Hawaii Big Island Adventures

Continuing on (see write up on Lanai) with our snorkeling, horseback riding, paddling, and hiking trip to Hawaii. Now on to our second and final stop of our summer 2021 Hawaii adventure: the Big Island (officially named Hawaii!). Prior to this trip, all I knew about the Big Island was that it is home to Kona, site of the Ironman World Championships, home to four out of five of the state’s national parks, and home to Kona Coffee.

The Big Island has incredibly diverse terrain, and although it is home to a lush rain forest by Volcanoes National Park, our initial descent was into a barren, flat, lava rock field. I wasn’t sure what to think other than it was not what I expected. We did notice the abundance of goats on the side of the road and one or two donkey crossing signs!

After a quick drive along lava fields headed toward the ocean (you will need a car to get around the island), we began to see an increase in green, lush vegetation as we pulled into the residence my in-laws rented. We were grateful that our gorgeous house had a pool because this area of Hawaii gets hot in the summer! West Maui and the Kona Coast are among the hottest and driest areas of the state.

Lodging:

• Four Seasons Hualalai (large property and very spread out)
• Mauna Lani, Auberge Resorts Collection
• VRBO’s in Mauna Lani
• Hualālai Villas & Homes (for larger groups)
• Residences at Mauna Lani (Auberge)
• Lotus Garden Cottages (for close proximity to Volcanoes National Park)
• Hilton, Marriott, and Fairmont all have hotels here if you want to use and earn points!
• Camping available: No snakes, no poisonous bugs, and no poison ivy to worry about!

Covid-19:

Anyone traveling to Hawaii is required to have a government Safe Travels account and self-quarantine for 10 days. Some travelers may be exempt from quarantine with proof of a negative COVID-19 test taken within 72 hours of departure. We have found the best testing option is the Walgreens ID NOW test. See my post on Covid-19 travel insurance and evacuation memberships for more info.

Hawaii Volcanoes National Park:

Because we only had three nights on the Big Island, we chose one national park to explore. Volcanoes National Park is home to lush jungles and two active volcanoes. The park is a 2+ hour drive from Kona. Upon arriving, we parked at Volcano House and met our guide. Volcano House is a great lunch spot within the park and the best bet for clean bathrooms!

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1) Along the Way:

• If you have time, check out the easily accessible, gorgeous Rainbow Falls. The Big Island has the best waterfalls in the state!
• The only official sign for Volcanoes National Park is outside the park entrance. For those checking off National Parks who need “that” picture, be prepared to pull over by the sign. It’s not a crowded park and easy to do.

2) Best Park Guide:

• Erik (founder) at Kilauea Eco Guides is a highly educated local and self-proclaimed “rock nerd” who provided a fantastic active tour perfect for our entire group. The 3-hour tour allows plenty of time to see and hike the park.

3) What to see while you are there:

• Kilauea Caldera
• Devastation Trail
• Thurston Lava Tube

 Outdoor Experiences Available:

Because we stayed near Kona, I am going to focus on activities in that area.

1) Hiking:

• Kiholo Bay: This lovely beach hike (turquoise waters and a shoreline fringed with coconut trees) is a 20-minute drive from Kona and a great place to view the endangered Hawaiian Green Sea Turtles and the Hawaiian Monk Seals (only 1,400 left in the wild). Marine Mammal Center patrols the bay to ensure visitors respect the animals.
• Pololu Valley: the morning is the best time to hike this picturesque perch overlooking a stretch of sea cliffs. Located on the northernmost point of the island, we were told that this is the locals’ favorite hike, though unfortunately we never made it over there.

2) Surfing:

• Check out Kona Town Surf Adventures. Be patient: Kona has a limited number of surf destinations and a relative lack of swells. The biggest swells are in the winter. There were no waves during our visit which meant no surfing.

3) Outrigger Canoe:

• My favorite morning activity off of Kukio Beach. We loved experiencing first-hand the revival of the tradition of the ancient Polynesian outrigger canoe. A wonderful family or small group adventure! Easy to paddle out to some fantastic snorkeling spots.

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4) Snorkeling:

• Manta Ray Night Snorkel in Kona. This has been a trip highlight for so many travelers to the area. It wasn’t a good fit for our large group but something I would love to try on a future visit! It’s not advised for those prone to sea sickness. The Big Island is one of the only places on earth where you can do something quite like this!
• Snorkeling at King’s Pond, a 1.8 million gallon “aquarium” carved out of the lava rock. This area is a snorkeler’s paradise for kids with thousands of exotic fish and even a Spotted Eagle Ray. I found the brackish water to be a little dirty when we were there and preferred the snorkeling down at the beach.
• The beach and shoreline along Kumukea Beach are a gorgeous combination of white sand and black lava rock that forms the distinctive nature of the Kohala Coast. If you walk 10 minutes on the beach north to Kona Village resort, you will find great snorkeling. Most resorts supply gear; no need to bring your own. Also, a friendly reminder that coral reefs are an important resource. State law prohibits breaking or damaging coral and reefs.

5) Scuba Diving:

• I am no longer certified, but wanted to mention that if you dive, you need to wait 18 hours before participating in any available high altitude activity including helicopter tours.

Random Tidbit:

I finally found out why coffee is so expensive on the Big Island. Kona coffee is cultivated on the slopes of Hualalai and Mauna Loa in the North and South Kona Districts of the Big Island of Hawaii. It is one of the most expensive coffees in the world because it is exclusively grown on the slopes of two volcanoes. I was going to buy several bags of coffee beans as gifts, but it was $44/bag! With an annual production of over 8 million pounds, Hawaii is the only U.S. state where coffee is grown.

Necessary Gear:

To truly enjoy the beach and water features of the Big Island, reef walkers or water shoes are highly recommended. Wana – long-spined sea urchins – vary in size and are usually located on reef flats and shallow reef slopes. They have two kinds of moveable spines. Any contact with spines will cause burning pain, redness, and swelling in the wound. Treat the wound by soaking it in hot water to help deactivate the protein toxins, or by soaking in vinegar to help dissolve the spines. Removal of spines, cleansing, and topical antibiotics may be necessary.

Why I want to Return:

 1) Hawaiian hospitality and the spirit of aloha: What a beautiful and inviting state! I wish everyone would care for one another and for the land like the Hawaiians do.

2) Mauna Lani Auberge: I have heard and continue to hear about the top-notch outdoor experiences, laid-back vibe, and restaurants at Mauna Lani Auberge. I would love to stay there or just have a meal there to experience this newly reimagined resort.

3) I also never made it to Waipio Valley (where Hawaiian rulers, such as Kamehameha I, once lived) or Kealakekua Bay (where British explorer James Cook first arrived on the Big Island in 1778).

4) Kohala Waterfalls Adventure: After talking to two groups that just returned from the Big Island, I learned that this off-road, rainforest adventure was a trip highlight. The outing includes access to private waterfalls and nature preserves. Private tour currently priced at $1,250 for up to 4 people and $168 for additional guests.

5) Stargazing from Maunakea: Maunakea is considered the most sacred of all Hawaii’s volcanoes. Be sure to check the VIS website for scheduling information and road conditions before visiting.

6) Even if I don’t make it back to the Big Island, I would love to return to visit the islands of Kauai and Maui. I can’t complain about not getting to see everything in one visit because it has given me a reason to return and continue my explorations!

This article has been updated with new information since its original publish date.