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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.

Eug · Jan 11, 2010, 03:31 PM

Originally Posted by boy8cookie

Mauna Kea is the nicer of the two hotels.

Yeah, I kept my reservation there. Glad I made the right choice. Thx.

So, I'll be a week in that resort, and then another week I haven't booked yet. I'm thinking of going to Molokai and/or Lanai but I'm told I only need to go to those places for a couple of days. Not sure exactly how to set up that last week. Also, travel is going to be annoying since it seems more like Maui (or Oahu) is the bigger hub for transportation to those islands, not the Big Island.

I'm flying in and out of Kona so after going to Molokai or Lanai, I'll have to get back to the Big Island.

olePigeon · Jan 11, 2010, 04:09 PM

Originally Posted by MrsLarry

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

"What to do?"

Catch a plane to Kauai. No reason to go to any of the other islands.

boy8cookie · Jan 11, 2010, 04:15 PM

Molokai and Lanai are both extremely laid back islands. There's little to do on either, you could probably accomplish everything in 2-3 days on either island. Maui is beautiful, but very touristy (and expensive), unless you drive into Hana. Hana reminds me of Molokai, but with stuff to do, and really good food. Oahu is the island version of the mainland, it's very crowded, not at all what you'd expect coming to Hawaii for the first time. Stay away if you can (I live on Oahu...).

Eug · Jan 11, 2010, 05:02 PM

Originally Posted by olePigeon

"What to do?"

Catch a plane to Kauai. No reason to go to any of the other islands.

Well, the reason we weren't planning on going there was because we had already spent an entire week on Kauai a few years ago. Very nice BTW.

Originally Posted by boy8cookie

Molokai and Lanai are both extremely laid back islands. There's little to do on either, you could probably accomplish everything in 2-3 days on either island. Maui is beautiful, but very touristy (and expensive), unless you drive into Hana. Hana reminds me of Molokai, but with stuff to do, and really good food. Oahu is the island version of the mainland, it's very crowded, not at all what you'd expect coming to Hawaii for the first time. Stay away if you can (I live on Oahu...).

Yeah, we probably won't spend much time on Oahu. Specifically, I wasn't a big fan of Honolulu.

I'll look into Hana.

Rumor · Jan 11, 2010, 09:37 PM

Relax.

turtle777 · Jan 11, 2010, 10:11 PM

Originally Posted by boy8cookie

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

Those racist mothervockers.

-t

ctt1wbw · Jan 13, 2010, 10:09 AM

Avoid chocolate covered Macadamia nuts. There's crack cocaine in the center which is why they are so addictive. And oh so damned good.

And if you visit the Volcano National Park, which I highly recommend, take a tour of a lava tube. It's cool. And oh, avoid at all costs those holes in the ground with steam coming out of them. Take my word for it.

Eug · Jan 13, 2010, 10:13 AM

Originally Posted by ctt1wbw

Avoid chocolate covered Macadamia nuts. There's crack cocaine in the center which is why they are so addictive. And oh so damned good.

Heh. A friend in Hawaii used to send us 2 CASES of various Macadamia nuts every year. I could eat a whole can of them in an hour, and a couple of cans a day.

And if you visit the Volcano National Park, which I highly recommend, take a tour of a lava tube. It's cool. And oh, avoid at all costs those holes in the ground with steam coming out of them. Take my word for it.

That lava tube sounds interesting. Thx.

QuadG5Man · Jan 13, 2010, 10:21 PM

Originally Posted by Eug

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.)

The 400 would be nice to have but too heavy to take around the island. Last (and only time) I was on the big island we did a lot of hiking in the lush central parts of the island. I hope you post a few photos, have a great time.

Timo · Jan 14, 2010, 12:27 AM

Originally Posted by ctt1wbw

And if you visit the Volcano National Park, which I highly recommend, take a tour of a lava tube. It's cool. And oh, avoid at all costs those holes in the ground with steam coming out of them. Take my word for it.

Volcanoes National Park

Eug · Feb 7, 2010, 12:10 PM

Now I'm thinking of staying only on the Big Island and renting an SUV for the entire 2 weeks. The conference ends at 1 pm every day, so there time to drive around even during the conference period. Parking at the resort is $15 a day.

It seems like it might be too much of a hassle and expense to fly to Molokai for two days, but I'm not sure yet.

Doofy · Feb 7, 2010, 12:34 PM

Originally Posted by Eug

Now I'm thinking of staying only on the Big Island and renting an ~~SUV~~ not-at-all-anything-like-a-SUV-wagon-because-SUVs-are-evil for the entire 2 weeks. The conference ends at 1 pm every day, so there time to drive around even during the conference period. Parking at the resort is $15 a day.

Fixed that for ya. Just in case.

Eug · Feb 7, 2010, 01:20 PM

Heh.

Normally I'd just rent a compact to save on gas, but apparently there are roads on the Big Island that are quite hard to navigate without a high ground clearance and 4WD.

Eug · Feb 7, 2010, 02:58 PM

How hard is it to drive up to Mauna Kea Observatory?

Note that I am Canadian and thus am used to driving on snow, and (hopefully) will have an SUV with 4WD when I'm there. The only issue is that technically with Alamo I'm not supposed to drive on unpaved roads.

A guided tour (8 hours, includes lunch) is $170 per person, and they provide the winter coats. I don't feel like packing a winter coat with me to Hawaii.

boy8cookie · Feb 7, 2010, 03:52 PM

Originally Posted by Eug

How hard is it to drive up to Mauna Kea Observatory?

Note that I am Canadian and thus am used to driving on snow, and (hopefully) will have an SUV with 4WD when I'm there. The only issue is that technically with Alamo I'm not supposed to drive on unpaved roads.

A guided tour (8 hours, includes lunch) is $170 per person, and they provide the winter coats. I don't feel like packing a winter coat with me to Hawaii.

Snow is unlikely, even at this time of the year. The drive isn't difficult, but if the roads are icy they generally close them.

Eug · Feb 7, 2010, 05:51 PM

If I just take the tour to the observatory, do you think I actually need an SUV for other parts of the Island?

I've already reserved an SUV, but I'm thinking it might just make more sense to get a compact like Doofy suggested and take the guided tour for the observatory.

The main thing about the SUV is 1) I generally don't like driving SUVs, and 2) Terrible gas mileage.

Eug · 11:25 PM

Hmmm... Some people are recommending online in forums not to drive the usual "tourist" rental SUVs to Green Sand Beach anyway. Very difficult even with a higher end "real" SUV, and if you go early enough in the day you can just park in the parking lot and hike it - safer.

What to do, what to do...

EDIT:

Going with the compact. Cancelled the reservation for the suburban assault vehicle.

WizOSX · Yesterday, 03:07 AM

Eug--
How soon do you leave? I divide my year, 6 months living in London, Ontario and 6 months in Maui. Am in Maui right now. If you have any questions, I might be able to answer.