Travel Answers

We are trying to plan our first vacation in 6 years; first with our 3 year old son. We plan to stay one night near Volcano Park but would like a house the rest of the time where we can access a beach, food, etc. but that is still quiet and not so "touristy." Found a great house in Captain Cook that is available (we are going 10/27-11/3); looks great, large enough for us and the other couple +kid who might be coming as well. I have read several different forums and majority opinion is Kailua Kona & Kohala Coast for beach lovers. Any advice would be appreciated.
Thanks much!

We are going to the Big Island at the end of May with a group from my husband's work. There is one day earmarked for exploring the island. We will be staying on the Kona Side (Four Seasons Hualalai).....help me plan this day! Sun up to sun down baby! We are also foodies...so recommend stops along the way for can't miss Hawaiian treats!

I will be there in June 2013. I want to do my itineray with price of all activities. I want to do something everyday.

How good is the road from Kona to Hilo. It looks like a 3 hour drive time. I am flying to Kauai and can save money if I fly from Hilo. Is it worth the savings. Flights are $20 more and there is a $60 drop charge for the car. should I suck up the expense or drive to Hilo

Anyone been there ? We are going in 3 weeks with my 21 mo. old Grandson. Is it far from the water and main facilities of the Resort ? Any recommendations ?

Hi all! We are a family of 2 adults and 2 kids (ages 12 and 10); and have 10 days on the BI, leaving Apr 11. We love nature, outdoors, hiking and wildlife, but also want to experience a bit of the beaches and try out some easy snorkelling.

I have listed our itinerary below and would appreciate any thoughts or advice. I also have a few questions within the descriptions below:

1. On day 1, we arrive at 11am and plan to spend the afternoon at the North Kona Beaches (Kekaha Kai State Park, Makalawena Beach, etc). We are novice snorkellers, so are looking for something safe where we can see some water life including if possible part of a reef. Would these two beaches provide that for us?

2. On day 2, we are planning to go on the Pu'u Wa'awa'a Trail to the cinder cone, before mixing short hikes and beach time at Kiholo Bay, Mauna Kea Beach and Anaeho'omalu Beach (there is a nice-sounding hike from thre to Keawaiki Bay that looks good for the evening). Same question as (1) about these beaches?

3. Day 3, we plan to split between visiting Polulu Valley and an evening at the Mauna Kea Visitors' Center for star-gazing. At Polulu Valley, we were hoping to do some of the trail up the opposite wall (Honokane Nui). Not the full trail, but just up the wall to a viewing point. We found a website BigIslandHikes.com which narrated this path. How are the conditions on this hike? And is the trail clearly marked? FYI, we are all fit and avid hikers, so does this sound like a reasonable plan?

4. Day 4: we plan to hike down to Waipi'o Valley and do a little of the Muliwai Trail (guide book suggests to the 3rd switchback for a great view).
---> How different is this from Polulu Valley? Same question as (3) about conditions and trail marking.

5. After finishing Wai'pio, we plan to drive the Hamakua Coast to Hilo stopping in a few places like Akaka Falls. We also saw there is a nature trail in Kalopa Native State Forest. Is this worth doing?

6. For Day 5, we planned to split time between doing a couple of miles of the Pu'u O'o Trail along Saddle Rd to see some of the native bird-life, followed by exploring the Puna area.
--> We have read extensively about bacterial issues in the pools around Puna. The advice was to avoid the day after weekends and go early morn. We will be there on Tues. How much of a problem is this? Are we taking a big risk if we sit or swim in Kapoka Tide Pools, Champagne Pond, Ahalanui Spring, etc.?

7. Days 6-8 we are spending at Volcano National Park. We wanted to hike close to the lava, but learnt that given orientation and difficulty, this can only be done with a guide. We have spoken with a gentleman called David Ewing, whose tour receives some good reviews on this site. Any thoughts on this vs. other tour companies?

8. We were looking forward to doing the Ranger-guided Pua Po'o Lava Tube hike, but unfortunately, it is not being run due to sequestration cuts. Could anyone recommend an interesting and safe lava tube we could go to? We read about Thurston Lava Tube, but I know there are others also (e.g. Emesine on Saddle Road near Hilo).

9. Has anyone done the Ka'u Desert (Footprints) Trail. Any thoughts on this?

10. Day 9, we plan to spend around Ka'u/South Point, starting with the hike to Green Sands Beach. We also noticed that the Kahuku section of Volcano Park is close to here. Can anyone advise on the hikes in this section? Are they anything special?

11. Then planned to drive in the evening to Puuhonua Nat Historic Park (we are spending the night close to this) and roam around as it approaches sunset.

12. On our final day, we were planning to do some snorkelling at Kahulu Beach and then visit Kaloko Honokohau Nat Hist Park, just N of Kona.

We also came across a cloud forest near to Kona (Kaloko Drive) - has anyone any experience of hikes in this area, and any thoughts on these?

Many thanks in advance for any help on all this!

One review says its a 5 mile hike while another says a local will drive ... is there alwasy someone who will drive you there without making you broke?

Is it cheaper to rent a car from the airport or in a downtown location in Kona? Also, has anyone used costco to rent a car and how does it compare to the other agencies. Thank you

Planning a family reunion in Kona next Christmas. Stayed at the water's edge in June and found it very hot. Is it hot and hardly any trades in winter as well? Should we plan on going up the hill for the trades?

Just trying to plan for the Big Island and it's a bit daunting to me. We're looking to spend 2 days in Kona diving and probably going to Kealakekua Bay. This gives us 3 1/2 days to drive around. Top priority is driving Saddle Road and to the Mauna Kea summit. However today the road is closed due to icy conditions. Is it likely for the road to be closed during most days in the winter or will we have a chance to do it? We also want to drive down the Chain of Craters Rd in Volcanoes NP. After that, we're looking for suggestions on what else to do. We enjoy hiking and scenery. We'll probably see Akaka Falls. Maybe we'll hike in Waipio Valley or Pololu Valley (or both?). Or will 3 1/2 days be enough to only do Saddle Road and Volcanoes?

Aloha! Any suggestions of which hotels are among the quietest, near Kailua-Kona? My hope is to get good rest on night of our arrival, to counter the effects of jet-lag (2 adults, travelling from Eastern time zone). If you have knowledge or experience to share please do! Thanks! Pete

Hello Everyone - i will be in Hawaii for 8 days starting next weekend - (i am usually a last minute planner!) - My base for those 8 days is in the Big Island, however I am interested in seeing for example Pearl Harbor and the beauty of other islands. Are there one day trip options? Is that feasible or would i need to overnight somehwere ? I would prefer not to double pay for hotel as I am already committed with the one in the BIg Island. Now about things to do - I have read on similar questions the points of interests are volcanoes, beaches, hikes, Pearl Harbor - Please let me know of any other things to do that i should concentrate on (i am not into the tourist stuff like shopping etc - mostly culture and love to go to local restaurants etc). Lastly, in the Big Island -it looks like renting a car is the way to go - can someone please let me know on transportation as well. THank you greatly.

We are planning a holiday to Hawaii and hope to get some suggestions on the choice of islands to visit. We are hoping to spend 5 nights on Waikiki - Oahu with 3 nights on either Maui or the Big Island. We love the beach, nature walk, waterfalls and of course the opportunity to see a volcano is very tempting as we've never seen this. I hope you can give me some feedback to make this choice a little easier.

Hi VTers! Planning a week+ on Hawaii in October.Our top priorities are to see lava flowing at Volcano National Park and go on a manta ray cruise. What is the best way to see lava flowing into the ocean? Also,what is the best manta ray trip? Any suggestions on B&Bs on the big island? Thanks for your help!

I need a place for one night for me my wife, son and his girlfriend. Just need it nice and large enough for a night. Thanks for the help.

Does anybody know a place in Kona that sells "all-purpose gluten-free flour"? We are taking my mother-in-law to the Big Island in August, and she can't live without it. I'm grateful for any advice at all.

Wanna share a cab ride to the Mooheau Bus Terminal (on the bay front), anyone? I'm arriving in Hilo through a domestic flight from Honolulu, Oahu @ 02:40pm. Need to catch the bus @ 4:00pm (or 7:30pm). Send me an email if you wanna share a cab ride :) My email is christina.hm.chan@gmail.com

Wanna share a cab ride to the Mooheau Bus Terminal (on the bay front), anyone? I'm arriving in Hilo through a domestic flight from Honolulu, Oahu @ 02:40pm. Need to catch the bus @ 4:00pm (or 7:30pm). Send me an email if you wanna share a cab ride :) My email is christina.hm.chan@gmail.com

I want to go camping in Hawaii,I don't care which island.I will be back packing.I will take some stuff with me but I will have to get some there.I don't want to have to rent a car if I don't have to.Are there any camp grounds within walking distance of public transportation?

Hi guys, I notice 2 choices for flights from Maui to Kona. Hawaiian Airlines or Island Air. Is one better than the other? (i.e. cost, convenience, comfort)? Thanks so much, Mickey

I am having a very hard time trying to find a hotel,resort or condo that has 3 beds or two beds and a sofa bed that has a beautiful ocean view. I need 3 beds because I have 2 teenage sons that will not share a bed and then my husband and I. I have found some places but I want something that is 4 star or just something that is VERY clean and in a great location with a great view. Any advice would be great. Thank you.

Hiya, me and a friend are going to Hawaii in a fortnight, and were going to spend most of our time on the big island. My job is to organise the volcano's bit! We were going to spend just one or two night over there. Was thinking a day trek, and a trip for the night lava. Is it better to stay in the national park, or just travel in from Hilo? Is there transport in the park from Hilo, or is it better to hire a car? Is it right that trekking around the park is easy enough or your own, or should we go on a group. We're young-ish and fitt-ish :). Sorry to ask such silly questions _ work is so busy and I'm struggling to find anything that really answers my questions! Thank you! Karen

My wife and I will be staying in the Kona area Feb. 6-11 and part of the 12th. Would you provide me some advice on things to do and see? We will have a vehicle, so we can go all around the island. Any recommendations on the items below and other ideas/must do and sees would be greatly appreciated!!! We would like to do the following: Whale watching trip (recommendation?) Luau (recommendation?) See an active volcano (but don't want to spend a lot to do it) Relax on the beach!!! (beach recommendations please)

Looking to possibly hiring a taxi at the cruise ship terminal to take us on a days tour. Does anyone know what they charge and if they did it would you recommend doing it to save time as opposed to renting a car (which you lose time when having to pick it up and drop it off at the airport. We are only in port from 8-5. Thanks

Well guys, I appreciated all your advice regarding condos in Kailua-Kona area and had it narrowed down to 2 condos since I wanted to be on the water. (Hale Kona Kai and Kona Reef) The only problem I have now is that a co-worker today told me that Kailua-Kona is really busy and full of large box stores etc. and she suggested that I stay in Keauhou instead. Any suggestions on that? There doesn't seem to be many ocean front condos in Keauhou (mostly golf courses) and I'm not sure if there is much of a town there. As usual, I really appreciate your replies and suggestions. Mahalo, Mickey

Hi everyone: We are heading to Hawaii for 2 weeks in May/June. We will be attending our daughter's wedding in Maui (where we have been many times). We decided we would like to check out the big Island for our second week, but have never been there, so have no idea where to stay or what to do while we are there. Any suggestions for condos and things not to miss on the big Island would be great. We will probably be staying in the Kona area. Mahalo, Mickey

Hi guys im travelling to the big island its my first vist and im only staying 2 nights, just wondering what is the best area to base myself in Hilo or Kona?.

Hi There, My husband to be and I are honeymooning in Hilo for 4 nights in April. We really want to see many things that the Volcano National Park has to offer. At this stage our travel agent has tentatively put us down to stay at "Naniloa Volcanoes Resort" which not only has really bad reviews but also 45 minutes from the Volcano National Park. My gut feelings tells me to stay at a B&B at Volcano National Park. My question is if we stay in Hilo, apart from the 45 minute drive out to the Volcano National Park, what is there to do in Hilo during the day and the night? My next question is, if we stay at a B&B at the Volcano National Park, what is there to do at night after we have spent our days in the National Park? Any suggestions and help is appreciated and welcome Thanks Lisa

Hello, I'm new to this site. I would like to go to Hawaii, but I have no idea where to start. Could anyone tell me where to start? I live in the Niagara Region in Ontario, Canada. Does anyone have a trustworthy agency that I could go to? I'd go with my family, where there's 5 people. What should I avoid, go see? I need to start planning. Any help would be very much appreciated! Thank you in advance, Eva.

We just booked airplane tickets for a Christmas time, 8 days on the Big Island. I am presently tying to organize our stay there. We will certainly check out some beaches, try some snorkeling...but we are not the "stay on beach" type. Would like to explore the volcanoes, take easy hikes, see the small places and enjoy nature in general. We will rent a car. So far the plan is: -3 nights in Kona (Outrigger Keahou Beach Resort?) -3 nights at Kea'au or Volcano (B&B probably but where?)..maybe Hilo? -last 2 nights in Kohala ( Marriott?) Any suggestions on reasonable but good quality accommodations for 2? My guess is that it will have to be hotel or B&B as we will be moving around a lot. Much appreciated.