Free trip to Hawaii!!! To work....
January 27, 2010 9:50 PM Subscribe
Going to Hawaii for work, I've got one afternoon and evening to get from Kona to Hilo (or within an hour of it) on the Big Island! Help me plan the best commute ever!
So I fly into Kona around 1. I'm going to rent a car and I have a meeting the next morning in Hilo. I want to make the most of the free half day I have on the big island, while getting to the other side of the island at the same time.
Also after my all day meeting, I will be crossing the island again starting around 5. I assume I will be taking the fastest route and the sun will be setting, so I will be able to see some, but less. What can't I miss? Do I go north, south or through the middle? I don't mind it being a long day, but I would like to get to Hilo by 7 or 8 (but I'm willing to push that a little to experience total awesomeness!).
I realize I'll only be able to see a few things in the short amount of time I have, but I'm hoping to make the most out of this one afternoon!
So I fly into Kona around 1. I'm going to rent a car and I have a meeting the next morning in Hilo. I want to make the most of the free half day I have on the big island, while getting to the other side of the island at the same time.
Also after my all day meeting, I will be crossing the island again starting around 5. I assume I will be taking the fastest route and the sun will be setting, so I will be able to see some, but less. What can't I miss? Do I go north, south or through the middle? I don't mind it being a long day, but I would like to get to Hilo by 7 or 8 (but I'm willing to push that a little to experience total awesomeness!).
I realize I'll only be able to see a few things in the short amount of time I have, but I'm hoping to make the most out of this one afternoon!
First, don't expect island driving to be like LA driving -- plan for extra time on all trips. I, personally, would not like to be driving back to Kona in the late hours (many really bad crashes on that road). It might be worth it to pay extra to leave from Hilo. (btw, if you flew in and out of Hilo you would have time to see the volcano, which is THE very most amazing thing to ever see in the islands.)
At any rate, with your given time limits, I would totally agree that the north route (both ways) makes the most sense.
I would advise you not to make a final itinerary until you know the weather that day; it will make all the difference. If it is rainy in Hilo (often this time of year) you won't be seeing much. In that case, the Kona side would be most interesting for that first afternoon (it is almost always sunny in Kona). You could hang out at a beach by one of the super posh hotels, watch whales offshore and see the sunset. Or, you could save the sunset for Waimea which will be about halfway on the way to Hilo -- it is in upcountry ranch land that feels like English countryside. Also along the way are some interesting historical sites, but they are a bit off the trail. You can research to see if that is worth your time.
Another option is to see a bit of Waimea and then also the Hamakua Coast, which will be on your way just before Hilo. There are beautiful sloping hills that go down to the sea, waterfalls, farms, panoramic views. Lapahoehoe is one of the famous coastal 'villages' in Hamakua that has a great bakery and you can chat with locals there.
If the morning weather report does not predict rain, Hilo is a great slow-paced little town, and you will easily fill the afternoon there. Pahoa - where you would find the hot pools - is about a half hour away. Hilo itself has waterfalls, a roaring river, fantastic Saturday market, good food and a very interesting art scene.
If you get a chance to go to a live music venue - slack key, especially - go for it. You never know who might show up to kanikapila.
This site might be useful: http://www.bigisland.org/calendar
Malama Pono.
posted by Surfurrus at 12:45 AM on January 28, 2010
At any rate, with your given time limits, I would totally agree that the north route (both ways) makes the most sense.
I would advise you not to make a final itinerary until you know the weather that day; it will make all the difference. If it is rainy in Hilo (often this time of year) you won't be seeing much. In that case, the Kona side would be most interesting for that first afternoon (it is almost always sunny in Kona). You could hang out at a beach by one of the super posh hotels, watch whales offshore and see the sunset. Or, you could save the sunset for Waimea which will be about halfway on the way to Hilo -- it is in upcountry ranch land that feels like English countryside. Also along the way are some interesting historical sites, but they are a bit off the trail. You can research to see if that is worth your time.
Another option is to see a bit of Waimea and then also the Hamakua Coast, which will be on your way just before Hilo. There are beautiful sloping hills that go down to the sea, waterfalls, farms, panoramic views. Lapahoehoe is one of the famous coastal 'villages' in Hamakua that has a great bakery and you can chat with locals there.
If the morning weather report does not predict rain, Hilo is a great slow-paced little town, and you will easily fill the afternoon there. Pahoa - where you would find the hot pools - is about a half hour away. Hilo itself has waterfalls, a roaring river, fantastic Saturday market, good food and a very interesting art scene.
If you get a chance to go to a live music venue - slack key, especially - go for it. You never know who might show up to kanikapila.
This site might be useful: http://www.bigisland.org/calendar
Malama Pono.
posted by Surfurrus at 12:45 AM on January 28, 2010
Check out my related question from a few years ago, and my followup blog post.
From Kona to Hilo, since you'll be driving during the day, I'd say go south, hit the South Kona Fruit Stand, and then take in the majesty of Kilauea--You should have time to do the short hike to the west side of the ocean-entry point. If you're ambitious and in good shape (and are properly supplied), you'll have time to hike all the way around to the "good side," the east side, of the ocean entry, and see some fabulous sights. Do note that this is a demanding hike that will take many hours, and will end with your walking over rugged terrain in the dark, but, man, that was a life-altering experience for me. But you'd likely then not get to Hilo until midnight or later. Again, this takes some serious prep. Viewing the west side is an easy walk--you could wear flip flops for that. Plus, the drive around the park and the actual Kilauea crater is awesome and easy.
If you have time in Hilo during the day, the Hilo Farmer's Market was really the highlight of the town for us. You can run in and get a white pineapple and be out in 15 minutes, or you can spend a half-day there.
posted by MrMoonPie at 7:42 AM on January 28, 2010
From Kona to Hilo, since you'll be driving during the day, I'd say go south, hit the South Kona Fruit Stand, and then take in the majesty of Kilauea--You should have time to do the short hike to the west side of the ocean-entry point. If you're ambitious and in good shape (and are properly supplied), you'll have time to hike all the way around to the "good side," the east side, of the ocean entry, and see some fabulous sights. Do note that this is a demanding hike that will take many hours, and will end with your walking over rugged terrain in the dark, but, man, that was a life-altering experience for me. But you'd likely then not get to Hilo until midnight or later. Again, this takes some serious prep. Viewing the west side is an easy walk--you could wear flip flops for that. Plus, the drive around the park and the actual Kilauea crater is awesome and easy.
If you have time in Hilo during the day, the Hilo Farmer's Market was really the highlight of the town for us. You can run in and get a white pineapple and be out in 15 minutes, or you can spend a half-day there.
posted by MrMoonPie at 7:42 AM on January 28, 2010
Unless you rent from the off-road vehicle company, your rental contract will forbid you from taking the middle route, Saddle Rd.
On that note, I took it anyway and had a blast. The road is bumpy and broken from the Kona side to the top of the mountain, but going back down the Hilo side is brand new pavement. Really a fun drive.
If you take the south route, you can stop off for a drink at the southernmost bar in the United States, Shaka in Na'alehu. They sell pint glasses commemorating this event.
posted by hwyengr at 11:24 AM on January 28, 2010
On that note, I took it anyway and had a blast. The road is bumpy and broken from the Kona side to the top of the mountain, but going back down the Hilo side is brand new pavement. Really a fun drive.
If you take the south route, you can stop off for a drink at the southernmost bar in the United States, Shaka in Na'alehu. They sell pint glasses commemorating this event.
posted by hwyengr at 11:24 AM on January 28, 2010
The drive between Kona and Hilo is awfully long. When we were in Hawai'i, we flew to the Big Island for a day. Our original plan was to fly into Kona and drive to Kīlauea, but it turned out that's about a 100 mile drive over very windy roads, so we opted to pay to switch our flight to Hilo, which is only about a 20 mile drive to Kīlauea. All of which is to say that Kona to Hilo is a very long drive.
If you fly in at 1 and want to be at Hilo by 7 or 8, you won't have time for too much. In my opinion, Kīlauea is THE thing to see on the Big Island...there's nothing like seeing an ACTIVE volcano, it was just incredible. Take Route 11 (the Belt road) from Kona to Kīlauea, and stop at the visitor center. From there you have a few choices. If you're an active type, join one of the hikes that leaves from the visitor center. If you're active but don't have much time, go to the Thurston Lava Tube, it's a short drive from the visitor center and then a walk to the tube.
If you're not an active type, just go straight to the Jaggar Museum. (Actually, I think it closes earlier than the visitor center, so consider going there first.) From there, you can see the Halema'uma'u crater. IT'S SMOKING. Sometimes you can't see much of the caldera, but then the mist will clear and you can see everything...it's just incredible. Informative exhibits at the museum cover the technology they use to study Kīlauea, the nēnē goose (which lives on and around the volcano), the history of tourism at the volcano, and the science of volcanoes.
For food, you can go to the Volcano House within the state park, if it's open. When we went, they weren't serving dinner. A much more interesting option, though, is to go outside the park to the small town of Volcano. There's a Thai place and a few other places, but I recommend the Lava Rock Cafe. It was the only place open when we visited (on a Sunday IIRC) and it turned out to be quite entertaining, very homey and good food.
When you're ready to head to Hilo, continue along Route 11 and you'll be there in no time.
Unfortunately, you can't see much of the lava going into the ocean right now. It comes out underground and goes into the ocean due to a recent shift in the geography. Well, that's how it was last year, but it was expected to remain that way for a long time. There's still lava to be seen in Royal Gardens from what I hear, but I haven't done that so I'm not sure.
The stark devastation of Chain of Craters Road is amazing but I'm not sure you'd have time for it. If you do, it's totally breathtaking, I highly recommend it. Also, be aware that part of Crater Rim Drive has been closed since 2008 and is not expected to reopen anytime soon - this is due to the sulfur dioxide being produced by Halema'uma'u crater.
posted by etoile at 4:17 PM on January 29, 2010
If you fly in at 1 and want to be at Hilo by 7 or 8, you won't have time for too much. In my opinion, Kīlauea is THE thing to see on the Big Island...there's nothing like seeing an ACTIVE volcano, it was just incredible. Take Route 11 (the Belt road) from Kona to Kīlauea, and stop at the visitor center. From there you have a few choices. If you're an active type, join one of the hikes that leaves from the visitor center. If you're active but don't have much time, go to the Thurston Lava Tube, it's a short drive from the visitor center and then a walk to the tube.
If you're not an active type, just go straight to the Jaggar Museum. (Actually, I think it closes earlier than the visitor center, so consider going there first.) From there, you can see the Halema'uma'u crater. IT'S SMOKING. Sometimes you can't see much of the caldera, but then the mist will clear and you can see everything...it's just incredible. Informative exhibits at the museum cover the technology they use to study Kīlauea, the nēnē goose (which lives on and around the volcano), the history of tourism at the volcano, and the science of volcanoes.
For food, you can go to the Volcano House within the state park, if it's open. When we went, they weren't serving dinner. A much more interesting option, though, is to go outside the park to the small town of Volcano. There's a Thai place and a few other places, but I recommend the Lava Rock Cafe. It was the only place open when we visited (on a Sunday IIRC) and it turned out to be quite entertaining, very homey and good food.
When you're ready to head to Hilo, continue along Route 11 and you'll be there in no time.
Unfortunately, you can't see much of the lava going into the ocean right now. It comes out underground and goes into the ocean due to a recent shift in the geography. Well, that's how it was last year, but it was expected to remain that way for a long time. There's still lava to be seen in Royal Gardens from what I hear, but I haven't done that so I'm not sure.
The stark devastation of Chain of Craters Road is amazing but I'm not sure you'd have time for it. If you do, it's totally breathtaking, I highly recommend it. Also, be aware that part of Crater Rim Drive has been closed since 2008 and is not expected to reopen anytime soon - this is due to the sulfur dioxide being produced by Halema'uma'u crater.
posted by etoile at 4:17 PM on January 29, 2010
This thread is closed to new comments.
One thing you absolutely have to do, which you can actually do once you've already checked into your hotel in Hilo, is check out the natural volcanic hot ponds and steam vents around the Hilo area. I don't remember exactly where they were, but you could probably google it or look in a guidebook. Definitely the best, most relaxing and wonderful night I spent in Hawai'i featured the hot pond, some steam cave hopping, and lilikoi margaritas afterwards. Another thing that is awesome but you may not want to do it the night before a big meeting is night hiking over the lava fields to try and get a glimpse of flowing lava. We stayed out way too late doing this and really cut up our hands falling a few times - but it's quite the experience. There are a lot of fun touristy things to see at Volcanoes National Park as well.
I don't know how fun it is for people who don't know anyone who works there, but going up Mauna Kea was also a big treat. You may as well tear up your car rental contract and throw it out the window, because I don't think any car rental places are okay with you going all the way up, but there are a whole bunch of observatories up at the top of that mountain, the view is incredible, and the whole place just reeks of, y'know, Science. I've never felt more like a member of Starfleet than when hanging out near the summit of Mauna Kea.
I'd say, if you do anything, go spend some time in those steam vent caves :) Maybe on the day when you have the most time, pick either the southern or middle route through the island and just enjoy the scenery and stop for shave ice and either Volcanoes or Mauna Kea, and then on the day when you have to drive back to Kona, take the northern route and just enjoy the scenery through the windows.
My Hawai'i memories are a little foggy...but it may have been the best vacation I ever took. The joy of the place is the tropical flowers and trees, the beautiful and weird volcanic scenery, the occasional random idyllic waterfall along the road, the humidity...it's just a really, really pleasant place to be. Roll down your windows and enjoy it (if it isn't raining) and don't feel like there are amazing sights you're missing. The whole island is the sight you're there to see.
posted by crinklebat at 11:03 PM on January 27, 2010