Island of Hawaii

Pros: Tons of fish
Cons: Rocks, not much beach

Being a lover of Hawaii, and having been to Hanauma Bay on Oahu a few times, I didn't think anyplace could beat Hanauma Bay for the novice snorkeler. But I found that place in January.

We were on the Big Island and stayed in a private...

Pros: unique, pretty, spiritual, awe-inspiring
Cons: rough roads, long walks, no amenities

South point or Ka Lae (the point) is a jutting tip of land on the southern edge of the Big Island that has the claim of being "the southernmost point in the United States". From Hilo or Kona you travel south on Highway 11 and you'll find the...

Pros: First class resort; lots of amenities for children
Cons: Costly

Well, YentaKvetch usually stays in budget digs when she travels. In fact, she is so cheap when the subject of hotels is raised, that she generally home exchanges to avoid paying for hotels at all. YentaKvetch usually doesn't spend much time in the room...

Pros: tropical plant life, easily accessible, inexpensive,
Cons: sometimes rainy

If you are on the Hilo side of the Big Island of Hawaii and you are into botanical gardens I have two great ones for you.

Hawaii Tropical Botanical Gardens
http://www.htbg.com/
This Garden in a Valley on the Ocean is easily...

Pros: BEAUTIFUL SCENERY
Cons: NOT ENOUGH TIME

Exploring the coast from KONA to the south is a journey into "coffee country". It is a charming mix of history and beautiful scenery. Our first stop was at "The Coffee Kitchen" in CAPTAIN COOK for breakfast. We sat out on a balcony...

Pros: you don't have to get wet, easy to see from shore or boat
Cons: manta rays don't always show up

You know Manta Rays - they are those black or gray creatures with a lighter underbelly and a short squat face and wings on both sides for fins. I guess they are fish (but I may be wrong) - they have gills of some sort, but they almost resemble whales...

Pros: Lots of paradise to see, not as touristy
Cons: Atlantis sub, Hilton Waikoloa

Three dudes carrying only backpacks arrive on the Big Island for the first time. No reservations, no itinerary. One look at us and no car agency wants to rent us a car. Finally they tell us we can have a Lincoln! What? This one costs the most, but is all...

Pros: The Island of Hawai`i has a lot of variety and many communities.
Cons: Many people find the place-names a real challenge!

Today, let's take an imaginary journey around the Island of Hawai`i. First, to orient ourselves, an overview. An excellent visual aid is the Bier map published by the University of Hawai`i Press. First, a little about how to explain where we are: ...

Pros: great weather, lots of events
Cons: some might be smaller than big-city standards

If you are coming to Hawaii anytime soon you may want to browse through this list and see if there is anything you'd like to attend. A lot of good stuff happens here - (February thru October only) (area code 808)

February 2000
...

Pros: large island, relatively very few people, plenty to do
Cons: none

While on the Big Island of Hawaii you must:

1. Visit the entire Hawaii Volcanoes National Park (http://www.nps.gov/havo/)
Nature lovers rejoice! This park offers trails, trails, and more trails to walk, bike or ride. You can also...

Pros: With 50% off the prices are excellent
Cons: Older Property

While in Kona last week, we stayed at the Kona Surf Resort and Country Club. The hotel was old, but actually pretty nice. The grounds are covered with lava rock and lush tropical gardens. These tropical gardens are not natural, but were planted in and...

Pros: Real Small Towns!!!
Cons: None

Driving north on The Big Island is leaving a lava landscape for green pastures. The landscape changes so much. From volcanic fields to grazing fields. The cows and horses in the pastures reminded us of the Wisconsin countryside! Driving north, we...

Pros: beaches, great weather, golf, snorkeling, kona, inexpensive
Cons: nothing, nothing, and nothing

I live on the Hilo side of the Big Island of Hawaii and when my husband and I need a one to two day vacation we go to the Kona side and stay there. The advantages the Kona side has over the Hilo side is 1. it almost never rains on that side and 2....

Pros: Beautiful surroundings, in the heart of nature, very sensual
Cons: Not luxurious, mosquitos

One of the most unique places I have stayed at is the Kalani Oceanside Eco Resort on the South side of the Island of Hawaii. As the only 'resort' in Hawaii's largest protected area, Kalani has some very unique features.

This is not the Four...

Pros: Great location in Kona. Perfect for active couples.
Cons: Simple accommodations, lacking resort amenities.

The Royal Kona Resort is located on the water front, a few blocks from the main drag in Kailua-Kona. This modest, hotel has over 450 rooms and has a small private beach/lagoon, a decent restaurant and a couple of shops, including an outlet store that...