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 282965 times)

Offline Yehoshua

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Re: Big Island Of Hawaii Master Thread
« Reply #820 on: August 12, 2018, 12:53:57 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?
Not very.

Offline mmgfarb

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Big Island Of Hawaii Master Thread
« Reply #821 on: August 12, 2018, 01:38:51 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?
Imperative if you want to summit Mauna Kea, something you should definitely do. I saw a bunch of people going up and down in regular AWD's like Nissan Rouge's but I am really glad we had a jeep for it.
« Last Edit: August 12, 2018, 01:45:30 AM by mmgfarb »
"JS [is] a fetid cesspool of unvarnished linguistic manure, with lots of useless drivel and post-padding." -Moishebatchy

Offline 12HRS

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Re: Big Island Of Hawaii Master Thread
« Reply #822 on: August 12, 2018, 03:08:30 AM »
Imperative if you want to summit Mauna Kea, something you should definitely do. I saw a bunch of people going up and down in regular AWD's like Nissan Rouge's but I am really glad we had a jeep for it.

Dan claims he did it in a convertible.

BTW looks like your toaster will be making its way to TBI for me next week so its getting some more use.

Offline mmgfarb

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Big Island Of Hawaii Master Thread
« Reply #823 on: August 12, 2018, 03:38:51 AM »
Dan claims he did it in a convertible.

BTW looks like your toaster will be making its way to TBI for me next week so its getting some more use.
So maybe you can do it in a convertible, I wouldn't have.

I'm very glad that you guys are getting such great use out of my toaster
(I hope you guys aren't shipping it, it would be cheaper to buy a new one.)
"JS [is] a fetid cesspool of unvarnished linguistic manure, with lots of useless drivel and post-padding." -Moishebatchy

Offline 12HRS

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Re: Big Island Of Hawaii Master Thread
« Reply #824 on: August 12, 2018, 03:40:20 AM »
So maybe you can do it in a convertible, I wouldn't have.

I'm very glad that you guys are getting such great use out of my toaster
(I hope you guys aren't shipping it, it would be cheaper to buy a new one.)

nope. they are going to tbi for two days and have free luggage space

Offline mmgfarb

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Big Island Of Hawaii Master Thread
« Reply #825 on: August 12, 2018, 03:58:28 AM »
nope. they are going to tbi for two days and have free luggage space

It's amazing what we all do to save $20
"JS [is] a fetid cesspool of unvarnished linguistic manure, with lots of useless drivel and post-padding." -Moishebatchy

Offline Dan

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Re: Big Island Of Hawaii Master Thread
« Reply #826 on: August 12, 2018, 08:47:23 AM »
It was scary doing it in a convertible, I'd definitely recommend a Jeep for TBI.
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 ckmk47

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Re: Big Island Of Hawaii Master Thread
« Reply #827 on: August 12, 2018, 11:36:43 AM »
My favorite cause: cssy.org

Offline mmgfarb

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Re: Big Island Of Hawaii Master Thread
« Reply #828 on: August 12, 2018, 02:12:32 PM »
On eBay you can get a good used copy for $4.
Ain’t nobody got time for ebay shipping.
"JS [is] a fetid cesspool of unvarnished linguistic manure, with lots of useless drivel and post-padding." -Moishebatchy

Offline mmgfarb

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Big Island Of Hawaii Master Thread
« Reply #829 on: August 12, 2018, 02:13:23 PM »
It was scary doing it in a convertible, I'd definitely recommend a Jeep for TBI.
Yea I can’t imagine that was a fun experience, especially at night, it’s some pretty rough going.
"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 #830 on: August 12, 2018, 02:14:22 PM »
Yea I can’t imagine that was a fun experience, especially at night, it’s some pretty rough going.
I enjoyed it, my wife OTOH...
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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Big Island Of Hawaii Master Thread
« Reply #831 on: August 12, 2018, 02:15:31 PM »
I enjoyed it, my wife OTOH...
Lol, I can imagine, I was in the passenger seat of a Jeep and that was a little scary coming down, my friend driving had a good time though. We were on around 4 hrs of sleep in the previous 40 some odd hrs so that didn’t exactly help either.
"JS [is] a fetid cesspool of unvarnished linguistic manure, with lots of useless drivel and post-padding." -Moishebatchy

Offline 12HRS

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Re: Big Island Of Hawaii Master Thread
« Reply #832 on: August 22, 2018, 02:54:27 AM »
Looks like I may be spending an unplanned shabbos here  ;D

Offline mmgfarb

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Re: Big Island Of Hawaii Master Thread
« Reply #833 on: August 22, 2018, 02:56:34 AM »
Looks like I may be spending an unplanned shabbos here  ;D
Sounds like a story...
"JS [is] a fetid cesspool of unvarnished linguistic manure, with lots of useless drivel and post-padding." -Moishebatchy

Offline E R K

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Re: Big Island Of Hawaii Master Thread
« Reply #834 on: August 22, 2018, 08:44:53 AM »
Looks like I may be spending an unplanned shabbos here  ;D

Why? And where? I found Fairmont Shabbos friendly.

Offline Proisrael

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Re: Big Island Of Hawaii Master Thread
« Reply #835 on: August 22, 2018, 08:50:28 AM »
Sounds like a story...

Hurricane...

Offline Yehoshua

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Re: Big Island Of Hawaii Master Thread
« Reply #836 on: August 22, 2018, 09:15:03 AM »
Looks like I may be spending an unplanned shabbos here  ;D
Oy, say hi to my sister and BIL. They're planning on staying for shabbos.

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Re: Big Island Of Hawaii Master Thread
« Reply #837 on: August 22, 2018, 10:56:30 AM »
The vast majority of models avoid a hit.

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Re: Big Island Of Hawaii Master Thread
« Reply #838 on: November 11, 2018, 08:25:06 AM »
Can anyone recommend a luau on TBI or Honolulu that does not serve food or has the option to not pay for food? I assume it's too much to ask if there is one that would make arrangements for kosher food?

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Re: Big Island Of Hawaii Master Thread
« Reply #839 on: November 23, 2018, 08:40:57 AM »
20% off Dolphin Quest gift cards now through Cyber Monday:

https://dolphinquest.com/hawaii-big-island/

Text of email:

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To show our appreciation for you, our Dolphin Quest Hawaii location on the Big Island is offering 20% off e-gift cards now through Cyber Monday. They are great gifts  for friends or loved ones traveling to the Big Island, and can be applied to any program!

Gift cards must be purchased online here (linked to above link) from now until midnight HST on Monday, November 26 to receive 20% discount.

Offer only valid for Dolphin Quest Hawaii. For more details, call 1-800-248-3316.
44/50, 46/63