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 283069 times)

Offline PBaruch

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Re: Big Island Of Hawaii Master Thread
« Reply #160 on: January 20, 2014, 11:20:44 AM »
hello all
question: is sunset and star gazing at Mauna Kea worth it that i should chip off another day from Ohau to experience it?
also is it safe to attempt to drive up the mountain and back down in the dark?

thanks

Can't answer the question as to if its worth it to you.  Dan posted that it was worth it to him and other people I know also really enjoyed it. 

As to driving up and down in the dark - that should not be a concern.  I have driven up and down in the dark several times without any problems.  It gets really foggy there very often so you might have to go slow or follow one of those crazy tourist vans that somehow manage to speed through the fog with almost 0 visibility. 

And watch out for the "invisible cows."  ;D
What do you do after your dreams come true?

Offline Ell Eee

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Re: Big Island Of Hawaii Master Thread
« Reply #161 on: January 20, 2014, 11:30:11 AM »
thanks
ok sounds like a yes for ME
you suggest i get a SUV or im ok with standard car

Offline PBaruch

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Re: Big Island Of Hawaii Master Thread
« Reply #162 on: January 20, 2014, 11:35:20 AM »
thanks
ok sounds like a yes for ME
you suggest i get a SUV or im ok with standard car

I got chewed out before for my 2 cents on this issue.  As a result, I won't be commenting about that again.  I suggest you use your own judgment as to whether you need a 4wd or not.

Btw, if you are interested in staying at the summit after dark to photograph, I can arrange that through a photographer buddy of mine.  My photographer buddy can also arrange tours of the Subaru telescope.  You cannot stay at the summit after dark on your own (they kick you out right after sunset) and you can't tour any of the telescopes on your own either.
What do you do after your dreams come true?

Offline Bosco

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Re: Big Island Of Hawaii Master Thread
« Reply #163 on: February 18, 2014, 01:24:09 PM »
If I plan on going to the BI from Tuesday May 20 to Monday morning May 26, do people think I should fly into Hilo, spend a few days there and then drive to Kona and fly back to HNL from there? Or should I just do round trip HNL-KOA?

Online Lou Bob

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Re: Big Island Of Hawaii Master Thread
« Reply #164 on: February 18, 2014, 01:27:21 PM »
If I plan on going to the BI from Tuesday May 20 to Monday morning May 26, do people think I should fly into Hilo, spend a few days there and then drive to Kona and fly back to HNL from there? Or should I just do round trip HNL-KOA?
Stay on both sides. It's easier than driving to other side, only to have to drive back at night.
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Offline Bosco

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Re: Big Island Of Hawaii Master Thread
« Reply #165 on: February 18, 2014, 01:35:16 PM »
I was planning on staying on both sides, my question is more about if there is any downside to flying into or out of hilo?

Offline Ell Eee

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Re: Big Island Of Hawaii Master Thread
« Reply #166 on: February 18, 2014, 04:09:35 PM »
Hi,
Just spent couple of days including shabat on the BI. had a great time Shabbat @ chabad was an amazing experience with Rabbi Avremel and Family!

Offline PBaruch

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Re: Big Island Of Hawaii Master Thread
« Reply #167 on: February 18, 2014, 04:19:17 PM »
I was planning on staying on both sides, my question is more about if there is any downside to flying into or out of hilo?

Both the Hilo and Kona side offer wonderful experiences.  On the Hilo side, you have Kalapana and Volcanoes National Park, etc.  On the Kona side you have some wonderful beaches and some of the best snorkeling around.  If you mind the round trip drive, its fine to fly into one and out of the other.  Just keep in mind that you may be charged a one way rental fee, which is approximately $75.00.
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Offline Dan

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Re: Big Island Of Hawaii Master Thread
« Reply #168 on: February 18, 2014, 04:41:05 PM »
Hi,
Just spent couple of days including shabat on the BI. had a great time Shabbat @ chabad was an amazing experience with Rabbi Avremel and Family!
Minyan?
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 Ell Eee

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Re: Big Island Of Hawaii Master Thread
« Reply #169 on: February 19, 2014, 03:13:24 PM »
Dan,
if i have you let me say "thank you'!!!
we had minyan Friday night and full house at the suda,
we had a 10:00 morning minyan with kriyat hatora followed by full house meal,
no mincha, and havdalah the rabbi did for us!


Offline Bosco

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Re: Big Island Of Hawaii Master Thread
« Reply #170 on: February 20, 2014, 04:15:29 PM »
I'm getting a little concerned while looking into the BI that we may not enjoy it as much as something like Kauai. It seems like it's not as nice. Is that a concern or am I getting the wrong impression? Something about the lack of hotels etc bothers me. Any thoughts?

Offline PBaruch

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Re: Big Island Of Hawaii Master Thread
« Reply #171 on: February 20, 2014, 04:19:13 PM »
I'm getting a little concerned while looking into the BI that we may not enjoy it as much as something like Kauai. It seems like it's not as nice. Is that a concern or am I getting the wrong impression? Something about the lack of hotels etc bothers me. Any thoughts?

You are DEAD wrong.  The Big Island rocks.  Not sure where you are getting your misinformation. 

 
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Offline Dan

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Re: Big Island Of Hawaii Master Thread
« Reply #172 on: February 20, 2014, 04:29:25 PM »
The BI has more to do than any other island.
However it is not as green/lush and parts of it suffer from Vog.
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Re: Big Island Of Hawaii Master Thread
« Reply #173 on: February 20, 2014, 04:37:19 PM »
I haven't been to any other islands besides Oahu, However the BI has it ALL i think, i could've spend another 2 weeks there (i wish!!)

Offline Dan

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Re: Big Island Of Hawaii Master Thread
« Reply #174 on: February 20, 2014, 04:39:08 PM »
I haven't been to any other islands besides Oahu, However the BI has it ALL i think, i could've spend another 2 weeks there (i wish!!)
-1,000.
Each of the islands are very unique.
To say one has it all is beyond foolish.
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Re: Big Island Of Hawaii Master Thread
« Reply #175 on: February 20, 2014, 04:43:31 PM »
ill take the ALL back... as i do agree with you!

Offline PBaruch

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Re: Big Island Of Hawaii Master Thread
« Reply #176 on: February 20, 2014, 04:47:46 PM »
The BI offers more than any other island.  It has flowing lava, an active volcano, mountains with snow on them (sometimes), Mauna Kea observatory, a rain forest (Volcano area), and awesome beaches including green and black sand.  It may not have it "all,"  but it has just about it all. 
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Re: Big Island Of Hawaii Master Thread
« Reply #177 on: February 20, 2014, 04:48:23 PM »
The BI offers more than any other island.  It has flowing lava, an active volcano, mountains with snow on them (sometimes), Mauna Kea observatory, a rain forest (Volcano area), and awesome beaches including green and black sand.  It may not have it "all,"  but it has just about it all. 
More to do, yes.
Just about all, heck no.
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Re: Big Island Of Hawaii Master Thread
« Reply #178 on: February 20, 2014, 04:48:54 PM »
More to do, yes.
Just about all, heck no.

What Hawaiian island has more? 
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Re: Big Island Of Hawaii Master Thread
« Reply #179 on: February 20, 2014, 04:50:58 PM »
I think the easiest way to sum it up is that Kauai is prettier , but the Big Island is more interesting.
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