Kona, Hawaii

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Terry
Posts: 905
Joined: Sat Aug 04, 2007 4:57 pm

Kona, Hawaii

Post by Terry »

Retiring this year. Planning a trip with old (not so old) college friends to Kona in Feb of 2014. Any suggestions on your past experiences there would be greatly appreciated. I've been there once as a travel agent on a FAM and we rented a catamaran guide to take us snorkeling and saw the most sea turtles I've ever seen. Other than that, it was just touring hotels and resorts.
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XOXO
Posts: 1099
Joined: Fri Feb 02, 2007 8:05 pm
Location: Midwest USA

Re: Kona, Hawaii

Post by XOXO »

Hi Terry! I hope everything is going well. It is been a while since I have been on VIOL.

We went to Kona last year and we are going to the Kohola coast this winter. We loved it there!


12/24/2012

Flying
Costco
Checkin Sheraton

First full day 12/25/2012

Kayak with the dolphins Kealakekua by renting a kayak with Kona Boys the mid-afternoon
we sat in the hot tub later in the day

splashers for supper

12/26/2012

Blue Hawaiian Helicopter
Place of refuge
Dinner Japanese at the hotel

12/27/2012

Wild Hawaii ocean adventures in the morning--turtles fun boat
afternoon snorkel at Ho'okena --saw dolphins jumping and heard whales at night
Dinner Quinn's Almost by the Sea

12/28/2012

Laundry am
snorkel at Kahalu'u--hurt my feet--had snacks and saw a ton of fish!
Austin's pictures Waikoloa at Anaeho'omalu Bay
Dinner at Humpys

12/29/2012

Kayak with the dolphins Kealakekua by renting a kayak with Kona Boys the mid-afternoon
Lunch at Annie's
Snack next door Darin got elephant ears
Dinner rays by the sea only Dustin and I : met interesting local

12/30/2012

Slept in late: packed
Rented bed at the Sheraton
Checked out and had lunch at Annie's
Dustin Darin and Austin played euchre
Dustin has Italian ice kikilikis
Dinner at outback

11:45 pm flight home starts

This year we are staying at Hali'i Kai. We are doing the manta night dive, hiking the volcano, Hapuna Beach State Park, Heiais, hiking Wainanali'i or Waipio Valley Lookout, Queens Bath.

What do you have planned? Please let me know if you have any questions. You will have a great trip.
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Wolfhound
Posts: 429
Joined: Thu Jan 25, 2007 6:40 am
Location: Ashburn, VA

Re: Kona, Hawaii

Post by Wolfhound »

We went last year. Did several but not all of this list below which a friend provided. He has been several times. Don't miss a visit to the Kona Brewing Co.
KONA
- Capt Cook
* Recommend renting a 2 person kayak (~$25) and paddling to Capt Cook.
* Bring snorkel gear (best I've experienced in Hawaii).
- Take manta ray boating excursion.
* Swim with the manta rays at night.
* Haven't done it, but heard it was awesome.
- Venture up Mauna Kea (13,000 ft inactive volcano)
* Straight east from Kona (about an hour or so drive) up Saddle road - halfway to Hilo.
* Skip the official tours, you can drive up yourself - I did it with a rental car.
* Incredible views of island - can see Maui in distance.
* Best at sunset - bring a light jacket (windy, somewhat chilly)
- Shop at Hilton Waikola Village (not sure where you are staying)
* Very expensive shopping but good stuff.
* Low-key environment.
- Kona proper
* A couple interesting shops.
* Otherwise, not much else to see unless you like Costco and Target.

KOLAHA COAST - NORTH OF KONA
- The beaches
* Visit Hapuna beach (beautiful white sand but most people go there).
* Recommend going just south of Hapuna beach (access road off Hapuna beach entrance).
* Wonderful, much quieter beach - lots of shade, good waves, great snorkeling near rocks - my favorite beach on the island.
- Golf courses
* Hear they are the best on the island, maybe best in Hawaii
- Off the beaten path hikes on beaches.
* You walk all the way down the beach
* Beaches are public property.

NORTH KOLAHA
- Travel north to Hawi, charming little town
* Couple shops.
* Best chocolate fudge.
* Outstanding Hawaiian ice.
- Travel further north to Pololu Valley - end of the road.
* Hike to black sand beach - love it - awesome, awesome, awesome - my favorite place on earth.
* Hike further into Pololu Valley - beautiful, extremely green

WAIPO VALLEY
- Hike into valley
* I've done some hiking here - not much - what I saw was beautiful.
- Visit Akaka Falls
* Beautiful waterfalls.
* Very easy hike.
* On the way to Hilo

HILO
- Best to visit during a festival (we went to a Marijuana Festival there - yes, no lie - great to see all the hippies).
- Outstanding open market - great food.
- Otherwise - dumpy town - didn't like it.
- Beaches are terrible compared to Kona side.

PUNA
- Visit Volcano National Park
* You can hike into crater on your own during day.
* Also recommend going at night to see lava flow into ocean - haven't done it, but hear it is incredible.
- Go to Papakolea Beach (green sand beach)
* Haven't been there but here it is marvelous.
* One of only 2 green sand beaches in US (other one is Guam).
Terry
Posts: 905
Joined: Sat Aug 04, 2007 4:57 pm

Re: Kona, Hawaii

Post by Terry »

Great suggestions. Thanks so much!
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