Looking for Hawaiian Vacation Tips

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  #31  
Old 05-06-2021, 01:39 PM
Tbrazie Tbrazie is offline
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  #32  
Old 05-06-2021, 03:04 PM
FLSun FLSun is offline
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Default The Big Island

Just came back from The Big Island at the start of the pandemic. Definitely go for first class. A standard auto was included in our package, but they only had convertible Camaros. They offered a mini van as a substitute. We should have taken it. Parking was never a problem. Camaros require pointing hip bone into seat and rolling into position. Pretty awful. Definitely do the National Park with a ranger tour. Wish we had known more about the observatories. Costco sells awesome hamburgers in the outdoor food court. Inside they sell many tourist items such as nuts, coffee, shirts, dresses, maps and books. Our resort property was so beautiful we kept returning for the day. We wish we had taken golf clubs. You might like some of the village markets, local park hiking, and maybe snorkeling near the Captain Cook location. Wear good running / tennis shoes for walking on the hardened lava. Do you know about Pele, Hawaiian Volcano Goddess?
  #33  
Old 05-06-2021, 03:58 PM
Grunt 1946 Grunt 1946 is offline
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A friend that lives about 1 hour from Kona told me there are not many people there now. The king of sports there is Marlin fishing, scuba diving, and driving around. Lots to see on the Big Island. Kona coffee yummm. It rains every day at about 3 o'clock, then the evening is great. Lots of little beaches to wallow around in, and look at the pretty fish. Get a condo where you can cook a little and drink your Kona coffee looking out over the beautiful ocean.
  #34  
Old 05-06-2021, 06:54 PM
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Mleeja Mleeja is offline
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Hawaiian Airlines fly direct to Honolulu from Orlando. It is a killer 11 hour flight. I would definitely spend the couple extra $200/$300 bucks for the “comfort” seats. Check if there are any bulkhead seats available away from the restrooms. Download lots of movies and books!
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  #35  
Old 05-06-2021, 08:25 PM
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Tips for the Big Island:There’s a good market in Kona..every morning..Take Ukelele lesson from “Pancho”..at music store in town.....Drive over to the Hilo side and walk around volcano area....Book a helicopter ride over the Volcano. ...it’s amazing...spend a night or two in a unique hotel in a Hilo neighborhood “The Dolphin Inn”. North of Hilo there are pretty waterfallls and the black sand beach. Snorkle at Captain Cook Monument. Get the book “Big Island Revealed” and it will give you other great ideas... We went over for a month once and went several other times...A wonderful place....have fun...
  #36  
Old 05-06-2021, 08:31 PM
gdennis317 gdennis317 is offline
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Best thing we did was the Blue Hawaiian Helicopter Tour of the Big Island. Is not cheap, but what a great Memory. Was back in 2003, our first of three visits to the Islands.
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Old 05-07-2021, 03:44 AM
Sensei Sensei is offline
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Default Big Island excitement

Aloha,
Hawaiian Air from Orlando offers non-stop now. "comfort seats strongly encouraged." Aloha spirit of hospitality has been evident on most Hawaiian air flights I've experienced. However, sometimes it's wise to stop...maybe in Vegas for at least an overnight..break up the flight as well as repair some jet lag feeling. Vegas has some good deals on hotels. Check out renting a car NOW through Costco...then keep checking back on the price until you fly...sometimes goes down. Check as well if your hotel charges for parking...can become significant cost. Costco on the Big Island is a very good source for souvenirs, Hot dog lunch, and chocolate covered Macadamias . Nevertheless, before lugging souvenirs back to Florida, check for same items on Amazon for free shipping. Also, a collapsible luggage bag stuffed in a suitcase can serve as a carrier for keepsakes and can be checked luggage.

This link is very helpful: 101 Things on the Big Island - 101 Things To Do in Hawai'ihttps://www.101thingstodo.com › bigisland101
101 Things To Do on the Big Island. Get in the Hot Seat. Scout Out an 18th-Century War Temple. Soak in a Natural Hot Tub. Swim with a Manta Ray. Find Eden in Waipi'o Valley. Look Through the Eyes of Mauna Kea. Go to a Lu'au. Visit Akaka Falls & Honomu Town.

Lived in Hawaii for a number of years. Pōmaikaʻi! Maikaʻi pōmaikaʻi!
  #38  
Old 05-07-2021, 06:22 AM
Freehiker Freehiker is offline
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Rental car prices are crazy right now. If you don’t have one booked yet you need to get on top of that really quickly.
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  #39  
Old 05-07-2021, 12:57 PM
nancat7 nancat7 is offline
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Default Great info!

Quote:
Originally Posted by SDSKI View Post
We are flying to Oahu in a couple weeks to visit our son and family (military). We have flown both Delta and American with American usually having fares a bit less. Definitely upgrade to + with both and choose the seats at the windows. Prior to Covid, Delta fed us more often and really was a bit much. We are flying American again as we had a good experience with them last time, will see how current times affects this one. When on the big island, be sure to do the helicopter tour, we also used Blue Hawaii, and a snorkeling trip. We had dinner at the restaurant where they we doing a night ray excursion, looked interesting. Also, try to cut up the flight. We flew nonstop from Atlanta, that was a long, miserable flight. We now fly to Dallas, but would also consider LA or Arizona. Hope the tips you are receiving help, best of luck!
I’ll be taking a look at American and keep in mind the window seat! Thank you.
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