No, I didn’t KQ this year (probably never will either!) but this August I’m going to Kona for a wedding. I’ll be flying from Vancouver. I have to be there for one week for the wedding, and am debating a second week either there, or maybe another island, or even a layover somewhere on the way home if I can find something convenient/cheap (Portland? San Francisco? LA?)
I’ve never been to Hawaii, and am mainly concerned about good areas to stay (will most likely be using airb&b), places to eat, I think I can find enough things to do on my own, and suggestions for my second week in terms of other places in Hawaii to go and how to get there (flights? boats?).
rent a kayak from the “illegal” kayak rental guy at Kealakekua bay and paddle over to captain cook monument - go early there are usually lots of dolphins in the bay. He’s a big Hawaiian guy who lives right at the end of highway 160 at the T in the road. He hangs out at Kealakekua park on a moped. Bring a bottle of water and snorkel gear. Don’t land you kayak on the beach. Avoid the guided trips in the bay - waste of money.
Go to Hapuna Beach, Mauna Kea beach, Kua Bay, and 69 beach. Very good snorkeling at the north end of Mauna Kea beach. Good snorkeling at 69 beach. Usually good waves at Kua Bay. Mauna Kea Beach you need to go fairly early and get a pass at the guard shack but the beach is amazing.
Go to Waipio Valley overlook or Pololu valley overlook. The last time we hiked down from the Pololu overlook to the black sands beach. About a 15 min hike each direction, even in flip flops after after IM. Just past Hawi on on your way to the Pololu valley in the town of Kapaau there is a little taco stand/building on the north side of road. Great fish tacos.
Eat at the Poke shack and Kona brewing
Volcanoes national park - don’t stop - get there explore then take your time coming home.
as for where to stay, I prefer a condo in Waikoloa Beach versus downtown Kona. We have stayed a few miles south of Kona at Keahou which is a little more relaxed and not the hustle and bustle of Kona but still easy access to the Queen K via Kam III or going into Kona for shops, etc. along Alii drive.
Got to rent a bike and ride the Queen K - Bike works or Cycle Station and swim one day at the pier.
As for other islands, Kauai is small and very tropical. Lots to explore from the grand canyon, north side of island is amazing, great trails up in Wailua or drop down into the Napali coast from the top of highway 550 or at the end of the road on the north side of the island. Kauai is the most scenic island. Traffic can suck at rush hour.
Maui is okay but avoid the NW side - too built up - stay down in Kihei or Wailea. Lot’s to see and do. Nice beaches
Oahu is okay - big city on water but there are really nice places on the north shore and NE sides of the island.
Molokai - been there twice and there is nothing but there are amazing beaches on the west end of island with nobody around. Some of the locals aren’t real big on tourists and our car got broken into. Great place to ride a bike from one end of the island to the other but it can be a little windy in the middle of the island . Very little in terms of restaurants and grocery stores. 4 wheel up to the highest sea cliffs in the world.
Me and my kids went backpacking from Waipio to Waimanu valley.
We hiked through the jungle, camped on the beach, ate wild guavas, and coconuts, body surfed huge waves, swam in pools at the bottom of 500 ft waterfalls (note plural).
We had the whole valley to ourselves 2 days.
Like something from a fairy tale.
There is so much to see on the Big Island and so much diversity that you won’t see it all in one trip. And extra week would help a lot.
If the wedding in in Kona I would plan to stay there for easy access to wedding/family associated events. There’s plenty to see around Kona with day trips south and north.
The list above is good. I would add Mauna Kea and Saddle Road site seeing, hiking, and even biking to the list.
To see a Volcano NP it really helps to spend at least one night at Volcano. It is just such a long drive from anywhere on the island. For seeing the rest of the island staying someplace like Waikoloa Beach Resort as mentioned by summitt will work fine. The Saddle Road offers very easy access to Hilo and the east coast. You could also plan to spend a day or two in Hilo to cut down on driving. The southeast part of the island in the Puna region is worth a visit too. The current volcanic activity is threatening to cut off access so we’ll have to see what happens the next couple months.
I’d recommend picking up the Hawaii Revealed Guidebook from Wizard Publications. This guide can’t be beat.