Kailua-Kona Travel Forum

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

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?

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!

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!

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.

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

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?

I will be arriving on the Carnival Spirit on April 24. I will be traveling with 6 people. We want to rent a car, I would like to know, what would be the best rent a car compamy to use. we need a mini van.
Thank you

Our family will be visiting Hawaii On March 13-March 23. We have two children 4.5 and 2.5. We will need periodic babysitting services to help the grandparents wiht taking care of kids. You will not be alone wiht the kids we just need a female babysitter ages20-30 who is energetic and fun and responsible to help with entertaining kids, food prep when husband and I want some time to get away for afew hours. Can someone please advise me or even get me numbers of people with references? Thanks!!!!

We will be staying at a time share(Kona Coast Resort) we will only be there for a week in October. Is it possible to use public transit for getting around and to and from groceries, etc.?

Thanks

We are heading to the BIg Island for a wedding later this year and our 6 year old son will be joining us. We plan to rent a house near the Waikola Hilton where the wedding will be taking place. I'd like to stay within walking distance of a beach perhaps has a protected lagoon or is considered a children's beach. Any suggestions?

there will be 6 of us going on a sunset cruise, is it only on Sat. eve and do we need to make reservations ( Jan 20) before we arrive? Any discounts on internet?
We are interested in the 50' Hokuhele

Any suggestions as to who to get as your captain? Will be there for only a ady

Breakfast recommendations in Waikoloa and Kona areas?

My niece is competing in the Ironman this October. She is staying @ a resort condo in Keauhou. She suggests I look for a hotel Btween Palani Dr and the end of Alii Drive as they will be running in that area. Has anyone attended the event as a spectator that can recommend a hotel or condo that would be along this route?

My wife & I will be going on our honeymoon to Kona in late August. We're staying at the "Fairfield Hawaii at Kona Hawaiian Resort".

Does anyone know if that resort offers free Wireless Internet access? If not, where's the cloest WiFi hot spot near Kona?

My reasoning is that I'm in a MBA program and will need to access my work while honeymooning (tragic, I know!)

Thanks!

My husband and I are traveling to Hawaii in January, and we are debating between going to Kailua Kona or to Waikiki Beach. Any suggestions on which one we should go to and why you suggest that it.
Thanks...

Hi
I was wondering if you might be able to help me out. My partner and I are going on a belated honey moon (got married July 2nd 2005) to Kailua-Kona from May 20-27. I wanted to surprise her with a romantic sunset dinner cruise and I don't know how to arrange that or who has the best price. Do I book it before we go there? I also wanted to reserve a table at some romantic place for lunch or dinner one day. It could even be a little bit secluded/remote.
Is there some place a little bit outside that I could take her to as a surprice.

I really appreciate your help as I am trying to see what I can do to
make our vacation special.
Thank you
M

Since big resorts are not my thing, would anyone be able to recommend a bed and breakfast in Kailua-Kona area?

Tks,

Which would you choose if you had the choice between the Hilton Waikola or Marriott Wailoka? Thanks for your help and suggestions.

We are arriving on 9/14 and staying at the Fairmont Orchid Hotel and would like some info on the area. What is there to do? Is the hotel a good one? Thanks in advance for your tips!!!!!

My fiancé and I will be spending our honeymoon in Kailua-Kona.. we will be traveling from Denver, CO to Kailu-Kona, and checking in at the Sheraton Bay and Resort. What's the best way to get around? Does anyone know if this resort has a shuttle service to the city?
Is there a local willing to rent us their vehicle for a couple of days?

Thanks for all of your replies

Aloha,

I'm seriously thinking of moving to Kona. Right now I live in New York. It's exciting--most of the time; diverse and lots of things to do-if you want to.

It's a beautiful state. But living here is very stressful. Traffic, overcrowded subways-you name it. I'm ready for a change.

It's not all bad though: shopping is great, you can ride the subway anywhere for $2. Still, I think the living would be better in Kona. I have a friend there who loves it. I'd like to hear what others have to say regarding work, salaries, and quality of life.

I went to Oahu a couple of weeks ago. Will visit Kona very, very soon.

Mahalo.

p.s: I'm originally from a small town in N.C.

We will be traveling to Oaha on March 25-29 and then to Kona. Which would be the best for taking the Atlantis submarine and a whale watching excursion. I understand you can get either or both on both islands. Thank you!

A naturist couple who are friends of mine and his wife recommended I try the Kona side of Big Island to escape the winter clouds and rain of Kauai. They said the following beaches were still clothing-optional (naturist) after the sad closure of Honokohau to naturism by the NPS:

1. Makalawena 2. Kua #. Murphy's a.k.a. Anaeho omalu 4. 67 Beach near Hapuna 5. Mauumae

Which of the following are your favorites and is there ANY type of bus transport, however infrequent, up north from Kailua past the turnoffs to these beaches? Are they listed in correct order going north away from Kona? Thanks.

My husband and I will be visiting - via cruise ship -in January. I would like to get to Kahalu'u Beach from wherever the cruise ship will be docking in Kona. (We'll be in Kona from 8AM til 6PM). I understand this is a wonderful beach to snorkel.

Will it be possible to get a taxi to take us to the beach - and if so, will we be able to get one easily to get back to the ship?

If we did go by taxi - would it be very expensive - is the beach very far from where the cruise ships dock? Or should we be looking into renting a car instead?

Thanks.

sheri

Hi guys,

I am planning to be on BI from Nov 29 to Dec 13.

I'm wondering what advice you can give me on getting the plane tickets and a rental car. I would be flying Los Angels to Kona

Is there a better time to buy tickets, or is it "the sooner the better"? What is a normal price for one. I would prefer non stop, but i've seen the prices a much higher.

As far as the rental cars go, Would any of you recomend a specific compnay, or are most of the major one the same.

Any other advice is also welcome.

Mahalo

I saw a place online where I can reserva a pontoon
boat in the kailua-kona area. It would be driven by me
and they say it's easy to do. I'm thinking of a full day rental to go up & down the Kona coast. Is this too dangerous to do? I'm looking at May 4th for this adventure. Please give me any tips or feedback on this idea.

Is it possible if we don't book in advance but just knock on Jack's Diving Locker office to take a Manta Ray Night Dive ($105) on the same day?
in May around 12th - 14th.

coz we will start our trip from Hilo on 9th May, visiting the Volcano National Park, driving to Kona finally.
we just have 5-6 days staying on Big Island.

Any suggestions for me to spend the evening alone?
i cannot dive,
what can i do while my boyfriend is doing Manta Ray Night Dive?
Should we take Royal Kona Resort? so that when he is diving, i can swim in the resort safely? :P
(i am a poor swimmer)