Big fun on the Big Island of Hawaii

After much studying and preplanning, we were still in awe of the Big Island. It isn't exceptionally large, but is a very diverse island! Whatever climate you're looking for, you should be able to find it here--- warm weather in the Kona area, the rainforest in the Hilo area, even snow in the mountains. Don't stop there, though, you must experience the underwater world, too. The crystal clear water teeming with colorful fish shouldn't be missed. In order to really appreciate Hawaii, you must see the whole island--above and below sea level!

Quick Tips:

If you're spending a week in a time share, try to arrive a couple days early and spend those couple days travelling around the island. You'll need at least 2 full days to drive around the island. Allow more time if you want to snorkel or hike along the way.

Best Way To Get Around:

Rent a car and see it all! It's the best way to set your own pace. What appeals to you, may not appeal to anyone else in a group tour.

We got a 1 bedroom condo here. It is on Alii drive---the main road along the coast of Kona, so it was rather noisy there. I'm not sure I would have liked staying there a whole week.

THe unit had a kitchen with a counter between it and the livingroom. In the kitchen were all the usual appliances, including a dishwasher (which didn't work). The dishes and silverware were a hodge podge assortment. The livingroom had a nice couch and a tv stand with a a decent tv on it. There was cable tv. There was also the air conditioner unit in there. Also in the living area was a small table and a couple chairs. The bedroom was right off the livingroom and had a large sliding door to close it off from that room , or open it up to it. That was nice for letting air conditioning into it. From the other door in the bedroom (towards the kitchen), there was a vanity area, then a bathroom with a tub/shower combo.

They do spray for bugs regularly, but we did see several tiny bugs in the bathroom area. I think they were getting ready to spray again.

I wouldn't consider it a dive, but certainly not a resort! For a family looking for something relatively cheap, a kitchen, and in Kona, it is probably ok.

Hilo Hawaiian hotel is located on historic Banyon Drive on Hilo Bay. It is a full service hotel with restaurants, banquet and meeting facilities, pool, and has some suites with kitchenettes as well as regular hotel rooms and mini-suites. It is operated by Castle Resorts & Hotels.

We had reservations for a regular room, but were upgraded free of charge to a really nice 1 bedroom suite. The suite consisted of a bedroom with a king sized bed, large dresser, plenty of closet space and a luggage holder; the livingroom area was rather large and roomy with a glass topped table and 4 chairs on one side of the room and a very comfortable white couch and oversized chair accross the room; the bathroom had a separate commode area that could be closed off from the vanity area; the vanity area had a small refrigerator and coffee maker in it as well as a large counter, closet area and sink. The decor was modern and clean. The view from our livingroom overlooked the front of the building and the historic banyon lined street. The hotel was very nice. This is a great place to spend the night on your tour around the island---as we did.

It is only 30 minutes from the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. 2 lush tropical gardens and Rainbow falls are also nearby. Hilo Hawaiian Hotel is located only minutes away from Hilo's historic downtown area with it's quaint storefronts and museums. It's also within walking distance to the world reknown Liliuokalani Park and Japanese Tea Garden and the magnificent Banyan trees planted by famous people over 70 years ago.

Best Things Nearby:
One of the best snorkeling beaches on Hawaii---KOHALUU BEACH---is only about 1 mile away. We loved being able to hop over there whenever we had a few free minutes.

Keauhou Shopping Center is right across the street from the resort, too. In it was a grocery store and theatre, as well as many other small shops.

The resort is also very close to the end of Alii drive so there's a little side street that leads right up to the main highway. That was very convenient for buzzing into Kona without the bumper to bumper slow traffic on Alii drive. That also made it convenient for heading down the coast.

Best Things About the Resort:
Location is probably the best thing about this timeshare, although even if it was somewhere else I'd still think it was great. I felt very secure and relaxing here. I also really liked that the units were well maintained and clean, as were the grounds around it.

Resort Experience:
The condo has an open floor plan with the kitchen, livingroom and diningroom flowing together nicely. The tv was built into the kitchen counter which was rather a neat use of space, but also meant it could only be seen from the livingroom. One wall of the livingroom was a mirror which also made the area look larger. The carpeting, furnishing, and counters where in shades of white and off white---and very clean. The diningroom table had a glass top. We had a lanai that over looked the golf course and the lanai had a lounge chair and table and chairs on it.

The kitchen was well equiped with everything including a dishwasher and washer and drier. It also had a microwave, plenty of dishes (all matching) and flatware. There were 2 containers of dishsoap and a small box of laundry detergent in a hostess pak along with teas, coffee, sugar, creamer, salt and pepper, and probably a few things I'm forgetting now.

The bedroom was large with a king sized bed in it and armoir with a large tv in it. The bathroom attached to the bedroom had a shower/soaking tub combination (something I really enjoyed). They supplied beach towels as well as bath towels. In fact, after we checked out, they let us keep a couple beach towels for the rest of the day and return them on our way to the airport (and use the pool and shower area in the complex).

The grounds were beautiful. There was even a botanical walk next to the main swimming/jacuzzi area. I'm not a golfer, but I think I would have been very pleased with the course if I was. The resort is quite large--like a regular subdivision. Parking got a little tough sometimes, even though you had to have a parking permit in the resort.

If you wanted air conditioning, it was extra---but only about $40 for the week. It is set up to only work if the sliding glass door to the lanai is shut---they won't let you air condition the outside!

(A note about the lighting in Hawaii!!!! Don't expect a red vehicle to look red at night!!!! The lighting is with yellow lights and the red truck we rented looked gray at night. Took awhile to find our truck the first night!)

• Unit Type: 1 Bedroom
• Activities: Excellent
• Amenities: Excellent
• Unit Satisfaction: Excellent
• Family Friendliness: Excellent
• Service: Excellent

This restaurant was voted the "Favorite Hotel Restaurant- Neighbor Island" by the Honolulu Advertiser in 2000 and 2001. Not only is the food very good there, but the views of the ocean from every table are an added bonus. Also not to be missed are the many Hawaiian artifacts throughout the lobby.

They have a buffet nightly, Japanese was the specialty the night we were there. Although it looked very good, we opted to order from the menu---steak for me. The meal was very good and the employees were very friendly.

After dinner, we enjoyed wandering around the lobby of the hotel (King Kemehemeha Hotel) and looking at the museum like artifacts in it--a fascinating mural, portraits of Hawaiian royalty, Ahu'ula (treasured feather cape), Mahi'ole (feather helmet), Pahu Heiau (temple drum), Lei Hulu (feather wreaths), Lei Nio Palaoa (whales tooth pendant), war weapons, ancient Hula instruments, and displays of domestic and agricultural artifacts.

There is a parking fee for the hotel, but you get 2 hours free parking if you eat in their restaurant. So after eating, we used the rest of the 2 hours to wonder around the lobby and the grounds.

This is a cute themed restaurant around the movie Forest Gump. Even before going into the restaurant, there was a bench with a "box of chocolates" built into it and "tennis shoes" embedded into the ground. A cute photo op. Inside the restaurant is a lot of movie memorabilia.

Service was really good. It was easy to get the waiter's attention - just flip the sign on the table to "Stop, Forest, Stop". When you didn't need anything, the sign says, "Run, Forest, Run".

Food was really good. Although they do tend to specialize in seafood, there are lots of other options such as chicken, burgers, even lots of great desserts.

The restaurant is located on the beach in Kona, so the views are great. There's also a nice breeze off the ocean. The atmosphere in the restaurant/bar is a lot of fun!

This is the Ka`u District and is probably the Big Island's most remote area. It had been a thriving sugar plantation community until the mill closed a couple of years ago. Now it consists of farming land, rugged coastal areas, hills, mountain slopes, dry upland forests and lava deserts.

The constant winds here make it an ideal place for generating energy by windmills, too. Stop and listen to the eerie sound they make. You'll see a bunch of windblown trees in this area, too.

Then go to the end of the road (11 miles off from the main highway) to Ka Lae, and marvel at the boat launch facilities high up on the cliff. The currents here are strong and snorkeling is not recommended, even though it looks so inviting. We were told that if you got into the current, you'ld end up in the south pole! Also by this point, you'll come across a road that disappears into the ocean. Fairly recent lava flows have reclaimed the land there.

A short distance from here is a pull off for Green Sands Beach where green olivine mineral is mixed with black and gray sand from the eroded lava, so the sand is a gray-green. It's quite a hike and very remote. There was a "tourist" parking lot set up by the trailhead where someone wanted to charge us $5 to "watch" our vehicle. I had heard about this scam and was not comfortable leaving our rental there without paying, yet didn't want to reward a scammer, either. So I bought a post card of Green Sands Beach instead.

This area is probably least what I expected to find in hawaii! Which made it even more fascinating.

THis is probably the most accessible black sand beach on the island. It is located about 30 miles south of Kona on your way towards the Volcaco National Park and Hilo. The sand is black because of the freshly ground lava it is formed from. Legend has it, if you take any of the black sand from the beach, Madame Pele will know and bring you bad luck. Ironically, they will sell you some from their little gift hut!

The beach is lined with palm trees. Behind the narrow black sand beach, is a small pond with ducks and other water fowl on it.

Punaluu is suppose to be one of the better spots to see green sea turtles. This bay has lots of cold fresh water seeping into it from the ocean floor. Turtles like the cooler areas of water. Since we were on our 2 day trip around the island when we went here, we didn't take the time to snorkel here, but we were fortunate enough to see a turtle basking in the sun on the black sand. We were also fortunate enough to see sea turtles just about everywhere we did snorkel!

This is the world's most active volcano. When you enter the park, you'll be on Crater Rim Drive. Along it you'll find the Kilauea Visitor Center (open from 7:45 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. daily, year round), sulfur banks, steam vents, Kilauea Overlook, (great view of Kilauea Caldera), The Hawaiian Volcano Observatory and The Jaggar Museum (showing the history and behavior of Hawaiian volcanoes---open 8:30-5),The southwest rift zone (one of two rift zones on Kilauea volcano--the rifts are weak areas in the volcano where it is being pulled apart), Halemaumau Overlook (with it's high amounts of gases still being released), Keanakakoi Overlooks, Puu Puai Overlook (a cinder cone), Thurston Lava Tube, the giant fern forest, and Kilauea Iki Overlook.

We found the geology on Crater Rim drive very interesting, but not as fascinating as the Road of Craters which ends by the ocean. (Before taking that road, though, continue your trip along Crater Rim road to Thurston lava tube and giant fern forest.) Back on the Road of Craters, you'll be able to walk on the former road, now partially covered with lava. Plan to be at the end of the road at sunset. You'll need a flashlight, but there's a ranger station there selling them for $3. You'll be able to walk out to a point and see the glowing lava in the distance

The 2 types of lava you'll see around here will either be pahoehoe or a'a. Pahoehoe lava is characterized by a smooth, billowy, or ropy surface. A ropy surface develops when a thin skin of cooler lava at the surface of the flow is pushed into folds by the faster moving, fluid lava just below the surface. Pahoehoe flows can evolve into lava tubes. One way that tubes form is by the crusting over of channelized lava flows. As the crust on a flow becomes thicker, it insulates the lava in the interior of the flow. When the eruption stops or the vent is abandoned, the lava drains from the tube. A'a lava is characterized by a rough and jagged surface. In many places you'll see both types of lava together.

Be prepared for some cold weather. It may be warm elsewhere, but it's likely to be cold and rainy up here.

This is a unique tropical nature preserve and sanctuary. The Garden displays a vast variety of palms, heliconias, gingers, bromeliads, and hundreds of other rare and exotic plants from all parts of the tropical world - presently more than 2,000 species.

Prior to entering the Garden, visitors must register in the gift shop. Across the street is the entrance gate to the Garden. Here you are greeted by the Garden's volunteer gate keepers who will answer your questions and provide free umbrellas in case of rain---take one even if it's not raining when you start your tour! A 500 foot long elevated boardwalk winds down the steep-walled, narrow ravine of Kahalii Stream that now runs dry because a 1949 landslide diverted all its water into Onomea Stream. The Kahalii ravine is filled with exotic tropical growth of giant bamboo, bananas, flowering vines, orchids and ferns. The Garden is home to nearly 200 species of palms: fan, fish-tail, sago, date, and betel nut palms are just a few that can be seen from the Palm Vista. Along the Palm Vista Trail, from the Fern Circle to the bottom of the steps near the Palm Jungle, you will see more than 50 species of plants and trees - including the giant jackfruit tree with its enormous colorful fruit, sometimes more than two feet long! Onomea Falls is set amidst the natural forest of palms and ferns. Exotic mosses grow on the surrounding rocks and trees. Small fish and prawns thrive in the clear, cool water. Just past the falls is Heliconia Trail where more than 80 different plant species grow. The plants range from 2 to 20 feet high. A short ways from here is the Orchid Garden. Nearby, is a small pond which is home to a family of pink Lesser flamingos and Mandarin ducks. Bromeliad Hill is on the Outer Lake Trail and is covered with a vast variety of bromeliads. Then comes VISTA POINT, where you can sit and watch the ocean's pounding waves. The path will continue along the ocean for awhile before coming to Alakahi ("Little River") Stream Trail. Along the Alakahi Stream Trail, there are more than 33 varieties of plants. Soon you'll come to LILY LAKE with it's 110 species of plants and koi fish. Cook Pine Trail is where a 160 feet tall pine is, making it the largest specimen in the islands. You can also see the Bird Aviaries , Torch Ginger Forest, and Giant Fern Circle.

This area takes you into cattle country and high windy hills. I was surprised to see so many cactus growing amoungst the cattle and grasslands. I was also surprised at how windy it got in the pass. I thought south point was windy, that was nothing compared to the wind through the pass around Mauna Loa! The day we went through, it was overcast, so we didn't get a view of the huge MAUNA LOA mountain---which had lots of snow on it at the time. The road up the mountain was closed off to normal traffic. Supposedly you needed 4 wheel drive and a permit to go up it.

Some of the places along this ride from Hilo are:
WAIMEA (KAMUELA)--Heart of paniolo (Hawaiian cowboy) country. Parker Ranch Visitor Center and Museum, Kamuela Museum and Imiola Church. This is in the pass through the mountains. Also a good size town to grab a bite to eat.

PARKER RANCH--225,000 acres with 50,000 head of cattle that supply fully one-third of the beef in the Hawaiian islands. THere's even a visitors' center and museum. Real cowboy country.

IMIOLA CHURCH--A New England-style church with walls and ceilings of koa wood built in 1857.

KAHUA RANCH--An 8000-acre ranch. A native rainforest is preserved at the top of the ranch.

KAPAAU--In King Kamehameha's ancestral homelands (near the northwestern coast)- site of the original statue of the King. This is a small community with small boutiques and art galleries.

THE BOND ESTATE--A missionary estate dating from 1841.

POLOLU VALLEY OVERLOOK--On the far northern coast. I understand the views from here are fantastic, but it was raining and about 30 miles out of the way on our trip around the island, so we skipped it. Pololu Valley was once one of the richest wet taro plantations in Hawaii.

Some of the most beautiful beaches you'll ever see! Even if you don't snorkel, many of the beaches along here have lounge chairs set up for anyone to use. Some of the beaches even have massage tables set up on the beach. Many tours also leave out of this area. Especially out of A-Bay. Winter is the whale migration season and you can see them breeching from the shore. Not only are these the most beautiful beaches on the island, but they also lend themselves to the most beautiful sunsets. We happened across a Luau being set up on A-bay, too. Unfortunatel, we didn't have tickets to it. Some of the beaches you should check out if you're in the area are:

LAPAKAHI STATE HISTORICAL PARK--A 600-year-old reconstructed Hawaiian fishing village. Exhibits include canoe sheds, a fish shrine, a salt-making area, homesites, and Hawaiian games.

MAHUKONA BEACH PARK--Snorkel the offshore reef and swim off the pier.

KAPAA BEACH PARK--Secluded and accessible - a very quiet spot with a lovely panorama of Maui in the distance.

KEOKEA BEACH PARK--A very picturesque and luxuriant park on the side of a hill going down to the sea.

KAWAIHAE BAY--A well-known breeding and birthing area for migrating humback whales as they head north along the Kohala Coast (December to April).

SPENCER BEACH PARK--The safest and best swimming beach along South Kohala. Excellent snorkeling.

KAUNAOA BEACH (MAUNA KEA BEACH)--Considered one of the best beaches in Hawaii - long and wide with a sandy bottom for excellent swimming. You'll have to get a parking permit here, but it's free. Only a few parking spots are set asside for the public, so you may have to wait in a line at the guards gate until a pass becomes available. We did, but it was only about 20 minutes and well worth the wait. Also be alert for flying golf balls as you walk from the parking lot to the beach! One just missed me by inches.

HAPUNA BEACH--Accessible, wide and spacious white sand beach. Excellent swimming during good weather.

ANAEHOOMALU BAY (A-Bay)---A picture-perfect seaside oasis, with freshwater springs, coconut trees, blue lagoon, and white sand beach. Many archaeological sites including 2 fishponds and petroglyph field. Also where the laua I mentioned earlier was and the charter boats left from. This beach had lounge chairs out free for the public to use.

Another amazing site on the way between these beaches are all the writings along the highway! This is lava rock area so most of the ground is black. But people have writen all kinds of neat things on these rocks by lining up white decorative rocks into words and designs. Many are dated and go back decades. There are also many little stacked monuments our of the black rocks. Very fascinating indeed.

My main reason for choosing the Big Island! --- I heard the snorkeling there was the best in Hawaii. It certainly was not a disappointment. We rented a kayak and paddled ourselves to Kaelakekua Bay---it was nice, but not really nicer than many other places that are easier to get to. (My husband still thinks I was trying to kill him with the kayaking!) Our favorite place was by the Place of Refuge (Honaunau Bay)---deep and somewhat tricky to get into, but great. It was here I first experienced the cool water springs coming into the ocean water. THese pockets of water had a way of really fouling up vision through the mask! At first I thought they were fogging up, then realized it was the fresh water somehow sticking to them. A wipe with my hands usually cleared it up until the next blast of cold water. We also liked Kohaluu for it's close proximity to our resort and great variety of fish, plus it had a nice beach for the Kona area. We went there almost every day. We also really enjoyed KAUNAOA BEACH (MAUNA KEA BEACH). Snorkeling on the left side of the bay was great. There was a large reef there to attract a lot of fish. The rest of the beach was beautiful to look at, but not good for fish gazing.

We did see alot more yellow tangs here by the Big Island than around Oahu and Kauai. They were being snatched up and sold to aquarium dealers until the last couple years. Now that's illegal and the numbers we saw here by the Big Island were pretty impressive. We also saw many turtles all around the Big Island, as well as the several varieties of fish: parrot fish, trumpet fish (both yellow and gray), wrasse, pufferfish, soldier fish, surgeon fish, different species of triggerfish, as well as a few different species of eels, a couple octopus, and several more kinds of fish that don't come to mind right now.

Don't forget to get some defogger and use it. It really does make a huge difference. Also, don't forget to get and use sunscreen, the sun will burn you much quicker there than on the mainland. I found Bullfrog to be the best sunscreen I've ever used. An underwater disposable camera is fun to have while snorkeling, too. They really do a good job in the crystal clear Hawaiian waters.