We, 2 couples low 50s to 60, are starting to plan a 15 day trip in the 2nd half of May 2008. Talking about seeing the VNP area first before spending remainder of trip on Kauai. We are outdoor active people for our ages. Definitely not the ';mega resort'; types. Love hiking, 6 to 8 miles reasonably level, 3 to 5 miles hilly, also snorkeling and kayaking.
We%26#39;d arrive in Hilo 6 to 7pm local, 11 to midnight based on where we started the day. Plan to stay the first night in a basic motel near airport. Rent a car and start the trip the next morning.
So the question is: how many additional nights should we allocate to the Volcano area?
We want to spend all the additional nights in Volcano Village and wander out from there. See and hike VNP, explore the coast along the lower Puna region, visit waterfall parks and botanical gardens just to the north of Hilo.
Accommodations we are looking at include: Lotus Garden Cottages, The Inn at Volcano, Kilauea Lodge, and various rental homes...any comments on any of these?
Volcanoes Nat Pk Area - How Many Days?
Is anyone retired military? If so check out Kilauea Military Camp.
www.kmc-volcano.com/ . I think it%26#39;s the closest lodging on the volcano.
Volcanoes Nat Pk Area - How Many Days?
Good idea to stay in Hilo the first night. If you search there were soem recent posts about the ';least worst'; place for a night there.
I think you probably want another 2 nights near VNP (to have 2 days there)...maybe 3 if you plan a full day doing Puna and visiting the gardens and falls around Hilo. You can see Waipio on your way over to the Kona side if you go the north way (more scenic).
I have stayed at the Lotus Garden Cottages several times when it was Kalani Garden Cottages and I loved that place, it was like my second home. I stayed at the Kilaeua Lodge only once and I certainly would pick the former for bein more private. However, I would not miss a dinner at the Lodge! There are several nice individual homes available for rent in Mauna Loa Estates too, which is on the other side of the highway. You will love the lower Puna area. Make sure you have dinner at Paolo%26#39;s in Pahoa too.
sounds fun!
I can%26#39;t answer the ';how long'; question ... I have asthma and can%26#39;t take more than a short time at VNP or Volcano Village, so I rarely go.
Lower Puna coast -- definitely do this on a weekday. Very crowded on weekends, especially Sundays. Puna population has exploded in last couple years.
Now the botanical gardens are not going to be crowded with residents so are fine to do on a weekend.
We don%26#39;t have airport motels here like on the mainland. We have hotels. But that will work for your purpose, just don%26#39;t expect a motel set-up, for instance, all the hotels have parking issues and the lot will likely be full for the night when you arrive, whereas a motel usually provides your own parking spot outside your room.
Not sure if you said rent a car the next morning. That won%26#39;t be convenient, if that%26#39;s what you meant. Rent your car when you deplane.
Puna coast warning -- regular car break-ins at Kehena Beach parking, was talking to a Puna resident today who said it%26#39;s bad there; she won%26#39;t park there and she lives on the island so her car is less of a target than a rental ... theoretically. Sounds like any car is a target. This is just Kehena ... special case.
Dear ecobird:
Make sure you have guide book Hawaii Big Island Revealed.
www.wizardpub.com/bigisland/bigisland.html
As for ';Island hopping'; to Kauai, you%26#39;ll burn up a whole day just packing, moving, flying, etc. (valuable vaction time).
15 Days on Big Island is maybe not enough. I suggest starting in Hilo or Kona and looping your way around the Island staying a couple of days in each area.
Must things to do in Volcano National Park
-Visitor Center %26amp; Art Center
-Crater Rim Drive
-Thiston Lava Tube
-Kiluea Iki crater hike
-Petroglyphs at end of Chain of Craters Road
-Lava flow walk from Pahoa side.
Must places:
-Beaches/snorkeling in Kona area.
-City of Refuge near Captain Cook
-Volcano National Park
-Day trip to Puna area especially Kapoho hot ponds
-Botanical gardens near Hilo then lunch at What%26#39;s Shakin (great smoothies).
-Waipio Valley east end of island
-Pololu Valley north end of island
-Beaches near Waikoloa
3 days for the Volcano National Park is enough. Walk to lava flow is easier from Pahoa side.
Yes go with Bed %26amp; Breakfast type accomodations. I%26#39;m staying at My Island Bed %26amp; Breakfast near park http://www.myislandinnhawaii.com/
Aloha, Have Fun
TheodoreJay, Denver, CO
TJ, the Big Island Revealed is not a very popular book here, so you might want to hold on with that recommendation. You can use the search function on this site to find out more about that book and why it is not recommended.
Dear typicallytropical :
I have all of the Wizard Publication books %26amp; wouldn%26#39;t leave for Hawaii without them. I am aware that many of the ';locals'; feel the Authors are not respectful %26amp; give away too many secret places.
Yes, we travelers must be respectful %26amp; tread lightly where ever we go %26amp; always ask for permission to go onto private lands.
However, Island Revealed series of books are written from a first hand point of view %26amp; I have found many of their recommendations very helpful %26amp; reasonable complete.
Unfortunately as the Islands become more %26amp; more popular the secret places are becoming fewer %26amp; fewer. One of the downsides of a tourist economy.
Respectfully and Aloha, TheodoreJay
Denver, CO
Interesting. You trust Doughty but put the word locals in quotes.
Bottom line - there are better less controversial books that have all the same places listed in them, w/o the problems or dangers of the ';revealed'; books. For this reason, I never recommend the revealed books, and never will. Ones local library is an excellent source for vacation planning, as is this and other travel sites. Best of all, borrowing books from the library is free!
Good luck and happy travels!
';I am aware that many of the ';locals'; feel the Authors are not respectful %26amp; give away too many secret places.'; Yes, it is correct that they are not respectful. The ';secret places'; really have nothing to do with it. Most of the ';secret places'; can not be accessed by rent-a-car, not even a 4X4, and even though they are more known because of this book, the visitors still can not go there without extreme hardship.
Lots of wonderful hikes in the national park. Bird Park (also known as Kipuka Puaulu) is a easy 1 mile walk with lots of birds singing and the Kalij Pheasants walking about. Kilauea Iki is 4 miles with a moderate climb back up to your car. Well worth the trip as its really a great hike. Pu%26#39;u Huluhulu which is off of chain of creaters is about 3 miles round trip. This trail is fairly flat with a hike up Pu%26#39;u Huluhulu (a hill with a beautiful view looking over to Pu%26#39;u O%26#39;o. Pu%26#39;u is hill in Hawaiian. Another fun hike is out to Pu%26#39;u Loa Petroglyphs towards the bottom of chain of creaters. One could spend a week in the park doing many of the incredable hikes but I would say at least spend a couple of days in this beautiful area.
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