( 
)So you've booked your travel to the Big Island of Hawaii, and you're now wondering where to begin?
Let me see if I can help you out. You're in for a real treat.
I'll caveat all of this by saying that you may choose to relax in front of your hotel, wiggling your toes in the sand and relaxing, or you may want to drive and see the various attractions. Its really easy to spend quite a bit of time in the car on the Big Island, so many people choose to take a helicopter tour, see the big valleys, volcanos, etc, and then get back to the golf and beach time. I prefer the more hands on approach, but I can understand that the kids may influence your willingness to be in a car.
Restaurants: (Lets start with good food)
There are SO many places with good food on the Big Island that I would have to write a book to give you everything. Lets start with my favorite restaurant in Waimea:
Highly Recommend: Merriman's (which is very close to the Mauna Lani)
Description: Peter Merriman is known for supporting local organic farmers, cattle ranchers, fisherman, winemakers etc. The food is known as Hawaiian Local Cuisine, and it is well worth the 15 minute drive up the hill from the Mauna Lani to check out. The sauces are very flavorful, and unlike any food you'll experience here. Attire is island style formal, meaning "sunday best" sundresses and aloha shirts, with sandals or even shoes. Its pretty casual. Here's a menu: www.merrimanshawaii.com/menus/4-06/merrimans_dinner.pdf
Directions: Coming from the Kohala Coast resorts or from Kona, go North on highway 19, at the stop, turn right toward Waimea/Kamuela (about 9.6 miles).
North of Kona: Recommended site seeing: If you are willing to drive 35 minutes, you should drive up over the hill (past merriman's...through the Parker Ranch) to Waipio Valley (in Honokaa). This is the huge famous valley with 300' green cliffs down to a pristine valley (Where Jurraissic Park was filmed). (This can be skipped if you do the Helicopter tour)
Akaka Falls: This is just past Waipio Valley (about 40 minutes away from the Mauna Lani) If you choose to go this far around the island, I recommend that you go 10 minutes out of your way to check this place out. Gorgeous 10 min hike through lush botanical gardens to see these falls.
Hilo:Beyond this, you're heading towards Hilo, which is a quaint, rainy, local city with tons of history and local flavor. There is much to talk about here, but if you're on a quick trip, you'll want to check out the Farmer's Market on Tuesdays and Saturdays
Hilo also has one of the coolest bowling alleys you'll ever see in your life, where the ball return carriages are old Brunswicks that are shaped like the bows of Hawaiian canoes!
Downtown Hilo is a charming place that appears to have not changes since the turn of the century. Ever since the big Tsunami hit in 1960, developers have been reluctant to go pour money into the bayfront real estate, hence the preserved local charm.
South of Kona:
Kona Village: -Good restaurants, Ironman capital, touristy shops.
I usually go through here if I'm with friends that haven't seen it.
Recommend: Swimming with Manta Rays - There is a tourist service in Kona that runs night dives just off the coast (100 yds). They have lights mounted on the boat, which attracts these big, beautiful rays. (They're slow, gentle and harmless) They are super graceful. One of a kind experience...you're either into it or not.
Historical Attraction + Great Snorkeling: Highly recommend: "City of Refuge" or Puuhonua o Honaunau. This is 25 miles south of Kailua-Kona. This is a "sacred" ancient hawaiian village that is a National Park. Ancient Hawaiian warriors that deserted during battle had to make their way to this area to pay pennance in order to avoid being killed by their own villagers. This place has been restored to resemble the original village, and has many old original hawaiian carvings and petroglyphs. Its a great place to feel transported back to old hawaii.
If you're inclined, the small bay in front of the "City of Refuge" has some of the best snorkeling on the island. Because its been protected for so long, there is a lot of sealife in the water. Sea turtles go there to feed and breed, so you're almost guaranteed to be able to swim around with them. (Taylor liked this).
Recommend: Kealakekua bay is south of Kona, on the way to City of Refuge. This is a nice big, open bay where Captain Cook was killed by the natives. In the immediate town, (Captain Cook) there are ocean kayak rentals. This is an incredibly beautiful bay to paddle around in. It is known as a feeding/playing place for bottlenose dolphins, and there are a lot of people that go to the Big Island for the sole purpose of swimming with the dolphins here. (Kind of the new age, Yoga set). A nice compromise is to rent the ocean kayaks, explore the bay, see Captain Cooks monument (looks like a mini washington monument).
Recommend (but very far): Volcano National Park - (Probably an hour and 15 minutes from Mauna Lani, so you may want to chalk this up to the helicopter tour). This national park feels like you're on the moon. Whenever I go to the Big Island, I make a point of hiking out on to the lava flats at night to see the lava flows. This is a pretty big commitment in terms of time, so you'll have to decide. Seeing molten lava flow down a hillside at night is unlike anything you'll ever see.
Beaches: The Mauna Lani and Mauna Kea each have some of the nicest (white sand) beaches you'll find on the entire island. There are also plenty of local state beaches such as Anaeohomalu Bay ("A-Bay") that is right near the Waikoloa Hilton. Public parking and public access to the beach is available.
IF you want to drive South towards the Volcano National Park, you will pass Punalu'u Black Sand Beach. Its well worth checking out if you're in the area, but not the place that you'll want to stay for an afternoon.
This is about all that I've got on the Big Island, (without inviting myself along ;-). Enjoy yourself!
Aloha
Let me see if I can help you out. You're in for a real treat.
I'll caveat all of this by saying that you may choose to relax in front of your hotel, wiggling your toes in the sand and relaxing, or you may want to drive and see the various attractions. Its really easy to spend quite a bit of time in the car on the Big Island, so many people choose to take a helicopter tour, see the big valleys, volcanos, etc, and then get back to the golf and beach time. I prefer the more hands on approach, but I can understand that the kids may influence your willingness to be in a car.
Restaurants: (Lets start with good food)
There are SO many places with good food on the Big Island that I would have to write a book to give you everything. Lets start with my favorite restaurant in Waimea:
Highly Recommend: Merriman's (which is very close to the Mauna Lani)
Description: Peter Merriman is known for supporting local organic farmers, cattle ranchers, fisherman, winemakers etc. The food is known as Hawaiian Local Cuisine, and it is well worth the 15 minute drive up the hill from the Mauna Lani to check out. The sauces are very flavorful, and unlike any food you'll experience here. Attire is island style formal, meaning "sunday best" sundresses and aloha shirts, with sandals or even shoes. Its pretty casual. Here's a menu: www.merrimanshawaii.com/menus/4-06/merrimans_dinner.pdf
Directions: Coming from the Kohala Coast resorts or from Kona, go North on highway 19, at the stop, turn right toward Waimea/Kamuela (about 9.6 miles).
On the Hilo side of the island:
Highly Recommended Local Favorite: Miyo's restaurant, overlooking the lagoon. (400 Hualani Street)
Miyo's has a casual atmosphere, and has absolutely the best tempura and sesame chicken on the island. Don't forget to bring your own wine, because Miyo's doesn't have a liquor license, and they'll gladly cork your bottle for you.
Highly Recommended Local Favorite: Miyo's restaurant, overlooking the lagoon. (400 Hualani Street)
Miyo's has a casual atmosphere, and has absolutely the best tempura and sesame chicken on the island. Don't forget to bring your own wine, because Miyo's doesn't have a liquor license, and they'll gladly cork your bottle for you.
North of Kona: Recommended site seeing: If you are willing to drive 35 minutes, you should drive up over the hill (past merriman's...through the Parker Ranch) to Waipio Valley (in Honokaa). This is the huge famous valley with 300' green cliffs down to a pristine valley (Where Jurraissic Park was filmed). (This can be skipped if you do the Helicopter tour)
Akaka Falls: This is just past Waipio Valley (about 40 minutes away from the Mauna Lani) If you choose to go this far around the island, I recommend that you go 10 minutes out of your way to check this place out. Gorgeous 10 min hike through lush botanical gardens to see these falls.
Hilo:Beyond this, you're heading towards Hilo, which is a quaint, rainy, local city with tons of history and local flavor. There is much to talk about here, but if you're on a quick trip, you'll want to check out the Farmer's Market on Tuesdays and Saturdays
Downtown Hilo is a charming place that appears to have not changes since the turn of the century. Ever since the big Tsunami hit in 1960, developers have been reluctant to go pour money into the bayfront real estate, hence the preserved local charm.
There is also some really fun surfing available in Hilo. Honolii Beach Park is a very family friendly place that is good for intermediate surfers of all ages and gender.
Kona Village: -Good restaurants, Ironman capital, touristy shops.
I usually go through here if I'm with friends that haven't seen it.
Recommend: Swimming with Manta Rays - There is a tourist service in Kona that runs night dives just off the coast (100 yds). They have lights mounted on the boat, which attracts these big, beautiful rays. (They're slow, gentle and harmless) They are super graceful. One of a kind experience...you're either into it or not.
Historical Attraction + Great Snorkeling: Highly recommend: "City of Refuge" or Puuhonua o Honaunau. This is 25 miles south of Kailua-Kona. This is a "sacred" ancient hawaiian village that is a National Park. Ancient Hawaiian warriors that deserted during battle had to make their way to this area to pay pennance in order to avoid being killed by their own villagers. This place has been restored to resemble the original village, and has many old original hawaiian carvings and petroglyphs. Its a great place to feel transported back to old hawaii.
If you're inclined, the small bay in front of the "City of Refuge" has some of the best snorkeling on the island. Because its been protected for so long, there is a lot of sealife in the water. Sea turtles go there to feed and breed, so you're almost guaranteed to be able to swim around with them. (Taylor liked this).
Beaches: The Mauna Lani and Mauna Kea each have some of the nicest (white sand) beaches you'll find on the entire island. There are also plenty of local state beaches such as Anaeohomalu Bay ("A-Bay") that is right near the Waikoloa Hilton. Public parking and public access to the beach is available.
IF you want to drive South towards the Volcano National Park, you will pass Punalu'u Black Sand Beach. Its well worth checking out if you're in the area, but not the place that you'll want to stay for an afternoon.
This is about all that I've got on the Big Island, (without inviting myself along ;-). Enjoy yourself!
Aloha
Guide created: 05/25/06 (updated 10/04/08)
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