Hawaii Part 2: Big Island

Hawaii Island (most commonly known as the Big Island) is one of the most geographically diverse places on the planet.  I had visited when I was younger with my family, and was so excited to bring my own kids to this special place!  First, I firmly believe that if you don’t drive around the whole island, you are missing out on what makes the Big Island special.  All within the spanse of a few hours, you can see volcanoes, waterfalls, rain forest, dry ranch land, barren lava fields, and the sunny west coast.

We began our journey by taking a short (45-ish minutes) Hawaiian Airlines flight from Honolulu to Hilo.  Averaging 160 inches of rain per year, Hilo is on the Big Island’s wet windward side and closest to Volcanoes National Park.  We collected our rental car and drove about one hour to the Volcano House, our hotel and the only property located within Volcanoes National Park.  Your jaw literally falls open when you enter and see that you are directly facing Kilauea Crater, steam spewing from it and all.  Half of the rooms face the crater, the other half face the parking lot.  (Try to get a crater room, totally worth it!)  Definitely be prepared for the weather here- it rains frequently and is cooler thanks to the higher elevation.  A light jacket or rain poncho are great items to have here!  Accommodations are basic but adequate; this is after all a national park.

Depending on how much you want to explore the national park, I would say that 1-3 nights is an ideal time to stay.  With little ones, we stayed one night and did a couple very short hikes, but I know we just scratched the surface here.  Also make sure to find out if/where lava is flowing because it can change on a daily basis and you can adjust your exploring accordingly (hiking, boating, helicopters).

And Volcano House’s restaurant The Rim, which overlooks the caldera, has an amazingly good dinner!!  You might not expect fine dining in such a remote location, but if you are in the area, even if not staying here, a reservation is definitely needed and worth it!

The coolest part about staying here is that when it is dark, after sunset or before sunrise, you can glimpse the glow of fiery orange lava deep within Halema’uma’u Crater, a crater-within-a-crater at Kilauea.  It is so eerie, yet so cool, all at the same time and something that I will never forget!  It is, very simply put, Mother Earth at work.  You may still visit the crater if you are not staying in the park, but will be a 2-3 hour long drive from the Kohala Coast depending on where you are staying.

After we checked out of Volcano House, we explored the Thurston Lava Tube on the way out of the park before arriving at Hilo after 45 minutes or so.  We grabbed a quick coffee to refuel and then continued up the lush Hamakua Coast, a leisurely drive we punctuated with stops at waterfalls, overlooks, and a little general store for lunch.  It’s amazing to watch how dramatically the scenery changes, as you drive north and rain forest gives way to ranch land, once you drive inland towards Waimea.. continue on to the sunny Kohala Coast and you are in the middle of barren lava fields and miles of pristine (yet sometimes rocky) beach, all the way down to Kona.  The best black sand beaches are on the southern shore of the Big Island, which we didn’t make it all the way down to.

We did make it just south of Kona one day to explore the well-known coffee growing region and enjoyed a great visit to Greenwell Coffee Farms.  They conduct complimentary tours every 30 minutes and offer the chance to sample their multiple coffees.  I may be sipping a cup of macadamia nut blend as I write this blog. 🙂

MAUNA LANI BAY HOTEL & BUNGALOWS

Over on the Kohala Coast, where we ended after our day driving up the Hamakua Coast, we checked into the beautiful Mauna Lani Bay Hotel & Bungalows.  This 5* Virtuoso property features a very discreet form of luxury.  Koi ponds line the entryway and the breezy lobby opens up into a 5-story atrium criss-crossed with turtle ponds and cozy sitting nooks.  (My kids LOVED seeing all the fish and turtles right in the lobby, and the Mauna Lani does an annual turtle release every 4th of July.)  The rooms have all been refreshed within the past couple of years and are very well-appointed.  One unique point is that due to the angle of the buildings, most rooms have some type of ocean view!

The free-form pool is a great way to spend a lazy day with a Tiny Bubbles (a delicious sparkling wine cocktail!) or feel free to relax in one of the several hot tubs that are near the pool.  The Ocean Bar & Grill is great for a super casual lunch or dinner, and beautiful spot for sunset.  And finally, for a delicious and special dinner, don’t miss Mauna Lani’s Canoe House!  As for activities, in addition to being able to snorkel just off of the beach here, you can also rent kayaks, SUPs, or surfboards right at the Mauna Lani beach shack.  For little ones, there is a kids club and a small shallow pool for kids.  This property is great for couples, golfers, or families.

Guests of Haute Holidays Travel enjoy the following extra amenities:

• Upgrade one category at time of booking subject to availability (maximum upgrade to a Deluxe Oceanfront guestroom). Applies to all published rates and packages. Does not apply to Villas or Bungalows and special discounted offers or promotions.
• Daily buffet American buffet breakfast for up to two in-room guests, in Bay Terrace Restaurant. ( Does not apply to Villas and special discounted offers or promotions.) served in restaurant
• $100 USD Resort Credit for Dining, Spa or Golf per stay to be utilized during stay. (not combineable, not valid on room rate, no cash value if not redeemed in full).
• Early check-in/late check-out, subject to availability

FAIRMONT ORCHID

Of course, there are several great options on the Big Island’s sunny Kohala Coast!  Just next door to the Mauna Lani Bay is the Fairmont Orchid, another Virtuoso property.  We walked the oceanfront path (be careful- it is rocky) for about 15-20 minutes to reach the Fairmont where we swam in the lagoon for a bit.  For little ones, the manmade lagoon beach at the Fairmont is perfect- super calm and no waves.

Guests of Haute Holidays receive the following perks at the Fairmont Orchid:

Guests of Haute Holidays Travel receive the following perks at Mauna Kea Beach Hotel:

• Upgrade on arrival, subject to availability
• Daily Buffet breakfast, for up to two in room guests
• Complimentary parking for duration of stay (guests without cars will be offered an alternate amenity)
• Early check-in/late check-out, subject to availability

FOUR SEASONS HUALALAI

Finally, we wrapped up our tour of the Big Island with a visit to the Four Seasons Hualalai, frequently ranked as one of the best resorts in all of Hawaii.  I can’t say that I disagree!  Hualalai is the closest resort to Kona, making it just 10-15 minutes north of the airport.  It is arranged in four clusters of bungalows that surround swimming pools, with dining venues sprinkled throughout.  The complimentary Kids For All Seasons program makes this resort very family-friendly, while the gorgeous grounds and rooms with outdoor showers make this a romantic choice for couples as well!

We enjoyed a delicious dinner at the oceanfront Beach Tree restaurant, with live local music set up adjacent.  And when my 3-year old son decided he was completely exhausted and slumped over asleep in his chair during dinner, the awesome waiter scooted a second chair over and pushed them together into a “bed” so my son could rest while we finished dinner.  SUCH a kind gesture, and it is this level of service that sets Four Seasons apart!  My clients love the FS Hualalai, and it was wonderful to be able to experience it myself.

Guests of Haute Holidays Travel enjoy the following perks at the Four Seasons Hualalai:

• Daily full American breakfast for two people per bedroom, served through In-Room Dining or in the hotel restaurant (including buffets)
• Food and beverage credit of USD100
• Upgrade of one category, based on availability at time of check-in (excluding signature suites and villas)
• Welcome note at check-in acknowledging you and your travel agency and the amenities that are being extended

I am a HUGE fan of the Big Island and all that it has to offer!  Beautiful resorts, stunning scenery.. and I didn’t even mention the options to do stargazing at Mauna Kea, or night snorkel with manta rays just off the coast.. I would love to help you plan a trip to Hawaii and/or the Big Island, too!  Please feel free to fill out the contact form or send me an email.

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