Wondering if the Kona vets or Hawaiian locals could chime in on recommendations of tourist things to do after the race. I’ve heard that there are some great outdoorsy things to do on the Big Island (volcanos, etc.) so my wife and I will stay in Kona and relax and do those things until the Wednesday. Before heading back up North I was wondering about some of the other Islands.
We will likely fly through Honolulu, is it worthwhile to spend a few days on Oahu?
Thanks!
fly “island air” to Moloka’i, visit our coffee plantation, and hike down the trail to Kalaupapa. The history of the colony there is powerful and puts things in perspective. Plenty of other things to see on Moloka’i as well…be it on the water, beach, or mountains. No tourists on Moloka’i…just a few visitors.
Albert
Just what I am planing to do! Molokai! Have been to the other Islands and this time it´s molokai. Will look at your site, that sounds very interesting!
Axel
fly “island air” to Moloka’i, visit our coffee plantation, and hike down the trail to Kalaupapa. The history of the colony there is powerful and puts things in perspective. Plenty of other things to see on Moloka’i as well…be it on the water, beach, or mountains. No tourists on Moloka’i…just a few visitors.
Albert
Spend the next six weeks training for Ultraman Hawaii.
There are tons of things to do both on the big Island and on the other Hawaiian Islands. Strange thing is many fly in for the race in Kona and then leave, never stepping outside the town.
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A drive down to the Volcanos is a must. Stop off at South Point on the way down there or back. There is also a small cove with Sea Turtle colony somewhere alomng that same road and you can go out and swim with the turtles if you like.
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Drive up to the Observatory on Mauna Kea. Not sure if they let rentals up from the saddle road, but it’s worthwhile checking out. At the top you will be standing on the tallest mountain in the world - just over 30,000 feet from the sea-bed to the summit.
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Hiking down and into the Wapaio Valley north of Kona. Spectacular views. Post race legs may not be able to handle this.
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Just drive around the Big Island. Of the recognized 32 Clima-zones on the planet, you will find 30 of those Clima-Zones on the big Island. A 30 minute drive can take you from arid desert to tropical jungle to alpine meadow.
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Head up to Waimea - you will feel like you are in a western movie with Cowboys hearding grazing cattle on wide open plains
. . . then there are all the other Islands.
Some good suggestions so far (except the one about Ultraman!!)
I definately would like to make this trip more than just the race (although that will be the focus until the early evening of Oct. 13 )
Keep 'em coming!
Follow Fleck’s advice.
Call the Ranger hotline for information on the volcano and where it isa currently flowing.
There are tours up to the summit of Mauna Kea and I believe they stop at the Keck Observatories as well. Try Mauna Kea Summit Adventures. If you like snorkeling I would reccomend renting kayaks and driving down to Kealakekua Bay. Paddle across to Cook’s Monument. Take some frozen peas, the fish will eat out of your hands. If you’re lucky the dolphins will make an appearance (pretty good odds on that happening).
The volcano, plan for the whole day for the trip south though. Stop by the black sand beach on the way out there and stop by a coffee plantation on the way back.
Waipio Valley, basically drive to Hawi until the road ends, then walk to the View point. The walk down the beach it’s worth the 30 minutes it’ll take you. On the same day you can go the the Akaka Falls, on the Hilo side of the island. Have lunch in Waimea.
If you go to Honolulu and are into Mexican/Cuban/Caribbean food, go to Cha Cha Cha Waikiki, the best home made salsas, exotic burritos, and the best Margaritas anywhere in the Hawaiian Islands. 342 Seaside Avenue, Honolulu, HI
also, pre and post Ironman, Lava Java
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The place of refuge, and the coffee plantations. Waipaio valley.
OK, so if leave the Big Island on the Wednesday following the race, that will leave us Monday and Tuesday (Sunday may be a write-off!) to do a couple of day trips.
Is it a waste to fly over to Molokai for a couple of days before stopping in Honolulu for a day or two. Basically is a day or two enough to appreciate Molokai and Oahu. We are not big on laying on the beach but a little relaxation time is important.
Thanks!
Fleck’s list is a good one, also the Kona coffee plantation, the macadamia nut factory, and the volcano winery( my favorite)… There is a real working cattle ranch, with hawaiian cowboys and all, and some spectatcular ocean fishing if you are into that…Hilo is OK, but nothing really special…I agree that you should not leave the island, unless you have several weeks. With a week, you don’t want to spend it travelling and settling in all over again…
If you got the cash a helicopter or cessna caravan ride over the island is cool. Someone at the king kam can arrange this. I went to Maui and recovered there for a few days. US Arizona memorial is neat if you are into that. It’s hard to have a bad time at any island. Have fun.
Definitely Volcanoes National Park (call 808-985-6000 when you’re on island for eruption updates and park info). Lots of things to choose from–short or long hikes, through desolate lava trails or forested areas, drive then hike to the lava flow (might or might be able to send any lava flowing, depending on the day–night is usually better and more spectacular, but requires more planning, e.g., flashlights, good shoes, water, etc.). Tons of B&Bs (or the very lodge-y Kilauea Lodge–recommended over Volcano House, although warming up in front of the fireplace in the lobby of Volcano House could be a nice break) in Volcano area if you want to spend the night.
If you drive north from Kona to get there, you can stop in Waimea, Waipi’o lookout, pick up some malasadas at Tex Drive Inn in Honoka’a, Akaka Falls, then take the Onomea scenic route for the last stretch before you hit Hilo. In Hilo, check out the new 'Imiloa Astronomy Center in Hilo–fantastic planetarium–and eat at just about any of the restaurants in the old downtown section–Ocean Sushi highly recommended. Could make a detour to Pahoa/Kalapana en route to Volcano and drive along the coastal “red road” (which is no longer red)–part of the Ultraman course–and stop for some kava at a Hawaiian family’s low-key, backyard place where the road ends from the lava flows in the late 80s. If you drive south from Kona to get to Volcano, you can stop at the place of refuge, coffee plantations, Kealakekua Bay and Punalu’u black sand beach.
If you have the time, hiking down into Waipi’o valley is well-worth it. Easy hike but very steep and, as someone said, could be tough on the legs both up and down post-ironman. You can drive down, too, with a 4-wheel drive vehicle, but be careful–take note of the rusted out dead vehicles off the side that have gone off the road. Rental cars are OK on Saddle Road if you go up to Mauna Kea–road is gradually being rebuilt and realigned, with a new 6-7 mile section just opening up recently, but you’ll need 4-wheel drive to go from the visitor’s center (about 10,000-ft.) to the top of the mountain. Careful if you drive up to the summit–some visitors recently died when their jeep ran off the road.
Kaua’i is beautiful and peaceful, Maui a little more fast-paced and upscale, O’ahu generally urban (unless you drive out to the North Shore), with its city pros and cons.
Can also check out these websites for more info/details/ideas: http://www.eyeofhawaii.com/Activities/activities.htm
http://www.101thingstodo.com/
Have fun!
This is what I did after lavaman this spring:
Green Sand Beach at the southern point, Kohala Mountain Road between Waimea and Hawi and Kiholo Bay are three of my favorite spots on the Big Island.
The beach at Kiholo Bay is a particularly relaxing spot to get away from the hype before the race. It’s less than a mile hike from the Queen K. Kohala Mountain Road is one of the most beautiful roads on the planet IMHO and will get you out of the heat into a green, windy, often misty land that looks more like Ireland than a tropical island. Green Sand Beach is unique, but it’s about a 3-mile hike from the end of the paved road.
Albert,
That’s an exceptional suggestion. My wife and I honeymooned on Moloka’i and loved the island. We enjoyed hiking down and up from Kaluapapa, and even beat the mules (with only a 5 minute head start) on the way back up.
- Andrew
fly “island air” to Moloka’i, visit our coffee plantation, and hike down the trail to Kalaupapa. The history of the colony there is powerful and puts things in perspective. Plenty of other things to see on Moloka’i as well…be it on the water, beach, or mountains. No tourists on Moloka’i…just a few visitors.
Albert
Yeah, I’ve done the trail both on mule and on foot…I’ll take foot every time! Our Muleskinner label was inspired by the history of the mules, though.
Albert
I’d skip Oahu and fly directly into Kona. I see that you are also in Ontario. Last year we flew Detroit - Phoenix - Kona, and skipped the hassles of large airports in CA and Honolulu. There are also plenty of connecting flights to Kona from CA. Don’t fly Pearson - Vancouver - Honolulu - Kona even though it seems the most obvious route.
Walking across the lava fields at night to get to where the current flow is entering the ocean is the most spectacular thing that I will ever do.
Dave
Hell yeah, what Albert said… and for kicks… before you head out there… read James Michner’s “Hawai’i”
Need a speed suit for your Kona swim? Give me a shout. Trying to figure out who my buddies at the front are going to be this year. 