Heading over again in January. Staying at the Hilton something or other village with a bunch of canals and boats and a tramway or something.

Anyone have recommendations for things to do, see, eat?


I like just about everything a far as outdoor active stuff goes. Only gonna be on that island for four days though.

Thanks

 

That is an amaizing hotel...I stayed there years ago when it was the Hyatt Regency. The volcano was cool...but I had much more fun on Maui.

 

I've been to Maui and loved it. Thought it was the greatest place. Would pick that one first but the girlfriend has the pick this time. Kaanapali was where we stayed and it was fan friggen tastic .

I am sure all of the islands are great, hey I even love Oahu, but I am told traveler surveys generally show that the tourists favorite island is Maui.

 

Emabassy Suites Kaanapali > *

Eating their breakfast breach front is semi-religious

 

Oh I guess to give anyone who cares an idea of what I am interested in, the GF is doing a spa day with one of her friends on the island and I am on my own.

I will have a car and would love to take a nice challenging hike that provides opportunities for spectacular pictures. Or something that she would not do because she finds it dangerous like on of the off road atv tours, helicopter tours, get a day of wakeboarding or something like that.

I also love to snorkel, but am not yet PADI certified.

 

Yeah, TAKE ME WITH YOU!

Come January, there'll be a foot of snow and 20 degrees.

Hawaii in January... you bum!

Warren

 

One word - scuba! I spent a week on the Kona Agressor and it was well worth it. Much more colorful and comfortable than my local spots (So Cal's Catalina and Channel Islands).

 

We stayed at the Hilton Waikiloa Village in September. Huge, lots of nice restaurants, good beaches. You can get around by train or gondola in a canal system.

http://www.hawaiianhotelsandresorts.com/sub.aspx?id=486

 

Hope you enjoy your stay there on the Big Island! It's a very mellow island. It's a little more mellow than Maui. The Hilton Waikoloa Village is a great hotel to stay. Lot's of activities, great pool, and good food. I highly recommend the restaraunt above the pool (KPC). If you love to golf, the island is perfect with over 20 golf courses around the island. A drive around the island is a must and a entire day at the Volcano is a great experience. Here's a few recommendations:

RESTARAUNTS-
Local Favorite: Kona Mix Plate (The Teriyaki Beef and Kal-Bi) Located in Kopiko Plaza below Lanihau Shopping Center

Chinese: Royal Jade Garden (Hong Kong Shrimp, Beef Chow Fun) Located in the Lanihau Shopping Center in the middle of Kona

Pacific Rim: The Grille by Alan Wong at Hualalai Four Seasons (Ginger Crusted Onaga) You won't want to leave that resort! Rated #1 Hotel in all of Hawaii and #1 Spa in the Nation. Just walk around and you'll discover why! Located about 5-7 miles north of the Kona Airport

Japanese: Izakaya Kai (Suki Nabe) Located on Alii Drive in Kona

If you like beer, try Kona Brewing Company in the middle of Kona. Excellent Pizzas and try their wide selection of their beer!

SIGHT SEEING-
As I mentioned, the Volcano. Expect to spend an entire day there. It feels like you're on an entire different planet. (South of the Big Island)

Akaka, and Rainbow Falls- Located on the East side of the island in Hilo

Pololo Point/Lookout- It's located at the Northern point of the island through a little old town called Hawi (Kohala) It's a treat to soak up the view. If you like to hike, you'll be able to hike down onto the beach in the valley which is highly recommended

And if you are going to Pololo Point/Lookout, besure to drive the Kohala Mountain Road. One of my personal favorite. You'll wish you had your S2K there!

BEACHES-

Hapuna Beach- Located on the Waikoloa Coast about 10-15 miles north of the Hilton Waikoloa Village

Since you're at the Hilton, "Anaehoomalu Bay" (A-Bay for short) is a nice beach close by

Kahaluu Beach in Kona is a great place for snorkeling!!!!


GOLF-
"Hualalai Four Seasons": That is if you can get on the course. Home of the Senior PGA Mastercard Tournament. The nicest course on the island.

"Kona Country Club": Previously home of the LPGA Fujitake Classic known for their extremely fast greens

"Mauna Lani Ocean Course": Another beautiful resort course. Signature par 3 is one of my favorites!

Just remember that every green slopes towards the Ocean!


As for the everything else, Kona is a great Tourist destination (Alii Drive). Up North is Kohala and Kamuela (Waimea) which is more of a Ranch area (Parker Ranch). On the East in Hilo, it's a little busier than Kona but expect to see lots of rain making Hilo a very Green town. And towards South of the Big Island is lots of open land with little towns spread around also where the Volcano National Park is.

I hope these recommendations help! I'm from the Big Island (Kona) so if there's any other types of recommendations you could use, let me know. Aloha!

 

Thanks for the rec's. I will look into some of these, except for the golf. Have not picked up that passtime yet.


Anyone take the ATV tour?