Big Island Vacation (2025)

23/05/2018

The Big Island is called The Big Island for a reason. Although it is composed of five volcanoes, only one is active, and that one is tiny and located on the southeastern edge of the island. Although air quality suffers during eruptions, there is little chance that activity at Kilauea will affect your vacation, especially if you stay on the Kohala Coast on the far northwestern part of the island (the trade winds on the Kohala Coast tend to blow volcanic fog out to sea).

(Photo is from a Facebook post).

04/05/2017

In 1819 when, Kamehameha II held aha ’aina (to gather for a meal) it was more than a great feast. His intention was to destroy the kapu system that forbade male and female participants from dining in the same room, and forbade women from eating luau, a dish containing chicken, young taro leaves and coconut milk. At that time, breaking a kapu was punishable by death. By serving luau to his stepmother at that meal he symbolically put an end to the kapu system of conduct. Gradually the word “luau” replaced aha ‘aina and became a Hawaiian tradition that two hundred years ago was punishable by death. Log onto http://www.bigislandvacation.com for more information about Hawaii’s Big Island.

02/05/2017

Temple platforms and historical sites are scattered throughout The Big Island. What one person may consider simply a pile of lava rock may in actuality be a thousand year old site of religious or historical importance. For example: the Kuamo'o burial site south of Keauhou - piles of lava rock to some but a sacred burial site of Hawaiian warriors to others. The general rule is, "If in doubt, don't muck about".

02/05/2017

Island time is different than mainland time in a couple of ways. Besides being slower, it is also varies throughout the year; Hawaii doesn't observe Daylight Saving time. That means Hawaii time could be two or three hours behind west coast time, depending on the date. The thing to impress upon your friends is that the current time in Hawaii is between three and six hours EARLIER than the time at home, and that you will not be pleased to receive a phone call at 3am.

05/02/2017

No room for your surf board in your luggage? Not to worry. Nearly every major resort has a beach-side rental facility and friendly staff to teach you the finer points of whatever water sport you want to do. From arranging a scuba diving trip to booking a sunset catamaran sail, they are there to help you.

05/02/2017

I frequently wonder who trains whom at Waikoloa Resort's Dolphin Quest, where Atlantic bottle-nosed dolphins demonstrate their prowess daily from 10:00 am.

It costs nothing to watch the goings-on, but if you want to get into the water with dolphins, it can be arranged (fees vary from $115 for "wee tots" to $3,250 per person for an "Ultimate Week-long Trainer Experience.")

24/06/2016

America’s only royal palace is located along the oceanfront in the center of Kailua Kona. The Hulihe’e Palace (hula HAY ay) was once the vacation home of many kings, queens and princesses of the Hawaiian Monarchy. Today it is a museum operated by The Daughters of Hawaii. The palace is open daily and the tour fee helps the Daughters conserve the building and preserve and increase the period contents.

The Hulihe’e Palace is one of the stops on our day trip to Kailua Kona. For more information, log onto http://www.bigislandvacation.com/To_Kailua-Kona.html

24/06/2016

It must be easy to be a geologist on The Big Island. Everything under foot is either an igneous rock, crushed coral or decomposed plant matter. It is said that the weight of the lava that makes up The Big Island is so great that it depresses the ocean floor...four miles!

Molten rock has been pouring out of a vent on the side of Kilauea Volcano since January 3, 1983 (I was there that night to see it begin) and the flow doesn't show signs of abating. In fact, it is theorized that the entire island will be covered with another layer of lava before its volcanoes become quiet.

Visit us at www.bigislandvacation.com to learn more about Hawaii's biggest island.

28/11/2015

The Parker Ranch Center in Waimea (Kamuela) is a fast food paradise for busy travelers. Ten restaurants and food stalls await your pleasure. Besides the Foodland grocery store, there is a Starbucks, a Dairy Queen, and our favorite: L and L Drive-Inn. This indoor food court, tucked into a corner near the Parker Ranch Store, serves pizza, ice cream and other island favorites. And yes, that’s a working fireplace. At 2,600 feet elevation, Waimea has more than its share of cold and blustery days.

28/11/2015

Bamboo is the world’s fastest growing grass. It is also the name of our favorite restaurant on The Big Island. Bamboo, in Hawi (hah VEE), is one of our suggested stops on a day trip to the north coast and King Kamehameha country. This pretty lady is hidden there. Can you find her? Click here for more information:http://www.bigislandvacation.com/To_North_Coast.html

28/11/2015

There's nothing much to say about these crotons. It's just that I like this photo. I hope you do, too.

28/11/2015

Some beaches on The Big Island are not as inviting as most. The chunks of coral that litter the beach between the Mariott and Hilton Hotels in the Waikoloa Resort are testament to the power of the ocean. You won’t find this beach on our list of The Big Island’s best, however if you want a patch of ocean all to yourself, this is the place. Click here to see our personal choices of the best beaches on The Big Island: http://www.bigislandvacation.com/Beaches.html

28/11/2015

A word to the first time visitor: Chill. Just Chill. Nothing on The Big Island happens the same way as it does “back home.” So your luggage takes a long time to reach the airport carousel. Sit on the rock wall, close your eyes, breathe in the fragrance of plumeria blossoms, and chill. Your restaurant service is slow? Look at it as a reason to order another umbrella drink, and chill. Take your cue from this dude. Anxiety gains you nothing in the end. Just chill out and relax. Isn’t that the real reason for a Big Island vacation?

22/08/2015

Slack-key, a type of guitar chording where several strings of the guitar are detuned or slackened to achieve a harmonious sound, originated in Hawaii. John Kiawe (pictured) is one of the masters of Hawaiian slack key guitar. His music has earned him a Grammy and four local music awards which are Hawaii’s equivalent to the Grammies. Many folks would pay good money to listen to him play, but not folks on Hawaii’s Big Island. You can listen to John’s music for free nearly every night of the week. Log onto John’s site to view his schedule (http://www.johnkeawe.com/calendar.html) Be sure to tell him we sent you (and buy a few of his CDs).

19/08/2015

Let’s get this straight, it’s called “shave Ice”, not “shaved ice”. It’s not a snow cone - its texture is more like a snowball than a mound of finely crushed ice - and on a hot day it is the closest one can get to heaven. There are several shave ice stands on The Big Island, but we think this one certainly lives up to its reputation as Big Island's Best.

Anuenue Shave Ice is the last stop on our day trip to the North Coast and King Kamehameha Country. Click here for more information: http://www.bigislandvacation.com/To_North_Coast.html

19/08/2015

Air circulation near the equator sets up a wind pattern that usually blows across The Big Island from the northeast. The locals call it trade winds and weather reporters refer to it as simply “trades” as in, “Hold onto your hats, the trades are really blowing today!”

Northeasterly trade winds, along with a relatively cool ocean caused by a current that circulates between Alaska and Hawaii help to keep temperatures on The Big Island in a livable range compared to other tropical islands. You can learn more about The Big Island of Hawaii by logging onto our website: http:/www.bigislandvacation.com

11/08/2015

If we had unlimited resources this is the one place on The Big Island where we would like to spend a romantic interlude. Located at a cool 1,400 feet elevation and nestled against the side of the extinct volcano that rises above the Kona Coast, the inn provides quiet, restful seclusion. With jaw dropping coastal views and superb attention to details, the Inn justly deserving its 5-star rating on both Yelp and Trip Advisor.

A room at the Inn is not for the budget minded. Indeed its prices are more in line with fancy resorts down on the coast. However when you have grown tired of beaches, tourists, and resort hotels and want a truly unique Big Island experience, this is the place.

You can find out more about the Holualoa Inn at their web site: http://www.holualoainn.com/ ...and no, they did not pay us to write this review.

10/08/2015

The love story between a Hawaiian princess and a lowly commoner ended when the goddess Pele changed them both into flowering plants - Princess Naupaka (now-PAWKA) destined to live forever near the ocean and her lover Kaui (COW-ee) banished to high on the mountainside. The interesting thing about the plants is that each blooms in only half flowers. It is said that only when the half-flowers of both plants are brought together will the couple be reunited.

Naupaka (in the foreground) grows near most beaches. If you are going snorkeling grab a few leaves of the plant on the way to the beach, break them and rub them inside your mask to prevent fogging.

You can learn more about Hawaii's Big Island by logging onto our website: http://www.bigislandvacation.com

10/08/2015

Give me a break - a perfect surf break like this one along the coast at Waikoloa Village. This photo was taken half-way along a little known mile-long trail that fronts the coastline between the Hilton Waikoloa Village Hotel and the Mariott Hotel. The easiest way to access the trail is to park at the Kings Shops near the entrance to Waikoloa Village and take the $2 shuttle to the Hilton. The trail starts at a staircase in the seawall behind the Kamuela Provision Company and ends near the swimming pools at the Mariott Hotel, directly across the street from your car. Although the trail is mostly in the shade, it is best to wear sunscreen and bring water.

You can learn more about Hawaii's Big Island by logging onto our website: http://www.bigislandvacation.com

01/05/2015

You can almost hear the sizzle as the tropical sun slips into the Western Pacific. Sunsets on The Big Island are an excuse to stop what you are doing and spend time contemplating our place in the universe (or having an umbrella drink or two.)

Since The Big Island is close to the Equator the time between sunrise until sunset is fairly consistent, varying between twelve to thirteen hours. An easy way to tell how much time remains until sunset is to hold your hand out at arms length, palm facing you with the bottom of your little finger resting on the horizon. The width of each finger roughly equates to fifteen minutes. Two fingers between the horizon and the sun: sunset will be in roughly 30 minutes.

A more accurate way to find the time for sunset is to log onto our sunrise - sunset calculator at http://www.bigislandvacation.com/A_Bay_Green_Flash.html

01/05/2015

If your budget prevents you from staying at posh resorts, you can still stop by to admiring their landscape, have lunch at a poolside restaurant, or peruse the beautiful works of art such as this exquisite Laughing Buddha, that decorate their grounds.

Our favorite hotel is the Hilton Waikoloa Village. Although use of the pools and waterslide is reserved for hotel guests, other activities at the hotel are available to the visiting public. Whether it a round of golf on the Kings course, a spa treatment, a guided art walk, a two tank boat dive, or riding the tram and canal boats (look for Laughing Buddha along the route), it can all be arranged with a phone call. They even publish an activity calendar for your convenience. You can find it here:http://www.hiltonwaikoloavillage.com/assets/files/resort-activities/ActivityCalendar.pdf

18/04/2015

While strolling along the beach at the Mauna Lani Hotel we happened upon a couple renewing their marriage vows beneath swaying palms at the water’s edge. The sun was low on the horizon and the land was lit by a golden sunset; another picture-prefect moment. To find out more about picture-perfect places on Hawaii’s Big Island log onto http://www.bigislandvacation.com

18/04/2015

Taro fields, waterfalls, fresh water streams and a black sand beach beckon visitors to spend a few hours in Waipio (why-PEE-oh) Valley on The Big Island’s northeast corner. Once home to ten thousand Hawaiians, earthquakes and tsunamis have reduced the permanent population to a few hundred hardy folk. The road down to the valley is incredibly steep and rental cars contracts usually forbid you to drive on it. The easiest way to visit the valley floor is by guided tour via 4-wheel drive vehicles or on horseback. For more information about tours to Waipo Valley, log onto our activities pages at http://www.bigislandvacation.com

15/04/2015

If you or your family are planning to stay on The Big Island longer than a few days, the least expensive vacation lodging is a rented condo on the Kona or Kohala coast. With room rates at posh resort hotels ranging from ‘ouch’ to ‘boing', the cost of renting a fully equipped condo is the sensible alternative. But that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy the amenities of a resort hotel during your vacation. Many hotels, such as the Hilton Waikoloa, pictured here, offer activity packages that include the use of a room for the day along with passes that allow access to pools and waterslides. Call the resort for more information.

15/04/2015

Manini`owali Beach at Kua Bay is one of the newest beach parks on the Kona Coast and is probably not yet on the map. The combination of sugar-fine white sand and turquoise waters makes this a popular beach for locals as well as vacationers. The beach is easily accessible from Kailua Kona and the resorts on the Kohala Coast. The road to the beach is on the ocean side between mile markers 88 and 89 and across from the entrance to the Veteran’s Cemetery.

Bring your own shade (there are only two trees on or near the beach, and that shade is claimed early in the day), and wear lots of sunscreen. Bathrooms and drinking water are located in the nearby parking lot.

To learn more about beaches on Hawaii’s Big Island, go to
http://www.bigislandvacation.com/Beaches.html

15/04/2015

The Kohala mountain range is one of five volcanoes that comprise The Big Island of Hawaii. Once a lofty pinnacle like its companions, the long extinct Kohalas have been reduced by gravity, wind, and weather into a long, slowly spreading mound.

My vote for the prettiest drive on The Big Island is the roughly 20 mile long Kohala Mountain Road (route 250) that leads from Waimea through upcountry ranches and past scenic vistas to the quaint town of Hawi (pronounced hah-VEE). You will find more information about the drive on our website: http://www.bigislandvacation.com/To_North_Coast.html

29/12/2014

Six bronze steeds appear to race along a pathway at the Hilton Waikoloa Resort, located on The Big Island's Kohala Coast. This sculpture, along with hundreds of other pieces of Asian and Polynesian art, are scattered throughout the resort's beautiful grounds and public hallways. We enjoy having lunch overlooking their Dolphin Pool, then stroll the grounds of the hotel looking in their lagoon for green sea turtles or seaward for Humpback whales. The hotel charges for parking, however free daytime parking is sometimes available in the beach-access parking lot across from the hotel's entrance. Fifty dollars or more of hotel purchases can rewards you with a free parking pass. Just show your receipts for meals and hotel purchases at the parking attendant desk outside the hotel entrance. For more information about Hawaii's Big Island, visit us at http://www.bigislandvacation.com

29/12/2014

A gracefully curving beach edges one of three natural swimming lagoons at the Mauna Lani Resort. It, along with every other beach on The Big Island, is a public beach, meaning the general public has a right to use the beach for personal recreation.

The Mauna Lani Resort, make it easy for the public to access their beaches. Public parking there is free, and paved trails lead to the beaches. Some hotels, such as The Orchid, charge for parking privileges. Others, such as the Mauna Kea and Hualalai Resorts, restrict beach access by limiting free public parking to select lots and controlling access via parking passes issued at their gates. Detailed information about access to the beaches on Hawaii's Big Island can be found on our web site: http://www.bigislandvacation.com/Beaches.html

14/10/2014

Grown, designed, hand-carved, and coffee stained from the inside by artist Karen Root-Pulice, the ipu (EE-pu, a Hawaiian percussion gourd) at Po Ipu gallery in the mountain community of Holualoa are unique among the artistic creations in this small village. Starting with a hollowed-out gourd and using a technique developed on the 'forbidden' island of Niihau, Karen produces exquisite art treasures that would be a focal point in any collection.

Holualoa Village is the final stop on our day trip to The Place of Refuge (http://www.bigislandvacation.com/To_Place_of_Refuge.html)

14/10/2014

Upslope above Kailua Kona, nestled into the coffee-tree studded slopes of Haleakala at a cool and sometimes 'moist' altitude of 1,500 feet, is the unique community of Holualoa (ho-lua-LOA). This relatively undiscovered gem along the Kona Coast is definitely worth visiting, if only to see old-timey architecture.

What was once a village devoted to growing coffee has slowly transformed itself into a community of incredibly talented artists who welcome visitors with an honestly warm aloha. You can take a virtual tour of Holualoa at the community's website: http://www.holualoahawaii.com/

Holualoa Village is the final stop on our day trip to The Place of Refuge (http://www.bigislandvacation.com/To_Place_of_Refuge.html). To learn more Hawaii's Big Island visit http://www.bigislandvacation.com

Big Island Vacation

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