I will have one day on Hawaii in June 2010 with my 18yrs old daughter. Should we rent a 4-wheel to drive around all day or take one of the bike tours out of Hilo? – Jack D.
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The first thing I will tell you is you should have planned to spend more time on the Big Island! It is so much more vast, diverse, and interesting than the other islands that you cannot possibly visit all the attractions in one day. That said, I would recommend NOT trying to hit every single thing you find in the guidebooks (or our website) in one long marathon sightseeing day. Instead, I’d recommend finding two or three great things to see and enjoying your time at those locations.
The Big Island ”Circle Tour” Bus Tour will take you around the entire island in one day, but you won’t have much time to explore any of the attractions – it is geared more towards those that just like to sit back and take in the view. If you and your daughter are more inclined to going out and really experience the Big Island – there is no better way than to simply get a car and drive around yourself. Knowing that the Big Island is almost overwhelmingly large and many of the attractions are spread out (many over several hours apart by car), we’ve written several articles on how to plan your vacation. We’ve specificaly written a few sample itineraries – check out our Big Island One Day Travel Itineraries.
One thing that is a must-see on the Big Island is the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. Here you can see some magnificent sites, enjoy fantastic hiking, get a sense of the miracle of volcanic activity and the everchanging land, and even view an active lava flow. You could realistically spend several days here and still not see it all! So, devote about half the day here. A few quick sights to see just north of Hilo are Akaka Falls, and the Waipio Lookout. Also, if you have time, check out a black sand beach – if you arrive via the Hilo Airport, the Richardson’s Beach Park is nearby. Otherwise further south near the Volacano Park is Punaluu Black Sand Beach (the most famous black sand beach).
Try not to take on too much in one day or it will not be very enjoyable. Best of all – make it a memorable day so that you come back to visit this incredible island! Please comment below with additional questions or comments.
Here is a great video, created by one of our good friends, that shows a ton of great, adventurous things to do on the Big Island of Hawaii. From the fantastic underwater life (snorkeling and SCUBA Diving) to the unique lava flows, hiking, incredible scenery, and leisurely sightseeing -- the Big Island is vast and exciting. Did I mention searching for sharks in caves? Check out this great video!
Erupting Kilauea volcano is sending dozens of small lava flows to the ocean.
Jim Kauahikaua is the scientist-in-charge at the U.S. Geological Survey's Hawaiian Volcano Observatory on the Big Island.
He said a flow destroyed a cabin this week. It was the last remaining structure in a flow field.
Kauahikaua added that the flows have come close to the trailhead leading to a lava viewing area, and have entered the ocean about 2,300 feet west of the still-active ocean entry at Waikupanaha.
He said flows are also creating a new lava tube system next to and over the main tube that has supplied lava to the ocean since March 2008.
Here is a question we received by email:
We are coming to the Big Island in Feb. We are renting from an ohana that has a tandem kayak that we may use. We will be having a rental car that will not have racks on it. The homeowner has straps for the kayak but their rack is a permanent fixture. Is it possible to protect the roof with a tarp and strap the kayak on securely. If not where can we rent a rack for a couple of days. We will be staying in Kealakekua area. Thanks for your help, Diane C.
By stopping by Denny’s on September 20 for a meal or just some dessert, the Kona community can show its support for work Full Life does helping those with disabilities reach their full potential.
Project Compassion is a partnership between the Rotary Club of Kona, Denny’s Restaurant and non-profit organizations in West Hawaii. The monthly events have raised awareness for many Hawaii-based non-profits and thousands of dollars to support their programs. All proceeds from the events go to the participating non-profit.
Full Life is a 501 (c) (3) non-profit, which provides unique, person-centered services for people with developmental disabilities. Founded on the philosophy of self-determination, Full Life empowers people with disabilities to determine their own goals for living a meaningful life.
I remember an old book published in 1988, currently our of print, called Frommer's Hawaii on $50 a Day. A subsequent version of this book was published in 2001 (although the title changed to Hawaii on $80 a Day!) Seems like as in all things in life, prices keep going up for a Hawaiian vacation... I recently came across an article in the NY Times titled Hawaii on a Dime by Matt Gross. It made me think about bargain vacations in Hawaii and what can be done so that a typical family can enjoy what I consider paradise without sacrificing their children's college funds or foreclosing on their mortgage. I have been traveling to the Big Island since I was a toddler and as a self-proclamed "local" have found abundant deals, bargains, and ways to save while still enjoying a wonderful vacation on the Big Island of Hawaii - so let me start sharing them on this multi-part blog post...
I am suffering from Writer’s Block right now, so I decided to post a few of my Big Island photos that have yet to be published online. Here are a few photos of the Big Island…
Plumeria Flowers above the Waipio Valley
Somehow we figured out how to emphasize the colored plumeria flower yet keep the rest of this photo in black and white.
We took this photo at the end of a morning hike along the top rim of the backside of the Waipio Valley. The weather cooperated with us this particular morning (the next time we tried this it was very foggy and overcast). It is always impressive to stand at the edge of a 2,000-foot drop off and feel the vastness of the Big Island. This area was so fertile and moist with recent rain – you could feel the plants growing.
Laupahoehoe Point, Hamakua Coast
We took that narrow winding road off of the Hamakua Coast down to the rocky Laupahoehoe Point. This was the scene of tragedy during the April 1st 1946 Tsunami that wiped out many school children and their teachers right here at Laupahoehoe.
Today, it is the scene of a quiet beach park, the lava-rock shore usually pounded by the heavy north-eastern Big Island surf. Bring a picnic lunch and enjoy the splendid view.
The Hamakua Coast is one of the prettiest drives on the Big Island.
Lava isn’t the only thing flowing out of Hawaiian volcanoes. In early 2008, Kilauea’s sulfur dioxide (SO2) emissions nearly doubled with the onset of the Halemaumau summit eruption, causing widespread public concern.
Like lava flow hazards, successful forecasting of gas hazards requires detailed knowledge of fluid properties, but, in this case, for gases. Most of Kilauea’s emissions are water vapor and carbon dioxide, but public concern understandably focuses on the irritating and readily detectable SO2.
Although heavier than air, this gas rises above ground level when released hot. To our eyes, SO2 itself is invisible. Reacting with sunlight, oxygen, and water vapor, however, SO2 converts to the visible, inhalable, acid sulfate aerosol droplets we “see” as vog.
Kilauea activity update – from the US Geological Survey, Big Island
Surface flows in the Royal Gardens subdivision slowed early this past week in response to a deflation-inflation event at Kilauea’s summit, but had picked up again by Wednesday evening. At the coast, the Waikupanaha and Kupapau ocean entries remain active and continue to produce prominent plumes, accompanied by small littoral explosions as lava spills into the ocean.
At Kilauea’s summit, a series of collapses in the vent within Halemaumau Crater on Tuesday caused a significant widening of the vent. Rubble from the collapses filled the bottom of the vent and partly choked off the emission of gas, resulting in a wispy plume. Despite this rubble, the vent is still emitting elevated amounts of volcanic gas, resulting in high concentrations of sulfur dioxide downwind. The glow from the vent, visible early in the week from Jaggar Museum, was extinguished by the collapses. However, a webcam recorded a few points of incandescence within the vent on Wednesday night, suggesting that lava still resides deep within the vent below the pile of rubble.
Five earthquakes beneath Hawaii Island were reported felt this past week. A 3.5 magnitude earthquake occurred at 8:39 p.m., on June 28 and was located 2 miles southeast of Makawao, Maui, at a depth of 19 miles. Three earthquakes with magnitudes between 2.4 and 2.6 occurred on Tuesday (one at 1:38 and two at 2:29 p.m.), and were located beneath Halemaumau Crater at depths between 0.9-1.1 miles. A 3.3 magnitude earthquake occurred at 10:45 p.m. on Tuesday and was located six miles northeast of Kukuihaele at a depth of 16 miles.
Join us at Kona Denny’s on July 12th from 4:00 – 9:00 PM
6,000+ babies…and counting. That’s how many Hawai’i Island infants have received an absolutely free newborn basket within 24 hours of birth at a Big Island hospital over the past 5 years.
The newborn baskets, part of the “Baby Steps To Stronger Big Island Families” program, are meant to welcome infants into the world and provide research-based “tools” to help each child and his or her family receive the best possible start to family life. Supported by grants, private donations and thousands of volunteer hours, the project started in December 2004 as a response to Mayor Harry Kim’s community-driven “Kick ICE” initiative.
The community is invited for a delicious dinner between 4 and 9 p.m., Sunday, July 12, 2009 at Denny’s Restaurant in Kailua-Kona to support the newborn basket project through “Project Compassion,” a partnership between the Rotary Club of Kona, Denny’s and local charities to provide financial support to non-profit organizations working in the community.
Denny’s will donate 20% of all dinner bills and 100% of all tips to “Baby Steps To Stronger Big Island Families” newborn basket project.
The baskets most notably include a $30 Snugli (a front-pack baby carrier), which is very handy for carrying an infant hands-free. But, more than a nice thought or helpful convenience, the contents of the gift basket are based on research showing use of a Snugli promotes a caring, safe, bonded relationship between an infant and his or her family. These stronger first relationships significantly define and enhance a newborn’s relationships throughout life. Better relationships equate to higher self esteem, which experts agree help with making better choices throughout life.
Newborn baskets also include baby’s first book, useful information for new moms such as SIDS prevention, how to install car seats, and a comprehensive Resource Directory to help anxious new families connect with services in their community. “Newborn baskets have been a huge hit all over the island because they are such a lovely way for the community to celebrate the birth of a new child,” said Angela Thomas, who has led the project from its inception.
“But presenting every new mom with a lovely gift is really just the tip of the iceberg. Because of solid research about the significant value of attachment to infant development, our project has been supported by many public and private partners – from KTA SuperStores to the Hawai’i State Legislature to Governor Linda Lingle and Lt. Gov. Duke Aiona to Kamehameha Schools and many more, including nearly a hundred volunteers who have spent more than 5,000 unpaid hours assembling baskets for our island’s three major hospitals.”
“Denny’s Restaurant and the Rotary Club of Kona, through “Project Compassion” are helping to keep these Snuglis and gift baskets being delivered to Big Island hospitals. You can help ensure that our Big Island babies thrive by dining at Denny’s on Sunday, July 12, between 4 and 9 p.m.,” Thomas said.
Waiting on customers during Denny’s “Project Compassion” dinners will be a cadre of VIP “wait help” including LAVA105FM’s Sherry Bracken, Susan Maddox of Friends of the Future and North Hawaii Rotary’s newly installed President, Family Support Services of West Hawai’i’s JoAnn Bishop Freed, Kona-Kohala Chamber of Commerce’s Bill Sanborn and Vivian Landrum, PATCH’s Gail Judd, Hawaii Community Foundation’s Diane Chadwick and several surprise guests.
No reservations are needed for Denny’s “Project Compassion” dinner. For information about “Baby Steps To Stronger Big Island Families, call Angela Thomas (990-6754). * * * Editor’s Note: Data on the significance and value of “attachment” and bonding and the benefits of using a Snugli is available by calling Angela Thomas.
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For
a mere $2 you can download the 30+ page Big Island Vacation Planner
electronic book in easy to read and easy to print PDF format.
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