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Eug · Nov 12, 2009, 08:14 AM

I'm not usually a beach type guy so I get sick of that quickly. In fact, I'd probably rather sit in the hotel surfing MacNN than suntan on the beach, cuz I find sitting on the beach painfully boring. What to see on the Big Island (or elsewhere in Hawaii)?

I'm there for a conference which ends at 1 pm every day, and I'm there for a week. I'm staying at the Mauna Kea Beach Hotel for the conference for the week, and then I don't know where I'll be staying or if I should even stay on the same island. Any suggestions?

I don't scuba dive, and probably will get my fill of snorkeling in the week at the resort. I was thinking of maybe renting a condo for a week or something after the conference but I'm not sure where. I have been to Kauai for a week and we enjoyed just hiking around and checking out some of the sights. I learned basic surfing when I was there, and it might be nice trying it again for an afternoon or something, but I'm not really interested in pursuing more than that since I'm not a strong swimmer.

I will also be bringing my camera (Canon 7D) although I'm not exactly sure what lenses to bring. I'm thinking maybe a 17-55 IS and a 70-200 f/4 IS. (I have a 400 mm f/5.6 but it's probably too big to lug around.)

downinflames68 · Nov 12, 2009, 08:42 AM

Been to Hawaii 3 times. Kaui, Maui, and Oahu. I suggest helicopter tour. Definitely the best way to see the island.

Other than that, find some booze cruises. Nothing says vacation like getting wasted while tooling about on the ocean.

Eug · Nov 12, 2009, 09:39 AM

Hmmm... The helicopter tour seems interesting, although I can do that while I'm still at the conference resort.

I won't bother with the booze cruise though.

However, I will be sure to check out the volcanos.

Doofy · Nov 12, 2009, 09:54 AM

What to do?

Hawaiian chicks?

subego · Nov 12, 2009, 11:27 AM

I have never been, but hear Waipio Valley is spectacular.

It certainly looks that way in pictures.

MrsLarry · Nov 13, 2009, 12:30 PM

I went ziplining in Kauai and it was AMAZING, not sure if they do it on the Big Island.

andi*pandi · Nov 13, 2009, 02:13 PM

bike down the mountain in kauai, kayak to a hidden waterfall, go to a luau, have a fabulous time?

boy8cookie · Nov 13, 2009, 02:45 PM

Things I'd recommend checking out (having grown up on the big island):
- green sand beach
- volcano national park
- the lava flow, either via hiking or helicopter
- mauna kea observatory
- waipio valley
- the farmer's market in down-town hilo (saturdays)

There are plenty of beaches too, both black & white sand.

downinflames68 · Nov 13, 2009, 03:47 PM

Originally Posted by boy8cookie

There are plenty of bitches too, both black & white kind.

That's how I read it.

imitchellg5 · Nov 13, 2009, 04:31 PM

There is plenty to do on the big island. Tons of hikes. Def. go for a helicopter tour (it's the only one of the islands really worth it IMHO). The beaches on the island aren't that great anyway (compared to the others), so don't feel like you have to go.

Eug · 11:42 AM

Thx. For Kauai, I probably won't go because I've already been there. I don't think I'll do ziplining cuz I can do that anywhere and I'm already a climber so it's not a big deal for me (unless they do one over a falls or canyon or something). The heli tour does seem interesting though.

Originally Posted by boy8cookie

Things I'd recommend checking out (having grown up on the big island):
- green sand beach
- volcano national park
- the lava flow, either via hiking or helicopter
- mauna kea observatory
- waipio valley
- the farmer's market in down-town hilo (saturdays)

There are plenty of beaches too, both black & white sand.

I just found out there are two hotels for which I have conference rates. The conference is at Mauna Kea Beach Hotel, and I've booked there, but they also have rooms at the Hapuna Beach Prince Hotel. They seem to be on basically the same grounds, but Hapuna is a lot cheaper (by $100 per night).

Mauna Kea: 62-100 Mauna Kea Beach Drive 96743
Hapuna: 62-100 Kauna'oa Drive 96743

Is Mauna Kea Beach Hotel that much better? Probably, but I just thought I'd ask. BTW, I don't care about golf courses.

EDIT:

I just read that the Mauna Kea Beach Hotel closed for 2 years because of an earthquake... but then put in $150 million for renovations and reopened only this year to accolades. Sounds promising.

boy8cookie · Nov 15, 2009, 01:19 AM

Mauna Kea is the nicer of the two hotels.