Kona: 4 nights
Flew into Hilo (Big Island), rented a car and drove to Kona (Big Island)
Got groceries at Costco for our VRBO.
Tips:
Hawaii has amazing produce at roadside stands, but we were warned not to buy our produce at the stands due to rat lungworm disease. Yikes, sounds awful.
VRBO: Ko’u hale o kou hale was where we stayed and what a beautiful view. Sunsets and whale watching along with dinner on the porch. Just beware you’ll need earplugs because the waves crashing on the rocks are LOUD.
www.vrbo.com/1291458?adultsCount=4&noDates=true&unitId=1842606
Used the Gypsy app to explore the area in our rental car. Started by driving south.
Adventures:
- Kekaha Kai State Park- Kua Bay Side. Located on northernmost stretch of the park’s coastline. Beautiful bay.
- Royal Kona Coffee Center. Lots of coffee samples. There is a small lava tube on the grounds you can walk through. Staff was very friendly and informative.
www.royalkonacoffee.com/visit/
- The Painted Church built 1842 is presently located in Honaunau (Gypsy app will guide you there). It’s a one-of-a kind. Visitors allowed Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, 9:30am-3:30pm. The paintings inside the church were done to teach people the bible since most couldn’t read or write. It is still an active church.
Next day we drove north with our Gypsy app guiding us.
- Pololu Valley Lookout. Scenic view but there is a steep path leading to the beach. We only went part of the way. Beautiful area.
On way out stopped at a roadside stand called Fresh off the Grid. Good eats.
In downtown Kona had supper at Kai Eats and Drinks. Sat outside on the water and had pizza. Very good. www.kaieatsanddrinks.com/
If you find roadside places to eat, stop and eat.
Volcano National Park: 1 night
On way from Kona to Volcano National Park stopped at Miranda Farms. Did a coffee tasting and bought some delicious coffee beans. www.mirandasfarms.com
Time it right and do a must stop at Punalu’u Bake Shop to have a local bite. If it’s not time for lunch, be sure and grab some delicious pastries for later in the day. Can be very crowded so an early lunch will work. It’s about 15 minutes from Miranda Farms on the Hawai’i Belt Rd. www.bakeshophawaii.com
Next stop was Punalu’u Black Sand Beach. Again, your Gypsy app will tell you how to get there on your way to Volcano National Park. It’s a gorgeous black sand beach and largest on the big Island.
Tips:
Skip the Volcano Winery. Not worth the $15 wine tasting.
Head into Volcano Park to the Kilauea Visitor Center.
Adventures:
- Ha’akulamanu (Sulphur Banks) Trail is interesting. 1.2 mile round trip from visitor center. Easy walk.
- Walk Thurston Lava Tube just so you can say you did it.
Use Gypsy app to explore the rest of the park during the day. I’d recommend not staying in the park. See what you can during the day and then drive to Hilo (your next stay) using your Gypsy app. You can drive back in the evening and hopefully see an active volcano. About an hour drive.
Tips:
Be sure to ask the ranger if the volcano is active while in the park. Very impressive to watch the eruptions under a dark sky full of stars.
Hilo: 3 nights
No recommendation on our VRBO.
Adventures:
- Skip Rainbow Falls and Boiling pots
- Akaka Falls State Park. Cost is $5 per person but remember this money is used to preserve our parks. The falls in the park are impressive. It’s an easy-to-follow loop with viewpoints along the way. dlnr.hawaii.gov/dsp/parks/hawaii/akaka-falls-state-park
- Lavaloha Chocolate Farm tour. Need I say more. (Lots of fun. Need reservation)
- Waipi’o Valley Lookout. Don’t miss. Breathtaking views.
www.gohawaii.com/islands/hawaii-big-island/regions/hamakua-coast/waipio-valley-lookout
Pineapples Restaurant in downtown Hilo has good food and Mai Tai. We liked it so much we ate there twice. I guess by now you can tell I really like Mai Tais. www.pineappleshilo.net
More good Hawaii info: