Headed to Hawaii the Big Island

[t&y]

Finally taking a real vacation mid spring time. We'll be flying to the the big island and hanging out for a full week, no island hoping. Flying into Hilo and trying to figure out the rest. No kids, just the ol' lady and myself.

Renting a car so we will be mobile. What are the must do's on the island.

 

[HubbaHubbaLife]

Have fun.... I think Tank is your go to on this island if memory serves correct. Also, if you see a purple and white 30' Magic Wizard that'd be my old ride and Bryan driving. Friends have spotted him ripping around and apparently he's got the only speed boat out that way. Everyones got fishing boats and cc's.

 

[Tank]

Finally taking a real vacation mid spring time. We'll be flying to the the big island and hanging out for a full week, no island hoping. Flying into Hilo and trying to figure out the rest. No kids, just the ol' lady and myself.

Renting a car so we will be mobile. What are the must do's on the island.

First must do: get out of Hilo. It’s cold rainy and a dump.


Go see the volcano. It’s FLOWIN right now.
When you leave Hilo check out Akaka falls. And the rain Forrest. Pretty bad ass.

* I would recommend doing a night dive with the manteray.
* I always recommend doing a fair winds snorkel tour out of keauhou (kona side).
* drive around the whole island and explore. Takes a day. While at it take the 19 to the 270 all the way to hawi (far north side of the island). You can see Maui from here and it’s like the cliffs of insanity. WAAAAAAY up and overlooks a huge valley. You can hike down to the water. Pretty awesome. Or you can get to the other side of the valley through Honokaa.

I’d highly recommend staying in or around kona. More to do. Weather is way better. The big island has every type of weather and terrain - Rain Forrest, hot and cold wind. Dessert esq lava fields, tropics, farm land even snow at the top of Mauna Kea.

Have fun. Winging it will be cool. If you like the kona brewing company line of beers the original brewery / pizza restaurant is in Kona. Good food.

We’ll be heading over at some point his year to prep our place for sale. Bitter sweet since I grew up going there.

@RiverDave was over there about a year ago and did a lot of shit. He’d probably have some good info from a first timer perspective.

 

[t&y]

Yeah, we figured we'd stay in Kona. I'm not sure if staying anywhere else over night or for a couple days is in the books. As of now, all we have are the flights booked.

 

[Tank]

Yeah, we figured we'd stay in Kona. I'm not sure if staying anywhere else over night or for a couple days is in the books. As of now, all we have are the flights booked.

Our place is booked solid through March or I’d offer it up. But there’s plenty of places to stay, you’ll be fine. VRBO a condo in Kona. Good to go.

Some incentive to get you pumped up -

 

[HNL2LHC]

Not to get racist or anything but I’d suggest checking out the black sand beach if you are on the south side of the island. Also why fly into Hilo only to stay in Kona. That is a 2+. Hour drive from one side to the other. Just fly into Kona. Aliii Drive for small town resturants. Then you have the resorts up the coast from Kona to Waimea.

 

[Ziggy]

Not to get racist or anything but I’d suggest checking out the black sand beach if you are on the south side of the island. Also why fly into Hilo only to stay in Kona. That is a 2+. Hour drive from one side to the other. Just fly into Kona. Aliii Drive for small town resturants. Then you have the resorts up the coast from Kona to Waimea.

I was gonna suggest the black sand beach too, the turtles like to lounge around there.
@t&y
Depending on how open the sights are due to the recent eruptions but do not skip checking out the various locations throughout Volcanos National Park.

 

[jeepdog]

Good for you buddy, you and yours deserve it

 

[Tank]

The best turtle place I've been to on the big island is Alula Beach, just north of the harbor north of Kona. they swim in, hang out in the water, on the rocks and on the beach. It's legit. It’s actually a nice beach to chill out at as well. Never too crowded either. Kindve a secret spot.

 

[Taboma]

Yeah, we figured we'd stay in Kona. I'm not sure if staying anywhere else over night or for a couple days is in the books. As of now, all we have are the flights booked.

Why flying into Hilo ? Cheaper flights ?

 

[t&y]

Why flying into Hilo ? Cheaper flights ?

Yup. We are using up all of our Hawaiian Miles.

 

[Wayn-o]

Have to do Sam Choys. Happy hour and dinner the best but breakfast is great too.

Sam Choy's Kai Lanai

 

[Tank]

Have to do Sam Choys. Happy hour and dinner the best but breakfast is great too.

Sam Choy's Kai Lanai

View is bomb from there.

Some pretty kick ass sushi at Kenichi Pacific right down the hill in the keahou shopping center. Although, the ahi is so fresh there you can buy it at Fuckin vons and its sushi grade, caught earlier that day most likely. Insane.

 

[Wave Hi]

Finally taking a real vacation mid spring time. We'll be flying to the the big island and hanging out for a full week, no island hoping. Flying into Hilo and trying to figure out the rest. No kids, just the ol' lady and myself.

Renting a car so we will be mobile. What are the must do's on the island.

Manta ray swim at the outrigger in kona , zipline adventure kohala and of course the cheesy luau at Royal Kona ., I live on the big island part time so it's best just to explore..

 

[Wave Hi]

Sam's sushi at king kam mall is a hole in the wall and small but the best sushi on the island.

 

[Terry G]

When in Hilo, go to Pinaaples for dinner. Moco Loco somewhere local for breakfast.

 

[Angler]

Helo ride over the volcano. I went there in the 90's-2k's during a lava flow, pretty amazing watching lava flow into the ocean from above.

 

[DWC]

View is bomb from there.

Some pretty kick ass sushi at Kenichi Pacific right down the hill in the keahou shopping center. Although, the ahi is so fresh there you can buy it at Fuckin vons and its sushi grade, caught earlier that day most likely. Insane.

No joke on the quality difference over there. The Poke in the Hilo Safeway is better than just about anywhere on the mainland. Best deal on the island.

 

[UltraLucky]

We are here now, weather has been perfect.
Dinner at seaside restaurant tonight. Deli at KTA Market for fresh or Suisan fish market. Sakura is supposed to be good for sushi but we have not tried it yet.

 

[Desert Whaler]

KAU Coffee in Pahala. Great Coffee, ok tour…
The Volcano was awesome bring Jacket & Jeans stay for sunset and later for the lava glow flow.
Super J’s for Lau Lau delicious.
Paniolo BBQ Ranch for prime Rib dinner on the ranch, sunset great live music. Best meal of the trip for $75 per person. Best bang for the $ bring a jacket. Star gazing was also amazing at the ranch.

Google Search

 

[Ace in the Hole]

No joke on the quality difference over there. The Poke in the Hilo Safeway is better than just about anywhere on the mainland. Best deal on the island.

Poke on the mainland is nothing more than a bastardized version of it in almost all cases. I'll never forget the first time I took my step daughter to get "mainland" poke after we moved to TX from Hawaii....that was comical.

 

[UltraLucky]

Ahi nachos and Opakapaka tonight at seaside in Keaukaha. Just south of Hilo town.

 

[Wave Hi]

The VOG has been pretty bad , this is right now from town (kona)..

 

[UltraLucky]

If staying in Hilo area for a few nights I recommend an AbnB in Keaukaha. They are pretty resonable and across the street from the beach parks. Lots of turtles in the ponds south of the small black sand beach at Richardsons. Only decent hotel is the Nailoa which is now owned by Hilton.
If the Kilauea volcano is erupting an early morning hike From chain of craters/devastation trail is pretty cool. Get up there before sun rise. Hike is only a mile or so and pretty easy. Breakfast or Lunch at the volcano house is always good and scenic. Drive down chain of craters road towards the sea arch for some amazing views.

 

[Wave Hi]

Mauna Kea is spitting Pele's hair so it's coming to saddle road this time.

 

[Wave Hi]

Said it wrong , kiluaea towards mauna kea is the lava flow.

 

[Tank]

Manta ray swim at the outrigger in kona , zipline adventure kohala and of course the cheesy luau at Royal Kona ., I live on the big island part time so it's best just to explore..

Yes!! LOVE the luau at royal kona!! Good call. We try to make a point of doing it every few years. Good show.

Oh, by the way. I recommend getting dinner at the kona inn. But go right when you enter to the bar side. Great food. Get there and watch the sunset if you can with the VOG.

 

[Tank]

The VOG has been pretty bad , this is right now from town (kona)..

Staying at the king kam?

 

[Wave Hi]

Yep, sold my house in the palisades and my company puts me up here and the royal kona for work. I go home every 6 weeks or so for a week.

 

[Wave Hi]

I'm looking for a place to rent but it seems everyone and their moms wants to live here so a lot of waiting lists to get something.

 

[Tank]

Yep, sold my house in the palisades and my company puts me up here and the royal kona for work. I go home every 6 weeks or so for a week.

King kam reminds me of my childhood. Old school kona. We used to go there all the time when I was a kid. The Sunday brunch was EPIC! I believe they still do a pretty good spread. The shopping area down stairs was full of cool shops and my parents would chill at the pool bar while we swam in the pool and ran down to the little beach in front to swim. Climb up the pier and jump off the sea wall. Good times. I can remember the smell of the air conditioning and flowers at the king kam as I type.

Family has owned there since the 60’s.

 

[Wave Hi]

Same atmosphere and the best buffet in town. It was great here during the pandemic lol , you could hang out at the lagoon with no one bothering you.

 

[Tank]

I'm looking for a place to rent but it seems everyone and their moms wants to live here so a lot of waiting lists to get something.

Well, glad to hear everyone wants to live there. I think we’ve decided to sell our place at Kona riviera villas. Swap it for a house in havasu we’ll use more often is the plan.

 

[Wave Hi]

Yes, my wife is now living in Vegas so she can help take care of our granddaughters and we are just 90 minutes from the river, so it's all good..

 

[MeCasa16]

Sam Choy’s is not the same since covid. I’d skip over that place. Walk up to the counter to order from a limited menu and eat on paper plates with plastic forks.

The snorkel beach I posted above always has turtles in the morning. I usually snorkel there around 6-7am. I’ve also seen octopus there.

I definitely recommend the night snorkel with the manta rays. It’s one of the coolest things you will do. You can also never go wrong with a helicopter ride..

 

[Wave Hi]

Agreed , Sam choys is terrible now , Papa Kona's by the art gallery in kona town is great all the time it's the old chart house so your basically sitting on the water....

 

[Tank]

Agreed , Sam choys is terrible now , Papa Kona's by the art gallery in kona town is great all the time it's the old chart house so your basically sitting on the water....

Sad day when chart house closed. That was THEE place to go for good high end steak for over 20 years. Haven’t made it in to papa Kina’s since it went in. We usually stick to our same routine maybe get in there this year.


I will say, Pancho and lefties for breakfast. Juevos rancheros for the win. Or for a bagel and coffee - lava Java and sit and chill watching kona bay right on Ali’i

By the way, what was at sam choys spot before? It was another restaurant I can’t remember what it was.

I miss the golf course restaurant at keahou. Bomb breakfast from the club house.

 

[HubbaHubbaLife]

Yes!! LOVE the luau at royal kona!! Good call. We try to make a point of doing it every few years. Good show.



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Oh, by the way. I recommend getting dinner at the kona inn. But go right when you enter to the bar side. Great food. Get there and watch the sunset if you can with the VOG.

Dana White sightings on Kona

 

[Wave Hi]

Pancho and leftys moved across the ally and probably is the most decent place place for mexican. Also El Maguys by Kona brew isn't bad. As far as Sam choys goes it was before my time but I asked my sales manager and she said it was a Wendys...

 

[Tank]

Pancho and leftys moved across the ally and probably is the most decent place place for mexican. Also El Maguys by Kona brew isn't bad. As far as Sam choys goes it was before my time but I asked my sales manager and she said it was a Wendys...

That’s right!!! It was a Wendy’s! They tore it down and bulky that nice building. The view is gangster up there.

Pancho and lefty’s moved? What’s their old place now?

 

[Wave Hi]

Literally right next door heading to the 3 way stop still upstairs so basically 75 feet away lol.

 

[Wave Hi]

Pancho's old place is still empty from the last time I went by. So probably a year now.

 

[C-Ya]

I’ll ad a couple of “off the beaten path” things to do……

Snow skiing on Mona Kea (not as fun as it sounds, but what a view!)
Wild Boar hunting on Mona Loa ( you need to be in great shape for this. We got a 275lb Albino boar. It was hard work carrying that to the road. Just saying)