We have a trip planned - 3 nights on the Big Island, staying at a remote location in Waipio Valley. I have been to other islands, but not this one. Wondering if anyone has suggestions for an reasonable itinerary to experience the true highlights of this location. So far, we are considering the following:
Driving hilo side of the island %26amp; seeing VNP
Horseback ride in Waipio Valley
Driving other half of island %26amp; sightseeing %26amp; Kona
We don%26#39;t need too much ';beach time'; as we will be in Kauai for 5 days for that, but we don%26#39;t know where to stop or what locals places to try.
Thanks, members - you are the best!
Trip planned for April - Big Island - Waipio
Are you REALLY staying in Waipio Valley? Or somewhere in the vicinity on the rim in Hamakua? Reason I ask is, how are you going to get up and down to do all the driving around? Does your lodging come with a privately owned, 4wd that you plan to use?
Trip planned for April - Big Island - Waipio
I don%26#39;t know the area well enough, so forgive me. Yes, we are staying on the rim at hamakua.
I thought the only vacation rental place (The Tree House) in Waipio Valley was closed and there is nothing else available for rental there.
Yes, I read about that - its up for sale, actually.
We are staying on the rim in the cliff house.
If you have any thoughts or suggestions, I welcome them.
Ciao%26#39;
I can%26#39;t figure out if you are asking about beaches or not. Anyway, aome ideas.
The drive Hilo side and VNP will take a full day.
The drive to the west side thru Waimea will take maybe an Hour or less to Waimea and another hour to get to the Kohala Resort strip and highway down to Kailua-Kona. You MIGHT want to stop to see the Puako Petroglyph field in the Mauna Lani Resort (enter snd follow signs). There is parking at a beach park (no swimming) and restrooms, so it is a pleasant spot for a bio break and to see the coast views.
See tripadvisor.com/Travel-g29217-c56173/Island-…
If you are interested in a beach, the Mauna Lani boat house beach is excellent for snorkeling and not very crowded. Use the public access parking and walk about 10-15 minutes on the path through the historic fishponds.
If not, proceed on to Kailua-Kona, noticing the contrast between black lava and sparkling sea, especially at the overlook above Kiholo. That%26#39;s a nice place to go (bay and lagoon) but you will not have time.
Go see the town....can take an hour or as long as you want. If you wanted quick and easy snorkeling you could stop at Kahaluu for an hour or so.
Proceed south to Place of Refuge. Pay the $5 and park in the safe lot. Lots to see here and a nice shoreling hike on the 1871 Tax Trail to the south along the sae cliffs.
On your way back, stop at some coffee farms. The visitor books you should get a thte airport or in town have maps, just pick some. I like Bay View Farms (near Painted Church) and the UCC place on the way up from Napoopoo.
You can%26#39;t fit all this in, but they are some ideas. You want to be back ';home'; by dark since the roads are very very dark and winding.
The Waipio Tour day--I have heard good things about Naalapa Stables. Assume you take the Am tour, done by noon. The rest of the day you could veg out around your lodging OR:
(1) Go to Waimea, take the Parker Ranch tour, go to the coast to see the big heiau at Kawaihae, quick stop at Hapuna to look or dip. (You will retrace this coast leg going to Kona.) Get shave ice in Kawaihae at teh place in the shopping strip. There are restrooms there, too.
OR
(2) Just go right to the coast, turn right and take the coast highway north. Quick stop at Lapakahi to see a historic old village. Go to Hawi, browse around. (Since you have just seen Waipio, don%26#39;t go on to Pololu and besides no time.) Drive back to Waimea via the Kohala mountain highway--winding but scenic and different since this is the wet side not the dry side you drove up.
FOOD:
Now you notice I have said nothing about lunch or dinner. You do not have a lot of time, I don%26#39;t do lunch on vacation, so I just left it out. You could try to plan your day around food stops but that adds more constraints. My binding one is to get back close to home before DARK!
For lunch, Hawi has places including Bamboo. Kailua-Kona has tons of them. There are little place on the highway around the town of Capt. Cook. I would say the most liberating thing would be to get a cheap cooler pick up or bring a light picnic lunch to be eaten at the appropriate time, wherever you are.
Dinner? I am not wild about Merrimans but everyone else seems to be so it is a possibility for when you are returning from Hapuna or Hawi or Kona--it is on the road to Waimea. It%26#39;s in a shopping center on the north side of the road. You prbably do want to figure out what your dinner strategies are because I have no idea that much is available near your lodging. And the roads are really dark and winding. And it can be raining.
Thanks for your suggestions...it sounds like we will have to be selective on what we decide to do due to time restraints and avoiding night driving. I had planned to stop on the way to our lodging and pick up food, drinks and snacks so not to have to stop for lunch as you said. My girlfriend took a bus tour of the island in one day when she was there, but I would rather do it on my own.
It just ocurred to me--I was assuming you were staying close to Waipio in a B%26amp;B somewhere around Waimea or Honokaa (see map driveguidemagazines.com/big_island_hamakua_h… )
BUT I just saw you said--';cliff house.'; If by that you mean Palm Cliff House that is not there, it%26#39;s down close to Hilo in Honomu. See map. Although in miles that may not seem ';far'; it is a slow and winding drive that I estimate could add 90-120 minutes ROUNDTRIP to the excursion options I suggested. SO if that is what you emant, you might not want to go to North Kohala and Hawi, but instead look around Puna or something after the Waipio tour. Merriman%26#39;s would NOT be a good dinner choice. Sorry!
We are staying here -
www.hawaiicliffhouse.com
that is not the same one you mentioned.
Ok, GOOD! You are right at the Waipio Overlook, so ignore my last worried post bout being near Hilo. But be sure to ask them how long they think it will take to drive BACK from your turnaround point on your day trips. Have a wonderful trip!!!!
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