Going to Kona, HI for first time - Any trip suggestions?

[BrianSD_42]

No 4Runner. Just a rental car.

any suggestions for this great island?

I'm already planning on visiting the volcano national park.

We will be there for 4 days then 3 days near Wakiikii

 

[Quatre Coureur]

Kona is on the Big Island? I believe... Anyway haven't been there, only to Oahu and Kauai. We rented a Samurai and went 'exploring' and got ourselves in plenty of trouble. Good thing we sprang for the insurance... Oh yeah, if ur going snorkeling, be careful where u go. Make sure it's a safe spot. We went snorkeling in some random beautiful spot we spotted off the trail. Bad idea! Strong currents! You're down there, amazed at the beauty, not realizing the currents taking u deeper and deeper. Then when u come up for air, ur A LOT deeper than u realize! You keep thinking the surface is right there, but its an illusion cuz the water is crystal clear! As my life's flashing before me, all I could think about was how upset my mother would be. Please be careful! :surfer:

 

[Lester Lugnut]

Wife and I went to the Big Island last year. Kona is one of the districts(my language) on the Island. That's where the Walmart, K-mart, Costco; etc are at and all of the commercial buildup.

4 days you say. I would simply drive around the entire island. 2 lane road pretty much circles the entire Island. The other side of the Island(Hilo) is greener than the Kona side. South end has an active volcano. At sunset you can walk down to where it flows into the ocean. North end has a dormant volcano that people snow ski on at the top.

Waikiki is on the island of Oahu. You will go thru Honolulu on your way to Oahu. Beaches in Waikiki are man made. Not that many sandy beaches in Hawaii compared to the mainland states. Lots of lava beaches and you'll see tons of that on the Big Island especially.

The prettiest Hawaiian island is Kauai - known as the garden island. Just my opinion.

In closing I will say I'd rather be anywhere on any of the Hawaiian islands than anywhere on the mainland at anytime.

Enjoy your trip.

 

[zacattack20]

Yeah the volcano is the main attraction on the big island. Not as much of the touristy stuff on that island. You could always head to the southern point and there is a little cafe there you could eat at. It's the southern most part of the United States. Also in the south end of the island is a green sand beach, you have to hike in on a trail to get to it. Besides the road that goes around the island as someone said, if you want to go driving around, there is a road that cuts through the middle of the island that has good views.

 

[BrianSD_42]

My #1 focus will be doing several amazing day hikes and also seeing the Volcano

 

[zacattack20]

Be careful when driving around on the small roads, you could get lost pretty easily. You can run into some weird stuff, and some of the locals don't take too kindly to tourists. A lot of "Free Hawaii", they don't like being part of the United States.

<img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v202/zacattack20/SUC51030_zpscb030b45.jpg" border="0" height="800">

 

[BrianSD_42]

Well you can't make everyone happy.

 

[ant-ny]

I have been to the Big Island 6 times and have always been treated with respect when I show respect. That is the key: yes, some residents would prefer to see the state independent of the US, but I have found that as long as you respect their culture, land, and customs, you will be just fine and have no issues. The Hawaiian people are very proud have a deep respect for their Island and culture, and who can't admire that? They are also very helpful and are quick to offer assistance. I have seen a-hole tourists get treated a little rude, but they are always acting like idiots and deserve it. As long as you act like a visitor, and not a moron (which I am sure you will not), you will be fine. The islands FORCE you to relax because you are literally in paradise. Though I am by no means an expert, feel free to PM me and I can give you some more tips, if you want. My one suggestion by your initial post: upgrade to a 4x4 Jeep: there are some excellent off road trails on public lands. Just be careful not to wander onto private property. Your four days will fly by and you will wish you had ten.

 

[Ask10]

A lot of "Free Hawaii", they don't like being part of the United States.

That's more of a minority in my opinion, my father lived in Kona, I'm from Oahu, whole family is Hawaiian (pretty rare thing nowadays). Yes, Hawaii was pretty much invaded, but younger people (I'm 30 ish) like myself are I guess, over it, or to me, I saw it as a good thing because I don't have to live off the ocean and built grass huts like my ancestors did. Just my opinion, anyway...

Anyway, just in terms of behavior, just don't be overly obnoxious and arrogant about anything. Its those tourists that get on the locals (and myself) nerves, but if your open and kind to people, you'll be alright. I think that applies to anywhere though, it's just that Hawaii gets a lot of tourists so a lot of obnoxious vacationers have passed through and annoyed "us".

My one suggestion by your initial post: upgrade to a 4x4 Jeep: there are some excellent off road trails on public lands. Just be careful not to wander onto private property.

THIS!! Especially if you want to go anywhere off road. There are some really bad roads in the Big Island (Oahu too actually), but over on Kona you really can make use of a real 4WD system and will need it. The last rental my dad got the family was a 2wd Chevy and it got stuck twice.

 

[zacattack20]

That's more of a minority in my opinion, my father lived in Kona, I'm from Oahu, whole family is Hawaiian (pretty rare thing nowadays). Yes, Hawaii was pretty much invaded, but younger people (I'm 30 ish) like myself are I guess, over it, or to me, I saw it as a good thing because I don't have to live off the ocean and built grass huts like my ancestors did. Just my opinion, anyway...

Anyway, just in terms of behavior, just don't be overly obnoxious and arrogant about anything. Its those tourists that get on the locals (and myself) nerves, but if your open and kind to people, you'll be alright. I think that applies to anywhere though, it's just that Hawaii gets a lot of tourists so a lot of obnoxious vacationers have passed through and annoyed "us".

I "lived" in Hilo for a couple months. My dad was there for a couple years. I never experienced any negativity towards me personally but there is a major cultural difference not being Hawaiian. You have way more experience than I do with it but I feel it all depends on the area you are in. Kona is more of the touristy side of the big island, you could feel a difference between Kona and the rest of the island. And then Oahu is the closest you can get to main land lifestyle since that is where the majority of tourists go.

 

[HiLife]

3 days only for Waikiki? Not enough time. It all depends on what you want to do. You can do full on tourist, do clubing, do outdoor ocean stuff, or just sample local foods. PM me for your tailored scoops on Oahu.

 

[BrianSD_42]

I deleted my earlier response but since someone brought it back up ... And I realize that there are very very few Hawaiians who would vote to separate from the US.

Here's my analysis...

Hawaii was going to be invaded either way by the 1930s and was destined to become either part of the United States or the Japanese empire.

Impirial Japan would have 100% invaded Japan by force if the US had not already set up shop.

And anyone who doesn't know about imperial Japan I highly suggest a history lesson because it is barely touched on in US schools. The Japanese empire (1930s-1940s) viewed themselves as the superior race and they invaded China and Korea. Wiping out much of Koreas culture and ending the lives of its inhabitants
They invaded China and strait up Murdered over 20 Million Chinese civilians.

Take the US on the other hand ... Hawaii signed a protectorship treaty with the US around 1900 and then in 1956 Hawaiians VOTED to become a US state.

I'm pretty sure things worked out for the best.

 

[jbstrd]

I have visited the Big Island twice and I loved it. The Volcano Nat'l Park is a must. Do the hike that takes you through the crater. I second renting a 4x4 Jeep. The first time, I had a 2WD Chevy Trailblazer and I got stuck several times, even going down hill. The Jeep made exploring wayyyy more fun! Parker Ranch is cool as well.

Check out this book: Hawaii The Big Island Revealed: The Ultimate Guidebook: Andrew Doughty, Leona Boyd: 9780983888741: Amazon.com: Books

Also, PM the locals who are on this site.

Another awesome hike/drive is Waipio Valley. It has a cool, steep road into it and you are rewarded with a nice hike through the valley.

I did not have any problems with the locals, but you have to give respect to get respect. Stay on public land and you should be good.

We did notice most of the obvious rental vehicles get their license plates bent up. Seemed like a sort of "mark" given to tourists by the locals. Also, we had a soft top Jeep and it was easily bypassed and our vehicle was sifted through. Luckily we did not leave any valuables inside.

The book mentioned above has everything imaginable including little known hikes, 4x4 roads etc. One of the most interesting things was when we drove the Saddle Road through the middle of the island on our way back from Hilo. What an experience. Not many warning signs and very twisty.

Most of all have fun!!

 

[GreyhoundGuy]

My wife lived and worked on the big island for 6 months. This book was a GREAT resource for finding tucked away "secrets." They included swimming holes, great food, etc.

Hawaii: The Big Island Revealed

-Joel

 

[iBison]

I didn't read all the replies so this may have been mentioned. The lava tubes and black sand beaches were cool. Golf of course is good. Volcano erupted the week before and week after we were there in, well years ago.

 

[turbo8]

No 4Runner. Just a rental car.

any suggestions for this great island?

I'm already planning on visiting the volcano national park.

We will be there for 4 days then 3 days near Wakiikii

Go up to Mauna Kea, should be able to make it up in a rental.