Top 10 Things to Do on the Big Island of Hawaii
I’m heading to Hawaii in a few hours (for both personal and professional reasons). I’ll be staying at the Starwood Hotel courtesy of Hawaii Vacations! Expect to see quite a few Hawaiian photos and videos over the coming days. I’m not quite sure what I’ll be doing, really – other than attending a tweetup being held for me. I’ll primarily be on Oahu.
I’ve discovered that Traci is an amazing publicist (and I’m grateful she had the time in her busy schedule to accommodate my needs). If you were looking for someone with massive attention to detail, I’ve never worked with a better publicist in all my twelve years as an entrepreneur. No joke. She’s one of Hawaii’s treasures (and works well remotely, too).
So, community member Elliott Jacobson submitted this top list of things to do while I’m in Hawaii this week – specifically, on the Big Island (which I may or may not be on). I thought they’d be nice to share with you, too:
- Hike Waipi’o Valley
- Swim at Kua bay (White sand, turquoise water. Very generic Hawaiian beach)
- Kailua-Kona. Go on the FairWinds boat tour to Kealakekua bay. You won’t regret it.
- Take a stroll on Ali’i Drive in Kailua-Kona (With all the OTHER tourists)
- Go to Hilo (Gray skies, rainy all the time. Someone from Washington should feel right at home)
- Vist the Volcanoes National Park. Lots of stuff to do there; huge park.
- Drive around the island with frequent pit stops at the weirdest looking minimarts.
- Drive up to the summit of Mauna Kea (Thats where all the sweet space observatories are. Good fun)
- Hike up Kaloko
- Go to Ka Lae Point, the Southernmost point of the USA
Am I missing anything? Oh, yes – and here’s Traci singing and strumming on one of Hawaii’s beaches:
- EK Success SPJE015 Jolee’s Boutique Hawaii Destination Sticker
- Aloha Scrapbook Stickers
- Having Fun in Hawaii, Lady in Outrigger Travel Art Poster Print, 18×13
- New Zuca Sport Insert Bags – Fun Colors
- Hawaiian Santa More Beach Fun Christmas Hawaiian Style Men’s Hawaiian Aloha Santa Shirt
- Santa Claus Beach Fun Christmas Hawaiian Style Men’s Hawaiian Aloha Shirt in Red
- Auto Expressions Litter Bag Scorpion
- Auto Expressions Litter Bag Urban Princess
- Auto Expressions Litter Bag Let ‘Em Ride
- Paradise Family Guides Big Island of Hawai’i: The Most Complete Guide to Family Fun and Adventure!
- Fun with the Family Hawaii, 7th: Hundreds of Ideas for Day Trips with the Kids (Fun with the Family Series)
- Paradise Family Guides Maui: The Most Complete Guide to Family Fun and Adventure!
- Celeritas Sports Pink Fitness Sports Duffel/black Logo Item Number 60061
9 Comments
joshua sweet
July 31st, 2009
at 3:00am
I believe that Ka Lae Point, the Southernmost point of the USA on the west coast of America, where as The actual southernmost point in the continental is Ballast Key, Florida.
FJackie
July 31st, 2009
at 4:57am
Go to the green sand and black sand beaches
Socialnerdia
July 31st, 2009
at 8:10am
Nice list. I spent New Years s in Kona once and it was great. I lived in Maui for about 4 months before that and I must say Maui is my favorite.
Jonathan Greenlee
July 31st, 2009
at 8:41am
On the Kona side, you should go see Po’o Honua a Honaunau. The King Kameamea hotel has native Hawaiian artifacts on display in the halls – stop by while you are in Kailua-Kona.
A word of warning if you fly into the Kona side airport. The Big Island is very volcanic. First timers are often shocked by the barren lavabed landscape out by the airport. Be assured that once you get south on the island where people actually live things will be lush green and tropical overgrowth.
Andrew Morton
July 31st, 2009
at 11:08am
Do the beaches in Kona (Hapuna is good), head over saddle road to Volcano Nat. Park and do some hiking. You’ll get a nice view of how diverse the island is – hot dry beaches/lush green rainforests.
(I moved to Seattle from there 2 years ago)
Fort
July 31st, 2009
at 1:00pm
ten things to do on Oahu
1) Take the Circle Island Bug trip (four hours!)
2) Have dinner at the Chinese place behind the K-Mart in Kailua
3) Swim to the Flat Rock Island in Kailua Bay
4) Have fresh pineapple at the Dole Pineapple plant
5) Drive into Punchbowl Crater and see the National Cemetary
6) Take Da Bus to Hotel Street, for lunch silly!
7) Eat at the two story Burger King in Kailua
8) Go to the Arizona Memorial
9) Drive out to Schofield Barracks.
10) Take Da Bus over the Poli so you can see the waterfalls coming out of the sides of the mountains!
Things that would be hard to now:
1) Drive by the submarines named after cities in Pearl Harbor
2) Raise flags over the Arizona
I hope you have an awesome time there!
Kevin
July 31st, 2009
at 5:12pm
The Helicopter Tour for the Volcano is the best
Kris
August 1st, 2009
at 7:18am
Get shave ice!
Hike Akaka Falls
Hang out with the nice folks at the Mele ‘Ohana Kani Ka Pila (jam session) on Wednesday nights.
Have fun!
Chris H.
November 6th, 2009
at 3:20am
Try the boat tour to see the lava flow into the water. You get really close and the views are incredible. That plus scuba diving and the black / green sands.