Big Island Trip Questions from the UK!

Aloha!

I%26#39;ve been reading this forum for a good couple of weeks now to familiarise myself with the Big Island. Last year, we visisted both Maui %26amp; Oahu for 7 days each and this time we%26#39;re planning on coming to the Big Island in a few weeks from now.

My girlfriend and I will be flying in and out of Kona and staying for 2 weeks.

We%26#39;ve more or less settled on the Hapuna Prince hotel due to the decent rate they have at the moment, although I%26#39;m aware there%26#39;s been some construction going on there for a few months now.

We know we%26#39;re going to need a car to make the most of our time but obviously it%26#39;s very different driving in the US compared to the UK %26amp; Hawaii even more so! Therefore it is with some aprehension that we%26#39;re going to hire a car. I%26#39;ve driven in Florida before so kind of got my head round the %26#39;wrong side of the road%26#39; thing but Florida %26amp; Hawaii driving seem to be different animals all together.

The thing is, the flights we%26#39;re looking at all land in Kona at 20:15 and after reading on these forums I was thinking this might be a little late to be driving up to the Hapuna. What do you think?

It was nice being on Maui and Oahu wihtout the worry of hiring a car to get around, but I know it%26#39;s pretty much essential here!

Secondly, is it worth splashing out more for the Mauna Lani? I%26#39;ve read a few times that the Hapuna doesn%26#39;t have any shops local to buy food etc so I was thinking the Mauna Lani area might be better because it has more in the way of shops %26amp; amenities than the Hapuna. We do love the beach and swimming and I think the Hapuna is better in this respect. We%26#39;re just a little concerned about the food situation because we don%26#39;t want to be eating out expensive restuarants EVERY night. Any thoughts on this?

Finally, obviously we want to travel to the Volcano National Park, and from what I%26#39;ve read this is tough to do in ONE day from the Hapuna area because of the distances involved. The deal we%26#39;ve found on Expedia gives a great discount because we%26#39;re booking a flight and hotel together and if we were to book a seperate hotel in the Volcano area to stop over we%26#39;d essentially be looking at paying for both hotels at the same time or if we did it all seperately we%26#39;d lose flight+hotel discount deal. So is it possible to do it in a day or should we be really looking to stay down there?

Thanks in advance!

Big Island Trip Questions from the UK!

You mention that you intend to hire a car because you are worried about driving yourself. I would suggest you not spent the money on hiring... rather I would rent a self drive car and not have to pay for a chauffer. (hiring in Hawaii means car with driver like a limo I assume you knew that if you ask the agency for a hire car thats what you will get)

I routinely rent cars in UK and have no problem.. all our cars here are automatic. there is only one Hiway 2 lanes, from the airport its a 45 min drive.

And you can drive it your self.. Hapuna is a little trickey to enter... you turn right away from the ocean go through a guard gate and follow a littel road to the hotel....it is pretty remote

You can go to the Mauin Lani and spalsh about for free as all beaches in Hawaii are also free. You should know that this time of year Hapuna can be very windy and rough. In fact that section of coast has been closed ( all beaches) because of shark sightings

for almost a week....which is unusual..but possible anytime

Got news for you, ALL the places on the whole Kohala coast are expensive.... figure $70 to $100 for 2 persons min for a modest dinner..2 course.

its about a 2.5 hour drive from Hapuna to the volcano, without stops...and plan about 5 hours in the park. drive back the same route before dark...its all 2 lane very simple roads... way simpler than flordia and Maui. expect to average speed about 30 mph.... top speed permitted is 55 .. and no passing almost all the way.there are no motorways, service centers or pay phones...it gets very black at night. Speed laws very strict..zero tollerance visitors or Locals alike.

So leave Hapuna by 0630......

Big Island Trip Questions from the UK!

The Kona airport is North of Kailua/Kona and out in a lava field. Hapuna is farther North past the airport. It will be dark when you get there but going to Hapuna is no problem. You just turn left out of the airport on the highway. Hapuna is about 30 miles north of Kailua-Kona, near mile marker 69. There are signs pointing you to Hapuna beach. You definately need a car on the BI. When you see how vast it is you will understand why. Hapuna is a very beautiful beach.

We have a timeshare and stay in Kailua/Kona and have done the Volcano in a day several times. Unless you like to really take your time you can do it with no problem. We try to hit some of the waterfalls on the way and then stop in Hilo. I%26#39;ve even driven it at night and it didn%26#39;t bother me at all. (but I%26#39;m use to driving on the right side of the road ;-) )

I%26#39;d recommend getting a good guide book (I like Hawaii The Big Island Revealed - others here don%26#39;t like it but you can review it at Amazon) and planning from that. It helps to have maps before hand so you can get a lay of the land.

Hapuna resort restaurants will probably be EXPENSIVE. Cheaper eats can be found at Waikoloa Kings shops, but you will be staying in the most expensive part of the BI. You can also drive 30 miles to Kailua/Kona to the more budget-touristy area.

Aloha,

I think driving on the Big Island is easier than Florida and that you should be fine. Just take it easy and if you get off the plane and feel you are too tired to fly stop by the car rental and let them know you will be back the next day and take a cab. Your drive is basically a left out of the airport and maybe 35 - 40 mins drive to a right hand turn into the resort.

Money is money and you have to decide; however you are very close to shopping (since you have a car).. The Kings and Queens shops are maybe 15 mins. south..

If you want a beach Hapuna is the way to go. When we have stayed there for a long weekend we also drive to Waimea for shopping.. lovely drive and lots of options.

You can VNP in a day, maybe 2 1/2 hours each way. I usually suggest to people to take an overnight bag with them.. that way if you feel you just do not want to drive back you can grab a B%26amp;B for a night.. maybe have 2 or 3 B%26amp;B%26#39;s in mind and take the phone numbers with you.

Wow, thanks for the quick replies!

Dan - Sorry when I said %26#39;hire a car%26#39; I did actually mean Rent, not a chauffer. We tend to refer it as car hire over here rather than rental, but I can see how it read that way! My bad. So yes we%26#39;ll be hiring a car. I actually found Florida pretty straightforward so it%26#39;s nice to read the Big Island is simpler. The route does look simple up to the hotel, I just wanted to ensure it wasn%26#39;t too difficult a task to tackle after a 20 hour flight. But you%26#39;ve put my mind at rest - thanks for that. I%26#39;m aware meals are expensive and we%26#39;re willing to pay those prices but not for every meal of the day. I was actually referring to grocery stores etc to buy snacks etc to save money here and there and the Mauna Lani appears to have shops very close. But I guess we%26#39;ll need to hop in the car and drive to some shops nearby.

I%26#39;ve seen the post about the sharks. I%26#39;m very surprised it%26#39;s been closed for a week! Do they go out and check each day for sharks? I must admit i didn%26#39;t even think about sharks when I was swimming in Maui but I%26#39;m sure these Tigers are around all of the islands so it%26#39;s to be expected really.

Thanks for the info about the Volcano trip too. 30mph average speed? No wonder it takes so long! :)

I take your point about the speed laws too. I think we%26#39;ll leave at 6am. Which route is best to take to the Volcano from Hapuna?

bigislandfan1 - Thanks for your input. You%26#39;ve also put my mind at rest about the initial night drive to the hotel. You say you%26#39;ve travelled from Kailua-Kona to the VNP and taken in waterfalls %26amp; Hilo. Is this via highway 11 or 19? And I guess you would find it more straightforward because you%26#39;re used to driving on %26#39;the other%26#39; side of the road :D - it certainly felt very strange to me the first time i did it!

I was thinking about what book to get and stumbled on the Big Island Revealed book, but then read (as you say) the multiple posts on how it%26#39;s inaccurate and contains hints and tips recommending to ignore private signs etc so that kind of put me off. But I think I might just buy it anyway and use the maps and other basic factual information that it contains.

How far are the Waikoloa Kings shops? I take it we can buy groceries etc there.

Thanks again for the responses - most helpful and reassuring.

Going to Volcano you would want to keep heading North on 19 and then over towards Waimea (still 19) We always went 190 because we were coming from Kailua/Kona, but they meet up at Waimea.

Lots of controversy over the Revealed books but the author has seemed to tone it down in his latest editions. Some people have it in their minds to really dislike the book and there is no convincing them otherwise. Me, I love it and wouldn%26#39;t go to Hawaii without it. (that goes for using the other islands Revealed books also)

As for driving from airport to Hapuana, you probably couldn%26#39;t find a better road to get the feel of driving on the right side of the road, just because there is not really any congestion along there.

Have fun, and I hope you love the Big Island. Check out Kua Bay. It%26#39;s my favorite beach there. Very pretty white sand and clear blue water.

From Hapuna highway entrance to Mauna Lani highway entrance is about 20 minutes, no real traffic to speak of. Waikoloa highway entrance another 10 minutes south. Ditto. So it is not a big deal to drive to the stores in either set of shops. Frankly, I think the most servicable supermarket is up in Waikoloa VIllage for sodas, snacks, etc. but I%26#39;m used to going there. The other shops have limited selections of basics in favor of fancier items and prepared foods.

I like the Mauna Lani beaches better than Hapuna but am probably in the minority here. Hapuna is big with big expanses of sand (and lots of people) and size matters to a lot of people. Also a nasty shore break some times. Mauna Lani is smaller with fewer people and is overall quieter.

HI!

Thank you so much for reading up before posting ...

What I would advise is that you do double book a very simple room near the park. It is a 5-6 hour round trip from Hapuna, and as you%26#39;ve come all this way and may not do it again any time soon, you will not have all that much time to see the park.

You shouldn%26#39;t drive back at night, and the sunset time is quite spectacular right now with the Halemaumau vent going off red.

Have you looked at the Volcano House in the park?

Anyhow, this is my advice for you to ensure you get to explore a bit more of the wonderful east side. I would book now; I have a feeling the summit eruption is getting ready to take off (lay interpretation), and if so it will be so popular you%26#39;ll never get a room for a night.

Re the food, Mauna Lani and Waikoloa Beach are only 10-15 minutes from the Prince max. Maybe less. The Prince is also the closest to Kawaihae, where you can get affordable pizza, salads (Cafe Pesto), Mexican food (Tres Hombres), burgers, there is a Seafood Bar (Kawaihae Harbor Grill), and there is even a nightclub now with jazz music.

You absolutely don%26#39;t have to eat at the super overpriced resort restaurants. If you like sushi, go to Sansei at the Queens shops at 5:30, and the first hour there%26#39;s a very good early bird discount.

There%26#39;s excellent FRESH fish and chips in a hole in the wall on the Kings%26#39; Lake at Waikoloa Beach, behind Tommy Bahamas, for about $11 that will make a full meal. (Also coconut shrimp).

Also a Food Court with numerous vendors at Waikoloa Beach.

You can go down to Foodland at Mauna Lani Shoppes and stock up on groceries.

Re the drive to Volcano, the highway does have a fair amount of curves, and I would get comfortable with driving on the right before heading over. Maybe book it in the latter part of your visit.

As for the Big Island Revealed, you seem like too nice a person to take to that smarmy author. Some people can grasp the idea of boycotting a book by an author who has done serious damage to the ecosystem and to visitor relations with nothing in mind more than his own ego and getting rich.

Others feel the need to perpetuate this jerk%26#39;s success.

Your choice as to what kind of visitor to be.

It does NOT have the best maps and directions either. There is just as good information in other books.

The best map you can have is available free on Google earth (just print out the sections you%26#39;re interested in), and the best print maps are without question the West and East Hawai%26#39;i Mapbooks, latest edition.

However, your drive map in your rental car is quite enough to get you where you%26#39;re going. The drive maps are quite good because they omit everything not relevant to sightseeing, so they are simple and easy to follow while driving.

Re your hotel choice -- yes, I think the Mauna Lani is better, but if you have a great package and the extra money would hurt, you might work out what you would do with that extra money, and see what you think.

The Mauna Lani is especially wonderful for people who want to relax and soak up the spirit of the place. It is more Hawaiian. The Prince has a lot to offer too. It doesn%26#39;t have the feeling of Old Hawai%26#39;i. It was built to cater to Japanese tourists, and has a more austere Zen feel to the architecture.

I don%26#39;t care for its dinner restaurant, the Coast Grille (what you get for the price compared to Browns or Canoe House), but the pool bar setting is lovely, and the breakfast and brunch should be very good. I would take advantage of the breakfast as a way to save dining money.

Another good way to save in Hawai%26#39;i is to dine early, and try to eat at lunch menu prices.

You will find lots of take out food offerings at the Foodland.

Enjoy!

The reason I like the Revealed book is it breaks the island up into sights first. It tells you what to see and makes the sights easy to get to. It also lists mile post markers which makes it that much easier. It then breaks down the beaches by location and goes from one end of the island all the way around. It gives detailed descriptions of the beaches, and tells where the best snorkeling is. (which I really like!) It also has sections for activities (all the touristy stuff like boat tours, land tours, etc) and adventures. It also has a section on hotels %26amp; restaurants, but I don%26#39;t usually pay those sections much mind.

I%26#39;ve used other guide books and those maps from the airlines and car rental agencys. In my opinion they don%26#39;t come close to the detailed information the Revealed book lists.

I hightly recommend it. As I said before, check out the reviews on Amazon from travelers who have used it and you will see why I think it%26#39;s a must!

Five of us travelled from the UK in January last. To accommodate us and our luggage, we hired an Uplander. We landed at KOA 22.30 and all the rental companies were still open despite saying they closed at 22.30. We had not driven an Automatic vehicle before, let alone one with the gear lever on the steering wheel. However, we soon adapted and had few problems. A couple of points that might help, put the brake on after switching on or the vehicle will not go into gear, and do not go downhill in %26#39;drive%26#39; or you will burn the brakes. We stayed at Waikoloa and found adapting to the conditions quite easy. The Queens Shops were not fully open while we were there, but we found the store in Waikoloa village (five miles away) more than adequate. Alternatives are Safeway (get a discount card before shopping), Walmart or Costco, all about 25-30 minutes away in Kona. Hopefully the road to Kona is fully open now, otherwise allow an extra 20-30 minutes especially in the afternoon. This was our second stay, and we are due to visit again next March. Hope you enjoy your stay as much as we did.

TN9,

Are you absolutely set on a Hotel for your 2 week stay?

There are many lovely condos for rent in Waikoloa and the Mauna lani area. Staying in a condo gives you the option to eat out or in. If you opt for carry out you can always store and reheat the next day in a spot with a kitchen. I know many people say that they are on holiday and don%26#39;t want to cook, but it allows you the freedom to do either. If a light quick breakfast is in order before your day of exploring.. you save both time and money. It%26#39;s nice to have a refrigerator to keep beverages and juices cold as well.

www.vrbo.com

Website with rental options in the South Kohala area for you to review if interested.

Agree with the others about it being a straight forward drive north to either area, even in the dark. We were concerned our very first time , but it really is doable.

Have a super time on the Big Island!