Hawaii advice needed - any locals?

Parent Cafe
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<p>We will be going to the big island this fall for a function. We have vacationed in Hawaii before, so we did a bit of sightseeing etc.
Since we will be in Kailua Kona for the majority of the week, we are looking for things to see or do in that part of the island without driving for hours. </p>

<p>My first question is - should we bother doing a luau? They are rather expensive and I wonder if it is more of a tourist trap. We usually tend to steer clear of real tourist things and try to enjoy the life that the local people enjoy. I love to get recommendations for restaurants that serve regional cuisine and that locals like, as well as hidden gems like great snorkel beaches, etc. </p>

<p>The trip is really more for the function so we are somewhat limited, but while we are there I would like to make the most of it. And also, we will only be on the big island this time, so that will limit options. </p>

<p>Any ideas?
Thanks so much!!</p>

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<p>I’m not a local, but…Although its a drive, going down to see the volcanos is awesome. If you want to avoid touristy things, I’d stay away from the luaus. They are fun, entertaining, and usually have outstanding food, but are usually full of sunburned loud tourists. If you’ve never been to the big island before, prepare for something so totally different than the other islands. So much of the island is lava fields, sometimes I felt like we were driving on the moon or something. Not nearly as many lush tropical scenes as Maui or Kauai. Certainly well worth the trip, and strangely beautiful, but it’s a different Hawaii. Enjoy!!!</p>

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<p>We’re not local, but we spent 10 days on the Big Island this summer armed with a list of “must sees” from an Hawaiin friend. </p>

<p>Good eating places:
Royal Thai Cafe, in Keauhou, south Kona
Killer Tacos, little hard to find, but near Boarders in Kona
Best food was Hilo Bay Cafe, but that was in Hilo
Smoothies at the Bong Brothers General Store in Captain Cook.
Great lunch at a road side cafe over looking Captain Cook (sorry can’t remember the name, but great pie)
Kona Inn Restaurant - great place to eat and watch the sunset. Really cool ceiling fans. Right in “down town” Kailua-Kona. </p>

<p>Favorite Beach and spots:
Makalawena State Park, just north of the airport. Drive across a lava field. Two beautiful beaches close to the car. Short (15 minute) walk across the lava fields to a very isolated beach. Good swimming and fairly good snorkeling. Very few people.</p>

<p>Greenwell coffee farm tour in Kealakekua, Captain Cook South Kona</p>

<p>Amy Greenwell Botanical Garden, Captain Cook (best story tellers around)</p>

<p>Town of Holualoa, very close to Kailua-kona (small artist town)</p>

<p>Trip up to Waimea and north Kohala. Go to the end of the road to the overlook to Polou Valley. Take the hike down to the beach. Water is too rough for swimming, but this area was one of the highlights. Town of Hawi had some very interesting art galleries. We didn’t eat there. Parker Ranch (largest privately held ranch in US) was pretty interesting. North Kohala “up country” was beautiful.</p>

<p>Place of Refuge south of Captain Cook in Honanunau was beautiful and very interesting.</p>

<p>Best guide book is “Hawaii, The Big Island Revealed”, also called The Blue Book. You could probably find it at your local Borders or B&N. Very useful map was published by U of Hawai’i Press by James Bier called “Map of Hawaii, the Big Island”. Worth the $5 and a trip to a book store to get it.</p>

<p>We had a great time on the Hilo side, but that’s another post.</p>

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<p>not a local, but been to hawaii a bunch of times, and the big island is my favorite. Really good snorkeling is right by the place of refuge. There isnt a good place to get in the water (you can’t swim from the place of refuge) but there is a spot nearby with some lava into the water. Theres turtles and lots of fishes. Theres also a big local beach in kona, kind of by the palace, which has a very calm bay because of a break that was built. Its very shallow and the fish are trained so that you can get really close to them.</p>

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<p>The “Big Island Revealed” is a good source for general background, navigation, and sightseeing (the restaurant reviews are out of date).</p>

<p>The charm of the Big Island lies in its varied geography and small towns. Assuming you have a car, you will want to drive up the Kohala coast to Hawi, a charming town with several art galleries.</p>

<p>Beautiful beaches include 69 beach (now with paved parking), Mauna Kea Beach (hotel currently closed) and Waipio Beach (needs 4wd). A trip to the volcano is worthwhile, perhaps including a single night stay in Hilo or near the volcano itself; the current lava flow does not permit close viewing, but conditions change from day to day.</p>

<p>The Fair Wind snorkel tour sails from Keahou bay to Kealakekua and is favorite with locals and visitors alike. A trip to the 13,000 foot summit of Mauna Kea rewards you with a breathtaking view.</p>

<p>p.s. You will want to avoid driving south of Kona after 3 pm due to traffic.</p>

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<p>You can see local news at <a href=“http://www.westhawaiitoday.com/[/url]”>Athletes, residents gearing up for Ironman - West Hawaii Today, local surf conditions at <a href=“http://www.hawaiisurfnews.com/[/url]”>http://www.hawaiisurfnews.com/&lt;/a&gt;, and volcano info at <a href=“http://www.nps.gov/havo/planyourvisit/lava2.htm[/url]”>http://www.nps.gov/havo/planyourvisit/lava2.htm&lt;/a&gt;.&lt;/p&gt;

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<p>Thanks everyone - I will definitely get that book. I also have one that is called “Off the Beaten Path” but I’m afraid it is somewhat outdated as well ( we used it in 1999 or 2000 when we last went to Hawaii)</p>

<p>my $0.02 - can you explain the traffic situation a little more? My MIL decided to rent a condo up north of Kailua Kona ( I think near the Waikoloa resorts) instead of staying close to us and I am concerned about traffic issues ( we will be there during the Ironman World Championship). Between normal traffic and the event traffic and course use it could be a problem for her. </p>

<p>Keep the ideas coming - It’s only about six weeks away! Thanks!</p>

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<p>Normal southbound commuting traffic out of Kona is bad weekday afternoons, so any trip to coffee country and city of refuge should be planned for the morning. Traffic from Waikoloa into Kona is bad between 3:30 and 5:00 p.m., so it would be easier to meet your MIL in the Waikoloa area for dinner than vice versa. During the Ironman race, the highway from Kona to Hawi will effectively be closed, so plan to stay in Kona, Waikoloa or head south or to the volcano for sightseeing.</p>

<p>The Kohala coast area, where your MIL is staying, is home to fancy resorts, nice restaurants and beaches. There are several nice hikes on the Kohala coast including a hike south from A-bay to a freshwater pool (30-45 minutes) and a hike from the highway to Kiholo Bay (20 minutes).</p>

<p>Mind you, traffic here is not all that bad by mainland standards.</p>

9

<p>All I can say PA Mom, is I’m entirely jealous of your trip. My most memorable vacation was the leg of our trip to Hawaii that was the big island. We stayed at a remote resort (not any others around for miles - ahhh… luxury to me) on the west coast, north of Kona by about 15 miles. It was so secluded, quiet, beautiful, etc. I just wanted to enjoy a resort, without the need to drive anywhere. We did drive into Waikui one evening for dinner at a Mexican restaurant that was great, but otherwise, I didn’t want to leave the serenity of the beach. Our resort was just next to the Hapuna Beach State Park, and there was tons of great snorkeling all within walking distance. Enjoy!</p>

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<p>*The Pinetree Cafe<a href=“near%20the%20airport,%20across%20from%20the%20natural%20energy%20lab”>/i</a> and Something’s cooking in Paradise in Kawaihae are very good for local food. Two different chefs run independent businesses at Something’s cooking: The breakfast/lunch chef has a nice, inexpensive menu of homestyle local stuff (try the fried rice omelet or Korean chicken wrap) while the evening chef (a former chef at one of the fancy restaurants in Waimea) has a fancier, asian fusion style menu.</p>

<p>If you like barbecue, try Big Jake’s BBQ south of Kona near the 106 mile marker.</p>

<p>There is a good fish market directly across the road from Something’s cooking if you are cooking at home.</p>

<p>To get in the mood, hear the news and learn what’s happening, tune in to KAPA radio on the web: <a href=“http://www.kaparadio.com%5B/url%5D”>http://www.kaparadio.com</a>. The morning DJ’s, Jaz and Lyman, are nuts about food and always have opinions and recommendations.</p>

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<p>while most think McDonald’s is the same everywhere, I remember the McDonalds on the big island serving rice instead of french fries!</p>

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<p>Thanks! I am writing all of these suggestions down to take along with me. We will be cooking at the condo some days, so the fish market sounds great. </p>

<p>I just took all of the snorkel gear out of storage and it got me psyched up to go! I could spend all day snorkeling.</p>

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<p>That’s funny teriwtt.
When my husband and I were in Australia , they put different toppings on the burgers at McDonalds as well. I think it was capsacam ( sp) ? That’s not right, but a type of pepper.</p>

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<p>My husband just reminded me that it was beet root that they put on the burgers in Australia!! I think they put red bell peppers on many other sandwiches. LOL</p>

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<p>Okay, again, not a local, but owned a condo on the Big Island for four years, and still go a couple of times a year. (Our son went to high school (boarding school) on the Big Island.)</p>

<p>In Kona, up by Safeway (uphill from Borders) there is a wonderful restaurant called O’s. Fabulous food. Owned and operated by a former executive chef at one of the big resorts out on the Kohala Coast.</p>

<p>The luau at the Royal Kona has pretty good entertainment (I had a room there once where I could watch the whole show… but I was too cheap to pay for the food, not being that big on pig).</p>

<p>If you could spend all day snorkeling, consider taking the time to do what’s called a “resort certification” (it’s good only for the time you’re there) in SCUBA and trying SCUBA diving. I believe Jack’s Dive Locker offers resort certifications in Kona. I would concur with the recommendation for the Fair Wind snorkel boat. (That’s partly because a friend of my son’s works on it sometimes.) The snorkeling is also excellent at Kahalu’u beach (about four miles south of Kona).</p>

<p>If you’re fit and have a good back, surfing lessons are fun.</p>

<p>If you’re a quilter or a seamstress, go south on the Queen K highway to Kimura’s (Kainalui) which has amazing amazing fabric, silks, Hawaiian fabrics, etc. I have three quilts made entirely from fabric bought there. (You can go there on the same trip at to Greenwell’s coffee, which is excellent and does a nice tour.)</p>

<p>The Greenwell family also left land for an arboretum and plant museum (living) that is lovely and different. It’s near Captain Cook but you shouldn’t have any trouble finding it on a map.</p>

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<p>1 mile North of the Mauna Kea in a little industrial area by the port is a great casual restaurant called Cafe Pesto- good for both families and adults, very good pizza, and unique Island Specials with a Calif/ Asian twist. Very popular for a good reason!</p>

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<p>There is a Cafe Pesto in Kawaihae (30 miles from Kona) and Hilo (even farther than that). Both are wonderful. I’d happily recommend Cafe Pesto, but the OP did say she didn’t want to do much driving.</p>

<p>(In Waimea (30 miles from Kona): Merriman’s; in Hawi (50 miles from Kona): Bamboo; in Honokaa: Tex’s (40 miles) (for malasadas–also known as Portuguese donuts, also known as “fat pills”–but wonderful fat pills.)</p>

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<p>Just another vote for “Hawaii: The Big Island Revealed.” We went there to visit friends who live in Kailua-Kona and they found some out-of-the-way things in the book that they didn’t know about. The advice above mirrors my experience, but I’ll add a couple of things.</p>

<ol>
<li><p>If you want to see Kilauea volcano erupting, call ahead. After driving to the national park, we found the only road to the current eruption closed for annual maintenance for a week. Aargh.</p></li>
<li><p>South Point is one of the most interesting, eerie places I’ve ever been. Well worth the trip.</p></li>
<li><p>We stayed at a condo in downtown Kailua-Kona (booked by our friends who live there – a lot less than haole rates), and drove all through the day. “Traffic jams” in Hawaii are kind of cute by Southern Californian standards. And, remember “island time.” Why worry about traffic? Once you’ve geared down to island time, it’s just another chance to appreciate your surroundings.</p></li>
</ol>

<p>We weren’t there during the Iron Man, so no advice about crowds.</p>

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<p>Access by foot to active lava is currently restricted, but the view from the helicopter is spectacular.</p>

<p>See the Advertiser article: </p>

<p>

<a href=“http://www.honoluluadvertiser.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2007708310370[/url]”>http://www.honoluluadvertiser.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2007708310370&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>Helicopter tours leave from the Waikoloa area.
<a href=“http://www.bluehawaiian.com/bigisland/tours/circle_of_fire/[/url]”>http://www.bluehawaiian.com/bigisland/tours/circle_of_fire/&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>At Cafe Pesto the salad with seared fish is recommended as is the inexpensive pasta with chicken sausage. </p>

<p>The evening chef at Something’s cooking is a former chef at Merrimans. Merrimans Market Cafe in Waikoloa has a nice, moderately priced menu and will be convenient to your MIL. Roy’s Bar and Grill at the King’s shop has excellent food, but can be noisy (reservations recommended, $$$).</p>

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<p>We spent a week in Hawaii at a friend’s condo. They highly recommended going to Merrimans in Waimea on Sunday afternoon (I am pretty sure it was Sunday but you should call to check). A group of locals get together on that day and play music. Unbelievable. Great musicians, local people, fun. You just go, get a seat in the main room, order a drink and appetizer. Sit back and watch and listen. The old aunties get up and shake their stuff in their mumus.<br>
We had a decent lunch at Cafe Pesto in Hilo but most of Hilo I thought was kind of scummy.<br>
I’ll second the recommendation for Texs fat pills. That explains those few extra pounds I’ve put on…I was kind of wondering.
We opted not to go to the volcano as it was a long drive from Kona. We did take a rental car (shh…you are not supposed to do this) down into the Polou valley waterfall area. It was quite an adventure and that was in a four wheel drive vehicle. Of course, we saw our fair share of tourists getting their cars stuck, and did turn around when I thought it was getting a bit too hairy. We also gave an interesting hitchiker who was living at the bottom of the area a ride “up”. He was most appreciative. Told us that sometimes he can catch a lift but often tourists are wary and it’s quite a long steep hike up.<br>
We did not do any luaus as we wanted to stay away from the tourist stuff and we have good friends who are locals. They were already laughing at what tourists we were.</p>