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KONA coast...

ame

ame

Super_Ideal_Rock
Joined
Jul 7, 2004
Messages
10,883
DH and I honeymooned in Hawai'i and spent only a day on the big island, so we are excited to be planning our return to the big island for a week next year. My parents have been several times to each island, and I know DH and his family and his sister and her husband have spent some time on each as well, so we have lots of different inputs to draw from. We are staying with his whole clan, and luckily will have a great private home to stay in for the week not far outside of Kailua-Kona. I have a few things on my list, namely the space station/telescope on top of Mauna Kea (?) and to visit Maui Taco (a favorite spot of mine on the islands, a small chain) and a few little local joints. And obviously the beach, and maybe revisit the Volcano State Park again. But any other neat suggestions? We will have some kids with us in the 5-8 range, but we will have our own time as well, so just want a few more things maybe we hadn't thought of.

Yknow, besides me trying to stalk Roseanne.
 
There's a winery near the state park. The wine isn't the best, but wine tasting is always fun.
 
amc80|1351202566|3292427 said:
There's a winery near the state park. The wine isn't the best, but wine tasting is always fun.
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Gah I should probably mention we don't really drink.
 
I'm currently planning our trip, and this is what we're doing:

Waipio lookout. http://www.gohawaii.com/big-island/regions-neighborhoods/hamakua-coast/waipio-valley-lookout

Hiking around Hamakua coast and Pololu Valley. That area is supposed to be gorgeous, but most of it is private land so you might want to join a tour that has access. http://www.hawaii-forest.com/index.php/tours/kohala_waterfalls I'm still looking into my options. http://www.gohawaii.com/big-island/regions-neighborhoods/north-kohala/pololu-valley-lookout http://www.gohawaii.com/big-island/regions-neighborhoods/hamakua-coast

Kohala coast snorkeling.

Manta Ray snorkeling at night. Or you can just go to the Sheraton and see them from the restaurant. They shine a light to draw the plankton at night and the mantas are drawn to that.

Heiaus. There are a few, and we're going to try to see them. http://www.nps.gov/puho/index.htm

Petroglyphs. just because they're cool. http://www.gohawaii.com/big-island/guidebook/topics/petroglyphs

VPN: we're staying in a B&B in Volcano for 2 nights so we can see the glow at night.

South Point: hard to get to, but there's green sand!
 
we saw the green sand on our honeymoon and I wanna go back! Good reminder. I am bookmarking this...GREAT ideas.
 
ForteKitty|1351276659|3293020 said:
I'm currently planning our trip, and this is what we're doing:

Waipio lookout. http://www.gohawaii.com/big-island/regions-neighborhoods/hamakua-coast/waipio-valley-lookout

Hiking around Hamakua coast and Pololu Valley. That area is supposed to be gorgeous, but most of it is private land so you might want to join a tour that has access. http://www.hawaii-forest.com/index.php/tours/kohala_waterfalls I'm still looking into my options. http://www.gohawaii.com/big-island/regions-neighborhoods/north-kohala/pololu-valley-lookout http://www.gohawaii.com/big-island/regions-neighborhoods/hamakua-coast

Kohala coast snorkeling.

Manta Ray snorkeling at night. Or you can just go to the Sheraton and see them from the restaurant. They shine a light to draw the plankton at night and the mantas are drawn to that.

Heiaus. There are a few, and we're going to try to see them. http://www.nps.gov/puho/index.htm

Petroglyphs. just because they're cool. http://www.gohawaii.com/big-island/guidebook/topics/petroglyphs

VPN: we're staying in a B&B in Volcano for 2 nights so we can see the glow at night.

South Point: hard to get to, but there's green sand!
Click to expand...

I actually did a lot of the above! The Green Sand beach we did w/a Jeep, super bumpy road for a long time!

We didn't do the Manta Ray snorkeling; I wish we did!!! We went in 2007 for about 5 or 6 days.

I loved Pololu Lookout and on the opposite side is Waipio lookout. You can hike to the bottom of both look outs, or at Waipio you can take a bus ride down the steep road. I loved the North part of the island, so lush and tropical. There are also lots of waterfalls on the East side of the island, Akaka falls and the 7 falls (I forget the specific name but I attached a picture I think you have to pay to see it, but it was a nice stop along the way). Sounds like a wonderful trip. I enjoyed walking through the lava tubes at the Valcanoes National Park (sooo much to see and do)!

West or Southwest is Puuhonua O Honaunau Historic Park which is fun, there are lots of turtles which the kids might like! http://www.gohawaii.com/big-island/regions-neighborhoods/kona/puuhonua-o-honaunau-national-historical-park

361_29340454572_2388_n.jpg
 
GORGEOUS waterfall....Thanks for the tips guys!!! I knew I should ask this here.
 
I love the hike down to the Polulu valley. One caution - if you do the hike down, take bottled water with you. You will need it for the hike back up. I love the Big Island.
 
I thought I would post my favorite restaurant while we were out there; we ate there 3 or 4 times. If you love super fresh orangic food, then this is sooooo delicious. :lickout: I liked it better for lunch as it was easy to get a table; dinner you need reservations (I think) and this place only accepts cash. They have the best mango bread pudding here is the link http://www.keeicafe.net/#!!!
 
Skippy|1351297849|3293267 said:
I thought I would post my favorite restaurant while we were out there; we ate there 3 or 4 times. If you love super fresh orangic food, then this is sooooo delicious. :lickout: I liked it better for lunch as it was easy to get a table; dinner you need reservations (I think) and this place only accepts cash. They have the best mango bread pudding here is the link http://www.keeicafe.net/#!!!!
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Oh that's really near one of the two houses we're going to be at. I don't know which house they're booking, one was in Captain Cook, the other was closer to Kailua/Kona. Whichever was available was the winner I think.

I like the sounds of that menu, ESP the dessert. My favorite on the islands is Maui Taco. I friggin love that place.
 
First of all, sooooo jealousssss! The last time I was on the big island I stayed with some friends of friends in Puna, which is on Hilo side. Most of volcano national park lies in Puna county. If you are planning on spending time at the park I highly recommend visiting the Alahanui park warm pond. It's man made pond that was created by digging it up and building up small walls made of rocks. It's about waist deep at the deepest. The pond is fed by a freshwater spring as well as sea water, and it's volcanically warmed to about 90 degrees. The access to the ocean allows some small fish in--but there arr no big fish, or vana (poisionous urchins). It's such a cool feeling to soak in a warm salty pond and feel little fish swimming around you--occasionally nibbling at your toes and tickling you. Because the water is warm, shallow and calm, it's perfect for kids. There is a picnick area, and there are plenty of trees for shade. Here is a link to the location and some more details:

http://www.hawaiiweb.com/hawaii/ahalanui-park-hawaii-the-big-island.html
 
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