Hawaii / the Big Island???

[forktender]

We haven't been to Hawaii in 25 years and never to the Big Island.
After my wife decided on DC, NY, and Philly for last year's vacation, I decided to never again vacation anywhere that has more people than our surrounding home area population wise.

I wanted to go back to Alaska to fish and hunt caribou, but my wife talked me into Hawaii by showing me photos of bikini clad women filled beaches.
I guess I'll be fishing for Mahi Mahi and Ono, and maybe a pig hunt or two.

Have any of you been to the Big Island?
We are looking at late Sept. or early Oct.
We want to stay on the sunny side of the island, I would like to stay in a nice beachside condo. Of course, my wife would like to stay in a nice beachside hotel. I'm actually open to either depending on the prices.

Do you have a favorite place to stay on the B.I.???

 

[clifish]

We haven't been to Hawaii in 25 years and never to the Big Island.
After my wife decided on DC, NY, and Philly for last year's vacation, I decided to never again vacation anywhere that has more people than our surrounding home area population wise.

I wanted to go back to Alaska to fish and hunt caribou, but my wife talked me into Hawaii by showing me photos of bikini clad women filled beaches.
I guess I'll be fishing for Mahi Mahi and Ono, and maybe a pig hunt or two.

Have any of you been to the Big Island?
We are looking at late Sept. or early Oct.
We want to stay on the sunny side of the island, I would like to stay in a nice beachside condo. Of course, my wife would like to stay in a nice beachside hotel. I'm actually open to either depending on the prices.

Do you have a favorite place to stay on the B.I.???

Can't help you there, never been but sounds fun....waaaayyyy better than DC, philly and crappy NY

 

[forktender]

Can't help you there, never been but sounds fun....waaaayyyy better than DC, philly and crappy NY

Except it's gonna cost me a fortune, I was just informed that we will be staying for three weeks.
I was like, Oh really? How many weeks are you paying for??? I got the stink eye, of course.

 

[Rafter H BBQ]

No help here Dan, never been to Hawaii! So bikinis helped change your mind?!

And as far as the cities… never been there either! I live in a little redneckish community that is spread out. Our nearest neighbor is 1/4 mile away! That’s still too close for me! Anyway, sorry to ramble!

 

[Smoke-Chem BBQ]

We were there in 2018...Anniversary trip, and also the occasion of my visiting my 50th state. We stayed on the West side of the Island, in a coastal condo rented as an Air B&B, but I don't recall where it was exactly.

Our visit coincided with the big Puna eruption in the east rift zone of Kīlauea. High lava fountains, big lava river flowing into the ocean, a lot of homes destroyed, 700 acres or so of new island created. I took a helicopter tour over the action...expensive, but definitely worth it if you visit during a period of high volcanic activity.

I was seated next to a kid, maybe 6 or 7 years old (parents in the back seat), and we had just arrived over the primary eruption zone...looked like something out of Dante's Inferno. Couldn't look away. When I feel a 'thump' against my side. The kid had fallen asleep and his head dropped against me. I remember thinking 'we're in a turbine-powered helicopter flying over the largest volcanic eruption the western hemisphere has seen in years. WHAT does it take to hold this kid's attention?'

 

[sandyut]

Hey Dan, Been to the big island twice. Love it, its very calm and chill, no rush on anything just island time. Kone Brewing is a huge fav! We rented airbnb's both times. One condo for the two of us, was nice had a pool, second time went with a group of friends and got a loge home with a pool.

Lots of good eats, uncrowded beaches, very relaxing vibe! We stay in Kailua Kona area both times.

 

[KonaRich]

We haven't been to Hawaii in 25 years and never to the Big Island.
After my wife decided on DC, NY, and Philly for last year's vacation, I decided to never again vacation anywhere that has more people than our surrounding home area population wise.

I wanted to go back to Alaska to fish and hunt caribou, but my wife talked me into Hawaii by showing me photos of bikini clad women filled beaches.
I guess I'll be fishing for Mahi Mahi and Ono, and maybe a pig hunt or two.

Have any of you been to the Big Island?
We are looking at late Sept. or early Oct.
We want to stay on the sunny side of the island, I would like to stay in a nice beachside condo. Of course, my wife would like to stay in a nice beachside hotel. I'm actually open to either depending on the prices.

Do you have a favorite place to stay on the B.I.???

We live on the Kona Coast, retired here in 2000. It's been incredible then through now!! Something like 11 different climatic zones here, with over 4,000 sq mi to explore. Our pet volcano goes off in a safe, specular display quite regularly.

Sep/Oct is the later part of our hurricane season, though, so weather could be changeable. You can keep track of storms here:

Graphical Tropical Weather Outlook

Local news can be found here:

Big Island Video News – Serving Hawaii County

www.bigislandvideonews.com

Big Island Now : Big Island News, Weather, Entertainment & More

bigislandnow.com

This is the finest guidebook for my island ever written!! It was our Bible when we first started coming here before moving. The authors have been to every site and restaurant listed, and do not take any advertising money, so they really tell it like it is:

https://www.amazon.com/Hawaii-Big-Island-Revealed-Guidebook/dp/1949678261

Feel free to ask me anything.

 

[sandyut]

We live on the Kona Coast, retired here in 2000. It's been incredible then through now!! Something like 11 different climatic zones here, with over 4,000 sq mi to explore. Our pet volcano goes off in a safe, specular display quite regularly.

Sep/Oct is the later part of our hurricane season, though, so weather could be changeable. You can keep track of storms here:

Graphical Tropical Weather Outlook

Local news can be found here:

Big Island Video News – Serving Hawaii County

www.bigislandvideonews.com

Big Island Now : Big Island News, Weather, Entertainment & More

bigislandnow.com

This is the finest guidebook for my island ever written!! It was our Bible when we first started coming here before moving. The authors have been to every site and restaurant listed, and do not take any advertising money, so they really tell it like it is:

https://www.amazon.com/Hawaii-Big-Island-Revealed-Guidebook/dp/1949678261

Feel free to ask me anything.

We used that book! I agree on the recommendation! Which sounds dumb since you live there hahaha

 

[ajbert]

I've been to Pearl Harbor over a dozen times but never made it to the big island. Tough to get the time to do much when you are in the Navy.

 

[sandyut]

I've been to Pearl Harbor over a dozen times but never made it to the big island. Tough to get the time to do much when you are in the Navy.

Thank you for your service to our country!

 

[KonaRich]

We were there in 2018...Anniversary trip, and also the occasion of my visiting my 50th state. We stayed on the West side of the Island, in a coastal condo rented as an Air B&B, but I don't recall where it was exactly.

Our visit coincided with the big Puna eruption in the east rift zone of Kīlauea. High lava fountains, big lava river flowing into the ocean, a lot of homes destroyed, 700 acres or so of new island created. I took a helicopter tour over the action...expensive, but definitely worth it if you visit during a period of high volcanic activity.

I was seated next to a kid, maybe 6 or 7 years old (parents in the back seat), and we had just arrived over the primary eruption zone...looked like something out of Dante's Inferno. Couldn't look away. When I feel a 'thump' against my side. The kid had fallen asleep and his head dropped against me. I remember thinking 'we're in a turbine-powered helicopter flying over the largest volcanic eruption the western hemisphere has seen in years. WHAT does it take to hold this kid's attention?'

That kid's amazing, but not in a good way. I wonder what he's like now...

Back around 2004, we flew 2 of my wife's best Chicagoland friends out our place for a 3 week visit, including a copter ride. Neither had been in a copter before, and were thrilled beyond measure. We took them ocean kayaking and snorkeling, too, which was another new adventure. Up to Mauna Kea and down into Waipio valley in our 4wd Jeep Cherokee. They still talk of that vacation!

On our own, we hiked out to flowing lava another time. Walking over row lava flats, the red glow of molten lava could be seen deep in the cracks we looked down into. We got right up to slowly flowing lava...earie!!! I stuck a stick into it and withdrew my own piece of lava with a "born on" date! It still resides on a shelf in the living room. Fun times!!

 

[KonaRich]

We haven't been to Hawaii in 25 years and never to the Big Island.
After my wife decided on DC, NY, and Philly for last year's vacation, I decided to never again vacation anywhere that has more people than our surrounding home area population wise.

I wanted to go back to Alaska to fish and hunt caribou, but my wife talked me into Hawaii by showing me photos of bikini clad women filled beaches.
I guess I'll be fishing for Mahi Mahi and Ono, and maybe a pig hunt or two.

Have any of you been to the Big Island?
We are looking at late Sept. or early Oct.
We want to stay on the sunny side of the island, I would like to stay in a nice beachside condo. Of course, my wife would like to stay in a nice beachside hotel. I'm actually open to either depending on the prices.

Do you have a favorite place to stay on the B.I.???

Many visitors have the "turn left out of the airport and don't look back" style of vacations here. They drive (or taxi) to 1 of many large resorts on the Kohala Coast (NW coast) and spend their entire time there. They all have golf courses, many fine restaurants, and can arrange such things as deep sea fishing trips.

Others book a condo on the short-term rental market, rent a car or Jeep (required for many adventures), and use their trusty guidebook to make the most of their time. Just remember that this is a BIG island, and it will take considerable time to go all over the place.