Jonathan Blaque ([info]jblaque) wrote in [info]abouthawaii,
@ 2007-12-02 23:46:00
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Current location:Chicago

Local Favorites?
My wife & are celebrating our 20th wedding anniversary on the big island this coming February, and would deeply appreciate any local info/tips on making our journey as rewarding (and affordable) as possible.

As old-timers, we much prefer exploring the island via car and/or beachfront than wasting a week at tourist attractions.

- Genuine Hawaiian cuisine?
- Trustworthy fishing charter?
- Most secluded parks/beaches?
- "Must-see" cultural sites?
- What else?

Any/all advice you can send our way would be appreciated. Thanks in advance.


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[info]coco_beans
2007-12-04 12:01 pm UTC (link)

Explore Waimea Valley on Hamakua coast. Research the place first though. I love that place. You can find online a horseback riding trip, a ride down, or ATVs in there.

I liked Volcanoes National Park, despite it being a tourist destination. There aren't a lot of "touristy" things there. It's a National Park, so lots of just nature. If you venture off the beathen path you can explore caves (better to do at night, since it's pitch dark anyway) and natural steam "rooms", etc. Research online.

Volcanically heating brackish water in Puna district area.

69's beach. It's small. That is definitely not touristy and the water is amazingly clear. It's on the Kona side at the 69 mile marker. Not labeled.

I just like driving around, check out a couple waterfalls, find a hike. (search for Hamakua coast drive) Check out all the listed waterfalls, except I would skip peepee falls--just not impressive after the other ones.

The Kona Brewing Company is a good place to eat if you like beer and pizza.

L&L drive-in is a cheap eats place (found all over the place). Lots of food, low on nutritional value. Grilled meat, white rice, and macaroni salad. It's a local favorite. Try BBQ chicken plate lunch, kal bi ribs, teri beef, or chicken katsu. I think those are the most popular plates. As far as "real Hawaiian" get the lau lau or kalua pork. (There's a difference of LOCAL cuisine--"LOCAL KINE GRINDS" versus HAWAIIAN cuisine)
On the Hamakua coast there is a "drive-in" that really does have some of the best malasadas and plate lunches.

You'll find good asian foods in Hawaii: sushi, thai, vietnamese are my favorites. The Thai place in Volcano is very good (the only place I recommend eating at in Volcano), a tad expensive, and very spicy so don't be ambitious

PUKA PUKA KITCHEN in Hilo is small, but good.

I recommend this website: http://www.alternative-hawaii.com/
It's a tad difficult to navigate through at first, but you'll get the hang of it.


(I grew up on Oahu)

Ask and ye shall receive.... I'm not the know-it-all of the Big Island, but I should be able to guide you to an answer if you have more.

Rental cars are NOT allowed on Saddle Road or up Mauna Kea. You will have to join a group to do that. 4x4 absolutely required to go up that mountain if you so decide to disregard rental agreement.

It will rain in February. Don't plan on "beaching it" a lot in the Hilo area. Kona is the side for beaches generally (less rain). Coming into that airport, from the plane it just looks like an airport tar mat...black lava everywhere. Interesting.
Hilo/Hamakua coast is beautiful in that it is lush, has cliffs, waterfalls.
Waimea/Kamuela is an interesting stop or drive through. Small town surrounded by rolling hills and cow farms.
Volcano is not to be missed either. It will be foggy and 55 degrees at night. dress appropriately. You'll want flashlights for each traveler, rain coat or parka, hiking shoes and a camelpak. Cell phones don't work. Bring a camera! Start early to enjoy the whole day. If you decide to stay in one of the many very cute and interesting (and romantic) B&Bs there, take the hottest part of the day to go back and rest, then return to the lava flow to watch the sunset.

Have fun!

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[info]coco_beans
2007-12-04 12:06 pm UTC (link)
I would split up your time into two portions. Stay in Kona for half the time, stay in Hilo or Volcano the rest of the time. Come into one airport and depart at the other. It's a popular thing to do, so rental cars have agreements to do that. Otherwise it is way too much driving to have to do on your vacation.

To do this you can book your round trip to Oahu, then book your inter-island tickets separate (through Hawaiian, Aloha, or...gosh, forgot the other airline website) unless you are booking through an agent or your tickets online allow you those options.

but definitely, even if you have to drive all the way back to the same airport that you arrived from, stay at two different accommodations that are on opposite sides.

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[info]coco_beans
2007-12-04 12:07 pm UTC (link)
WHAT THE HELL????? It's YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! hahaha that is so stinkin' random.

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[info]jblaque
2007-12-04 04:18 pm UTC (link)
LOL. Wow - thanks for all the great advice!

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[info]martiw
2008-01-09 06:55 pm UTC (link)
Although Puuhonua O Honaunau (City of Refuge) might seem "touristy," it has a beauty an power (mana) that should be experienced. Go very early or right before closing, when few people are there.

Kona side - Ocean View Inn is a great place to eat. Be prepared to wait. If Teru's is still there, then that's another one.

Other than that, Coco-Beans pretty much has it covered.

Oh and regarding the rental cars on Saddle Road... people do it anyway. The road isn't great, but it's not as bad as it used to be.

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[info]jblaque
2008-01-09 08:10 pm UTC (link)
Thanks!

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