Hawaii (Big Island) Travel Forum

The prices for car rental were the same between Dollar and Thrifty.

Any reason to pick one over the other?

When looking at travel the above referred to...is it just like the uk where you can smoke outside restaurants and bars in designated areas. And what are the rules re public open space smoking?
Thanks in anticipation
Claire

Hi there, I just thought I check it out to see what response I get . . . my husband and I will go this winter for 1 month to the Big Island, found a great place to stay for reasonable money.
I was wondering if we do need a car to get around or if we can reach most sites by bus too . . . I kind of can guess the answer already, but just wanted to make sure to see if there are some experiences either way.
Would be nice to read those.

Thanks a bunch :)

Hi there! We are a family of 10 and will be flying from LOS ANGELES to HILO, HI. There will be 8 adults and 2 kids. Not sure how to go about booking for a group. We plan on making the trip in August 2010.

Bottom line, we need air & hotel packages for 10 people (6 - 8 beds ok)
Daily breakfast, a van, a place with kitchen, dining room & pool. The rest we can do ourselves.

Would like to go to a Luau to celebrate one night because we are celebrating a 50th anniversary, 50th birthday and a college graduation.

If you can suggest anything we'd be very appreciative
Thanks so much!

I heard the Hard Rock Cafe has been closed down due to the economy, is this true?
Donna

Can we walk from Kahalu'u Beach Park to White sands or Magic sands beach on the Kona side of the island? How far is the Kona Village Luau from Kahalu'u Beach Park? Also, we are looking to rent a house in Puna area at Opihikae that has screens instead of glass windows. Is this common? Are the mosquitos bad in this area? The house is very close to the beach there. Would this be safe for two women traveling alone?


Thanks,
O

Hello,
Any advise on the best luau in the Kona area. Also, what is the take on the zipline? Worth it?
Thanks,
o

Hello,
Which are the best luaus to attend on the Kona side?
Thanks,
O

I would like to have some ideas as to how to plan my vacation to Hawaii. I am finally making this dream come true. I have been in many places but never been here before. I was thinking probably visiting two islands? How can I plan my vacation to Hawaii in two weeks? Any suggestion is greatly appreciated. My husband enjoys diving too much. Where is a good place to go diving in Hawaii? Should I book airline tickets firt to Honolulu and from there we go somewhere else?

Any ideas and suggestions are greatly appreciated!!

Thank you in advanced
Baronesa

Hi all, my husband wants to visit china and borneo on 27 th December for 10 days but i want to come to Hawaii.We have never been before so please give me some good info to convince him. I really like warm weather, sights, flora and fauna(except snakes) and shopping. Not great on nightclubs etc. Been on sites about differetn islands but which one shall i choose. PLease help cos i am not very fond of chinese food.!!!

Aloha! I am hoping someone can give me the scoop on the best place and area to stay on the east coast of the Big Island? My husband and I are staying 2 nights on the west coast (Kona) and then will head to the east for our last 2 nights. We fly in and out of Kona but our departure back to the mainland isn't until late evening so we will have the entire day after we checkout. We plan to do a boat or helicopter tour to view the lava and also some site seeing by foot in the Nat'l park. We would like to do the drive to see the amazing waterfalls, green sand beach, etc. but I am not sure if we should stay one night at the Nat'l Park and another in Hilo or both nights in Hilo or somewhere in between. I am also hoping to checkout the Hilo market before we leave. Really, we are just hoping to see the highlights in our short stay. Can anyone help with some recommendations or suggestions for our brief trip to the east coast? Much Mahalo! Bridget

Hi

I am planning to visit Hawaii in August. I plan to stay 1 week in Honululu and 1 week in Maui - are there a lot of tourist agencies that I can sign up for sight seeing? What are the things I should see in Honululu and Maui? Cheap flights from Honulu to Maui?? thank you.

I am planning a family trip for next Feb.(2010). I want to rent a house for 8 adults, 1 child. I want to be near a swimming beach. I heard that Kona is NOT the place to be because of the "vog" Is there another place on the Big Island that would meet my needs . Thanks for any information.

We are in Hawaii around 14th Feb. 4 people in our party. 2 adults and 2 teenagers (16 years). Want to get some tips on what not to miss. How are Lava Tube tours? They seem to be pricey. Are they worth it? Where do you go to watch Lava flow at night? We all love to walk/hike. Any reasonable and great tours to consider?

Any help greatly appreciated!

We have never been to the Big Island and would like to do a day trip on our own. We wanted to take our kids who are 3 and 5 to see the volcanoes and the lava flow during the day and in the evening but after reading different websites, I am scared about taking them. Can anyone give me some advice about this topic. Also are plan was to fly into Hilo get a rental car, see the waterfalls, go to the volcano national park, black sand beach, and what ever else we can squeeze in and fly out of Kona, is this realistic. We would arrive in Hilo at 7:30 am and leave Kona at 7:45pm on Pacific Wings. Any feedback on Pacific Wings? Thank you to all that reply!!

We'll be in Kailua-Kona the day Obama is inaugurated. I know that Hilo has a party going on but what's happening in Kailua-Kona and is it opened to some mainlanders joining in?

Hello dear travellers,

I have one week on the Big Island in July 2009.
If I rent a car from Kona and take my tent with me, is it possible to do some walking near the volcanoes?

Thanks,

Tobi

I'll be staying in Kailua-Kona Feb. 7-12, 2009 and am looking for an oceanfront condo with either 2 or 3 bedrooms. It will be me, my husband, my mother and my 2 year old son. So, either a 2 bedroom with a pull out or spare bed, or a 3 bedroom. I've received quotes from the following properties that have availability. Have you stayed in any of these or can you recommend one?

Alii Villas

White Sands Village

Kona Bali Kai

Keauhou-Kona Surf and Racquet (Townhouse)

I am also looking for availability at Sea Village or Banyan Tree, however the above properties are the ones who have already gotten back to me so far. We are not looking for anything fancy, something clean, with 1000 square feet or more, and close enough to the ocean that we can hear the waves. Plus, something where our two year old will feel free to run around.

Mahalo!

Hi, I will be on the Big Island for a week in October and are considering taking a whale watching trip. I know that it's not the right season for humpback whales, but I read that several species are year-round. Has anyone ever done such a trip in October? Do you know what chances are that you might actually get to see whales? And anyone knows a good outfitter (I read about Dan - www.ilovewhales.com)?

Another thing we would like to do is a Manta night dive near Kona. Does anyone have a good suggestion for a reliable diving operator? And is October a good season for doing this?

Thanks so much for your reply, also for my previously asked questions. All replies were really helpful!

My wife and I will be on the Big Island from Jan 1 to Jan 7. We're thinking about staying in a condo or small cottage or house.

If anyone has info about a reputable rental agency or an individual property that they can recommend, I'd appreciate it very much.

We would not be opposed to staying a few days in one place and then changing to another location on the island too have a little different experience.

I'd like to stay in the $200 a night range or maybe higher if it's on the beach. (of course less is okay too)

We are coming to Sea Mt. in Sept. and wondered where the best place is to buy groceries and if any are available close by.

Can anyone recommend a reputable dive shop in the Kona area?

Hi, another question...: do you have any tips for nice but affordable budget accommodations on the Big Island? If possible, I would like to spend not more than 60-80 US dollars per night for a double room. I would like to stay in the following places: around Kona, in Volcano, around Waimea and in Hilo (where I think Arnotts would be great). But if you have great suggestions in other places, they're also very welcome!

I'll be on Hawaii from 5-15 October (10 full days). I will arrive in Honolulu in the evening, and plan to fly to the Big Island (Hilo) immediately the next morning. Would it be enough to be on the Big Island for 7 days, if I would like to see/do the following things:

Akaka falls, Waipio-Waimanu-Pololu valley, dive with the manta's in Kona, kayak and snorkel in Kealakekua Bay (Captain Cook), see the green sand beach at South Point, visit hawaii Volcanoes national Park (including seeing the red lava flowing into the see) and drive up to Manu Kea via the Saddle Road (I know that's not allowed by most car rental agencies but I think it must be great...)

Is this feasible, could I manage in less time or do I need more time? If I can manage in 7 days, I would still have 2 1/2 day on Oahu and might be able to visit Laniakea Beach for the green turtles. Do you thinks this would be a good plan, am I missing highlights or do you advise to skip something (and if so, what?) Thanks for your help and advice!

Hi, since would like to plan my trip to Hawaii as good as possible, I will probably post a number of questions. Hopefully anyone can help!

I plan to visit the Big Island for about 7 days and would like to rent a 4WD for the best possible price. Does anyone know where I can book the cheapest possible (but reliable) 4WD?

Hi, is it possible to visit Waipio valley, Waimanu valley and Pololu valley on 1 day? I will be on the island in October, and I'm planning on renting a 4WD. What's the best way to do this? Up to where can you drive by car, and does it require a lot of hiking and thus time or would 1 day be enough? Thanks for your replies!

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!