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 283110 times)

Offline yos9694

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Re: Big Island Of Hawaii Master Thread
« Reply #260 on: October 21, 2014, 07:41:38 AM »
Anyone here use the Kona revealed book?

As opposed to Big Island Revealed?

Offline Drago

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Re: Big Island Of Hawaii Master Thread
« Reply #261 on: October 21, 2014, 07:55:27 AM »
As opposed to Big Island Revealed?
Whatever it's called.
You have an e-copy?

Offline PBaruch

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Re: Big Island Of Hawaii Master Thread
« Reply #262 on: October 21, 2014, 09:41:02 AM »
Whatever it's called.
You have an e-copy?

You can get the app for your phone if you do not want the hardcopy book.
What do you do after your dreams come true?

Offline yos9694

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Re: Big Island Of Hawaii Master Thread
« Reply #263 on: October 21, 2014, 11:38:43 AM »
Whatever it's called.
You have an e-copy?

I have the book, not ebook. PM me if you'd like to borrow it. As PBaruch mentioned, you can get the app. Personally, I find the app almost worthless for planning in advance though great to have on the spot, and the opposite for the book.

Offline Drago

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Re: Big Island Of Hawaii Master Thread
« Reply #264 on: October 23, 2014, 05:21:37 AM »
FYI, AS starting 3x weekly service ex-SAN. They now serve all 4 islands from there.

Offline Joe4007

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Offline PBaruch

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Re: Big Island Of Hawaii Master Thread
« Reply #266 on: October 28, 2014, 09:57:02 AM »
What do you do after your dreams come true?

Offline efflpetzel

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Re: Big Island Of Hawaii Master Thread
« Reply #267 on: October 28, 2014, 09:44:41 PM »
wow things are really getting serious up there bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-29805102   

Offline yos9694

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Re: Big Island Of Hawaii Master Thread
« Reply #268 on: November 04, 2014, 12:28:08 PM »
Its unfortunate because I happen to know people who live in that area.

No insurance or government payments for victims? Obviously, money doesn't 100% make up for losing one's home, but it helps. And I wonder who owns the new land (do Hawaiian deeds include airspace rights?)

Offline 3yummyboys

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Re: Big Island Of Hawaii Master Thread
« Reply #269 on: November 24, 2014, 01:07:53 PM »
Trip report coming soon...

I know this quote was from 2010 but we are still waiting Dan ....

Offline Drago

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Re: Big Island Of Hawaii Master Thread
« Reply #270 on: January 18, 2015, 05:51:39 AM »
Going for 3 nights with my girlfriend in late July, and would like to do a AirBnB property, or s/t similar.

Any recommondations for an off the beaten track location, preferably with a view and close to national parks, etc.
Not too interested to stay in the city.

Online Something Fishy

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Re: Big Island Of Hawaii Master Thread
« Reply #271 on: January 18, 2015, 06:01:17 AM »
Going for 3 nights with my girlfriend in late July, and would like to do a AirBnB property, or s/t similar.

Any recommondations for an off the beaten track location, preferably with a view and close to national parks, etc.
Not too interested to stay in the city.

We had a glorious time in this place. Note though that Ocean View is somewhat out of the way for many things.
Check out my site for epic kosher adventures: Kosher Horizons

Offline Drago

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Re: Big Island Of Hawaii Master Thread
« Reply #272 on: January 18, 2015, 06:05:01 AM »

Looks really nice, but at almost $600, it's on the pricey side.

As a side note, can I find kosher wine on the island, or would I need to bring some in?

Offline Ergel

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Re: Big Island Of Hawaii Master Thread
« Reply #273 on: January 18, 2015, 09:54:06 AM »
Looks really nice, but at almost $600, it's on the pricey side.

As a side note, can I find kosher wine on the island, or would I need to bring some in?
You ain't gonna do much better than that for a three night stay
Life isn't about checking the boxes. Nobody cares.

Offline Drago

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Re: Big Island Of Hawaii Master Thread
« Reply #274 on: January 18, 2015, 09:57:29 AM »
You ain't gonna do much better than that for a three night stay
If I don't need my own place, they've got rooms/floors w/ separate entrances at around 50-70 per night w/ great reviews on AirBnB.

Offline Dan

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Re: Big Island Of Hawaii Master Thread
« Reply #275 on: January 18, 2015, 09:57:55 AM »
I know this quote was from 2010 but we are still waiting Dan ....
Alol.
Enjoy the DansMeals article on it.
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 Ergel

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Re: Big Island Of Hawaii Master Thread
« Reply #276 on: January 18, 2015, 10:05:17 AM »
Life isn't about checking the boxes. Nobody cares.

Offline Dan

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Re: Big Island Of Hawaii Master Thread
« Reply #277 on: January 18, 2015, 10:12:32 AM »
Gosh. I should have gone to KOA
There's a reason the BI is cheaper.
Vog, lack of greenery, etc.  Not to say it doesn't have many of its own unique aspects, but it's not what you picture as a typical Hawaii vacation.
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 Ergel

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Re: Big Island Of Hawaii Master Thread
« Reply #278 on: January 18, 2015, 10:19:42 AM »
There's cheaper and then there's a quarter of the price
Life isn't about checking the boxes. Nobody cares.

Offline Dan

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Re: Big Island Of Hawaii Master Thread
« Reply #279 on: January 18, 2015, 10:24:39 AM »
There's cheaper and then there's a quarter of the price
No secrets here, I wrote in here that VRBO is great on TBI: http://www.dansdeals.com/archives/39148

But it's a very different type of trip and not one ideal with kids.
We stayed 4 nights in Volcano and it was very cool and rainy the whole time.
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.