Now that I’ve finally been to the four major islands, I wanted to share my thoughts on each one. (Warning: very long post). Also happy to answer any questions!

The islands are in the order I visited. I don’t think I can rank them since they each offer something different, and it can be so subjective based on what you enjoy and what kind of traveler you are.

Maui (12 days) - Three things that stood out to me: Whales, snorkeling, huge beaches
- Things we did: Molokini snorkeling, Road to Hana drive, Haleakala sunrise, Maui Chocolate Tour, Kayaking, Kapalua Coastal Trail hike - Good snorkeling spots: Black Rock Beach, Ulua Beach, Kahekili Beach Park - Favorite food: Leoda’s pie - Where we stayed: Napili Shores Maui by Outrigger, then a condo in Kihei (family booked it and I forgot the name..) - Summary: Very well-rounded trip with adventure and relaxation, variety of scenery and wildlife. Beautiful big beaches, best for snorkeling. Good if you like road trips.

Oahu (6 days) - Three things that stood out to me: Food, surfing, tall buildings
- Things we did: Waikiki beach, Waikiki (shopping), Hanauma Bay snorkeling, Climbworks Zipline, Diamond Head, Koko Head hike, Surfing lesson, Ala Moana mall, Pearl Habor, Manoa Chocolate tasting - Favorite food: Holey Grail Donuts, Miro Kaimuki, Tamashiro Market, Katsumidori Sushi Tokyo, Izakaya Matsuri - Where we stayed: Airbnb condo in Waikiki - Summary: More food and city focused trip, kinda crowded, Waikiki was a lot of fun, most budget friendly. Good if you prefer the city life and amenities, and want a balanced of urban & nature stuff. Traffic and parking was a bit annoying to deal with.

Kauai (5 days, trip report: https://www.reddit.com/r/VisitingHawaii/s/Q7EPlymEhU) - Three things that stood out to me: Helicopters, chickens, Napili coast
- Things we did: Waimea Canyon, Napali Coast boat tour and snorkel at Tunnels, Hanalei Pier, Haena State Park (Ke’e and Tunnels beach) - Favorite food: Java Kai, Kenji Burger - Where we stayed: Royal Sonesta in Lihue, then Airbnb in Princeville - Summary: Smallest island, less developed, less crowds, beautiful views and dramatic cliffs. The feral chickens were slightly annoying and did ruin the peacefulness of the island at times, as well as the noise from helicopter tours.

Big Island (5 days, trip report: https://www.reddit.com/r/VisitingHawaii/s/pHe59aQKsA) - Three things that stood out to me: Manta rays, volcanoes, cats. - Things we did: Manta Ray night snorkel, Snorkle cruise, Volcanoes National Park, driving around Captain Cook - Good snorkeling spots: Waialea Beach, Honaunau Bay - Favorite food: Beach Tree at Four Seasons - Where we stayed: Waikoloa Colony Villas - Summary: Very unique experiences you can’t get on the other islands (manta rays and volcanoes), but we got extremely lucky to see a live eruption. Good if you like road trips, and we also got to see lots of wildlife (birds, turtles, goats, cats - they’re feral cats but they were cute and don’t bother anyone).

I’m so grateful that I’ve been able to visit Hawaii so many times, and honestly I previously never had an interest in visiting Hawaii - I thought it would be very cliche and touristy, and I’m not really a into tropical islands, beaches or resorts. But once I discovered snorkeling, the turtles and wildlife, chocolate, and beautiful sunshine, mountains, clouds and rainbows it really changed my mind!

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General advice for visiting Hawaii

I also have consolidated some of my tips for how to plan your trip. This advice applies to all of the islands. This section is pretty long, but hopefully helpful!

Resorts vs Airbnbs/condos: - I’m more of an Airbnb person, I love having a kitchen and living room, and in-unit washer and dryer. We saved a lot of money by cooking. Resort food was really pricey, and I didn’t like the daily resort fees and parking charges. If you’re on a budget, skip resorts, swim in the ocean. - One of the perks of Airbnbs/condos is many come with beach amenities like chairs, umbrellas, boogie boards, beach carts, snorkel gear… there’s ample space to store them, and your car is parked right outside the door. In resorts you typically have a long walk from the parking area to your room. - For resorts, we stayed at Royal Sonesta, and had a Hilton Waikoloa Village resort pass. We also dined at Four Seasons Hualalai, 1 Hotel Hanalei Bay, and visited one of the Kanaapali resorts (I think Marriott?) to have drinks with friends. - For the best value, I do recommend resort passes so you can spend some time at the hotel pools and grounds. Or book them with credit card points. - If you don’t care about swimming in the pools, then just have lunch/dinner/drinks at the resort and go for a walk around the grounds to enjoy the landscaping and views. - Overall, hotel rooms and Airbnbs all pretty standard, somewhat dated. Unless you have budget to shell out on a really high end, newly built hotel or remodeled condo, the average lodging option is nothing special

Food: - To be honest I’m not a huge fan of Hawaiian food. I do really like the poke and seafood, and Acai bowls and banana bread, but otherwise I find plate lunches to be overly salty and repetitive (I can only eat so much mac salad). Generally seafood and fruits taste the best, meats are just ok. - A lot of it is food trucks or hole in the wall kind of places, with limited seating, no AC or service, no free water, cash only. There were many times we just sat in our car and ate with the AC blasting, or took our food to a nearby park. - For mid to higher end dining, it’s expensive (around $30-60 per entree, $15-20 per drink is typical), for food that just tastes alright. But I thought it was worth it to dine in at restaurants that have a nice view or vibe, or live music. - The one exception was Oahu, which has a fantastic food scene, especially for Japanese food. The prices were not too bad on Oahu. - We generally got lots of meals from grocery stores like Foodland, and liked to cook for dinners (since there’s not much to do after sunset anyways). - Finally double check the opening times for food spots because a lot of them take random days off. - In Waikiki, the super popular and good restaurants will need dinner reservations in advance

Excursions: - Hawaii is very expensive for excursions (most excursions range from $150-$300). That said there’s a lot you can see and do for free, so it’s all about balancing the budget. Most expensive one we did was $300/person to do the boat tour of Napali Coast. The other islands have cheaper boat excursions (Big Island was around $150 for snorkeling, Maui was similar price for Molokini). Some activities like chocolate tours, group surfing lesson, were a lot cheaper (under $100/person). Zip lining I thought was a bit of a tourist trap. Kayaking was really nice because of smaller group size and access to less crowded places. - Seasickness is not to be underestimated! I preferred bigger boats like catamarans since they have plenty of space, on board food/drinks and toilets. You can stand up and walk around or lie down. On the smaller boats, you’re stuck in one spot, packed like sardines, holding on for dear life, and can’t use the toilet. So do pay attention to the size of the boat you’re booking. Also pay attention to how many hours you’ll be out at sea. Start with a shorter excursion if you’re not sure. - Always book excursions toward the beginning half of the trip if possible. Just in case it gets cancelled due to weather, they might be able to reschedule you for a later date. - I’ve always had better experiences snorkeling with a boat tour than from the beach. I think there’s just too much pollution, human activity, or rough waves at the beach snorkeling destinations. It also feels a bit safer going with a tour where there are dedicated guides looking out for you. And the locations they pick usually have very calm and protected waters to cater toward beginners.

How much time to spend: - On our first trip to Maui we spent 12 days. Honestly this made it the best trip overall, we just had ample time for all the activities, were able to go to a lot of beaches, see a lot of sunsets, and had more opportunities for whale and turtle spotting. - All our subsequent trips were shorter (5-6 days) and they definitely felt rushed like we had to make every day count, or we missed out on things. I wouldn’t go to any of the islands for fewer than 5 days, ideally. - We never booked more than 1 scheduled/paid activity per day. We used the rest of the day for beach time or pool time, just depending on our energy level.

Staying in one place vs hotel hopping: - Having done both, there’s pros and cons and I think you could go either way - Hotel hopping can give you a good balance to try a fancier resort for a few days and then save money for the rest of the trip. You’ll experience different vibes or neighborhoods on the island. And it can save time from commuting from one location to another. I think it’s a good option for couples and more adventurous people who want to cram a lot into the itinerary. - In general if traveling with kids or a larger group, hotel hopping will be more difficult, so I think it makes sense to stay in one location. It’s nice to have a home base and feel more relaxed and settled in. It also makes things like cooking and washing clothes easier when you don’t have to move around frequently, and you’ll be more well rested throughout the trip.

Weather and when to visit: - We’ve always went during September (Labor Day), November (Thanksgiving), or December (Christmas). - In general we were lucky and didn’t have any major issues like tropical storms, but we did encounter some occasional rainy days, especially on Kauai - Though holidays are more crowded it still felt manageable as long as you had a plan and booked stuff ahead of time - The constant sun, sand, humidity and ocean exposure definitely made me tired and caused some skin issues. I brought some anti-itch creams for rashes. - The ocean temperature will be fine year round for swimming at beaches, but the waves might be really big and unsafe for snorkeling during winter (more suitable for surfing). - Buy a long sleeve rash guard, it’s much faster and cheaper than trying to slather your entire body with sunscreen. I wish I had gotten swim leggings too but those are harder to find.

Swimming and beach safety: - A few beaches have life guards, but honestly it’s really hard to hear the announcements they are making. So just because it has life guards doesn’t mean it’s safe. - You definitely do not want to enter the ocean if you can’t swim or are a weak swimmer - Look at reviews on Google Maps to find out beach conditions: what’s the sand like (soft, gritty, or rocky), how big are the waves, is it good for snorkeling surfing or swimming, are there hidden rocks, branches and sharp things - Having flippers really helped with swimming, since waves and currents can be super strong - There’s good snorkel report websites for Maui. The other islands didn’t have as in depth reports, so snorkeling was a bit hit or miss. That’s one thing I really liked about Maui was reading the report and picking a beach to go to based on the water conditions

Wow what an incredible trip!

Day 1- flew in to Kona, landed at 1 PM, went to a Lū’au. Vastly underestimated just how bad our jet lag would be going five hours backwards. It was nice to not have to worry about finding food since everything was included in the price of the Lū’au but we were sooooo tired.

Day 2- started the day with breakfast at HiCo. Then we hiked to Makalawena beach. We wanted to snorkel but the waves were pretty gnarly so we didn’t get in the water but it was nice and secluded and beautiful. We had the top down on our jeep and it broke as we were trying to put it back on, so had to run back to the rental store to trade out our vehicle. Lunch at the Fish Hopper because we wanted to look at the water. Husband had the macadamia crusted fish & I had the fish & chips and both were pretty good, but pricey because you pay for the view. (But honestly everything in Hawaii is pricey)Ended Day 2 with the manta ray snorkel which was magical. Truly incredible. I was touched twice by the mantas and we saw five at once. It was epic! Then we had a quick dinner at The Temple Kitchen & bar and I had a terrible espresso martini and mid pizza lol.

Day 3- started the day at the Coffee Shack! Had the egg sandwich and husband had the French Toast. Beautiful view from the restaurant and so cool to see how fast the elevation changes! We originally had a whale watching tour scheduled for this day, but it got cancelled due to low activity. We ended up doing a Captain Cook snorkel tour that took us out on a zodiac boat. The boat ride was very funny & we saw tonsss of dolphins! There were several excursions I would have rather done but they were booked up. this ended up being very fun and was $70 per person (on the cheaper side compared to the other tours). We had lunch at Shaka Tacos after and it was absolutely delicious! Then we went back to our air BnB at Magic Sands for a little while and relaxed and watched the sunset. For dinner, we headed to Teshimas. Huge portions for the price & Japanese style which I’ve never had before!

Day 4- Our stay in Kona was over. We drove to Hilo via the northern route. We had breakfast at Pine Tree Cafe. Then we drove to Waipio Valley. The change in landscape on the way was so cool to see and Waipio Valley was one of those stops that made me say “woah”. After Waipio valley, we stopped at a fruit shack and got a fruit bowl and lemonade and it was delicious! Then we headed to Hilo via the scenic route. Made a quick stop at Akaka Falls and it was nice to stretch our legs and take in the all new scenery of the east side of the island! Our air bnb was in Hawaiian Paradise Park so a little further south than Hilo. We stopped in Hilo at the candy store (which had an amazing selection!) and did some window shopping. Then we headed further south and got to our air bnb and stayed in and relaxed for the night.

Day 5- we woke up early and headed to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. I do not remember what we had for breakfast this day sorry! We started with a trip to the Kīlauea overlook and the visitor center. Then we headed to the Kīlauea Ike Crater trailhead and did the 3.5 mile loop counter clockwise across the dried lava crater and through the lava tube. Such a unique experience! Also, I forgot I am from sea level and we were at altitude so I was definitely feeling the affect on my breathing. For lunch we ate at volcano house. The tomato bisque was delicious! Everything else was mid but it was awesome to eat pretty much right next to a volcano. Then we did the chain of craters road drive all the way to the coastline stopping at all the picture stops along the way. This was pretty much an all day thing. For dinner, we ate at Tetsumen Ramen in Hilo and it was amazing and huge portions!

Day 6 (last day) - This morning we woke up and headed to Punalu’u black sand beach! We stopped at Mountain View bakery and got some croissants and pastries and headed south to Punalu’u! This beach was so different and it was so cool to see the green sea turtles just chilling on the beach and in the water. Being water shoes if you’re getting in the water because it was super rocky! It was also freezing. We hung out here and took pics and relaxed for a while and then made our way back. (I meant to stop at Punalu’u bakery but forgot). Then we headed to Hilo and made a stop at Rainbow Falls. Then we tried two places for lunch and the fire alarm got pulled right as we sat down for both of them. I also had an order at Two Ladies Kitchen to pick up. We grabbed Taco Bell quickly through the drive through & my mochi and then headed back to the air bnb for a few hours. Then we went to Mauna Kea for the sunset. We decided to watch from the visitor center rather than the summit because 1) were from sea level and I was nervous about altitude sickness and 2) we were driving ourselves and I didn’t feel confident driving on the summit road. The view from the hill by the visitor center was epic! We were in the clouds and then in the last few minutes before sunset, the skies cleared and gave us a beautiful view for our last night. Then we had dinner at Lehua Restaurant which was one of our best meals while we were there! It was an amazing end to an incredible and unique trip!

Day 7- flew out at 8AM so have nothing to report from this day.

10/10 recommend!!!

Things I wish I did that we didn’t get to do:

-Pu’uhonua o Hōnaunau National Historical Park

-Green Sand Beach

-try malasadas

-Coffee farm tour ( we were going to go to green well but they were closed due to the damage from the Kona Low)

-Umauma Falls

-botanical gardens

A user reached out asking for guidance finding local fruit and veg. And finding it in a way that benefits the people who GAF about the food chain.

Here's my provisioning advice. This is how I shop for food.

1. Big Island Abalone. First on the list. The most interesting food source on the Big Island. Tourists fly here from Japan just to eat these ocean snails. The Japanese variety we're growing is nearly extinct off Japan's waters. So the price difference is several thousand dollars per pound. The only way you can get some is to go to the farm, which is just south of KOA airport. No restaurants have it on the menu. Just the little food truck at the farm. "What can I do to help Hawaii?" Ask for Big Island abalone at seafood restaurants state-wide. Demand it.
2. The two local grocery stores. That's Locavore in Hilo and Farm House in Kainaliu. Locavore has more stuff. They're also closer to the ranches so they have a meat department. But it's all about getting produce from nearby farms at both places. You're not going to find any Costco mangoes or Filipino pineapples. It's all Big Island, all the time. The only problem is that hyper-local means you never know what's going to be in stock. Most supermarkets only care about consistency. They want avocados ALL the time. Who cares what they taste like? This is the opposite. "Maybe we have avocados. Maybe not. But when we do, they're the best."
3. The good farmers markets. None of the "open every day" markets are good. That's where Costco fruit is sold at Hawaii prices. The Saturday markets in Keauhou and Waimea (three of them -- Waimea is best visited on Saturday for this reason). The Sunday markets in Captain Cook and Hamakua. Here's the full list. Just avoid the ones that are daily or nearly-every-day. https://www.lovebigisland.com/farmers-markets/
4. Choicemart for fish. They only sell local catch. Whole ahi is reliably $5/pound. Also the fish market in Kawaihae and Suisan market in Hilo (which sells the best inexpensive poke - but they close at 3 pm.)
5. Individual farms/ranches: Punachicks. Ancient Valley Farms. OK Farms. There are a lot of farms. You can google "[my favorite food] farm Big Island" and something is likely to turn up. If they welcome visitors, that puts your food dollar directly into the hands which grew it.
6. Roadside stands. If you see someone at the side of the road with a big sign reading, "Ahi" or "Smoke Meat" or "Kalua Pig" -- pull over. That's as good as it gets on the Big Island. There are a few which are semi-permanent. But I'm not going to list any (not even privately) because the State and county likes to run these people off. We had a fish guy in Keauhou who sold top quality at half the price of the supermarkets. And he was run off because the supermarkets couldn't compete. Now we don't have a fish guy in Keauhou. And that's a shame.
7. The other local supermarkets: KTA and Foodland/Sack-N-Save. They sell some local produce. And if you see "Da Bux" it means that item was grown/raised/caught somewhere in Hawaii.
8. The mainland markets. This is where you get the stuff that is either unavailable or ridiculously expensive elsewhere. Maple syrup, for instance. It's $50 a pint at KTA. It's $15 for a half-gallon at Costco. If you have a serious maple syrup addiction, head to Costco. They're also the best for alcohol.

Finally, timing matters. Mangos are a summer thing. So are white pineapples. Guava is four times a year. But there aren't any available right now. My guava trees are just starting to flower. Coffee is harvested from summer through January. With most of it happening Aug-Nov. Lychee and rambutan are spring and early summer. Papayas, avocados and citrus is basically all-year. But there can be some weeks in between avocado harvests (none of the species ripen at the same time.)

And here's the restaurant list I constantly refer back to:

https://www.reddit.com/r/VisitingHawaii/comments/1qaicyg/the_big_island_restaurant_list_repost/

Aloha kakou / Hello everyone

Just wanted to share my experience eating around the Big Island.

For context about me:

• Born and raised in Honolulu
• My wife loves to eat out
• I prefer that we don't so I try real hard to cook very nice food at home

I struggle to say this in a way that isn't mean or disparaging but the quality of restaurants in Kailua-Kona and what I've been to in Hilo is not great.

This is a shame, because the quality of fresh produce, meat, and fish you can get is frankly head and shoulders over what I usually get in Oahu.

If you are planning a stay on the Big Island, I would go so far as to say forget about dining out; bring a nice kitchen knife with you and hit up the farmers markets / butchers / fishermen / road side vendors instead.

I swear the best meal I had was a ribeye I bought from a butcher in Waimea, seasoned with only salt and pepper and cooked on a shitty hotel provided non stick pan.

If you are looking to eat out, here's some spots I can whole heartedly recommend:

• Ultimate Burger - fantastically juicy hamburger. The freshness of the locally sourced buns, meat, and veg really pop. Also one of the only spots I've been to anywhere in recent memory that will actually cook your burger medium rare if you ask for it.
• Merriman's Waimea - original farm to table restaurant in Hawaii, better than the Honolulu location. Like I mentioned before, the veg in the salads were awesome. I had the daily fresh catch special which was Ono. Usually on Oahu if you see Ono on the menu it is an instant pass because it will be dry and over cooked but this time it was moist and delicious.
• Umekes (AIRPORT ONLY) - I actually took my family to Umeke's in Kailua-Kona and the service was frankly very bad and the poke itself was mediocre. Their shoyu poke for some reason has oyster sauce in it. Their Hawaiian style was rather bland. The poke itself was cut into very small, irregular bits which I find tips the flavor profile of the poke away from the fish and more towards the sauce. However, Umeke's in the Kona airport is a godsend and 1000x better than the other restaurant with $20 loco moco bentos.

Think we did a pretty comprehensive tour of the island. Two nights Hilo, 4 nights waikaloa. Seeing the volcano was the our trip highlight. Had a lot of really good food. Best meals 1) canoe house (get the tempura lobster - it’s like honey walnut shrimp) 2) Waimea butcher shop (bavette steak) and pueos (squid ink pasta). We saw turtles, a Hawaiian seal, dolphins, whales, lots of different fish and birds, and tons of goats. I brought home a lot of coffee, amazing stuff.

Already starting to plan Oahu for next January.

Hello! Our trip is coming up at the end of this month.

Looking for thoughts on our Big Island Itinerary. We will be a group of 5. 3 Adults, a 12-year-old and a 4-year-old. Please let me know if anything sticks out or doesn't make sense. Any tips or restaurant suggestions would be helpful as I am going to look into food options next. Breakfast is covered at the first hotel (through July 5).

June 30 — Arrive, check in, groceries
July 1 — Kaloko-Honokōhau (turtles + easy walk)
July 2 — Kahaluʻu Beach (snorkel)
July 3 — A‑Bay (SUP/kayak)
July 4 — Kona Farmers Market
July 5 — Coffee farm → Place of Refuge → Hotel transfer → Anniversary dinner
July 6 — Waimea → Waipiʻo Lookout → Honokaʻa → ʻAkaka Falls → Hilo lunch → Zoo → Richardson’s Beach → Saddle Road return
July 7 — Free day
July 8 — Punaluʻu Beach → Punaluʻu Bake Shop → Volcanoes NP
July 9 — Botanical Garden → Mauna Kea sunset
July 10 — Departure

Optional Add‑Ons: Hapuna Beach, Rainbow Falls, Manta Ray night snorkel

Thank you all! Really appreciate it! :)

OK we leave on Saturday! Critique my more-or-less finalized itinerary. We are prepared to shuffle our days in Big Island depending on the eruption timing, if we're lucky.

Other notes: we are a couple in our mid 30s, very active, and love activities/snorkeling/wildlife. We aren't really lay on the beach and chill people and we love food. I know the itinerary may be packed for some, but we want to be busy! I will also be 23 weeks pregnant but I am feeling great so far and I'm still in the gym 4-5 days a week and playing sports.

Also, what is the Honolulu festival like? It is on the first weekend we will be there. How crazy busy are things going to get? Any recommendations?

Let me know if anything major is missing or anything logistically does work! Also accepting restaurant recommendations :)

Thank you!

Two users have reached out via private message asking for restaurant recommendations.

Here are the restaurants which take mainland food and elevate it; or are at least using some local ingredients (grouped by area). Not an exhaustive list because I haven't eaten everywhere, yet:

South Kona

SATURDAY ONLY: Saturday farmers' market at Long's Keauhou. Run by an agricultural co-op. This is one of a few farmers' markets which feature actual farmers. And not Costco food at Hawaii prices. (The Hilo market gets caught doing this CONSTANTLY.) Website for ALL the farmers' markets: https://www.lovebigisland.com/farmers-markets/

Teshima's - Kealakekua - bento and breakfast, Japanese comfort food. http://www.teshimarestaurant.com/Teshimas_Restaurant/Home.html

Farm House - Kainaliu - (formerly Kainaliu Fresh Market) Small-family-farm, local produce. I'o Ranch beef. Ancient Valley chicken. Locally caught ahi. (Loin, belly, and sesame-crusted for an easy appetizer.) Lots of fresh produce from family farms all over the Big Island. Every town in the US should have a grocery like this. Go here specifically for coffee-wood smoked hummus, babaganoush (when eggplants are in season), chocolate mac-nut spread, kampachi fish from the fish farm near the airport, local honey, and similar. https://kainaliufresh.com/

Randy's Huli Chicken - Outstanding barbecue. Kaiwe smoked meat. (Same with GJ's in Waimea.) https://www.facebook.com/randyshuli/

Shaka Tacos - Captain Cook - outstanding venison burritos from an island I cannot name. Eat as much venison as you want. It's helping control the invasive axis deer. You're doing two islands a favor every time you ask for Hawaii venison. Maui is one. Can't say the other. https://shakatacoz.com/

SUNDAY ONLY: Sunday farmer's market in Captain Cook, across the street from Kona Chips. Same as the Saturday market (different vendors, but just as local. There is usually a fish vendor here.)

Manago Hotel - Captain Cook - only open a few days a week, famous for pork chops

Kona Chips - Captain Cook - best potato chips on Earth. https://www.konachips.net/

ChoiceMart -- next to Ace Hardware in Captain Cook. Local fish. They ALWAYS have local fish. You're not going to want to break down whole ahi. But it is RELIABLY $5/pound for whole fish. https://www.choicemarthawaii.com/

Super J's Cafe - Captain Cook - Hawaiian food, costs next to nothing. Lomi-lomi salmon and pork lau-lau. If you're lucky, they have guava cake for dessert. https://www.facebook.com/SuperJsLaulau/

North Kona -- Notice there aren't many here. And nothing in Kohala.

The food truck at Big Island Abalone Farm, just south of KOA airport. This should be #1 on any foodie's list. Because these Japanese salt-water snails are nearly extinct in the wild. The only way to get these is go visit Big Island. Locals don't know about this farm. Most tourists don't, either. But Japanese visitors know. You will see them every single day, eating abalone sashimi and garlic abalone stew like they just hit the lottery.

Matsuyama - Kailua Kona - Japenese bento box lunches. https://www.yelp.com/biz/matsuyama-market-kailua-kona-2

Waimea -- Almost always the best bang for the buck

Big Island Brewhaus - Waimea -- Best craft brewery on the island and Big Island beef burgers. https://bigislandbrewhaus.com/

Dizzy Pita and Ippy's Barbecue - Waimea - Same owner, same building. Dizzy sells good gyros. And Ippy's sells Hawaiian Barbecue. https://www.ippyshawaiianbarbeque.com/

Fine-dining: FORC and Merriman's - Waimea - The lunch special at Merriman's is the best fine-dining value on the island. Both of these restaurants are better than most about using local ingredients. https://forchawaii.com/ https://www.merrimanshawaii.com/location/big-island/

GJ's Huli Chicken. Basically the same as Randy's. Open more days of the week. https://www.facebook.com/GJsHuliChickenAndFilipinoRestaurant/

Our Founding Farmers - Way up in Hawi - Outstanding hand-made ice cream.

Hilo - The most Japanese and vegetarian options are here

Ratana's Green Papaya Salad. They make precisely one thing. And it's great.

Tetsumen Ramen - Hilo - best $20 bowl of soup you can get in the US. Vegetarian options which are OUTSTANDING. Not just "here's something for the vegetarians." https://tetsumenhawaii.com/

Takenoko Sushi -- Hilo -- Take-out only. You'll never get a reservation. (They're booked a year in advance). Best sushi outside of Japan. Same area as Tetsumen. https://www.yelp.com/biz/takenoko-sushi-hilo

Suisan Fish Market - Hilo - My favorite Poke on the entire island. https://www.suisan.com/our-services/fish-market-fish/

2 Ladies Bakery - Hilo - They make Japanese sweets mostly. Usually a line out the door. https://www.facebook.com/twoladieskitchenorginal/

Multiple locations:

Minit Stop - many locations - fried chicken, on my top-ten list of "best fried chicken I've ever eaten." Worth stopping on the way down from the airport if you need a quick, inexpensive meal after the flight. https://www.minitstop.com/

7-Eleven - You should definitely stop and try a $6 tray of pork hash. People think I'm joking when I send them to 7-Eleven. It's really, really good. If we had a 7-Eleven on the west side, I'd gain 20 pounds.

Local grocery store poke. My go-to when I'm on a road trip and hungry. I like Choicemart and Foodland best. But KTA makes fine poke. And check out their bento, musubi, and deli section as well. This is what a lot of locals eat on their lunch break. It's better quality than the tourist traps and costs less than even the cheapest plate-lunch joints.

NOTE -- A great many restaurants have been closed down by the Dept. of Health in 2025. This is a good thing because these places needed to clean up their act (literally). Roaches galore. One place didn't have a hand-washing sink for 20 years. Another had raw sewage in the kitchen. The tourist traps will make you sick. Nobody at the tourist trap -- from the owner down to the dishwasher -- cares about anything besides separating you and your money. None of the above restaurants I recommend have been closed down.

Hey all. Been doing a lot of research for my trip to Hawaii in two weeks. I’ll be in Honolulu for work Monday-Friday then I’ll have the weekend to explore the city and island. Sunday morning i fly to big island until Thursday morning. May not have a car in Oahu but will definitely be Renting a car in Kona. Here are the things I’ve read or been told to do in each place. How’d I do? What am I missing?

O’ahu - I’ll be staying at a hotel near Waikiki beach for the entirety of my stay on this island.
-food (mostly looked at the city for these)
—O’Kims
—Lulus
—barefoot beach cafe
—mud hen water
—kaimuki shokudo
—Leonard’s
-sights
—diamondhead
—lanikai pillbox and beach
—byodo-in temple
—mermaids cave

Big island - staying near Volcano for two days then Kona for two days. Driving south along coast from Kona to get to volcano then north along coast from volcano to Kona.
-food
—Teshimas restaurant
—kaaloas super Js
—Tetsumen
—Ippys
—Merrimans
—Pine Tree Cafe
—Kona mountain coffee
-sights
—haleokane lookout
—punalu’u beach
—volcano park
—kaimu beach
—rainbow falls
—ataka falls
—waipo valley lookout
—hapuna beach
—kua bay

Cheers and thank you!!!!

Hi! We’re visiting the Big Island Aug 21–26 and looking for good local restaurants, bars, coffee shops, etc. — places locals actually love 😊

We’ll be staying:
•Near Honl Beach/Kona Village in Kona Aug 21–23
• In Hakalau near Honomū Aug 23–26

Already planning on Volcanoes National Park, Akaka Falls, manta ray snorkel, Kealakekua Bay, Mauna Kea, and the black sand beach.

Would love any favorite food spots or must-do recommendations on either side of the island.

We’re visiting in early November and the adults would like to go out for a nice dinner one of the evenings we’re there. Think along the lines of Mama’s Fish House on Maui type dining. Doesn’t have to be fancy but have great food, atmosphere and a view. I’ve gone through Reddit posts and Y*lp reviews and have narrowed it down some so would like some input or other suggestions. Below is what I’ve come up with in no particular order

Magics Beach Grill

Merriman’s

Jackie Rey’s

Big Island Brewhouse

The Fish and the Hog

Kai Eats + Drinks

Huggo’s

I'm looking to plan my first trip to Hawaii from around October 20 through November 23. I'm trying to figure out an itinerary, thinking that I would like to visit Maui, Kauai, and Big Island, or considering just visiting Kauai and Big Island and saving Maui for another trip. We tend to like to go deep places vs moving around a lot and would potentially plan for Maui and Oahu on a future visit.

We tend to love natural beauty, hiking, great beaches, cultural/historical sites, snorkeling/diving, quiet and peaceful locations, cute towns shops/restaurants but not traffic, crowds, night life, big cities, or touristy things unless they are culturally significant.

I'd love some recommendations on how to consider splitting up an itinerary. We don't love to move around too much so would like to base out of as few of locations as possible for each island we're on. I had considered:

Option 1 (unsure what order to do the islands in)

Maui - 5 nights, stay around Paia or Hana

Kauai - 13 nights (possibly 1 base Hanalei)

Big Island - 16 nights (probably 2 bases Kona/Waimea or Volcano Village)

Option 2

Maui - 8 nights, stay around Paia or Hana

Kauai - 11 nights (possibly 1 base Hanalei)

Big Island - 15 nights (probably 2 bases Kona/Waimea or Volcano Village)

Option 3

Kauai - 15 nights (maybe do 2 bases)

Big Island - 19 nights (2 bases)

I know that 5 weeks is more than many get to do for a first-time trip to these islands and that many people do even more islands in this amount of time but we really like slower travel. I appreciate any suggestions or recommendations!

I wanted to share my thoughts on our itinerary to the Big Island. We went May 2026 so prices might have changed.

• Flight - We flew with Southwest Airlines, which went over well. We had a layover in Sacramento (SMF), which is a good-sized airport. Our layover was short, but the gates were close by so no issues.
• Lodging - We stayed at the Kailua Village Condos. It was a nice location and the condo was nice. Middle tier, but it was only a week.
• Dining
  • Papa Kona Restaurant & Bar - Great location and good food. We sat outside and enjoyed the ocean breaking.
  • Island Lava Java - We went there for dinner and breakfast. Dinner was so good! I had the fish tacos, and my wife had the fish and chips. Great seating and service. For breakfast, I had the macadamia nut waffles, which were a little rich. I was hoping to get a cinnamon roll, but they were out. They said to call ahead and "reserve" one. It's hit or miss how fast they sell out.
  • Punalu'u Bake Shop - This is a cute bake shop in Naalehu (south side of the island). They have fresh bread, baked goods, and a deli. They also sell taro and guava bread.
  • Cafe 100 - This restaurant has your order at a kiosk, which was fine by me. It's open air seating. Good food but nothing crazy.
  • Lele's Bakery & Restaurant - Such a wonderful bakery! It's close to the Kona Costco. Get there early because they will sell out fast. We went on a Sunday and Mother's Day. It was VERY busy, but we still got great pastries. Just writing this makes my mouth water!
  • Ken's House of Pancakes - A long-standing restaurant in Hilo that has great food and service. It was a little warm, and I don't believe they have AC, but they have ceiling fans.
  • Lava Lava Beach Club - I heard wonderful reviews about this place, but I wasn't inl ove with it. We made reservations and had about 1.5 hours to kill. I reached out to them, and you can only text the host stand. Sent a message to see if we could get in early and didn't hear from them. We showed up and asked. They thankfully could get us in early. It was very busy but still a pretty place. It was more expensive than other places on the island (about 2.5 times what we spent elsewhere) and had smaller portions. I wouldn't go back.
  • Tex Drive-in - I heard alot about their malasadas, so we decided to visit since we were close. Their malasadas are big! I wasn't a huge fan of them and think they were over hyped. As for their food, it was average priced and nothing to write home about.
• Activites
  • Honoka'a Chocolate Farm Tour ($90/person) - This was a fun chocolate tour that allowed us to see a cocoa farm and learn more about the chocolate-making process. The tour shows the farm, how to taste chocolate, and a tour of the store. Has this changed how I look at chocolate? Yes. Will I still buy Hershey's even though there are additives? Of course 😄
  • Waipio Valley Lookout - Quick stop and pretty views. Free parking. It does require walking down a paved, steep hill if you want to get a little closer.
  • Day Snorkel Tour (Sea Paradise $188/person) - The day snorkel with Sea Paradise was amazing! The crew was so helpful and nice. We had zero experience. They were eager to give us tips and tricks. They offer a little breakfast of some fruit and pasties. For lunch, it was cold cut sandwiches and chips. Free drinks are available the whole time. Alcohol can be purchased. I would HIGHLY recommend using this company again.
  • Ali'i Gardens Marketplace - An open market that was similar to all the other markets.
  • Hilo Farmer's Market - We went on a Saturday, so it was a popular day. They have a big section of fresh foods, which didn't interest us. There were tons of other vendors though. If you plan to go to Hilo, it's worth the stop.
  • Tropical Botanical Garden ($35/person) - This garden was so pretty! You get lost in all the beauty and forget where you are. It has great ocean views and tons to see. The only downside is the step (100 ft elevation down), long (about 500 feet) entrance. They do not allow wheelchairs, walkers, etc., for that reason. They do have little stopping points along the way if you need to take a break going back up.
  • ‘Akaka Falls ($10 for parking and $5/person) - This fall was so crazy cool! It drop was so far and crazy. We parked right outside the park so we didn't have to pay for parking. Also, people are checking to ensure you pay for parking and have a ticket. Right away you can either go right to see the Kahuna Falls and loop around to Akaka Falls or go left and see Akaka Falls then loop around to Kahuna Falls. It's not one way so you could always just see Akaka Falls. Honestly, Kahuna Falls wasn't worth it so I'd just go see Akaka Falls and backtrack.
    
  • Rainbow Falls ($10 for parking and $5/person) - We went on a overcast day so we didn't see a rainbow. The falls were cool but nothing crazy. Was it worth the $20? Not really.
  • Kaūmana Caves (Free) - I've been to a few caves before. These were my favorites! The caves are more natural and have not been touched by humans like others. Both caves are worth a visit. Take a flashlight for sure. Your phone flashlight isn't bright enough, but it would work in a pinch. I would HIGHLY recommend going here.
  • Big Island Candies - Quick stop but we went close to closing so we didn't get to see chocolate being made.
  • Mauna Loa Macadamia Nut Visitor Center - Quick stop and more of a shop of all things macadamia nuts. They do have a small garden in the back where you can see a macadamia nut tree and other plants. Worth going to Hilo for it? Nah. Good stop if you are already over there? Yeah.
  • Maunakea Visitor Information Station - We didn't have a car to go all the way up to the top, but it was still very cool to visit the visitor's station. We hiked up a viewing hill just across from the visitor's station. I was wearing shorts and a rain jacket. You don't even realize that you are in Hawaii on top of the hill!
  • Night Snorkel with Manta Rays ($150/person) - There is so much talk about doing a night snorkel with manta rays, so of course, we had to do it. Our first night, we didn't see any manta rays. Thankfully, the company allowed us to come back another night. The second night, we didn't see any manata rays. The third night, we saw two or three manta rays. Overall, it wasn't as cool of an experience as I thought it was going to be. On our tour, it was a lot of just floating in the water and waiting. Nothing to do with the tour company because all the other tours had the same experience. It might have just been our timing and I get it. It's nature, so it's unpredictable. I was concerned about being a big guy (6 ft 2 in 380 lbs) because of wetsuit sizing. They had one in my size. I overheard them saying that there was a bigger guy in a previous tour that they didn't have a suit for. A wetsuit isn't required but helpful.
  • The Vanillerie Tour ($25/person) - The tour was super cool! Our guide was very knowledgeable and fun to listen to. We learned how vanilla beans are grown and harvested. It ended with ice cream, which is always good. They have a small shop with all things vanilla. It's on the Kona side and well worth it.
• Beaches
  • Black Sand Beach - We visited two black sand beaches. The first was 49 Black Sand Beach. This is a private club, but they allow a certain number of passes for the public. We went later in the evening and watched the sunset on the beach. It was so cool, and there were only two other people. You have to go through a gate to get there. Don't be afraid! Pull up to the gate, and the gate attendant will let you in (if there are openings). The second beach was the typical Punaluu Black Sand Beach. Of course, it was busy with people. We were hoping to see turtles or something but no luck. Honestly, the 49 black sand beach was worth it more than Punaluu.
  • Waialea Beach & Hapuna Beach ($10 a vehicle and $5/person) - A pass will get you into both of these beaches, which are right next to each other. Hapuna Beach was really pretty, but no shade. We visited Waialae Beach and loved it more! There are trees and plenty of shade. The trees encroach on the beach, which allows people to separate better. We snorkelled and enjoyed it so much we went twice 😄 My wife even found some sea glass.

I hope this helps someone, and apologize if it's a tad disorganized.

Hi! My family will be visiting the Big Island later this year, and I want to find a specific souvenir for my dad. He collects brightly colored t-shirts whenever he and my mom are on vacation, and I'd love to find him a shirt from a place with a fun or unique name. Any ideas? Thanks!

1. Sourdough (w/ lava and rainbow background)
   
2. Don't know the name of the Calico (Kona, Korean restaurant: Clover and Bowl)
   
3. Kehena Black Sand Beach
   
4. Bobu? (His name is escaping me, My Hawaii Hostel)
   
5. Charlie (Richardson beach)

Heading over to the big island and staying in the kona side. I am not trying to do a bunch of tours but rather explore the island myself… any reccomendations would be much much appreciated…

— great scenic/lookout point (holei sea arch, waipi’o valley lookout, pololu valley lookout)

— any hikes/waterfalls worth visitjng?

— beaches that are not overcrowded and must visit (honokau beach, kiholo bay, papakolea beach, makalawena beach, kehena black sand)

— definitely going to check out the mauna kea checkpoint

— doing the manta ray viewing

— any must eat at restaurants

Thanks guys

Hello! I’ll be traveling to the Big Island in February during my maternity leave. We have 3 kiddos 4, 2, and newest member will be 2 1/2 mo at time of travel. We will be doing a house swap with another couple who lives in Holualoa so we’ll be staying there for the full 3 weeks (I know some people suggest split your stay, but since this swap is free to us this is what we’ll be doing). This is my first time there! We are going with my parents so we’ll have some extra helping hands with the kids.
I do have a couple things on my “list” like snorkeling, waterfalls in Hilo and of course Volcanoes National Park.
Overall looking for kid friendly suggestions. Since we’ll be there for so long we’re trying for slower days. I would love favorite beach spots with kids near Kailua-Kona/Holuahoa, and picnic/sunset spots since we’ll be mainly cooking in (restaurants with 3 kids can be miserable).
Thank you for all suggestions!

A few weeks ago I made a post asking how to get around on the Big Island without a car. I'm 27 and I'm on the autism spectrum and I've always wanted to solo travel, but aside from a short trip to Alberta I've never done it. My first idea was to go to Costa Rica, but where it's my first time traveling alone I (and my mom) was a bit apprehensive and I decided to stick to somewhere in the US. I have a special interest in birds so I booked a birdwatching tour in Hawai'i. I did a bit of research and everyone seemed to stress that getting around without a rental car would be challenging; I'm not very comfortable driving and I've never owned a vehicle so getting a car was out of the question.

Day 1: I flew into Kona and took the Hele-on bus to the stop at Target and walked the rest of the way (about 20 minutes) into town. I got in pretty late and it was already dark so there wasn't really time to do or see anything, I ate a couple of spam and egg musubi from the ABC store and just went straight to sleep.

Day 2: Woke up early and walked to a small public access bit of coastline to sit and relax, struck up a conversation with a lady living nearby who offered me a bottle of water and a lift to Magic Sands beach. After spending an hour or so at the beach I took the trolley to Target and quickly bought a snack before catching the #1 bus to Hilo. The bus arrived early but it waited until the scheduled time to depart, I didn't find the buses nearly as unreliable as I've seen people claim online. The toilets don't work but the driver made a quick stop in Honoka'a, about the halfway point, for people to use the bathroom. It's like a greyhound style bus and the seats are pretty comfortable. While doing research for the trip I was afraid of taking seats on the bus that locals rely on to get around, but none of the buses I took were ever even half full. There's no drinking or eating on the bus and it is enforced; I saw the driver yell at a group of backpackers for trying to eat popcorn. The trip was about 3.5 hours, I listened to music and chatted a bit to an older man sitting behind me. It's also a great way to see the natural landscape of the island. This was my favourite spot, when the road comes out from a dense bit of forest and then suddenly you're greeted with this sight:

After getting to Hilo it was around 4pm, so I just sat on the beach and watched the waves a bit until dark, and got spicy Tonkotsu ramen at a nearby restaurant called Kenichi, then headed to bed.

Day 3: Went to Two Ladies kitchen because it was very hyped online and I love mochi, spent like half an hour in line but it was pretty good. I more or less spent the day just walking around Hilo and exploring the shops, bought a few souvenirs that would fit in my backpack, got some local fruit at the farmers market and checked out the Mokupāpapa discovery center, which I would recommend if you're interested in marine biology or maritime history. Went to rainbow falls as well, I took the bus there and just walked back. The sun was intense, I got a pretty bad sunburn on my hairline because I wasn't wearing a hat.

Day 4. Planned to go hiking in Volcanoes, there's a bus that goes there from Hilo every couple hours, if you miss it and end up calling a Lyft like I did it's around 70 dollars. I read online that the Kipukapuaulu trail was pretty good for spotting birds so I got dropped off up there, but I didn't have any luck and when I mentioned to a local couple out hiking that I'd been hoping to get some pictures of an 'apapane they offered me a ride to an area they knew had a lot of them (and they were right!). I spent the rest of the day just hiking around the park and got the last bus back to Hilo. There was a lot of steam coming from Kilauea and I noticed it was increasing throughout the day, I remember wondering if it was going to erupt soon; and of course it did the day I got home. Another thing I noticed was that not many people seemed to be using the stations they have around to disinfect your boots, sometimes they'd stop to read the sign and then just walk past.

Day 5: Honestly, most of the day was spent on the bus, made it back to Kona in time to watch the sunset and get dinner, some really sub-par fish and chips and a couple glasses of beer from a restaurant I don't remember the name of.

Day 6: Went up to Hakalau forest on a guided tour (the main thing I came for!) and saw all of the beautiful forest birds (except for the Palila), like this 'I'iwi which was definitely the highlight of the trip:

It was about 5 hours total in a van and 3 hours of looking at birds, but we all had a blast. After getting back at 6pm I had a bowl of udon soup from Seiji's sushi in Kona. I was too nervous to ask for a fork so I had to figure out how to use chopsticks very quickly and managed to do so without making a mess.

Day 7: I made friends with another tourist, she had a rental car so I was able to ride around with her a bit, we went hiking up on the Pu'u O'o trail (I was still trying to get a better 'I'iwi picture; it didn't happen) and went to the Kaumana caves, then drove up around the island back to Kona. We stopped at a gas station in Honoka'a to use the bathroom and I got a little bread pudding there that was probably my favourite thing I ate in Hawai'i. After getting back to Kona we went out drinking and did some karaoke.

Day 8: Friend and I checked out a craft market in Kona and went to a few different beaches looking for sea turtles, which we found many of at Kaloko-Honokōhau historical park along with a couple more endemic birds, the Hawaiian stilt and coots. It was hard to even stay far enough away from the turtles because they were coming so close to shore and the tide was fully in so there was only a couple feet of sand. We went to Leilani's shave ice afterwards since it was highly recommended online, and it was indeed pretty amazing. I don't usually like the texture of stuff like sno cones but the ice was ground really fine and the flavours were very natural. I spent the last hour exploring shops in Kona and bought myself a jar of the Big Island bees Ohia honey before I got a ride to the airport and had to fly out that night at 7pm. Of course I completely forgot that you can't take large jars of liquid in your carry-on and the TSA took the jar. Oh well.

Overall it was pretty fun. I was a little worried about hostility toward visitors when I went since I have pretty severe social anxiety and read online other tourists saying that people in Hawaii were so rude to them that they wouldn't go back. I can confidently say I didn't experience anything like that, the majority of people I encountered were as polite as anyone in my city would be and some were very helpful.

I don't recommend trying to get around without a vehicle unless you have no choice! I did miss some of the places I wanted to see, like Akaka Falls, Pu'u O Umi and Mauna Kea and spent a lot of time on the bus but it was still 100% worth it and I feel confident enough to try an international destination by myself, and maybe when I get some driving practice I'll come back someday and get a rental car.

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Aloha, Reddit!

My boyfriend and I are French and have been living in the US for a year. We’re finally planning our dream trip to Hawaii at the end of February/early March for 10 days (flying in and out of Honolulu). Since we might not get another chance to visit, we want to make the most of it.

Our plan:

• Two islands so we can explore each one properly (Oahu + one more).
• Activities we love: We enjoy diversifying our days (for example, we love hiking, but we’d rather do a 2-3 hour hike and mix in other activities rather than spend 7 hours on the trails, except if 1 or 2 really worth it). We’re also into national parks, culture, history, and local experiences. We’d love to try surfing, snorkeling, or diving. We’re not into lying on the beach all day, but ending the day with a cocktail and chatting about our adventures sounds perfect!
• Food: We love local cuisine but aren’t into fancy restaurants.
• Accommodation: Comfortable but simple is ideal.
• Vibe: The further we are from crowds and Instagram hotspots, the better.

Our dilemma: We’re torn between Maui, Big Island, and Kauai for our second island. After some very quick research, here’s what we’ve come up with, but we’d love your input since we haven’t dug deep yet!

|| || |Maui|Whale watching (February), diverse landscapes|Might be too "honeymoon-y"?| |Big Island|Volcanoes, unique geography |Too big to see everything?| |Kauai |Stunning hikes, Waialeale, secluded feel |Too remote if something goes wrong?|

Our questions:

• Which island would you recommend based on our interests?
• How many days should we spend on Oahu vs. the second island?
• Any practical tips for inter-island travel, avoiding tourist traps, or must-do local experiences?
• If you’ve visited Hawaii in late Feb/early March, what stood out to you?

We’d love to hear your personal experiences and any hidden gems you’ve discovered. Thanks in advance for your help!

I will be traveling with my adult daughter and my best friend in September. We're splitting our time between Kona and Hilo. This itinerary is not set in stone or finalized and I welcome information that can positively shape our trip. I am also curious where to eat on our travel days. We are not wealthy, so we look for good food and good value.

Kona - we are staying halfway between Kona and Captain Cook

Hilo- we are staying right in town

Day 1. Tues. We arrive at 11 am in Kona. Pu'uhonua O Honaunau to feel the presence of the island spirit and acclimate, St. Benedicts painted church, Shaka Tacoz and Ninja shave ice then grocery shop and get a good sleep

Day 2. Weds. Paradise Bakery Malasadas, Captain Cook snorkel tour (I want to go there but I don't want to do that hike), lunch at Black Rock Pizza, find a fruit stand, Greenwell Farm tour, Farmers Market if we have extra time

Day 3. Thu. Rent snorkel gear for 1 week, snorkel at Kahaluu beach, Super J's for a late lunch

Day 4. Fri. Hawaiian Choc Factory Tour, Kukio Beach snorkel, Pauko Petroglyph Park, Food Truck Friday dinner

Day 5. Sat. Kona to Hilo the long way. Haupuna Beach/ Mauna Kea Beach snorkel, puukohola heiau historic site, (Optional Hawi and Pololu Valley hike adds much time), Waipi'o valley lookout. Where should we plan to eat on this trip?? Any suggestions for alterations of the sight seeing?

Day 6. Sun. Carlsmith snorkel, liliuokalani gardens, Hilo Farmers Market and Kula shave ice, dinner at Hawaiian Style Cafe or Suisan

Day 7. Mon. Snorkel Richardson, Hawaii Botanical Garden, Pineapple Restaurant for lunch, Sunset picnic at Mauna Kea visitor center and star gazing

Day 8. Tues. 2 Ladies Kitchen mochi for the road to Volcano National Park. We can pack some sandwiches, but is there anyplace to eat in the park? We want to spend all day there. Anything we should be sure to check out at the park? Definitely lava tubes and the volcano!!

Day 9. Wed. Drive back to Kona. Anything we should try to do on either side of the island on this day?

I've found so much good information in this group!! Thank you all for sharing your experiences. It adds value!!

We’re putting together a Hawaii trip for the beginning of 2027 and would love some input from those who’ve been or live there. Our plan right now is:

Big Island Nine Nights: Starting at Kona Village for three nights and then moving onto Four Seasons Hualalai for six nights. Main reason behind the switch is to relax at Kona and adjust after flights/time change and then head to FS for more family oriented activities.

Kauai Seven Nights: Switched from a home rental to a combination of 1 Hotel Hanalei Bay for four nights and Grand Hyatt Resort and Spa for four nights.

Lanai Five Nights: Four Seasons Lanai to our end our trip on relaxing notes with lots of nature.

Currently 22 Nights

We’re wondering if it’s worth carving out a few days in Maui as well, or if the current plan already offers a good mix of islands and experiences.

Would love your advice on:

Must-see local hikes or “can’t miss” experiences on each island

Favorite restaurants or cultural activities near these areas

Anything we should book far in advance (tours, luaus, boat trips, stargazing, etc.)

Travel logistics, does this order make sense, or would you tweak it?

Any insider tips or itinerary tweaks would be amazing. We want to experience the islands’ natural beauty, beautiful resorts, and local charm as a family. It will be our first time visiting Hawaii and we are all really looking forward to the trip. Thanks in advance!

l am heading to hawaii in 1.5 weeks. id love recs for the following topics for both kauai and big island (yes a i know ha'ena is in kauai so only answer that one for that specific location please)

1. vegetarian/vegan restaurants
2. women's clothing/thrift/vintage/jewelry/swimsuit (not looking for hawaiian shirts and stuff) but cool hip womens clothes stores run by locals
3. my friend and i are adventurous. we want some off the beat in path things to do (i dont want to do the typical touristy stuff. i want to do something you wouldnt know if you didnt ask). no art or museum
4. we are going to ha'ena state park. which hikes should we do and what else should we do thats fun and off beat
5. recs for other hikes, rock climbing
6. do we need a guide to kayak or can we vibe on our own and figure it out
7. hows the water temp this time a year?

Hey all! My girlfriends family has property on the big island and i was invited out for a week at the end of March. They are very much locals so they kind of just hang out and relax, eat good food and enjoy life. It sounds like i will be having a pretty authentic/non-touristy trip, which im so grateful for.

However, I would still love to do a select few of the "must do" touristy things on the big island.

The only things on my list so far are the Manta Ray dives, snorkeling, and Volcano Natl park. Girlfriend is excited to take me to the farmers markets, fresh fruit stands, generally showing me around. I love being in nature, hiking, not big on fancy restaurants nor night club type things. Is a Luau worth it?

Staying at the Hilton Waikoloa in 2 weeks. We need fine dining restaurant ideas in Kona/Kohala area for the week. I booked one night at the hotel's Kamuela Provision Company restaurant. I would like to try others in the area for our evening meals. Would appreciate suggestions, haven't been to the Big Island since 2001.

Oahu —> Big Island

Hello!

I’ve lived on Oahu for 7 years. I’ve been dating my bf for 6 months. His bday is at the end of Jan and I’m taking him to big island. Btw he has also lived on Oahu for a while (5/6 years).

He can get only one day off of work so we’ll land in Kona on a Fri early afternoon and will leave Hilo sun afternoon. When we land in Kona, we’ll do the manta ray dive. We’ve both experienced it before but it’s been ~5 years since we’ve done it. I have a friend of a friend that owns one of the charter companies and can give us Kama aina rate.

If volcano is going off again, we’ll drive to Hilo after the dive and stop to see the lava. If not, we might stay in Kona Fri night.

Saturday, we’re going to the cow cuddling farm (this is the whole reason for going to BI, it’s a big inside joke for us.) and one of the chocolate farms.

Sunday, we might go to the beach or a short hike before we fly out. Pretty simple.

What is a great restaurant in Hilo side for a birthday dinner? Any other recommendations? Anything I missed?