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Drunken knight said:
I've never been to the Big Island, but it is on my list of places I want to go. I've spent the most time on Kauai, which is one of my favorite places on earth, and I've spent a week in Maui, which was nice and fun. I've only spent a few hours in Oahu. That was mainly being at the airport and visiting Pearl Harbor. The Brady Bunch did it, so I figured I should too.
The last time I was in Kauai, I was going to go to the Big Island for a couple of days, but the weather was bad when we were supposed to go, and I didn't want to take a puddle jumper in bad weather. Flying makes me really nervous. I am scared of heights, because looking down gives me vertigo, but I think the biggest thing about flying is the anxiety that is built up from the fear. Anyway, I want to visit the Big Island.
I've never been to the Big Island, but it is on my list of places I want to go. I've spent the most time on Kauai, which is one of my favorite places on earth, and I've spent a week in Maui, which was nice and fun. I've only spent a few hours in Oahu. That was mainly being at the airport and visiting Pearl Harbor. The Brady Bunch did it, so I figured I should too.
Went to Hawaii for the first time in December and Kauai is where we stayed the entire time. Most beautiful place I've ever seen. Felt like we were on a half deserted tropical island with a ton of open countryside.
Oops, I hope I didn’t mislead you about CoC road. Admittedly, I’ve been spoiled living in HI almost 20 years, but the drive didn’t even register as anything special. Hopefully you got to see some molten lava at the end, as that’s the spectacular part imo.
Glad you liked Chain of Craters road. We liked it bc we felt like we had the whole park to ourselves there.Highlights...ummm, all of it. One thing we all really unexpectedly loved was Chain of Craters road in the Volcanoes National Park. I'd asked here if we should do it and got some meh responses, but it was our favorite experience in the park. Mr. krista said it was the most beautiful drive he had ever been on anywhere in the world (and we have been to 60+ countries together). It might seem meh if you're from Hawaii or something, but for anyone who isn't used to that scenery, it's amazing.
Man. I have a billion other highlights to mention but don't know where to start or end! Since you are you, I should mention the one and only winery on the island, Volcano Winery. Their wines are...not good! But, we bought a couple of bottles of their "Volcano Red" and their "Volcano Blush" because I sensed they could make great sangria. And...yes! Super-amazing in sangria, or maybe it was because of all the rum we added.
Agreed. I only go to Maui because family is there. I went to Kauai in the summers as a kid. It’s an amazing place. I’ve never been to the big island. I really want to go and see the lava.
Don’t get me wrong. Maui is super awesome.
i agree. i've been there many many times. the bamboo forest in hana is AMAZING. as is the rest of hana. but it's a biiiitttttttttccccchhhhhhhhh to get to. same for Haleakala IO valley awesome. north west side is great. it is still HI.
I love Maui. The drive to Hana can be the most beautiful drive in the world for passengers. lol. Chain of Craters is other worldly surreal if you've never seen that type of landscape, but the trail atop the rim of Haleakala is literally another world. Cool winery up/down that road too. I could live happily in upcountry. Snorkeling La Peruse Bay beyond Mackenna is as good a snorkel as there is anywhere I know. Molokini is a really fun morning cruise and snorkel. The drive from Kapalua through the northwest to Kahalui is also just breathtaking the whole way. Some land prices there are really really tempting and unfortunately it is developing.
agreed on all counts! i'm always the driver
i've dived molokini we like upcountry as well. and i mentioned the northwest
Anyway, Merriman's will definitely be on the agenda next time.
Yeah, Kalalau Valley is awesome from above. It’s even better to hike to it via the Kalalau Trail, and I’ve heard accessing it from sea is spectacular, too.
Since you’ve been to the other islands, you could consider a day or two on Molokai. Papohaku Beach is the widest swath of white sand you’ll find in HI, Halawa Valley and the sea cliffs are phenomenal, and Kalaupapa (former leper colony) is a moderate hike with historical interest.
Is Molokai a tiny plane ride to get to, or a decent-sized jet? I have a family member who has sworn off the tiny prop planes for now (until I force it upon him again).
I think it’s all larger prop planes from Oahu. I’ve never seen big jets at the airport, but I don’t really pay attention.I'm a little Hawaii-obsessed right now.
No, the planes are much bigger than that. If it’s too small, there’s a ferry from Maui.A prop plane is fine, but I'm just talking about not getting on a plane that seats four or six as we have sometimes. I'll check it out
Think our next trip is just the big island - actually I've already booked it for April-May next year - but we might do a one-day to see Pearl Harbor. I know my mom and her husband would be interested in it. Hell, I'm interested even though I've been before, too. But I'm already thinking 2024 and heading to Maui or Kauai, and I thought a day or two on Molokai could be fun based on what you'd written. I have time to figure that out.
What people have said about hiking in Kauai is true. It is great. You would love it. I think you would love it there in general. It is so beautiful, and just a very laid back vibe.
We did it in October. It's very windy at the end for quite awhile. We also did it in 1984. Don't think I'll ever do it again. Just wasn't that big of a deal this time.
How difficult?
No. Not at all. It’s just long and tedious. When you go, call me and I’ll giv3 you detailed directions to the bamboo forest. It’s f’ing magical. And off the beaten path. Less people.
It’s pretty gross if you time it wrong, as touristy traffic on a narrow, curvy road can be horrendous. Go really early am or late afternoon, depending on how many side hikes you wanna take. The Pipiwai trail is excellent - it’s probably the bamboo forest Da Raiders references above.
I think so.
It’s not nearly as long, but I believe it is the widest white sand beach in HI.
It not bad, but often muddy and involves a couple thousand feet of elevation gain. Not something for a 73 year old.
One of my favorite days ever, just more long, winding drives than you’d like along the way. We started at the crack of dawn and only made a handful of stops along the way (banana bread stand, waterfall swim, black sand beach etc), did the 3 mile hike through the bamboo to the waterfall at the end (the “pools” were closed that day so we couldn’t even see that, details are hazy as this was 8 years ago). Beautiful drive, fun hike, was so cool to just stop and swim….but it was still dark for the end of our drive back, which I would not recommend. So, you should either spend a night in Hana or start at dawn!
Pretty difficult coming back. Depends on what kind of shape they're in. Basically 3.5 miles downward to the cliffs, which is the easy part, and then 3.5 back up, which is not easy.
I haven't been there lately, but there weren't a lot great lodging options at the end of the road. If you can find a place to stay, driving to Hana at the end of the day, and re-doing it in reverse at a more leisurely pace (starting early) is good advice.
that's a nice tip. when we go boating with a captain, that's usually what we tip. i don't tip my BIL crapolla when he takes us to the coolest places in hana. i do end up buying dinners, which are way more than a $100. maybe i should start tipping him instead!
We cancelled the road to Hana tour in lieu of surf lessons. We may do part of the Hana drive ourselves but we will see.
Debating hitting it up today or tomorrow
VAN/VONA - Mauna Loa RED/WARNING - Eruption within Moku‘āweoweo, the summit caldera
At approximately 11:30 p.m. HST this evening, November 27, an eruption began in Moku‘āweoweo, the summit caldera of Mauna Loa, inside Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. At this time, lava flows are contained within the summit area and are not threatening downslope communities. Winds may carry...www.usgs.gov
Lots of seismic activity over the past months and now Mauna Loa has erupted. Appears it can be seen from Kona, however, this is still considered a summit eruption in a remote area. Current local opinion is keep your normal daily plans, but monitor the situation, and have a plan for evacuation if needed. Voluntary evacuations have been put in place and evacuation centers in Kona and Pahala set up. Largest active volcano in the world and last erupted about 38 years ago. We were just on the Big Island in April.
For those interested, there are a couple of local news apps (such as Hawaii News Now and KITV4ABC) you can download (at least Apple Store) that you can stream for updates.
VAN/VONA - Mauna Loa RED/WARNING - Eruption within Moku‘āweoweo, the summit caldera
At approximately 11:30 p.m. HST this evening, November 27, an eruption began in Moku‘āweoweo, the summit caldera of Mauna Loa, inside Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. At this time, lava flows are contained within the summit area and are not threatening downslope communities. Winds may carry...
Lots of seismic activity over the past months and now Mauna Loa has erupted. Appears it can be seen from Kona, however, this is still considered a summit eruption in a remote area. Current local opinion is keep your normal daily plans, but monitor the situation, and have a plan for evacuation if needed. Voluntary evacuations have been put in place and evacuation centers in Kona and Pahala set up. Largest active volcano in the world and last erupted about 38 years ago. We were just on the Big Island in April.
For those interested, there are a couple of local news apps (such as Hawaii News Now and KITV4ABC) you can download (at least Apple Store) that you can stream for updates.
Thank you so much for this. Read this morning about the eruption and was trying to figure out what to do with our late April/early May plans. I know, that's a long time from now, but we were about to make our flight reservations and are not sure what to do (have had our accommodations booked for a few months). Guess we'll wait a week or so. Hope the activity will remain isolated, not for the sake of our vacation but for the residents' sake.
Yes, several flights have been cancelled.VAN/VONA - Mauna Loa RED/WARNING - Eruption within Moku‘āweoweo, the summit caldera
At approximately 11:30 p.m. HST this evening, November 27, an eruption began in Moku‘āweoweo, the summit caldera of Mauna Loa, inside Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. At this time, lava flows are contained within the summit area and are not threatening downslope communities. Winds may carry...
Lots of seismic activity over the past months and now Mauna Loa has erupted. Appears it can be seen from Kona, however, this is still considered a summit eruption in a remote area. Current local opinion is keep your normal daily plans, but monitor the situation, and have a plan for evacuation if needed. Voluntary evacuations have been put in place and evacuation centers in Kona and Pahala set up. Largest active volcano in the world and last erupted about 38 years ago. We were just on the Big Island in April.
For those interested, there are a couple of local news apps (such as Hawaii News Now and KITV4ABC) you can download (at least Apple Store) that you can stream for updates.
Thank you so much for this. Read this morning about the eruption and was trying to figure out what to do with our late April/early May plans. I know, that's a long time from now, but we were about to make our flight reservations and are not sure what to do (have had our accommodations booked for a few months). Guess we'll wait a week or so. Hope the activity will remain isolated, not for the sake of our vacation but for the residents' sake.
There still would be a concern related to flights due to the ash/glass blown into the atmosphere. A co-worker is supposed to go to Hawaii next week . . . .
Just catching up on the eruption news. It’s too early to say, but most eruptions are short-lived. Even the 2018 Kilauea eruption, which was pretty bad for the southern parts of the island, only lasted 4 months. April/May seems like plenty of buffer.VAN/VONA - Mauna Loa RED/WARNING - Eruption within Moku‘āweoweo, the summit caldera
At approximately 11:30 p.m. HST this evening, November 27, an eruption began in Moku‘āweoweo, the summit caldera of Mauna Loa, inside Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. At this time, lava flows are contained within the summit area and are not threatening downslope communities. Winds may carry...
Lots of seismic activity over the past months and now Mauna Loa has erupted. Appears it can be seen from Kona, however, this is still considered a summit eruption in a remote area. Current local opinion is keep your normal daily plans, but monitor the situation, and have a plan for evacuation if needed. Voluntary evacuations have been put in place and evacuation centers in Kona and Pahala set up. Largest active volcano in the world and last erupted about 38 years ago. We were just on the Big Island in April.
For those interested, there are a couple of local news apps (such as Hawaii News Now and KITV4ABC) you can download (at least Apple Store) that you can stream for updates.
Thank you so much for this. Read this morning about the eruption and was trying to figure out what to do with our late April/early May plans. I know, that's a long time from now, but we were about to make our flight reservations and are not sure what to do (have had our accommodations booked for a few months). Guess we'll wait a week or so. Hope the activity will remain isolated, not for the sake of our vacation but for the residents' sake.
