Hawaii Trip

AsSiMiLaTeD

We're taking a trip to the big island in three weeks and I'm looking for ideas or at least want to make sure I have the essentials covered in terms of things to do. We're going to be there 9 days and are staying at a place called Paniolo Greens Resort, which is about 8 miles east of the bigger Hilton and Mariott resorts that are on the coast. It's about a 15-20 minute drive up to Hapuna Beach, which I hear is the best beach in the area and where we'll be spending a good bit of our time.

So far I have an idea of what we want to do and have a couple things booked, but wanted to get some feedback from you all. I've already got the Maune Kea Summit tour and a Luau booked. I figured we'd spend a few days at the beach, and wanted to also take a drive along the north side of the island and check out Pololu valley. Anything else along that drive I should check out?

I"m not sure if we'll want to do Volcanoes National Park but feel free to convince me that going to see a bunch of dried up lava is worth the drive over there. What about Hilo, anything over there worth the trip?

My wife thinks we're going to Florida, so this trip is a surprise for her.

Any thoughts or tips are appreciated.

bmbguy

Black Sand Beach, southern part of the island. Between Kona and the volcano park. Might get a chance to get up close an personal with the sea turtles.

And you have to spend some time in the volcano park -- at least a drive down Chain Of Craters road. When we were there a few years ago, we got up very early in the morning and hiked out over the lava to see the lave flow at daybreak. At lot there, however, depends on what the volcano activity happens to be at the time.

Also, many coffee farms to tour/visit in the Kona area, if you're into coffee.

Good snorkeling at many spots on the island. Kayak over to Captain Cook monument on the island (outside Kona), also a neat trip - might see some spinner dolphins.

falconcry72

AsSiMiLaTeD wrote: »

My wife thinks we're going to Florida, so this trip is a surprise for her.

lol that's awesome. When is she going to find out??? At your transfer at LAX??? lol

AsSiMiLaTeD

falconcry72 wrote: »

lol that's awesome. When is she going to find out??? At your transfer at LAX??? lol

Nah, when we get to the airport that morning I'll tell here there's been a slight change in plans.

Mikey081057

Helicopter tour... Did it in Maui, and it was spectacular... A bit pricey, but the concierge can get the price down for you...Go to an authentic Luau... Make sure you go to the Volcanoes... Very Impressive

tonyb

When you get there, please look up Mike and give him a slap upside his head.....for me. :biggrin:

steveinaz

I MUST get to Hawaii, I'm just afraid I'd never leave.

CCNJ

Wow, you will have one happy bride on your hands! Have a great trip.

oldrocker

Maui was the best trip we ever took..so far...

mrbigbluelight

That is a way cool thing you're doing for your wife, something she'll remember for a long time.

When hiking around the islands, though, be aware of the wild hordes of feral pomeranians that are know to infest the islands.

txcoastal1

^^^^Agreed awesome romantic idea...u da man, and have a great trip

A good friend of mine and resident of Kapalua, and one of the executive director for The Ritz-Carlton Kapalua gave me a little recommendation stated below:

Aloha Ron,

The Big Island of Hawaii is HUGE. There are so many things to see and do, and they are definitely going to want to venture into Waimea (a cowboy town on the side of the mountain - it can be a little rainy there), the town of Kailua-Kona (specifically walk around the cute little shops on the harbor/bay), and I do recommend they take a road trip up to Volcano National Park if they are going to have a rental car. The volcano is definitely very active and there are many places to stop and hike if they are into that. They can also arrange a guided tour with a park ranger through their hotel Concierge if they want the full volcano experience. Otherwise, a sunrise or sunset helicopter tour is the best way to see the lava as it is flowing.

Hilo is nothing to write home about, but they might as well see it if they do a circle island tour one day... they'll want to give themselves 8-10 hours to drive around the entire island.

Each one of the resorts is uniquely different. It would be a shame to spend every day at Hapuna Beach. There are so many hidden secret beaches that are amazing. There is one secret beach between the airport and the Hualalai resort that is amazing for snorkelling. There is an access point off the highway, but if they drive too fast they'll miss it. The guard at the Hualalai gate can help direct them if they can't find it.

They might even want to check out Hilton Waikoloa. We affectionately refer to it as Hilton walk-a-lotta because it's huge. It's the Disneyland of Hawaii with trams, boats, dolphins, etc.

I do hope they've been to Hawaii before. The Big Island is so different from any of the other islands because it's like landing on the moon and it very arid. Most people expect Hawaii to be tropical like Jurrasic Park, but the Big Island is really only tropical on the Hilo side.

I hope this helps. Let me know if you have any additional questions or needs. I've been to the Big Island MANY times. It's not my favorite, but it's definitely a unique experience.

jwhitakr

Never been to Hawaii, wife wants to go but it's not exactly in the travel budget. But cheers for you for taking your wife on what will be an awesome trip. Can't think of a better surprise for a vacation.

oldrocker

swam with the turtles at malkini something, took a charter boat out of kanapalli... was awesome, the turtles are huge, scared the crap out of some other woman who had one swim up behind her, never seen someone swim to a boat that fast...

muncybob

We enjoyed the Volcano Park area. I agree the ride to Hilo is nothng spectacular but it does give you a whole different feel for the island as it's so wet/tropical there. We stopped off at several out of the way places that were very interesting so just keep your eyes peeled while driving around. I wish we had the $$ for the copter ride and if/when we ever make it back there w will go up in one 4 sure.
I have traveled a bit in my life and there are places I def will go back to...Hawaii(man, I wish it was closer to us) and Alaska are on the short list.
Cool thing you are doing!

AsSiMiLaTeD

txcoastal1 wrote: »

^^^^Agreed awesome romantic idea...u da man, and have a great trip

A good friend of mine and resident of Kapalua, and one of the executive director for The Ritz-Carlton Kapalua gave me a little recommendation stated below:

Aloha Ron,

The Big Island of Hawaii is HUGE. There are so many things to see and do, and they are definitely going to want to venture into Waimea (a cowboy town on the side of the mountain - it can be a little rainy there), the town of Kailua-Kona (specifically walk around the cute little shops on the harbor/bay), and I do recommend they take a road trip up to Volcano National Park if they are going to have a rental car. The volcano is definitely very active and there are many places to stop and hike if they are into that. They can also arrange a guided tour with a park ranger through their hotel Concierge if they want the full volcano experience. Otherwise, a sunrise or sunset helicopter tour is the best way to see the lava as it is flowing.

Hilo is nothing to write home about, but they might as well see it if they do a circle island tour one day... they'll want to give themselves 8-10 hours to drive around the entire island.

Each one of the resorts is uniquely different. It would be a shame to spend every day at Hapuna Beach. There are so many hidden secret beaches that are amazing. There is one secret beach between the airport and the Hualalai resort that is amazing for snorkelling. There is an access point off the highway, but if they drive too fast they'll miss it. The guard at the Hualalai gate can help direct them if they can't find it.

They might even want to check out Hilton Waikoloa. We affectionately refer to it as Hilton walk-a-lotta because it's huge. It's the Disneyland of Hawaii with trams, boats, dolphins, etc.

I do hope they've been to Hawaii before. The Big Island is so different from any of the other islands because it's like landing on the moon and it very arid. Most people expect Hawaii to be tropical like Jurrasic Park, but the Big Island is really only tropical on the Hilo side.

I hope this helps. Let me know if you have any additional questions or needs. I've been to the Big Island MANY times. It's not my favorite, but it's definitely a unique experience.

Thanks for the info Ron, seems to mirror a lot of what I've found online.

Out of curiosity, which is your favorite island? We're booked for the big island this time, but I can always start planning for next year.

txcoastal1

AsSiMiLaTeD wrote: »

Thanks for the info Ron, seems to mirror a lot of what I've found online.
Out of curiosity, which is your favorite island? We're booked for the big island this time, but I can always start planning for next year.

Have never been, my step daughter works in Kapalua at the Ritz, and will plan a trip to visit her soon. The response came from her boss, she and her family joined us on our ski trip in January so I emailed her directly your questions and itenerary to get her suggestions.

AsSiMiLaTeD

Ah very good, thanks for taking the time to do that. Yeah it was a tough choice, but I ultimately went with the big island because Hapuna beach is very highly rated, because I really wanted to do the Mauna Kea Summit, and because it has a pretty diverse landscape (we'll be taking a drive over to Pololu valley and the Hilo side for sure).

I think I may be on to something with this Hawaii thing. Whenever we go on trips our family tend to invite themselves. The nice thing about Hawaii is that most of them can't afford to go so we get to vacation alone. If this trip goes well Hwaii may replace Yosemite as our annual regular vacation, we'll just try out all the different islands and find the places we like the most.

txcoastal1

Yeah, Hawaii is like Alaska where several trips are needed to get the full effect and pick a favorite...will be looking forward chatting with you about your trip at LSAF

Keep a little daily diary so you can associate the pics later.

George Grand

The place is magic. I went there an awful lot of times over a 32 flying career. I disliked flying immensely, but every time I went there the arrival was a treat. If you get there in the morning before the sun burns off a lot of mist and cloud cover, the sheer cliffs, both jungle covered and barren, make it look like your flying into Skull Island. The only thing missing is pterodactyls hovering over the cliffs.

Great place, but just like Oz, too long a drive to get there. Have fun!

AsSiMiLaTeD

Our flight leaves tomorrow, got most of the activities for the week planned. Hopefully AA or the FAA doesn't screw up my flights too much, they had to pick THIS week to lay people off...

zane77

With a suprise like that you might be able to get yourself some new audio gear without the wife looking at you a little crosseyed