Hawaii - Another help me plan a Big Island trip thread

Two friends and I are heading to the Big Island for 8 days next week (03/19-03/27). Had a few questions:

1. We were thinking of a vacation rental on the Kona side, but after perusing some of the threads here, I was wondering if it would make more sense to split up our time between two locations. Recommendations for particular rental properties are appreciated too.

2. Is there a way to see the lava flows 'on the cheap' or do we have to take an expensive guided tour? Can't really afford to, and don't want to, pay $100/person. I don't mind guided tours for around $40-50.

3. Similar question for the Mauna Kea summit. Any way to see it cheap? We don't feel that comfortable driving a 4WD and it seems tours are pretty expensive.

We do have a copy of the Big Island Revealed on the way from Amazon, but there's so much information to digest that I figured you guys would be more helpful.

Is there a way to see the lava flows 'on the cheap' or do we have to take an expensive guided tour? Can't really afford to, and don't want to, pay $100/person. I don't mind guided tours for around $40-50.

If you don't need to get up close and personal with the lava, you can just go down to the end of the road in Kalapana and view it from a distance at dusk - no charge. You can also go into the main entrance of Volcanoes National Park for $10/carload, I think, and the receipt's good for readmission for maybe a week - there's no lava flow there, but there are other things. Since the lava flow's on private land, getting up close and personal currently does require a tour.

Similar question for the Mauna Kea summit. Any way to see it cheap? We don't feel that comfortable driving a 4WD and it seems tours are pretty expensive.

You've got some options here:

1. Drive your 2WD to the Visitor Information Station on Mauna Kea, and look for folks heading up in 4WDs who have room, and ask for a ride.

2. If you want to have a tour guide around, get there between 12pm and 1pm on a Saturday or Sunday, and ask the folks who arrive with 4WDs whether they're going on the tour and have space for you. (You'll need to be 16+, not pregnant, no medical conditions that'd be dangerous at high altitude, and no SCUBA in the last 24 hours).

I'm PMing you about the third option.

Four Seasons and Kona Village shut down immediately after a sunami.. That means the best luau on the island isn't available during the March break, and Surf, Sand and Star may be shut down while the Four Seasons is shut down.

Also heard there is damage on Front Street Kona.

Also heard there is damage on Front Street Kona.

Wrong Island - Front Street is on Maui.

Ali'i Drive in Kona suffered some damage, but other than a few shops, is already back to being fully open.

Four Seasons and Kona Village shut down immediately after a sunami.. That means the best luau on the island isn't available during the March break, and Surf, Sand and Star may be shut down while the Four Seasons is shut down.

Also heard there is damage on Front Street Kona.


Wow, thanks for this, had planned on taking in the Surf, Sand and Stars during the honeymoon in mid-April, but visiting their site it says they will be closed all of April.

Has anyone seen the place to see how bad it is? Just wondering why the cleanup would take so long, since the statement on their site doesn't mention any major damage, just sand and debris.

"Four Seasons Resort Hualalai is closed until April 30 due to damage from the recent earthquake-generated tsunami. The Resort sustained damage from the storm surge, which brought water, sand and debris onto the grounds. Clean-up efforts have already begun and we look forward to welcoming guests back to the Resort soon."

Wrong Island - Front Street is on Maui.

Ali'i Drive in Kona suffered some damage, but other than a few shops, is already back to being fully open.

Thanks for the clarification.. I always thought King Kamehameha hotel could use a full reno.. if the hotel is damaged, maybe they'll finally be able to the renos with help from the insurance companies.

Wow, thanks for this, had planned on taking in the Surf, Sand and Stars during the honeymoon in mid-April, but visiting their site it says they will be closed all of April.

Has anyone seen the place to see how bad it is? Just wondering why the cleanup would take so long, since the statement on their site doesn't mention any major damage, just sand and debris.

"Four Seasons Resort Hualalai is closed until April 30 due to damage from the recent earthquake-generated tsunami. The Resort sustained damage from the storm surge, which brought water, sand and debris onto the grounds. Clean-up efforts have already begun and we look forward to welcoming guests back to the Resort soon."

Yeah.. Surf, Sand and Stars my favorite and the very best meal I've ever had in my life.. not this time around. Mauna Kea Clambake with all you can eat big lobster tails are next on the list.. about the same price with a bit of sushi/sashimi.. will have to suffice. Clambake, SS&S, and Fairmont's Gathering of the Kings all happen on Saturday nights. IMO.. they should stagger rather than compete.

I always thought King Kamehameha hotel could use a full reno.. if the hotel is damaged, maybe they'll finally be able to the renos with help from the insurance companies.

Only problem with this plan is that if I recall, they recently did a full renovation... oops.

Personally, I'm more of the opinion that the King Kam could "use" being razed to the ground and replaced with something new... but anyway! :D

Yeah.. Surf, Sand and Stars my favorite and the very best meal I've ever had in my life.. not this time around. Mauna Kea Clambake with all you can eat big lobster tails are next on the list.. about the same price with a bit of sushi/sashimi.. will have to suffice. Clambake, SS&S, and Fairmont's Gathering of the Kings all happen on Saturday nights. IMO.. they should stagger rather than compete.

Let's Go Crabbing is looking pretty decent on Friday nights, I think it's pretty new according to another website I saw. Given that the fiancee loves her some crab legs, I think we may take that one in as well.

http://www.princeresortshawaii.com/hapuna-prince-special-events.php

Only problem with this plan is that if I recall, they recently did a full renovation... oops.

Personally, I'm more of the opinion that the King Kam could "use" being razed to the ground and replaced with something new... but anyway! :D

Lol.. that is funny.. last year I thought the King Kamehameha was still in need of a reno.. this was March Break last year when we last visited.. So you mean that a reno was already done.. looked like lipstick on the Kam (instead of traditional pic). You're right, maybe it does need to be razed and rebuilt.. if thats' a reno, then the icon needs to be rebuilt.. and maybe the flood funds will give the resources to do it.:D

Let's Go Crabbing is looking pretty decent on Friday nights, I think it's pretty new according to another website I saw. Given that the fiancee loves her some crab legs, I think we may take that one in as well.

http://www.princeresortshawaii.com/hapuna-prince-special-events.php

Funny.. I thought lobster would be included because Mauna Kea markets its all you can eat lobster as "Clambake". Before I visited the clambake I thought we would be baking clams.:D

Can I add more questions to this "help me" thread as I'm planning to visit the Big Island?

1. I'm thinking about spending a week there and would like to see many different parts of the island. So, I'm considering booking open jaw tickets. Is it a good idea to fly into Kona (KOA) and fly out of Hilo (ITO)? Or should I just do a day trip to Hilo and fly out of Kona?

2. If doing the open jaw made sense, I would like to rent a car. Could I pick up the car in KOA and drop it off in ITO?

3. For a 7-day trip, how many days should I spend around Kona and how many days around Hilo?

Thanks for your help.

Can I add more questions to this "help me" thread as I'm planning to visit the Big Island?

1. I'm thinking about spending a week there and would like to see many different parts of the island. So, I'm considering booking open jaw tickets. Is it a good idea to fly into Kona (KOA) and fly out of Hilo (ITO)? Or should I just do a day trip to Hilo and fly out of Kona?

2. If doing the open jaw made sense, I would like to rent a car. Could I pick up the car in KOA and drop it off in ITO?

3. For a 7-day trip, how many days should I spend around Kona and how many days around Hilo?

Thanks for your help.

AFAIK.. rental companies will charge a premium to pick up KOA and drop off ITO..

I do open jaws as well.. but off of different islands.. so that I return the rental car to the same destination, so I don't pay a premium to drop off.. I always take a one way inter-island flight (OGG this past couple of spring breaks), and leave OGG to mainland..

The reason I do the one way inter-island is because if I did a round trip back to KOA and catch a flight KOA to mainland.. and the connection misses.. I'm on the hook for the extra costs, change fees and inconvenience. The interisland is done on the middle of the trip, so no chance of itineraries crossed, trying to catch connections.

In terms of spending time between KOA/ITO.. all I can say is you're missing 95% of the island doing that as there are some awesome Phenomenon attractions around the islands to visit.. i.e. Mauna Kea Observatory and visitors center, Waipio Valley, Kohala Coast, Volcano National Park, Black Sand Beach, South Point, Akaka Falls, etc.

Can I add more questions to this "help me" thread as I'm planning to visit the Big Island?

Sure.

1. I'm thinking about spending a week there and would like to see many different parts of the island. So, I'm considering booking open jaw tickets. Is it a good idea to fly into Kona (KOA) and fly out of Hilo (ITO)? Or should I just do a day trip to Hilo and fly out of Kona?

There's nothing wrong with doing it open-jaw; if you're coming through HNL, Hawaiian's fares are probably the same to either side.

2. If doing the open jaw made sense, I would like to rent a car. Could I pick up the car in KOA and drop it off in ITO?

Absolutely. I've done this (or the inverse) several times. I would recommend comparing prices for "one-way" rentals between the different rental companies, though - there'll usually be some that want a lot extra and some that want hardly any.

3. For a 7-day trip, how many days should I spend around Kona and how many days around Hilo?

If you truly want to see a lot of the island, you're going to be on the road most of the time anyway, so maybe it doesn't matter a whole lot... but I'd figure on a more-or-less even split, since IMHO the things to see are kind of evenly divided in terms of "more convenient to Kona/Waikoloa" and "more convenient to Hilo."

Alamo does not charge anything to pick up KOA and drop off ITO. Interestingly, when I had a eservation booked with DiscountHawaii they *were* charged a fee but when I priced it out myself I was not.

Thanks everyone for your replies. I just booked two award tickets with CO, flying into KOA and out of ITO. I think I will use KOA and ITO equally as home bases and explore the island for a week.

I checked that renting a car with KOA pick up and ITO drop off doesn't cost much more than picking up and dropping off the car from the same airport.

Thanks everyone for your replies. I just booked two award tickets with CO, flying into KOA and out of ITO. I think I will use KOA and ITO equally as home bases and explore the island for a week.

I checked that renting a car with KOA pick up and ITO drop off doesn't cost much more than picking up and dropping off the car from the same airport.

Excellent!^

Have a wonderful trip.. post back experiences or any questions..

Glad the open jaw option worked out very well for you..