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Old 02-26-2016, 06:00 PM   #1 (permalink)
 
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Default Visiting Hawaii

What are some of the MUST see things?
We are currently looking into seeing Active Volcano's, caves and hope to find the market where Rob sells is Bananas.
Please share with us some points of interest, including food and authentic places to eat. So that we can plan our trip.

Thank you!

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Old 02-26-2016, 07:09 PM   #2 (permalink)
 
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Default Re: Visiting Hawaii

Aloha. I suggest the Wednesday market as well. It is at the same place. There is a nice park up in Volcano to explore. You can visit the lava tubes by Boiling Pots. All of our nice swimming beaches are on the Kona side. But we do have a few nice places on this side though. The Saturday market is downtown Hilo is wonderful as well. We also have a 'Makuu' market on Sunday. Ask around the markets, there is lots of fun stuff to do.
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Old 02-26-2016, 10:28 PM   #3 (permalink)
 
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Default Re: Visiting Hawaii

We are hoping to spend 1 week in HI. Just to put things into prescriptive size wise. We will rent a car. Will we be able to freely travel from one side of the island to another fairly quickly or is that a day long event?

Any hotels you would suggest? Otherwise we will just use Hotwire to book, because its easy.
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Old 02-26-2016, 10:41 PM   #4 (permalink)
 
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Default Re: Visiting Hawaii

From the deep depths of Puna where I live it takes about 3 hours to reach Kailua Kona. There is the Hilo Hawaiian. There are several places to choose from in Kona.
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Old 02-27-2016, 04:00 AM   #5 (permalink)
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Default Re: Visiting Hawaii

Wow, where to begin? It depends so much on what kinds of things you like to do and how active you are. Are you like a "I want to walk 5 minutes and see something" kind of person or more of a "I want to hike several hours in the blazing sun and don't mind if I get rained on " kind of person, or somewhere in between?

First off, buy "The Big Island Revealed" on Amazon. It's a resource I still keep in my car after 8 years. Also has an app version but the book is much better.

With 1 week, spend half the time in Kona (which can mean anything from a vacation rental in south Kona in the area of Kealakekua Bay to the big resorts in South Kohala), and half in Puna (best areas being near Kehena Beach or in Kapoho where excellent snorkeling is). The 2 furthest points on the island in any direction is about 3 hours. From Puna to some parts of Kona are 2 to 2.5 hours, even less from Hilo. So yes day trips anywhere works, but you'll be happier in 2 spots. The Big Island is the size of CT. You can't see it all in a week or even a month.

Don't stay in Hilo. It's a town, no decent hotels, nice but nothing spectacular. It has lots of nice things, but one can spend a day there seeing waterfalls, exploring the Kaumana lava tube, and maybe heading north to Honomu where more waterfalls are at Akaka Falls. The Saturday or Wednesday farmer's markets there are very good. Hawaii Tropical Botanical Garden is a must do for plant lovers, about 15 minutes north of Hilo.

In or from Puna, at least 1 day exploring Volcanoes National Park (Kilauea Iki hike being excellent, about 2-3 hours) and driving to see the huge glowing crater to view from the Jaggar Museum. If you want to see lava flowing you're going to need to do a helicopter flight out of Hilo. You aren't going to see it up close or stand next to it. Just not accessible for a while now (without breaking the law anyway). Kapoho tidepools are amazing and easy snorkeling. Kehena beach is a black sand beach that's spectacular. Just don't go on a Sunday afternoon and don't go if you're not ok with seeing naked people. And be careful going in the water. When it's calm, which is often, it's great for swimming. Also click on my page about activities in the Puna area: Bananarama Cottage Location & Activities, Big Island Hawaii In Puna it is all vacation rentals so check out airbnb and vrbo.

On Kona side the hike to Kiholo Bay is spectacular. Guaranteed sea turtles. A blue lagoon that's gorgeous. Pololu Valley is beautiful on the north part of the island. Walk down, just takes 15 minutes. On the opposite north end of the island, Waipio Valley is even more beautiful, but the hike down is much more strenuous. The overlook alone is worth it.

Place of Refuge and the snorkeling at 2 Step right next to is are also must dos in Kona.

Food wise, just go by Yelp. Most food on this island is disappointing to me, and not sure what you mean by authentic.

Agree with Juicy about the Weds. night market in Kalapana if you end up staying in Puna. Don't bother with the Saturday market I sell at. It's very small and I don't even go myself unless I'm selling there, which is only monthly now. Please PM me as I'd be happy to show any bananas.org member my little farm and let you taste whatever is ripe.
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Old 02-28-2016, 11:08 AM   #6 (permalink)
 
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Default Re: Visiting Hawaii

I have been to Hawaii many times but only once to the Big Island. The best advice I give to everyone is to GET UP EARLY and enjoy the sunrise and beat the crowds. Many times I have passed by a place crowded with people that we had all to our self a few hours earlier. The place of refuge was amazing with no crowds, we spent over an hour there and were done and leaving before they had opened and tried to pay the entrance fee. The maintenance guys told me not to worry about it, "if you came this early you don't need to pay".
The volcano area can be very windy and you may want to visit there on a less windy day if possible. Another thing is to be considerate when driving, pull over when safe and let other vehicles pass you. The roads are narrow and tourists tend to drive slower than locals. You will get many shaka thank yous when you do this.
There are many amazing things at the farmers markets just make sure you try Lilikoi passion fruit, one of the most amazing things you will ever taste. I would like to know from you locals if there are other unusual fruits visitors must try.
If I ever get back there I definitely want to take the nighttime manta ray trip, check it out online.
Be alert for some local people who do not treat visitors very well and use common sense especially at night.
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Old 02-28-2016, 10:54 PM   #7 (permalink)
 
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Default Re: Visiting Hawaii

Really amazing details guy! We are looking forward to this trip now, more than ever before!
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