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Hawaii Vacation Sugguestion?????

3K views 28 replies 19 participants last post by  RiverPirate 
#1 ·
My wife and I are going to Kona Hawaii, first week of September. Its are first time there any suggestion:)Unsure of things to do, sight seeing, bars, restaurants, luaus. Thanks. :D
 
#3 ·
was just there in jan. where are you staying? check out the waikoloa hilton- pretty cool area. the marriott has a nice beach, but there are some really nice beaches if you don't mind walking a bit. the "place of refuge" was really cool to see. have a good trip.
 
#5 ·
The "must have"guide book for the trip is Big Island Revealed - http://www.wizardpub.com/bigisland/bigisland.html

You can buy it at Amazon or your local bookstore. Not only does it have the best restaurant reviews but has lots of local hints regarding activities and tour operators. It also has great maps for hidden beaches, out of the way snorkeling spots, hiking trails, etc.

It's the best resource for your trip!
 
#8 · (Edited)
Without question make sure you allot yourself a full day if not more for Volcano's National Park...so much to see and explore there. Its one of the most interesting natural wonders I've ever wandered through. Don't be afraid to just explore. One of the coolest things we did was the Thurston Lava tube....you can walk through this old lava tube, but more interestingly, near the south end of the tube you'll find a chainlink fence/gate.....you are allowed to go into this part of the tube which is untouched and unlit. Make sure you take a really good flashlight with you and explore the depths a bit more.

Don't let the rental car companies scare you, go for the road that goes from Hilo back to the north side, its a blast. Interesting and desolate landscaping.

When driving from Kona to VNP, about half way there is the Punalu'u Black Sand Beach, usually lots of turtles there. Also along this route is a small restaurant(name escapes me right now) hanging on the cliff above Captain Cook bay....great stop.
Do not skip Honaunau National Refuge Park. This is worth walking and exploring, lots of tutrtle there too. In ancient times this was the Hawaiian Hierarchy refuge, thier place to relax and recoup.


Have fun while there and enjoy every moment. The Big Island Revealed book is 100% great, get one.
 
#9 ·
Book a helicopter ride. Good for one day and gives you a nice overview of the island. If you like to dive, I suggest Big Island divers in Kona. If you are staying in Wiakoloa, you can walk past the Marriott Beach about 200 yards south and have a whole white sand beach to yourself. Lots of restaurants and bars on Alii Dr in Kona. Reasonable and good food can be found at the Kona Inn Cafe and Grill on Alii Dr .


Bars are all over the place in Kona.

If you are staying up at the the resorts north of the airport, I think Tommy Bahama's has the best food for the $$$. Ruth Chris sucks. They are both off Mauna Lani Dr. I've tried most of the restaurants in Wiakoloa Village and the hotels and cannot say a single one is outstanding.

We were on the Big Island in February and are going back in November. It's very relaxing and life is slow.

One other note. Leaving the Kona airport, turn right on HI-19. Go down about 2 miles and hit COSTCO (on your left) for your snacks and food before going to your hotel/resort.
 

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#13 · (Edited)
Kona

Aloha,
We live 5 min from where you will be staying.
Seaquest boat ride in a zodiac boat to Captain Cook monument. Ask for Liam and tell him Gerry sent you. (stay away from company called captain zodiac)
Swim with dolphins at Hilton waikaloa at Dolphin quest. Hilton is 30 min drive north of where you are staying
Fourwinds snorkel and lunch cruise.
Bodyglove sunset cruise. See dolphins maybe a whale and enjoy open bar and pupus.
Lulus is a great place for having a beer and bite to eat. (Kona brew pub overrated)
Not sure how long you will be here for, Waipio valley is awsome but you need a day for it and 4x4 to go down into.
Volcano is great, but again you need at least a day.
If you take helicopter ride, it's expensive but awsome. Blue Hawaiian is the best.
While you are here, relax, slow down and enjoy. Don't speed and don't honk.
 
#15 ·
Aloha,
We live 5 min from where you will be staying.
Seaquest boat ride in a zodiac boat to Captain Cook monument. Ask for Liam and tell him Gerry sent you. (stay away from company called captain zodiac)
Swim with dolphins at Hilton waikaloa at Dolphin quest. Hilton is 30 min drive north of where you are staying
Fourwinds snorkel and lunch cruise.
Bodyglove sunset cruise. See dolphins maybe a whale and enjoy open bar and pupus.
Lulus is a great place for having a beer and bite to eat. (Kona brew pub overrated)
Not sure how long you will be here for, Waipio valley is awsome but you need a day for it and 4x4 to go down into.
Volcano is great, but again you need at least a day.
If you take helicopter ride, it's expensive but awsome. Blue Hawaiian is the best.
While you are here, relax, slow down and enjoy. Don't speed and don't honk.
thanks for all the great info :D, we are staying for a week. I did rent a jeep to go all over the island and going to Costco is a great idea. I still would like to do the tour of Kona brewery.

What is the weather like in September?
 
#14 ·
There is a Marina near the airport, north of Kona.

Last time I was there, we rented several 24'center-console rental boats from the marina (150hp outboard). We had directions for a beach that was approx 15 to 20 miles North of the marina. I cannot remember the name of the beach, but it was behind a reef so that we could anchor just off shore (10' off shore in sand) and has great snorkeling and the had the secluded beach to just our group. It was perfect, with white sand, palm trees, and calm water. I highly recomend it. Check the marina since there are several boat rental companies. There are also alot of other cool place to go too by boat!

The boats were just ok, by this websites standards, but the freedom of being your own Captain in Hawaii makes any POS boat seem decent. They also had shade, ice chests, and everything you needed for tying-off on the beach. (trim-tabs would have been welcomed)

The boat also seemed pretty small when we saw a Pod of Blue Whales, which was a little unexpected since I mainly boat at Southwest lakes and waterways. Just imagine a submarine popping up in front of you at Lake Havasu!

google boat rentals

C-Ya
 
#19 ·
HB and Tank, you guys have me really stoked. We're going to Kona Coast Resort the first week in November, and your tips are great.

I already ordered the book from Amazon.

Last time, years ago, we had my MIL, she thought the brimstone at the Volcanoes National Park meant we'd gone to Hell; humorous for us, not so much for her, but we had to cut the trip short and get her out of there.

How about the observatory at 13,000 feet? Is that worth the altitude sickness? We stopped at the 8,000 foot level last time, I didn't want to take a chance with the MIL (she's close to 90).
 
#20 ·
Kahalu'u Beach for snorkeling and surfing or surf lessons. Surfboard Rental place is across the street.

Kona Inn restaurant or The Kona Brewery for dinner

Hugo's on the Rocks for drinks

Hit up the international market or the open air market for all your souvenirs

Kona is anawsome place, have fun!!
 
#21 ·
I was there years ago, did the "Dive Animal" package with Jacks Dive Locker.

Way cool!! They are a bunch of Dead Heads. Jerry Garcia used to dive with them and they scattered his ashes from one of their boats they say.
Have a DVD of the night Manta Ray dive we did, freaking AWESOME!!!!:)devil:)devil
 
#24 ·
Thanks to everyone for the great info. Our trip will be amazing I will take a lot of pictures nd post them here .

One more info I would need a car rental place with good prices, looking for a jeep. Thanks once again for the great info. I'll PM the two guys from Kona
 
#27 ·
I would like to thank everyone for all the information...we had a geat time in Kona. We did alot of things, went snokeling in Capt. Cook, went to black sand beach, saw volcanos. We had the best pizza in Kona brewery, if you looking for a good lunch java lava is the way to go. Akaka waterfalls was amazing, went to see some dolphins at the Hilton...Overall great time will go back soon.
last the sunset cruise with Body glove was great, luau at Kona resort was nice lots of food so eat more. :D:)devil
 
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