Hawaii (Big Island) recommendations (XP)

kimberly0315

Hi.  So we are getting married in Maui next March.  We will be there for 4-5 days after our wedding so we can spend time with guests and then we were thinking of going to the big island because FI would like to see the volcanoes and we'd like to have some time out.  Has anyone been there?  Any recommendations?  We will probably be there 4-5 days and we will have our daughter (will be 2.5 years old) with us.

Cheers.

(I posted on other boards as well because I wasn't sure the best place)

CMGragain

If your FI is expecting to see red lava flowing, he will probably be disappointed.  The Hawaii Volcano National Park would close if there was any such threat to visitors.  This type of eruption only occurs every few years for short times.  Usually, you can see the volcanoes with smoke and gas coming out from a safe distance at the visitor's center.  Fascinating experience as long as your expectations are reasonable.  Last January when we were there, there wasn't much to see.
Here is the website for the park:  http://www.nps.gov/havo/index.htm
The Big Island is less touristy than Maui.  Best souvenir shopping is at Walmart.  They have a special section for locals and tourists with great stuff for gifts.  Kona coffee and macadamia nuts are best purchased there.  Most other "Hawaiian" souvenirs are made in the Philippines, no matter where you buy them.  I did find a genuine "made in Hawaii" muu-muu at Walmart for less than the price at touristy Hilo Hatties.  All the cruise ship crews shop there.  Tee shirts are a super bargain!
There is a quaint flower market in old Hilo with  fruits and flowers, but you can't take them to the mainland with you.  Don't buy a pineapple there.  They don't grow them locally.
For beautiful scenery, I recommend Kauai.  They film lots of movies there because of the gorgeous views.  (South Pacific, Jurassic Park, Raiders of the Lost Ark).  You need a helicopter or small plane to appreciate it, though.
Enjoy your trip!

crltx

I live on Oahu (military) and have been to Maui, the Big Island and the end of this month Kauai. First off let me say that Maui is by far my favorite so far! It was exactly what you think of Hawaii as being...at least on the side near Hana. I stayed away from the town because I wanted the experience of peace.

For the big island if you have a 2.5 yr old I wouldn't recommend taking her to the park. There are signs everywhere saying that small children, elderly and prego women can be harmed from the fumes. It was cool to see the petroglyphs out there. But again...dangerous fumes that made me even light headed. As far as seeing lava. Recently the lava tube broke so there is no lava flowing anywhere you can see. It used to run into the ocean and you could take a boat and see it...not anymore. Now you have to take a helicopter. I opted not to do that. We just went and saw the "glow" at night instead. As far as "what to do" there...The big Island is...big. Everything is very spread out. It takes half a day just to drive from one town to another. Meanwhile most of it is just volcanic rock. There is the Kona Coffee tours, Donkey balls chocolate factory, the green sand beach is there (only 2 or 3 in the world but you have to hike a very hot 6miles to get there or pay a local to take you), the manta ray snorkel (which was cancelled for us due to being "too windy") , the black sand beach is there but the one on Maui is SO Much better,  Pu'uhonua O Honaunau National park. I would say those are the highlights.

The big island was not my favorite of the islands. Maui like I said has been my fav so far. And from all my other military friends here they love Kauai the best. Its called the "garden isle" they too have the coffee and, glass sand beach, queens bath, more gardens than anywhere etc. Good luck!

daria24

The Big Island is my favorite island, but most of the stuff I recommend is not good for a 2.5 year old. 

The lava changes all the time, so you really have to check the reports the day you are there. A few months ago our crews were walking right to the flow (from the Hilo side) but that has stopped for now apparently. There are a bunch of lava hike tours-you can always give them a call now, before you book your trip, and see what they are saying. 

I love the green sand beach, but it's not toddler friendly. You have to climb down a cliff to get to it, and the waves are full force. 

Hapuna beach is probably your best bet as a family-long stretches of sand, very calm water. 

You can go up to Waimea and check out the paniolos, which are Hawaiian cowboys. There are a bunch of ranches up there and they are very kid friendly. 

The black sand beach at Punaluu is the we went to, and there are a few sea turtles that are always parked on the sand. It was much cleaner than the one we went to on Maui.

Everyone's opinions about Hawaii are different. I for one, hated Maui. I found it over developed and like Disney's version of Hawaii. I loved the raw and rugged nature of the Big Island. I do think that Kauai might be a better option though with a toddler. 

crltx

Maui is over devolped on the side by lahaina. Stay anywhere by Haiku and you wont see anything but a small town once in awhile and tropical forests 

kla728

We did a cruise around the Hawaiian islands last year and got to see 4 islands. I honestly didn't love Maui, we were in the Kahului area though which is crowded, touristy, and has short/rocky beaches. I suspect PPs are correct in their comments that the Hana side is much nicer. Also... Road to Hana is a must do if you think your 2.5 yr old can handle a bumpy drive. This is the #1 thing I wish we had done. Loved both Hilo and Kona on the big island. Highlights were a trip up one of dormant volcanoes to watch the sunset and a visit to the Hawaiian Tropical Botanical Gardens (http://www.htbg.com) where we got engaged. Loved Kauai as well and would recommend you consider a day or two there.