Hawai’i Travel Guide

The island of Hawai’i – not to be confused with the name of the state that it resides in - is a lush area of geological wonder, a place born from such time and scale that it contains nearly every one of Earth’s ecological zones.  By no coincidence does this also make The Big Island (as it’s referred to by locals to avoid confusion) one of the most sought after Hawaiian destinations for those after the full breadth of adventures Hawaii has to offer; be it sunbathing on pristine white sand beaches, free diving in coral reefs, hiking through verdant rain forests, or gazing into the heavens from subarctic mountaintops.

The differing Big Island climates are fairly stable year-round.  Generally, it’s cooler the further you move up and inland, and wetter on the windward north and east coasts.  The Kona Coast to the west is always sunny and typically hot, though only a few miles upland and into coffee country finds the air brisk and considerably cooler.  On the eastern coast, Hilo is notoriously wet and has an average annual rainfall in excess of 100 inches.  Your best bet for finding discount airfare to Hawai’i is going to be from mid-September to mid-December, just before the “winter rush” from the mainland.

The Big Island is full of stereotypical resorts, but there are also many great Bed and Breakfast type lodging options, as well as vacation rental homes and small operator hotels.  The Guest Cottages at Volcano Tree House is one of the more notable B&B’s on the Big Island, where Ohias grow up through and converge around this rustic establishment.  If you’re tastes run more to the luxurious, the Hapuna Brach Prince Hotel is virtually unbeatable when it comes to high-end resorts.  No matter where you choose to stay, it will work in your favor to review a map of the island and plan your trip out prior to making reservations.  Think about the activities, sightseeing and dining you’ll want to experience to get a feel for the proximity needed for your accommodations.

The Big Island certainly has no shortage of the usual array of sub-tropical island activities.   Some of the world’s best snorkeling can be had here; go to Kona Boys to get your gear and some pointers on the best places to jump in.  The Kona (west) side has the majority of the best snorkeling, although Puna is also reported to have some excellent sites.  Locals favor going to the Kona side in the morning, and in the afternoon to Puna, where conditions are clear and calm at that point in the day.  As one might imagine from a place whose local economy is hinged on tourism, The Big Island has a tour company for every possible tourist endeavor.  Helicopter volcano tours, horseback tours, cycling tours, and many world-renowned SCUBA diving tours are just a small sampling of what can be added to your Hawai’i vacation.

Renting a car is a great way to see the island, although renting one with four wheel drive is certainly ideal.  Many of The Big Island’s finest sights are only accessible by 4WD on unpaved roads.  The larger rental agencies actually disable the 4WD feature on their cars, as it is stated in the rental contract that you are prohibited from driving on unpaved roads (as well as some of the four wheel drive only roads).  That being said, it’s up to you as to whether you violate the terms of the contract; as long as you are careful and sensible about it you’ll likely be fine. Just don’t forget that you’re on your own if you get in trouble while violating the rental agreement.  Harper Rentals does have four wheel drive vehicles that are allowed by contract to drive on unpaved roads, you simply have to pay (a lot) more for that right.  Getting around Hawai’i by bus, bike, or on foot is a good option should you be staying in one area.  Otherwise there is limited bus service to the opposite side of the island, and requires reservations as it is on a minimal set schedule.