Hawaii Trip Feb-Mar 2012 Need Info

Hi,I am going to start my vacation in Kona on Feb 20th. I did want to stay at Kona Village but they are closed. Are there any other places on the Big Island that are like kona village that are charming near the beach and don't cost 1000.00 per night? We are going to be staying at Kilauea military camp,Barking sands and Halekoa. The first 3 nights I need to find a place. Thanks for your help.

Can't help with the Big Island, but just wanted to say that I've stayed at Hale Koa twice and it is very nice. Try to make the Hale Koa Luau, its touristy but fun. I recommend the Polynesian Cultural Center on the North Shore. It is a whole day trip and a tiki wonderland.

thanks trailer park for the information.

Hi - I haven't stayed up in that area so not many personal tips, but this site is really good for comparing the options:

http://www.wizardpub.com/bigisland/bigresort.html

(Scroll down to the map of the island and you can click on each hotel for info)

Oyster doesn't have every hotel available, but is good for seeing interior room pictures:
http://www.oyster.com/

I'm pretty sure it's the Kona Bali Kai that I've stayed at, closer to town. It was nice, but there's not much 'beach' in that area. And it was a whole bunch of years ago.

Aloha,

Did you check out Dug's place?]

When in Waikiki and like to see tiki, I'm almost always around.

Waikiki Tiki; Art, History, and Photographs.
Available now from Bess Press Hawaii.

[ Edited by: Phillip Roberts 2011-10-27 10:12 ]

I haven't stayed here, but would love to:

http://www.vacationhomes.com/10769

The Onion House is owned by the McCormack Spice Family and it looks amazing.

Last year we were on the Big Island and stayed a few nights at the Royal Kona Hotel. The room was kind of old but we had a HUGE balcony that overlooked the ocean. I loved the bar area at Don the Beachcombers, which is on property.

http://www.royalkona.com/Index.cfm

Don't miss Pu'uhonua o Honaunau National Park, lots of tikis and it's just a beautiful walk through history. Plus it's fun to learn to pronouce (poo oo hoh noo ah oh, ho now now) and impress your friends :)

If you are looking for a place to stay, check out Trip Advisor and look at photos and reviews. I find some amazing places on that site!

We'll be in Kauai this week, leaving on Thanksgiving, I can hardly wait.

Just came back from the Big Island myself. I knew I had to visit one of the world centers of tiki or ki'i in Hawaiian. For some reason the National Parks have, through the years taken over tiki sites. I admit they do preserve and protect them well. Here are some pics of out trip.

First tiki stop Ahuena Heiau (temple) in the city of Kona
With my beautiful part-Hawaiian wife:

With me and my favorite tiki aloha shirt

Close of Heiau w tiki

Kaloko-Honokôhau National Historical Park north of Kona

Next stop, what should be on the bucket list of any tikiphile Puuhonua o Honaunau National Historical Park south of Kona



Like the A-frame above these are simple Hale Wa'a or canoe sheds where canoes are built, repaired and stored

We also visited Hawaii Volcanoes National Park (home of goddess Pele), Puukohola Heiau National Historic Site(Kamehameha's war Heiau or temple), Lava Tree state Park, small Heiau in Kau (southern part of Island) and I also discovered a now nearly abandoned Poly-Pop architecture in Hilo. Great place for a Poly Pop village with a tiki bar, tiki restaurant, tiki clothing and tourist store

Only one little bar there today, great site on the water