Hawaii (Big Island) Travel Forum

I would like to go to Hawaii the third week in Oct.08 and need help in planning my first ever trip there. I want to rent a condo from a private owner instead of staying at a hotel because I thought that would be more economical since I am on a budget and it will be 2 adults traveling. I can't make up my mind where exactly to go, meaning which island would give me more bang for my buck and the sightseeing part of the trip as well. I know it is very expensive to go to Hawaii but I want to do my best and go. I am a recent cancer survivor and I now want to do things that I said where on my to do list and never got around to do. Now is the right time and I need help in planning out the trip of a lifetime for me and my best friend who was with me thru the hardest time of my cancer and recovery which has lasted going into 14 months now. I was just told that I am cancer free and I want to do something to celebrate my victory, so anyone who can advise me of how to go about planning this trip I would greatly appreciate it, I need discount airline info. to where to stay and I already know that I want to see and do as much as I can within a 7 day period because that is how much time we will be staying there. From 10-22-08 thru 10-30-08. I would love to see the main attractions such as the volcanoes, black sand beach,tropical rainforests, waterfalls, a luua, hula dancing, go parasaling, see the giant turtles, go whale-watching, and perhaps take in a helicopter ride. So please all info. / advice is appreciated. I would like to start making my plans for this trip asap, so that is why I am inquiring now.

Hi

I plan to book a flight to Mauii for 10 days in October or November of this year. Any suggestions regarding the places I should visit...thanks

Hello! I'll have a rental car at Kona as of 9 am and need to return it around 5pm the same day. Is there any WAY I can see live lava flow? I need to see it and want to see it in person. Help - I'm willing to drive a great distance to experience this once in a lifetime phenomena. Please help me - local advice needed.

Aloha. . .
Allison

I’m planning to go to Kona, HI Jan 31 – Feb 7, 2009 and was wondering what the weather will be like. Will it be sunny/rainy/stormy? What is the temperature like?
Thinking of staying at the Wyndham Kona Hawaiian Resort. What is there to do around there? Is this a good area to stay in?

Thanks!

Hi All:

Which is a better hotel...Hapuna Beach Prince Hotel or Waikoloa Beach Marriott?

I hear Marriott has undergone recent renovations and is beautiful..so, I'm not
sure with the renovations, which one is better now.

Thanks!

MiniManzana

I will be arriving in Waikoloa tomorrow (May11). I have heard there is a problem with Vog from the volcano. Does anyone know if there will be vog in the Waikoloa area?

Thanks

How long driving is expected?
Thanks for your input.

Hello! I am Victoria from Manila Philipines and travelling to Hawaii this June. I would like to see Kelauea Volcano. Is there anyone who went there and can I ask how to get there from downtown Honolulu? I am travelling alone and really want to go there. I want to see the actual eruption if possible. Thank you.

Planning on flying Aloha Airlines? They stop flying April 01, 2008.

can I stay at Volcano House hotel without renting a car? Can I see the national parks without renting a car?

Hi,

I'd like to know how many days is ideal to make a Hawaii vacation in the month of December during Christmas - as a rough initial estimate? Is 12 days good?

Any MUST-SEE/MUST-DO (based on our interests listed below)

About us and our Interests:
We are into hiking (can backpack for 2-3 days)
Biking of 1 day, some low level ocean activity - snorkelling etc

Thanks

I'm going to the Big Island for the first time in March and want to know if there is any good single track mountain biking anyone could recommend. Also a place that rents full suspension bikes,.,

4 adults are travelling to Florida from Australia next year via either Honolulu or LA...we dont know which to choose.
Please help us make a decision...we will be spending 4 nights.
Which place will have the better weather?
Not interested in shopping...rather do touristy stuff.

Hi There,

we are going to Kona for Christmas and I am trying to get information on all the things we can do there. I am bringing my two teenage daughters that love to keep busy ...would love any ideas or advise.

Thanks

Connie

Aloha

I'm very excited about my first trip, I may be going on my own as I just want to chill out, but may have a friend with me.......anyway.......

I'm a big swimmer and really worried about the shark population in Hawaii, Ive swum in Rio de Janeiro and European countries and get rattled if a fish brushes past me and start swimming like a rocket powered torpedo towards shore. I've also been perversly attracted to " killer shark" documentaries thanks to Sky TV, so can someone give me the heads up on Jaws and his family in Hawaii.

Also, can you sunbathe topless in any of the islands?

Also, whats the chances of finding a beach all to yourself or if not, whats the crime like on the beaches, in Rio if your left your IPod behind, you had better say a long goodbye to it first!

Anyway, Hawaii is the ultimate paradise for me, there is just something about it, it's the total anti-thesis of rainy London and depressing London people traffic each morning.

I'm going to be going for 10 days in late November, my diet has started now, sit ups etc gotta look hot in Waikiki.

So, anyone luck enough to have the knowledge to want to help me out?....

Also, any chance I'll see Dog and his bounty hunters around?

Thanks

I will be on the Hilo side the week before Thanksgving and am looking for the best hiking/van tour of the volcano. Any suggestions? Thanks.

We would like to visit the Hawaii(Big Island) and I would like to know the best time of year to visit Hawaii. Would also like to know if all the islands are good to visit.

Fellow Adventure Seekers:

My wife and I are planning to be on the Big Island in late April. It’s our 4th trip to this particular island and we are planning to do plenty. It may be too much, however, because she is already putting restrictions on adventures within which she is willing to participate.

Anyway, there are some adventurous hikes that I want to undertake with which she is refusing participation. I’d like to complete at least one, but they are such that no person should attempt alone. Therefore, I am seeking to team up with fellow adventurers who might be interested in some day-hiking to one or more remote places.

If you are going to be on the Big Island during the last week of April (20-29) and would be interested in something like this, please let me know. Contact me directly through private messaging to prevent boring others in the forums.

You needn’t be an avid hiker. However, you will need to be able to hike several miles while going up and down critical elevations without too much trouble while carrying your gear.

I'm so excited in what I listened about Big Island and it's volcanos...What do you recommend to see. I have a little girl with 8 years old that loves dolphins. Is it possible to see and toutch them??? Thanks Bea

Has anyone stayed at the Black Sands Beach House? What do you think of it? Also, I am in the Air Force but cant find anything on the Marine Corps Base and what it has to offer and if it has a hotel at the base - does anyone know? Where is the best place to go Scuba diving? Thank you for you help - cant wait to go in Jan.

My wife and I are planning a trip to the Hawaiian island this fall. I don't want to stay in the expensive resort hotels. I was looking into the alternaive hawaii web site. Some of the Hostels have rooms with a bath and shower. Does anyone have any advice on staying in these hostels? We are in our mid 50's and how would we fit in with this? We would probably need rooms on the Big Island of Hawaii and Maui. Any information that I could get would be appreciated.

Thank You

Tom

I am looking for a caterer on th Big Island. I am staying in Hilo. I need someone who will cater to a weddinbg in the traditional luau style...pig and everything. Does anyone know anyone?

We are on a cruise that will dock in Hilo Oct 1 from 10:00 am - 6:00 pm. Are there tours at that time that we can take? Any independent tours available at dock?

Hoping some fine VT'er can help me out in getting a Kona Hard Rock Cafe City-T. Especially somebody who could accept a paypal payment (although, I can mail you a money order also)
Have started collecting these for the past few years and am trying to 'retrofit' my collection.
Either post here, or just email mail me directly.

Thanx in advance.
Dan

I've been trying to find a vacation rental to rent in hawaii and haven't found any good deals. I've found the site http://www.fastvacationrentals.com and it had some vacation rentals but not one that was right for me. I want a nice ocean front place. Can anyone help me find one?

Thanks

I am heading out to the Big Island at the end of the month, and I was looking for a swap meet or inexpensive place for souvenirs/gifts to bring home. I went to the swap meet at the stadium in Oahu a few years back. Anything similar on the BI ?

Is it a good idea to try camping on the Big Island? I'm concerned about both weather as well as security.

We have been to Maui many times (love it). We are planning another trip to Hawaii in May. Thought we should try another Island and am looking at the big Island. My concern is it just looks so big that I wonder whether it will have the same feel as Maui. Also, most of the beaches look very rocky and rough. I have been looking on the VRBO website, but there are so many areas and towns on the Big Island that I'm overwhelmed. The Keachou Surf & Racquet Club seem to have great reviews. Is Keachou a good area to stay in? Some people say stay in Hilo and many say stay in Kona, but again there are many towns in both of these areas and I don't have a clue what to look for. I definitely like the sunny side of the Island. We always stay in Kihei on Maui where it's usually sunny and we are close to beaches, restaurants and everything we need. (nice laid back area) That's the kind of area that I'm looking for on the Big Island. Can you give me some advice please?

Thanks all,
Carol.

How much should I expect to pay for a round of golf (and I need to rent clubs) in Kona near the Marriot resort in Waikoloa? Also, what is the best area to go scuba diving in?

Hello,
I need to order some fresh Kona coffee beans to ship to Arkansas. Any good websites to get the best 'Island' Kona coffee??
Thanks,
O