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 283100 times)

Offline brodes18

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Re: Big Island Of Hawaii Master Thread
« Reply #800 on: May 03, 2018, 08:58:24 AM »
Read my TR. We stayed in Volcano for 2 nights and near Kona for 2 nights. Ended up working your great.

Thanks for the advice. Will stay on the Hilo side.

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Re: Big Island Of Hawaii Master Thread
« Reply #801 on: May 03, 2018, 09:02:36 AM »
Thanks for the advice. Will stay on the Hilo side.
Ok, but be prepared for rainy weather the whole time. It may not happen, but br prepared.

Offline brodes18

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Re: Big Island Of Hawaii Master Thread
« Reply #802 on: May 03, 2018, 09:04:33 AM »
http://bigislandnow.com/2018/04/17/kilauea-volcano-showing-signs-of-increased-activity/

Wonder what comes next. I'm planning to go in August.

https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/volcanoes/kilauea/status.html
https://www.nps.gov/havo/planyourvisit/lava2.htm


Big changes going on with the Volcano this week. Pu'u 'Ō'ō crater collapsed, 61g flow stopped, mass movement of magma under the ground east to the lower rift zone is causing hundreds of earthquakes. Last night a part of the larger Halema‘uma‘u crater collapsed as well. Will be interesting to see what comes next!

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Re: Big Island Of Hawaii Master Thread
« Reply #803 on: May 03, 2018, 11:33:20 PM »

Offline Shua

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Re: Big Island Of Hawaii Master Thread
« Reply #805 on: May 06, 2018, 01:31:08 AM »
https://www.nps.gov/havo/learn/news/20180504_pr_closure.htm

Park closure in affect.

From FB:

Park update for Saturday, May 5 at 5:30 pm:

Hawaii Volcanoes National Park will remain closed today and through tonight. Park staff have been busy assessing trails, roads and buildings in the front country areas of the park today, and thus far, minimal damage has been reported.

If volcanic and seismic activity remain at current levels in the park, the park could partially reopen Sunday afternoon. We will keep you posted through digital, traditional and social media outreach.
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Re: Big Island Of Hawaii Master Thread
« Reply #806 on: June 14, 2018, 09:12:12 PM »
A bit late, but Kapoho tide pools are gone.  :'(
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Offline mmgfarb

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Re: Big Island Of Hawaii Master Thread
« Reply #807 on: June 18, 2018, 08:19:54 PM »
I see the 2016 version of The Big Island Revealed on Amazon, do I need the 2018 version?
"JS [is] a fetid cesspool of unvarnished linguistic manure, with lots of useless drivel and post-padding." -Moishebatchy

Offline brodes18

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Re: Big Island Of Hawaii Master Thread
« Reply #808 on: June 18, 2018, 08:21:24 PM »
I see the 2016 version of The Big Island Revealed on Amazon, do I need the 2018 version?
You probably need the one that's not out yet. A lot of the 2018 one related to the volcano and puna area is now outdated.

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Re: Big Island Of Hawaii Master Thread
« Reply #809 on: June 18, 2018, 08:22:10 PM »
I see the 2016 version of The Big Island Revealed on Amazon, do I need the 2018 version?
I don't think there is a newer one.
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 mmgfarb

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Re: Big Island Of Hawaii Master Thread
« Reply #810 on: June 18, 2018, 08:22:17 PM »
You probably need the one that's not out yet. A lot of the 2018 one related to the volcano and puna area is now outdated.

Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk
So what do I do at this point...?
"JS [is] a fetid cesspool of unvarnished linguistic manure, with lots of useless drivel and post-padding." -Moishebatchy

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Re: Big Island Of Hawaii Master Thread
« Reply #811 on: June 18, 2018, 08:22:46 PM »
I don't think there is a newer one.
So just get the 2016 and rely on information online about the volcano and everything?
"JS [is] a fetid cesspool of unvarnished linguistic manure, with lots of useless drivel and post-padding." -Moishebatchy

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Re: Big Island Of Hawaii Master Thread
« Reply #812 on: June 18, 2018, 08:34:43 PM »
So just get the 2016 and rely on information online about the volcano and everything?
You'll have to look online for current info about the volcano.
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 yoshyosh

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Re: Big Island Of Hawaii Master Thread
« Reply #813 on: June 18, 2018, 09:48:03 PM »
I see the 2016 version of The Big Island Revealed on Amazon, do I need the 2018 version?
I bought the app it is very good for updated information.

Offline mmgfarb

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Re: Big Island Of Hawaii Master Thread
« Reply #814 on: June 18, 2018, 10:26:04 PM »
I bought the app it is very good for updated information.
How much is it?
"JS [is] a fetid cesspool of unvarnished linguistic manure, with lots of useless drivel and post-padding." -Moishebatchy

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Re: Big Island Of Hawaii Master Thread
« Reply #815 on: June 19, 2018, 12:18:14 AM »

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Re: Big Island Of Hawaii Master Thread
« Reply #816 on: July 12, 2018, 10:31:59 AM »
Ahalanui is gone.  :(
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Re: Big Island Of Hawaii Master Thread
« Reply #817 on: July 24, 2018, 06:11:34 PM »
I need a hotel for one night, I'm looking for convenience over luxury so closer to the airport and free parking would be nice. Anyone have any recommendations?
"JS [is] a fetid cesspool of unvarnished linguistic manure, with lots of useless drivel and post-padding." -Moishebatchy

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Re: Big Island Of Hawaii Master Thread
« Reply #818 on: August 12, 2018, 12:11:10 AM »

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Re: Big Island Of Hawaii Master Thread
« Reply #819 on: August 12, 2018, 12:41:49 AM »
Just starting to read TR's now and plan my trip which starts in a week. (just booked tonight).

One important question though since i want to get my car rental done. How important is a jeep for this island?