For your first visit on the Kohala
Coast, we recommend at least a weekly stay using your Kohala
Coast vacation rental or your Kohala Coast vacation home as your
'base camp'. The Kohala Coast is centrally located for exploring
not only South and North Kohala Coast areas but the Hilo and Kona
areas as well. Staying at one place eliminates having to pack and
unpack plus saves you the hassle of several check-in and check-out
procedures. After a day of Big Island adventures, you are always
coming 'home' and can relax and feel comfortable in your familiar
surroundings at your Kohala Coast vacation rental or even take the
short drive to one of the white sand
Kohala Coast beaches for a refreshing dip at sunset.
When planning your vacation on the
Hawaiian Islands rather focus on two islands and come back later
for another visit. We feel especially sorry for those Big Island
visitors who planned three nights for the entire Big Island 'chasing'
over this beautiful island not taking the moment or having the time
to relax and inhale its natural beauty.
7 days on the Big Island's
Kohala Coast
Do we really have enough
time to see the whole island on our Kohala Coast vacation?
Day 1
This is not the day you landed on the Big Island, that was yesterday
and time was probably spent getting your luggage and rental car
and finding the way to your Kohala coast vacation rental or hotel
room and getting settled in. Today is the day you should take time
to breathe in some of what it means to be in Hawaii and how it feels
to be in a Hawaiian state of mind. There are number of ways to achieve
that state, the fastest and most pleasurable is having a massage
to ease away those mainland tensions, next best way is to go lie
on some of the best beaches
in the state, those being the Mauna Kea beach and Hapuna Beach state
park. Take the time to walk the beach and listen to the surf, you’ll
soon find yourself in a Hawaiian state of mind. Hawaii is very special
place and to experience the beauty and uniqueness is enhanced by
taking this first day to relax and get in the mood.
Day 2
You are probably so relaxed and feeling good from yesterday you’re
thinking hey why not some more of the same, I’ll tell you
why not, because you only have 6 days left to see some of this beautiful
gorgeous island and its not called the BIG island for the heck of
it. So today I’m thinking if there is something you really
enjoy doing like golfing,
snorkeling or deep sea fishing go for it. Otherwise join me
on a trip to the north end of the island along the scenic North
Kohala coast, where from December to March you might see whales
calving and breeching. Drive further north to the quaint and constantly
changing town of Hawi and on to the end of the road where you will
find Pololuu Valley. Hiking into this valley is like stepping back
in time to when King Kamehameha ruled the islands, such a special
place. Don’t forget to take some food, water and swim gear
as you will probably hang out for some time. And of course you planned
ahead and made reservations at my favorite place to eat in Hawi,
the Bamboo Restaurant, a perfect finish to a perfect day.
Day 3
Day 3 and day 4 are interchangeable depending on the weather. Check
it out and if its nice on the east coast get up early and prepare
to do some driving through some of the most beautiful and varied
landscape you’ll ever encounter in less than 150 miles. You’ll
drive through lush rolling hills of Waimea, make a stop at Waipio
Valley lookout and maybe stop in Honokaa town for breakfast and
a little shopping.
After leaving Honokaa you’ll have your breath
taken away by the scenic grandeur of the Hamakua coast as you head
toward Hilo town. Before getting to Hilo a must stop is Akaka Falls
– its truly one of the most beautiful spots on the coast -
bar none. Hilo is the county seat and has some old buildings however
our destination is Hawaii
Volcanoes National Park. You’ll probably get to Volcano
Village just in time for lunch at any number of fine eateries, my
favorite being the Keawe Kitchen.
Volcanoes National Park on the Big Island is huge
and can take a day or more to see it all especially if the lava
is flowing and you want to see it up close, if that’s the
case be sure to take flashlights, warm clothes, water and good hiking
shoes. Spending the night at one of the area's B&Bs
or Vacation rentals near the park should be considered otherwise
it’s a long day and a longer night driving back to the Kohala
coast.
Day 4
Day 4 depends on what you ended up doing on day 3 and if it ran
into to day 4 by staying over in Volcano. Lets just say you got
home late and sleeping in today doesn’t sound all that bad,
a leisurely breakfast, then another day hanging out on the beach,
don’t forget the sunscreen, sounds pretty good after all the
driving yesterday. If you get tired of the beach pack it up and
head south on the Queen K highway to the Kings Shops at the Waikoloa
Beach Resort and shop to you drop. Dinner that night can either
be a your vacation rental or a fine dining restaurant upcountry
in Waimea or down on the coast in Kawaihae or at any of the
resorts along the waters edge.
Day 5
Day 5 is another day of exploration so plan to get up early, have
a good breakfast and head south on Highway 190, if you are staying
somewhere near Waimea. If you are down on the coast take Highway
19. I like 190 because it has great views and just before you get
into Kailua-Kona you can hook up with Highway 180 that goes through
Holualoa then hooks up with Highway 11 south of Keauhou. Now you
are on the road to your destination Pu’uhonua O Honaunau Historical
Monument or sometimes called the City
of Refuge. This is the place ancient Hawaiians would seek refuge
is they had broken kapu (law) and defeated warriors could seek solace.
From here you can head south to the southern most point in the U.S.
or you can head back up north toward Kailua and explore the small
towns along the way. Shopping and having dinner on Alii drive in
Kailua is a good way to wind up the day.
Day 6
Day 6 is the last day to explore and where you go will depend on
the weather. I see this as a day of extremes. If the weather is
good and the car is strong and you are not too young or to old then
a trip to Mauna Kea, the
highest point on the island awaits. You can drive all the way to
the top, weather permitting and have some of the most spectacular
views you’ve ever seen. Beware! The air is thin and the weather
can change abruptly so bring warm clothes. Afterwards a dip in the
ocean is divine. This day can also be done in reverse with the Mauna
Kea trip planned to arrive on the summit around sunset.
Day 7
Day 7 is a day of rest or a day for returning home. I’ve tried
to show you some of our beautiful and enchanting island and of course
this agenda is only a suggestion on my part. However you spend your
vacation will be just right for you, only realize that you’ve
experienced a small part of paradise and much more awaits on your
return trip. Start planning. I would also suggest calling the Hawaii
Visitors Bureau at 800-648-2441 and request a copy of Hawaii Big
Island Vacation Guide!
As you probably noticed, even a 7-night
stay is too short of a period to cover the Kohala Coast, not to
mention the entire island. South Point, Kealakekua Bay with Captain
Cook Monument, Hilo town with farmers market, Kapoho tide pools
etc. got skipped in our Big Island vacation 'itinerary'.
Customize your Kohala Coast
Vacation
Of course, your personal Kohala Coast
vacation plan will depend on your preferences for activities, Big
Island places to see and to go and your overall target for your
Hawaii vacation...relaxing beach vacation, exploring island attractions,
spending healing vacations, experiencing the abundance of Pacific
Ocean life in a scuba or snorkel vacation or spending your romantic
Kohala Coast honeymoon or a Hawaii family reunion and more. In any
case, we hope our Kohala Coast vacation guide and this Kohala Coast
vacation plan will provide you with a few ideas for contemplating
different options for your stay. Kohala
Coast vacation rentals, homes, cottages and condos, from affordable
to luxury, are available for your Big
Island vacation in Hawaii!
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