Kona Hawaii

[Senor Capper]

Got a condo for a week there. Leaving in April.

With all the members here at MJs surely someone has visited the island.

Looking for any helpful info.


thx in advance

SC

 

[hornsfan2]

kona coast is dry and sunny (as I am sure you have read), but the beach is nothing to write home about. Hilo is wet and doesn't have too much to offer, but if you like to get outside for the hikes and other stuff then you need to head south to the National Park with the volcano. seriously, if you like to fish and gold then the Kona coast is for you. if you like to do other stuff then head to the other parts of the island or you will be bored quickly.

spent a week there about 3 years ago so maybe i am not as in touch as I should be, but that is pretty much how i remember it. l

 

[Senor Capper]

thank you for your input.

Black beaches w/ turtles, volcanos w/ running lava. Boogyboarding & snorkeling.

I'm stoked!!!

 

[pug]

edit.

 

[ScreaminPain]

GET OVER THERE, NOW !!!

Kona is a small little fishing town, but has grown some, with the popularity of the Ironman triathalon and resorts that have sprung up along the coast.

I go to Hawaii quite often (I live on the left coast) and choose the Big Island because of all the golf courses. From Kona to the North, there are a least a dozen courses that will challenge as much game as you can bring. I usually stay up north near Mauna Kea or Happuna, but play alot near Manuna Lani and Waikaloa too. The previous post was very precise concerning the island, so I simply wanted to add the benefits of the golf.

There isn't a lot in Kona itself. as far as sightseeing, so you'll need to travel a little and Pug's suggestion of a Jeep is ideal. An inter-island trip is cheap and it takes less than an hour to get to Maui. It's great for a day trip....you'll be home by dinner.....

 

[marine]

Kona,

Been there a number of times on cruises (the navy kind) and we would pull up for a weekend or something.

Go there to get away from the real world and relax. There aint crap to do over there. The roads suck, it rains all the time, the volcano is cool, but the roads sucks.

Did I mention the roads suck?

oh yea, and if you are white, be careful of the bars you go in to once it gets dark out.
We pulled in one night and turned the sailrs loose in town at 7pm one night. By 9pm 12 of them were back on the boat nursing wounds and bruises.
and be careful on the volcanos!

If you recall about 4 years ago there was an incident where a hiker had slipped off the trail and down the side of the volcano and hanging on to a tree branch to keep himself from falling to his doom...

Jay Leno covered on the tonight show even. That dork was my roommate. His hat blew off and he was trying to grab it so he jumped over the rail. Stay on the trail.. the spirit of mauna loa will tear you up whitey.

 

[acehistr8]

Kona is gorgeous, stayed at Hualalai for a week in October 04. Best thing we did was get off the resort though, asked the concierge where the locals went for sushi, not the touristy, chain type places, but DAMN did we find some great places. Wish I could remmeber the names for you. But if anything I would say dont go to the chain restaurants, dont eat somewhere you can eat on the mainland. Find the local spots, find the hidden places where tourists wont go, you'll be glad you did.

Personally I didnt at all care for Volcanos National Park. Its no guarantee you will see an active flow and even if there is activity, its a long ass hike to and from the flow, and chances are you are hiking back in the dark. The trails are cragged and as said people get hurt all the time. The week after we were there, they had a shelf collapse, where part of the cliff fell into the ocean. Read this about the flows and safety:

http://www.nps.gov/havo/visitor/lava.htm

I absolutely loved Hawaii, just loved it. Stayed on Lanai for a week and loved that as well, but the big island was great. Played golf a half dozen times and ate like a king.

 

[dr. freeze]

Volcano National Park sucked I agree

For real adventure, go to Waipio Valley -- black sand beaches, nice waves, beauitiful water, beautiful waterfalls, wild horses (freaked out my wife as we carried food and they were a bit agressive)

tough hike though but hey thats half the fun

i would probably get a chopper tour for the volcanoes

good snorkeling on kona coast

would have liked to go hiking other places on the island but didnt have time

eat some good pacific rim food....you will love it....very nice flavor

 

[Gatorbait]

would be cool if you grounded me a cool package by the brown trucks. U could send it from a fake name. Will wire $$$ :weed: ............have fun buddy, I've never been but will once I'm aloud to leave Pinellas County :jerkit:

 

[okolepuka]

if you like beaches. check out mauna kea hotel. they've got a beatiful beach rigth in front of their restaurant. have breakfast there too, you won't regret it. if you got kids, take them to the hilton waikoloa. they've got some pretty cool dolphins there and a cool boat ride. it's on a rail, so it doesn't go anywhere but take their guest to their towers but still fun and romantic if your're wil your wife or girlfriend. have fun

 

[Senor Capper]

Wow

thanks for all the info & tips

very appreciated :thumb:

I've been to Maui plenty of times & the only other island I haven't explored is Molokai

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Gator I'll keep my eyes open


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So when I rent a car it should be a 4 wheel drive ?

 

[Gatorbait]

Seriously :shade: u 1 shady man in uniform :SIB

Have fun man and always try an employee of the place u r staying at as they tend to be straight with ya as they will be seeing again during your stay., :mj09: