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 283079 times)

Offline Dan

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Re: Big Island Of Hawaii Master Thread
« Reply #60 on: June 26, 2013, 02:14:49 PM »
Sunset on MK is lifechanging.
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 MLM

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Re: Big Island Of Hawaii Master Thread
« Reply #61 on: June 26, 2013, 02:20:22 PM »
Sunset on MK is lifechanging.


So maybe I can go to Mauna Kea on a separate evening. Is it so far from the Fairmont?
« Last Edit: June 26, 2013, 02:23:52 PM by MLM »

Offline Dan

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Re: Big Island Of Hawaii Master Thread
« Reply #62 on: June 26, 2013, 02:38:35 PM »
GIYF.
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 MLM

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Re: Big Island Of Hawaii Master Thread
« Reply #63 on: June 26, 2013, 11:46:32 PM »
I found a private guide (same one I used in Kauai) we are gonna do an off trail hike in Waipio area on Monday and possibly end up on Mauna Kea for Sunset. I am still trying to work out Tues and Wed.

Offline PBaruch

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Re: Big Island Of Hawaii Master Thread
« Reply #64 on: July 09, 2013, 10:59:04 AM »
Is there any way to get a cheap rate at the Four Seasons in Kona?  Alternatively, is there a way to book it with miles/points?

Thanks.
What do you do after your dreams come true?

Online Something Fishy

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Re: Big Island Of Hawaii Master Thread
« Reply #66 on: July 14, 2013, 11:28:45 AM »
I've hiked to the lava many times and poked sticks into it but wasn't so dumb to do this.  I have also hung out with a local photography buddy of mine and photographed lava - these guys know where it is safe to step and stand and where it isn't.
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Re: Big Island Of Hawaii Master Thread
« Reply #67 on: July 17, 2013, 12:59:14 PM »
I need some advice - is it worth 80k United miles for a 1 way ticket from Honolulu to Newark with a lay flat seat bed?

There is availability for 40k miles 1 way in business but this would be a connecting flight and only 1 leg would be business (mixed cabin far).

Thanks in advance.
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Re: Big Island Of Hawaii Master Thread
« Reply #68 on: July 17, 2013, 01:04:20 PM »
Sunset on MK is lifechanging.

I would say viewing a lava lake is life changing.  PM for more information if anyone is interested.
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Offline Dan

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Re: Big Island Of Hawaii Master Thread
« Reply #69 on: July 17, 2013, 01:32:59 PM »
I would say viewing a lava lake is life changing.  PM for more information if anyone is interested.
Huh? Why not just post?
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.

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Re: Big Island Of Hawaii Master Thread
« Reply #70 on: July 17, 2013, 02:21:15 PM »
Can I PM you with explanation?
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Offline Dan

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Re: Big Island Of Hawaii Master Thread
« Reply #71 on: July 17, 2013, 02:24:24 PM »
Sure
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Re: Big Island Of Hawaii Master Thread
« Reply #72 on: July 18, 2013, 11:03:01 AM »
Does anyone besides United offer flat bed seats in first from Hawaii to NYC?

I called Hawaiian and AA and both said they do not have full flat seats.
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Offline Dan

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Re: Big Island Of Hawaii Master Thread
« Reply #73 on: July 18, 2013, 12:25:29 PM »
Does anyone besides United offer flat bed seats in first from Hawaii to NYC?

I called Hawaiian and AA and both said they do not have full flat seats.
No, but AAs 767s are supposed to be pretty good.
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.

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Re: Big Island Of Hawaii Master Thread
« Reply #74 on: July 18, 2013, 12:40:57 PM »
No, but AAs 767s are supposed to be pretty good.

Thanks for the response.  I did a search on AA but do not see any 767s.  The are all listed as 757, 764, 762, 738, etc.  Also, for the 4 tickets I need, the difference in the redemption rate is not that great.  AA wants 75k pp and United is presently 80k pp 1 way in 1st. 

By the way, the United fold flat seats are on the 767.

I will probably hold off for a bit to see if I can get a saver 1st class on United for 40k pp. 
« Last Edit: July 18, 2013, 12:46:28 PM by PBaruch »
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Re: Big Island Of Hawaii Master Thread
« Reply #75 on: July 18, 2013, 01:02:59 PM »
AA flies the 767s DFW-HNL and DFW-OGG AFAIK.  Maybe ORD-HNL seasonally.

Besides for the 767s UA also has lie-flats in F on 3 class 777s from places like IAD, IAH, and SFO.
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Re: Big Island Of Hawaii Master Thread
« Reply #76 on: July 18, 2013, 02:32:39 PM »
Thanks for the response.  I did a search on AA but do not see any 767s.  The are all listed as 757, 764, 762, 738, etc.  Also, for the 4 tickets I need, the difference in the redemption rate is not that great.  AA wants 75k pp and United is presently 80k pp 1 way in 1st. 

By the way, the United fold flat seats are on the 767.

I will probably hold off for a bit to see if I can get a saver 1st class on United for 40k pp.

764= 767-400  762= 767-200

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Re: Big Island Of Hawaii Master Thread
« Reply #77 on: July 18, 2013, 02:37:43 PM »
764= 767-400  762= 767-200

Thanks.  Do you know how far back the seats recline in the 764 and 762?  On the seat map it clearly shows that its not a lay flat but I can't tell how far back the seats recline.
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Re: Big Island Of Hawaii Master Thread
« Reply #78 on: July 21, 2013, 04:27:45 AM »
I am landing at 11 am in KOA and want to do Sunset at Mauna Kea tomorrow night. I am staying at the Fairmont and was wondering:
1) what time I have to leave to make sunset?
2) if there is anything to do between around 12 until I have to leave?

I am going to VNP on Monday and doing Heli and Waterfall Hike on Tuesday.


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Re: Big Island Of Hawaii Master Thread
« Reply #79 on: July 21, 2013, 11:39:34 PM »
Posting from the summit of Mauna Kea! (But it's a little foggy) :-(