Hawaii...other islands.

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Nessa1977

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Went to Hawaii last Aug/Sep and spent 10 days (split between Hilo and Kona) on the Big Island and 5 on O'ahu.

Planning on going back next September. Definitely going back to the BI as I thoroughly enjoyed it, as there is so much to see and do (did a lava proximity hike, helicopter flight and manta ray snorkel). Thinking of going to another island before heading back to O'ahu.

Was considering Maui, but is that more for couples? I travel with my sister.

Were both quite adventurous, so were open to anything, I know there is ziplining on one of the islands,not sure which.

TIA for your suggestions.
 
Waimea Canyon on Kaua'i is unmissable imo - great views from the top and good hikes.
Other highlights on Kaua'i are the spot where Captain Cook came ashore - there's even a small patch of Australia there, and Kalalau Beach is great.
We went to a tropical fruit farm (I forget the name) which was fun, it even had cacao trees (i.e. chocolate).

The St Regis at Princeville is pretty nice too :)
 
Waimea Canyon on Kaua'i is unmissable imo - great views from the top and good hikes.
Other highlights on Kaua'i are the spot where Captain Cook came ashore - there's even a small patch of Australia there, and Kalalau Beach is great.
We went to a tropical fruit farm (I forget the name) which was fun, it even had cacao trees (i.e. chocolate).

The St Regis at Princeville is pretty nice too :)

Agree with all of this, the St Regis Princeville is one of my fav island hotels :)

As for Maui - Yes lots of couples, but also heaps of families and girls weekends away etc etc
 
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Maui is certainly for more than just couples. Heading up Haleakala is an interesting trip and some companies offer a bicycle tour back down the mountain which is a lot of fun. If diving or snorkelling is your thing there are many options but I highly recommend a day trip out to Molokini. There is the Hana highway drive as well as a couple of nice sea side towns for exploring on the south west coast. I have travelled to Maui with friends and family and had a ball every time.
 
Did you do the circle flight on the Big Island? Normally takes off from Kona airport (do not drink their coffee prior to the flight). Often they're Alaskan 'bush' pilots who warm up in Kona. Lots of vertical feet flying, diving down the thousand foot waterfall valleys on the Hilo side, flying around Mauna Loa and Mauna Kea (military reservation up there is interesting).

Also - have you read "The Curse of Lono" and driven the saddle road (not allowed in the hire car T&Cs of course)? Keep a look out for the eucalyptus trees (brake very hard as soon as you see them) as they give you a little warning before the roller coaster starts.
"The Saddle Road at night is a real test of driving skill, 'specially when it's cloudy - which it is most nights at about the 3000 foot level - and did I also mention? There aren't any street lights either. And if you go off the road - in your rental car - be prepared to pay Plenty if you need the services of a tow truck..... Does the term "roller coaster road from hell" mean anything?..... Oh! and another thing.... The locals on the Big Island - since it is BIG - drive fast.....Very fast..... and use this route to cross the mountains to the Kona and Kohala coasts and commute daily to jobs - so keep your eyes on the road and not on the scenery, which is quite eerie at night after you get above the clouds(fog). "
SKIING HAWAI`I
"After somewhat coyly trying to convince the rental agency attendant that we "weren't planning on going up Mauna Kea.... no sir, not us" - upon refusing the rag-top he pulled up in first - we loaded up the luggage and drove back around the terminal again to load up the skis. It would not sound very convincing if one walked up to the counter with the boards and asked fer a Jeep - trust me."

Also, do not be too alarmed if a squadron of Apache Attack helicopters join you while on the saddle road. They practice nape-of-the-earth flying in the volcanic crevasses between Mauna Loa and Mauna Kea so all of a sudden they appear out of nowhere and fly across the road in front of you (100 points for getting locals to crash, 50 points for tourists supposedly).

  • Nape-of-the-earth is a type of very low-altitude flight course used by military aircraft to avoid enemy detection and attack in a high-threat environment. During NOE flight, geographical features are used as cover, exploiting valleys and folds in the terrain by flying in, rather than over, them. ...

    Nap-of-the-earth - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Visited King Ranch? 2nd largest ranch in the US and on the big island.
Walked inland off the Queen K highway over the lava fields? Take plenty water and let people know just in case.
Gone to the Volcano park before dusk to watch the 'fireworks' as the lava hits the ocean? Quite spectacular but gets cold there and need sturdy shoes.
Gone on the 'alternative tours' - run by the locals - such as touring some of the coffee plantations? Seeing the whole process from bush to cup and sampling the various varieties?

If really adventurous and there in Jan/Feb then...
Gone skiing up on Mauna Kea? Big Island Hawaii Skiing
http://www.hawaiisnowskiclub.com/Mk/UsaTodayMk.htm

Visited the observatory (a paid trip)?
Gone in a biathlon at the King K pier? There are almost fortnightly races of some sort on a Sunday morning ranging from straight swims (one was 2 miles out to coast guard buoy), biathlons 1/2mile swim and 5 mile runs to triathlons etc. Not exactly the Ironman but still challenging as super fit locals of all ages show their competitive side (who'd guessed that two 50+ ladies would run over the top of me at the start of the swim?)

The other islands are more bite sized - so much easier to see all they have to offer in a few days. You probably know the big island is larger in area than every other Hawaiian island combined.

The other islands all have their own points that make them worth a visit. It really depends whether you want to see some history or nature or activity as to which one you choose.
 
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I am going in Nov, plan to see Oahu, Kauai and Hawaii (Big Island) in 2 weeks, I know that's a rush but its all the time I have.
Wont be doing any snorkelling etc as I live near the reef here and do that pretty often. So that saves time. May do the Manta Ray snorkel but.

RAM I want to do Mauna Kea right to the top, I read people who say you don't need 4wd, some say only 4wd rentals beyond the Visitor centre. Other say you will die, don't go.
The only company I have found who say it IS OK to go right to the top is Harpers.
Have seen videos of the road and doesn't seem too extreme apart from altitude unless wet/snowy in which case it would be closed anyway I guess.
So will give them a go probably.

Any tips for chopper flights over the lava/volcano area?

Is South Point worth a look?

Also want to see Capt Cook Memorial where he died at Kelakekua Bay, some say kayaks are banned now and you have to hike in.

I guess a lot depends on weather at the time...
 
I am going in Nov, plan to see Oahu, Kauai and Hawaii (Big Island) in 2 weeks, I know that's a rush but its all the time I have.
Wont be doing any snorkelling etc as I live near the reef here and do that pretty often. So that saves time. May do the Manta Ray snorkel but.

RAM I want to do Mauna Kea right to the top, I read people who say you don't need 4wd, some say only 4wd rentals beyond the Visitor centre. Other say you will die, don't go.

There should be tours that'll take you up there - can try to find out by emailing or looking at local hotel's web pages like the King Kamehameha hotel at Kona. I would not risk it without a 4wd. The Saddle Road is fine in a normal car but if anything went wrong on the mountain road then you would be looking at big money. Take a very good (warm) jacket & gloves.

Mauna Kea Summit Reviews - Kailua-Kona, Island of Hawaii Attractions - TripAdvisor

Visiting the Summit - Maunakea Visitor Information Station

The only company I have found who say it IS OK to go right to the top is Harpers.
Have seen videos of the road and doesn't seem too extreme apart from altitude unless wet/snowy in which case it would be closed anyway I guess.
So will give them a go probably.

Any tips for chopper flights over the lava/volcano area?

We tossed up chopper vs light aircraft - went for an 8-10 seater light plane from the Kona airport - more room, not so noisy, and we liked the result. Supposedly can be better opportunity with fixed wing due to air currents but who knows. Cost was similar between the two but plane went a bit longer. Covered the whole island, guess about 2 hours of flying. Just near the airport, next turning off Queen K Highway are the energy labs - generates power by putting water down a 1000s metres long pipe etc - quite interesting if like science.

Inside Kona’s Natural Energy Lab

Is South Point worth a look?

If you do the 'circle flight' or island explore flight in the first day or two then you can get an idea of what you like the look of. Plan from there.

Also want to see Capt Cook Memorial where he died at Kelakekua Bay, some say kayaks are banned now and you have to hike in.

I may be wrong (don't think so) but we drove in to a car park and then walked only a few hundred metres. A good number of the areas are 'sacred sites' so you must obey the signs. The 'Place of Refuge' can be quite eery.

I guess a lot depends on weather at the time...

Weather - depends which side of the Island you are on - Kona side less than 8 inches of rainfall in one quadrant and over the Hilo side over 200 inches in another quadrant. The mountains stop the rain bearing clouds.

Been there in April, May, Sept, Nov and never had bad weather. Maybe just lucky. Up top of the mountains you are in 'the weather' and that is very different to sea level. Same with the volcanoes park, can leave Kona at 28 degrees C and arrive at the volcano park at 17 degrees.

[h=1]Visiting the Summit[/h] If you are planning to visit the summit, we highly recommend that you stop at the Visitor Information Station (VIS) at 9,200 ft to receive a current weather update, safety information, and to adjust to the change in altitude. Maunakea is one of the only places in the world where you can drive from sea level to 14,000 feet in about 2 hours, so altitude sickness is a high possibility. At 14,000 feet, there is 40% less oxygen than at sea level, so visitors should acclimatize to the altitude before proceeding further up the mountain. Anyone in poor health should consult their physician before planning a visit to Maunakea. We do not recommend anyone who is pregnant to go further than the VIS. People under the age of 16 should not go any further because their bodies are still developing and they are affected more rapidly when going to a high altitude. If you plan to scuba dive, do not plan to go up to the summit within 24 hours after your dive. Furthermore, we do not recommend anyone with a heart or respiratory problem to travel above the VIS. View Maunakea Hazards and the Visiting Maunakea Video
 
Thanks RAM, have read lots of stuff and the summit tours are about $200 each, with 3 of us the 4wd hire car starts to make sense, even though it will be dearer than standard car.
It will give us some time to do hikes which the tours don't allow for. And Yes will be packing a jacket for the top.

Read a little about the ocean energy thing, can you see much? Or just a bunch of pipes/buildings.

Are 4wd rentals allowed down into Waipo Valley?
 
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