So I've read through a bunch of posts but I still couldn't find a definitive answer.

Flying to Hawaii (LAX > HNL) in early November for a conference. Will have two and 2 half days on the Big Island before moving on to Lihue for the conference. My main focus is on seeing the volcanoes. Which airport to recommend flying in and out of? How much time do you suggest for each park/volcano? Any other highlight you might rec'd?

Thanks,
Aaron

ITO.

It's a 30 minute drive to VNP.

From KOA, though, it's a 3 hour drive.

One small fyi, though: if you need "resort quality" lodging, your only choice is on the Kona side. Hilo has many, many, many charms. Five star or four star or even three star hotels are not one of them.

There are lots of nice B&Bs, though, either in Hilo or in Volcano village.

If you do stay on the east side, other highlights I'd suggest would be: The Tsunami Museum in Hilo, the Lyman Museum in Hilo, Akaka Falls, the 4 mile scenic drive from Papaikou to Peepekeo (on your way to Akaka Falls -- and stop at the What's Shakin' Smoothy Stand ), Laupahoehoe Point (the most dramatic, imo, seaside spot on the Big Island), the Imiloa Astronomy Center and Planetarium (brand new with an incredible display of Hawaii history and culture, and, some say, the most state-of-the art planetarium in the world).

Definitely ITO if your focus is the volcano. Driving from KOA through Kona town alone can take forever.

And don't forget the Pana 'Ewa Rainforest Zoo in Hilo. Say "Hi" to Namaste, the resident White Bengal Tiger! http://www.hilozoo.com/Z_home.htm

Thanks a lot.

So is mauna kea worth the trip or only VNP? The drive from KOA to VNP, I image it's still a beautiful drive?

Heck yeah, it's a beautiful drive! We loved it. Living on Maui, it's the furthest we've ever driven without ending up where we started!

A couple of things:

The trip to Mauna Kea (or even just to the visitors center) is spectacular. But you can't get there except by driving Saddle Road (do a search on that for some reports re) and some rental car companies prohibit that. Your call as to whether you abide that by

And you can drive from KOA to VNP via Saddle Road (again with the rental caveat) but you'll miss some of the most fantastic scenery: Parker Ranchlands (with Mauna Kea strikingly in the distance), the fun and funky town of Honoka`a (and Texs Drive Inn for malasadas ^), the Waipio Valley overlook, more opportunities to drive the "old highway" which will take you back 50 years, Laupahoehoe Point, Kolekole Park, Akaka Falls.

So I think I'll do this:

Fly to KOA
Drive to VNP via coast.
Day and a half at VNP
Eve and Morning at Mauna Kea
fly to Lihue from ITO.

Ultiamtely I have to rush bc of the conference but I'd like to get a good sampling of what's out there.

There is no place to stay at Mauna Kea overnight, so you are looking at driving up and back twice.

Iirc, IslandAir has a direct flight (stops in OGG) ITO-LIH.

You might prefer the circumnavigation approach:

-- Fly into ITO

-- Drive to Wapio or Honopaa.
Explore Wapio Valley and spend the night.
I stayed here once: http://www.cliffhousehawaii.com/index.html
There are other places to stay nearby.

--Morning drive to Mauna Kea
Stop in Kamuela (aka Waimea) for lunch.
Visit Parker Ranch if that's your thing.
http://www.parkerranch.com/Parker-Ra...bout-the-ranch

--Drive to/near VNP where you'll spend the night
Enjoy the volcano.

--Head back to ITO

Thanks for the suggestions. I'm going to have to rethink some of this. My wife will be 6 months pregnant and Mauna Kea is not rec'd for pregnant women. Anyone have any experience with this?

Pay attention to this man, he speaks the truth.

I drove to Kilauea from Waikoloa twice, once each way. I'm an amateur volcanology student, and it was interesting to finally put eyes on the famous Mauna Loa 1919, 1926 and 1950 flows--but the snail-on-NyQuil pace through Kailua-Kona was beyond the pale.

This might seem stupid, but if I had to do it again (and I will, LOL) I'd take 19 through ITO, then 11 past HVP and on to South Point and even further north. And then turn around and retrace. Sure, you're going around your elbow, but I'd rather be driving at speed and seeing the same things twice than being stuck in Hippie Central for two hours like I was in Kona. The tank of gas you buy in Hilo will last you, and any roadfood you want you can get in Volcano town until you get to real food in Hilo or Kamuela.

Hold on! Yes, I do have experience with this. I'm very fit, and I had trouble walking up the stairs of the observatory. I strongly recommend that you do not do this with your wife. The chances of a problem are low, but the consequences would be disastrous. A helicopter airlift would be necessary if you had any problems, and that might take hours.

It would be hard to enjoy yourselves up, down and on top when you know how problematic it would be if your wife were to encounter problems.

Thanks dhuey -- I agree, we're not going to risk it. It's a shame for her too since we love the outdoors and science and since she's a geochemist. That also includes all of the hot springs. Surprisingly though she's insisting that I do the evening program at Mauna Kea alone so if anyone's has a good suggestion for something she can do in/around Hilo without me, I'd appreciate it.

Perhaps a geochemist would appreciate Mauna Kea a lot more than I did. It was a long journey for not much reward, in my view. I was disappointed with the views on the way up and at the top. Saddle Road is also a pretty unpleasant stretch of highway. I much prefer Haleakala on Maui.