • View Profile
  • Location: Palm Springs, CA
Re: Big Island Of Hawaii Master Thread
« Reply #625 on: August 04, 2016, 11:04:18 AM »
My wife and I are going in November for 7 days with our 3 and 6 year-old children. Staying at  Hilton Waikoloa.

Is a heli the best way to see volcanos/lava?

Would also like to see green/black sand beaches, waterfalls, coffee or chocolate plantatians and charter a snorkeling and fishing trip.

Any suggestions on TBI would be great.

Offline 3yummyboys

  • Dansdeals Lifetime Platinum Elite
  • *******
  • Join Date: Apr 2013
  • Posts: 1736
  • Total likes: 32
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 0
    • View Profile
Re: Big Island Of Hawaii Master Thread
« Reply #626 on: August 04, 2016, 11:32:29 AM »
My wife and I are going in November for 7 days with our 3 and 6 year-old children. Staying at  Hilton Waikoloa.

Is a heli the best way to see volcanos/lava?

Would also like to see green/black sand beaches, waterfalls, coffee or chocolate plantatians and charter a snorkeling and fishing trip.

Any suggestions on TBI would be great.

With small kids Heli is the best way to see lava ASAIK.
Get the book. Read this thread. Come back with more specific questions.

Enjoy!

Offline 3yummyboys

  • Dansdeals Lifetime Platinum Elite
  • *******
  • Join Date: Apr 2013
  • Posts: 1736
  • Total likes: 32
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 0
    • View Profile
Re: Big Island Of Hawaii Master Thread
« Reply #627 on: August 09, 2016, 09:41:00 AM »
Looking for comments/advice on our itinerary, any would be appreciated! Thanks. Staying in Captain Cook area, about 40 minutes South of Kona. We are a total of 10 people, from 2-62 years old. Planning to be up early every day, and we only go to beaches when noone is around.

Thursday - arrive and settle in for our 2 days shabbos (de'oraisa only on Friday)

Sunday:
Punalu'u Beach (if we can get out early enough to get there when noone is there yet)
VNP
Kaumauna Caves (if time)
Mauna Kea Sunset and Stars

Monday
Heli Tour (those who aren't going will go to Hilo Zoo)
Akaka Falls, Rainbow Falls, Boiling Pots
Red Road Puna

Tuesday
Makalewena Beach
Waipi'o Valley (drive down)
Cave # 3
Coffee Farm Tour in Kona area (any suggestions?)

Wednesday
Snorkel Kealakekua Bay area
Pu'uhonua Honaunau
Pack up :( check out is at 11:00
Ali'i Drive, Kamakana Playground
Rent hotel room for showers and freshening up before 8:45 flight home

Online Something Fishy

  • Global Moderator
  • Dansdeals Lifetime Presidential Platinum Elite
  • **********
  • Join Date: Jan 2011
  • Posts: 8708
  • Total likes: 6077
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 44
    • View Profile
    • Kosher Horizons
  • Location: Iceland
Re: Big Island Of Hawaii Master Thread
« Reply #628 on: August 09, 2016, 09:50:31 AM »
Sunday schedule is ridiculous, you need at least two days to do that. VNP needs most of the day, plus you want to go to the Jaggar Museum overlook after dark. Mauna Kea is also hours and hours. And all that before considering the hours of driving from the Kona side to the Hilo side and back.

You should consider Honomalino Bay BTW, it's quite close to where you're staying. Lovely beach, other worldly snorkeling, and you'll most likely have the entire place to yourself. Note that it's a 20-minute hike from the parking area, but very easy.
Check out my site for epic kosher adventures: Kosher Horizons

Offline shulem92

  • Dansdeals Presidential Platinum Elite
  • ********
  • Join Date: Feb 2015
  • Posts: 2955
  • Total likes: 122
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 1
    • View Profile
  • Location: Lakewood
Re: Big Island Of Hawaii Master Thread
« Reply #629 on: August 09, 2016, 09:53:04 AM »
Sunday schedule is ridiculous, you need at least two days to do that. VNP needs most of the day, plus you want to go to the Jaggar Museum overlook after dark. Mauna Kea is also hours and hours. And all that before considering the hours of driving from the Kona side to the Hilo side and back.

You should consider Honomalino Bay BTW, it's quite close to where you're staying. Lovely beach, other worldly snorkeling, and you'll most likely have the entire place to yourself. Note that it's a 20-minute hike from the parking area, but very easy.
Technically u can do jaggar early morning, no?
While its still dark. As per TR I'm reading, so I don't really know

Online Something Fishy

  • Global Moderator
  • Dansdeals Lifetime Presidential Platinum Elite
  • **********
  • Join Date: Jan 2011
  • Posts: 8708
  • Total likes: 6077
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 44
    • View Profile
    • Kosher Horizons
  • Location: Iceland
Re: Big Island Of Hawaii Master Thread
« Reply #630 on: August 09, 2016, 09:57:07 AM »
Technically u can do jaggar early morning, no?
While its still dark. As per TR I'm reading, so I don't really know

I suppose it could be done before sunrise, but that'll turn out to be a 20-hour day. With ten people, that sounds like a fun day...

Check out my site for epic kosher adventures: Kosher Horizons

Offline 3yummyboys

  • Dansdeals Lifetime Platinum Elite
  • *******
  • Join Date: Apr 2013
  • Posts: 1736
  • Total likes: 32
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 0
    • View Profile
Re: Big Island Of Hawaii Master Thread
« Reply #631 on: August 09, 2016, 10:06:58 AM »
Sunday schedule is ridiculous, you need at least two days to do that. VNP needs most of the day, plus you want to go to the Jaggar Museum overlook after dark. Mauna Kea is also hours and hours. And all that before considering the hours of driving from the Kona side to the Hilo side and back.

You should consider Honomalino Bay BTW, it's quite close to where you're staying. Lovely beach, other worldly snorkeling, and you'll most likely have the entire place to yourself. Note that it's a 20-minute hike from the parking area, but very easy.

We've done VNP as a couple, and I don't think my kids will have patience to spend more than 2-3 hours there tops. We will be iyH seeing lava from heli so we aren't planning on staying after dark.
I'm going to check out Honomalino Bay, maybe Wednesday morning.

Do you know how the hike is to Makalawena? Should we do Honomalino instead?

Online Something Fishy

  • Global Moderator
  • Dansdeals Lifetime Presidential Platinum Elite
  • **********
  • Join Date: Jan 2011
  • Posts: 8708
  • Total likes: 6077
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 44
    • View Profile
    • Kosher Horizons
  • Location: Iceland
Re: Big Island Of Hawaii Master Thread
« Reply #632 on: August 09, 2016, 10:17:32 AM »
We've done VNP as a couple, and I don't think my kids will have patience to spend more than 2-3 hours there tops. We will be iyH seeing lava from heli so we aren't planning on staying after dark.

I'll go out on a limb here and say that the heli is not a replacement to seeing Halemaumau crater and the plume at night.

Do you know how the hike is to Makalawena? Should we do Honomalino instead?

I've never done Makalawena so I can't compare, but Honomalino is just... incredible.


Check out my site for epic kosher adventures: Kosher Horizons

Offline 3yummyboys

  • Dansdeals Lifetime Platinum Elite
  • *******
  • Join Date: Apr 2013
  • Posts: 1736
  • Total likes: 32
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 0
    • View Profile
Re: Big Island Of Hawaii Master Thread
« Reply #633 on: August 09, 2016, 10:56:21 AM »
I'll go out on a limb here and say that the heli is not a replacement to seeing Halemaumau crater and the plume at night.

I've never done Makalawena so I can't compare, but Honomalino is just... incredible.


I agree that it's not a replacement, but I don't think my kids will be able to spend so much time at VNP. Anyone have any recent pics of the crater at night I can show my kids to try to convince them? I can probably do Mauna Kea the next night.

Online Something Fishy

  • Global Moderator
  • Dansdeals Lifetime Presidential Platinum Elite
  • **********
  • Join Date: Jan 2011
  • Posts: 8708
  • Total likes: 6077
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 44
    • View Profile
    • Kosher Horizons
  • Location: Iceland
Re: Big Island Of Hawaii Master Thread
« Reply #634 on: August 09, 2016, 11:02:04 AM »
I agree that it's not a replacement, but I don't think my kids will be able to spend so much time at VNP. Anyone have any pics of the crater at night I can show my kids to try to convince them? I can probably do Mauna Kea the next night.

Check out my site for epic kosher adventures: Kosher Horizons

Offline 3yummyboys

  • Dansdeals Lifetime Platinum Elite
  • *******
  • Join Date: Apr 2013
  • Posts: 1736
  • Total likes: 32
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 0
    • View Profile
Re: Big Island Of Hawaii Master Thread
« Reply #635 on: August 09, 2016, 11:10:52 AM »


Does it generally look like that, or does it depend on the timing?

Awesome pic!

Online Something Fishy

  • Global Moderator
  • Dansdeals Lifetime Presidential Platinum Elite
  • **********
  • Join Date: Jan 2011
  • Posts: 8708
  • Total likes: 6077
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 44
    • View Profile
    • Kosher Horizons
  • Location: Iceland
Re: Big Island Of Hawaii Master Thread
« Reply #636 on: August 09, 2016, 11:15:26 AM »
Thanks.

Always looks like than, unless the skies are clear. Then you see a billion stars too...
Check out my site for epic kosher adventures: Kosher Horizons

Offline shulem92

  • Dansdeals Presidential Platinum Elite
  • ********
  • Join Date: Feb 2015
  • Posts: 2955
  • Total likes: 122
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 1
    • View Profile
  • Location: Lakewood
Re: Big Island Of Hawaii Master Thread
« Reply #637 on: August 09, 2016, 11:22:41 AM »
Thanks.

Always looks like than, unless the skies are clear. Then you see a billion stars too...
Are the stars a + or a - ? Cuz the clouds make it look kinda haunting. Pretty cool IMHO

Online Something Fishy

  • Global Moderator
  • Dansdeals Lifetime Presidential Platinum Elite
  • **********
  • Join Date: Jan 2011
  • Posts: 8708
  • Total likes: 6077
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 44
    • View Profile
    • Kosher Horizons
  • Location: Iceland
Re: Big Island Of Hawaii Master Thread
« Reply #638 on: August 09, 2016, 11:23:33 AM »
Are the stars a + or a - ? Cuz the clouds make it look kinda haunting. Pretty cool IMHO

Very big plus, in my book at least.
Check out my site for epic kosher adventures: Kosher Horizons

Offline Zalc

  • Dansdeals Lifetime Platinum Elite
  • *******
  • Join Date: Nov 2014
  • Posts: 1785
  • Total likes: 157
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 0
    • View Profile
  • Location: USA
Re: Big Island Of Hawaii Master Thread
« Reply #639 on: August 09, 2016, 04:54:27 PM »
Very big plus, in my book at least.
Nice picture SF!

What settings did you use to get that?

Any Quick tips that you would be able to give on how to shoot lava night pictures?

(With a mirrorless and decent lens)

Thanks in advance!