Originally Posted by kenpasadena

* Hapuna versus Mauna Kea - You can walk over to Mauna Kea via a paved path over the golf course or along a rugged coastal path around the coast. Both are hot if you go in the afternoon sun as we did. Take water and sturdy shoes if you decide on the hike. Mauna Kea is a smaller beach, maybe more swimmable and with more fish as it's rockier and protected (so calmer water). Hotel is closer to the beach. You get bright orange towels - so if you are visiting from Hapuna you stick out like a sore thumb with your white beach towels. There is a nice casual grill restaurant right on the beach at Mauna Kea. You can do room charge there if you are staying at Hapuna. We had drinks and nibbles at the bar upstairs with a nice view of the bay. We didn't feel like there was a huge upgrade from the common areas, beach and pool at Mauna Kea versus Hapuna. We liked the pool at Hapuna better and felt the beach was nice at both places. Mauna Kea is the classic mid-century design, has the mistique of the original big resort on the big island and probably has nice rooms. So up to you what you want. Both hotels are very nice.