Post #321017 by AllisonV on Tue, Jul 24, 2007 7:52 PM

Random stuff re: the Big Island

Absolutely rent a house! I have had great luck with vrbo.com, try there.

I second Place of Refuge, the black sand beach, and the Hilo Farmer's market. Driving to Hilo and back from the Kona area makes for a loooong but fully do-able day. You can now drive over Saddle Road (improvements have been made, old guidebooks will tell you you can't), it looks like the moon up there.

Also drive up the Kohala coast for great beaches and some fascinating, intense archaeological sites. Also on the Hilo side, Akaka falls and Rainbow falls are beautiful.

my favorite things on the big island, hands down, are Waipio Valley and Pololu valley. The hike up and down into Waipio might be more than your kids can do, it's super-steep but worth every step. Pololu valley is an easier climb, a trail with steps and switch-backs. I heard that it was damaged in the most recent large earthquake, though, so check on that.

Waimea, a smaller town that you will pass through going from Kona to Hilo, is nice. I remember really liking a mexican joint there called Tako Taco. 24 hour Ken's house of Pancakes in Hilo is also pretty good and will be great for kids/families. If you rent a house, though, hit the farmer's markets (there is one in Kona, too, in like a church parking lot on Alii drive) and cook cook cook! I still think about the tropical salsa I made last time. Pahoa is another cute smaller town, the hot springs beach there was really crowded, though, and kind-of gross - the water was covered with an oil slick of sweat and sunscreen greaze. The tsunami museum in Hilo was fascinating and would be a good rainy-day activity.

I'm sorry I don't have books or maps handy to get more detailed information. Let me know if you have any questions or want to see my photos.