I am going to Hawaii, what is something I HAVE to see or visit while I am there?
jules verne asked:
I will be on Kona side of the Big Island for a week. I know about the volcano and the waterfalls and the beaches, but I’m talking about things I won’t find in a guide book. Like unique places to eat, visit, or hangout at.
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I will be on Kona side of the Big Island for a week. I know about the volcano and the waterfalls and the beaches, but I’m talking about things I won’t find in a guide book. Like unique places to eat, visit, or hangout at.
July 31st, 2009 at 1:58 pm
well…. I don’t know where it is in Hawaii, but there is a beach that has black sand.
August 1st, 2009 at 11:25 am
a cool place is the city of refuge. in anchient times when a man had committed a crime he had to make his way there, as other Al’ii(warriors) tracked him and tried to kill him. Once he made it to this complex, he was safe, and allowed to work off his crime, and eventually return to his home. If he did not make it there, he was killed. There is a coral outcropping in the ocean off the shore there. captured men would have their feet cut and be tied to the coral as sharks ate them. It is a place that will fill you with mixed emotions. But a great place to visit.
August 3rd, 2009 at 5:09 am
Pearl Harbor is awsome!, So is the Dole Pineapple factory and fields. Make sure you check out a luau as well.
August 6th, 2009 at 1:43 pm
Here’s one on the south side of the Big Island: Green Sand Beach
This is a 2 to 3 hour hike from South Point. Don’t attempt to go to Green Sand Beach without proper shoes (definately NOT Thongs), lots of water (Backpack!), sunscreen and a cap. It is windy and hot on the way!
Green Sand Beach on Hawaii is made up of olivine—it’s a rare crystal found in nearby Kilauea volcano. Sounds hot, huh?
The water is crystal clear blue—that deep, rich royal blue. White foamy waves crash on a bright green sandy beach.
How cool is that? Real romantic when you get there. Although illegal in the state, the few romantically daring ones may be seen sans any clothing in the waves or tanning on the beach!
August 6th, 2009 at 4:41 pm
pearl harbor and the dole factory are on oahu, not the big island.
Sorry for disorganization:
If you want a little nightlife or touristy setting check out kailua town on Alii drive. Its where the chains are: Hard rock, Outback, etc. I personally like LuLus, a bar/grill on the coast…a lot of famous people have been there. Bubba Gumps is good too…some of the places have second story patios overlooking the ocean.
If you make it to the Hilo side, get some local grinds (food)…do yourself a favor and be open minded! Try a loco moco – eggs, gravy, choice of meat, rice, mac salad…i love em! Mahi Mahi, Kahlua pork…Musubi is a good snack item. I really like Cafe 100 and blaine’s drive inn…great local places. Hilo bayfront has some cool shops some fine dining places and a great icecream/shaved ice shop – mom n pops owned. Try the halo-halo – my personal favorite…theres also the farmers market on wednesday and saturday – great shopping/bargaining…food, souveniers, clothing, anything you can imagine. Check it out.
Try to avoid the hilo hotels as they are all pretty dirty/ghetto….
Rainbow falls in Hilo is beautiful, akaka falls is nice too (420 feet high.)
Black sands beach is cool and unique (theres a lot of black sand beaches but im talking about “black sands” beach.
Back on kona side Kua bay is my favorite beach – beautiful white sand, great blue water with waves, and also it has showers and PAVED road – a rarity for many beaches.
Place of refuge is cool, its sort of boring but still very neat to see the statues/tikis. Near there, there is a place to kayak(I forget what its called) but you can rent a kayak from a local for a cheap rprice (if you can bargain, try the drunk guy on the picnic table with the dog) and kayak out to captain cooks monument. In the early mornings dolphins like to go there.
I really enjoy the elevated drive above the kona coast – im not sure how exactly we got there, but its on the way to kailua town from place of refuge – i have never seen a more beautiful view.
If you are wondering how to get around the island, car rentals are fairly cheap…gas isnt but compared to the rest of the US rentals are very fair. Theres also the Hele-on bus that circles the island – you have to check for times…i think its on the web…search for hele on bus schedule big island.
The bus is totally free (or was a few months ago) but takes about four hours. Theres a lot of nice scenery though!
Wai’pio valley is really nice too…theres companys that will take you down the ridiculously steep road to get down there (you NEED 4×4.)
Be careful though…there are people on the island with a little hostility toward tourists…namely white people (haoles)…if you get called “f****** haole” it isnt a friendly gesture…just ignore them and get away. It isnt your fault but your ancestors took their land and some of them are still pissed. Haole can be used in a more friendly term too so dont immediately get offended if you hear this.
There are MANY MANY MANY friendly locals. Be respectful at all times…do not act like you are better than anyone…it is very offensive…remember that you are a guest on their islands…Keep an open mind and if you get called out just get away…dont be surprised if you are offered pot either as its almost a cultural thing!
If you have any q’s msg me!
Some local pidgin that might throw you off:
grind: eat
ono: good
choke:a lot/many
wahine: women
kane: men
brah:bro
howzit: hows it going?
no can: I cant
no can no can: I really cant
August 9th, 2009 at 3:55 pm
Eat at an L&L fast food/resteraunt … they are fantastic! My favorite is a chicken katsu mini plate.
August 10th, 2009 at 1:19 pm
I think that any part of hawaii would be great to see…I wish I had a chance to see it…
August 13th, 2009 at 3:00 pm
Go deep sea fishing from Honokahau Harbor. 1/2 day or full day share a boat with 2-4 other people $100-$200 or charter by yourself$600and up. Boats are air conditioned, some even have showers 50-65 ft. beautiful boats. Have cocktails. Kona is the superbowl of fishing,you only have to go a couple of miles out & the water gets real deep real fast. 100-900 lb. Marlin…10-90lb.Tuna…Mahimahi…Wahoo. Ask general Mngr. James Kuwada or younger brother Tad Kuwada @ Flying Seafoods fish wholesaler) on the dock @ Honokahau Harbor which boats and capts. are the bestTell James Paul said howzit! Akaka falls on the Hilo side of the island(2 hr drive from Kona) South Point City of Refuge.(1-2 hr drive in the other direction) Hilo:East…Kona : West… Kamuela: North, beautifun up in the mountains, great restraunts. Aloha, Have fun!