Comments on: What to see on Hawaii’s Big Island in One Day – Part Two from the Hilo Side http://www.govisithawaii.com/2008/07/01/what-to-see-on-hawaiis-big-island-in-one-day-part-two-from-the-hilo-side/ Hawaii Travel Guide & Vacation Advice Mon, 13 Feb 2012 04:33:47 -0500 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v= By: sheila http://www.govisithawaii.com/2008/07/01/what-to-see-on-hawaiis-big-island-in-one-day-part-two-from-the-hilo-side/#comment-8813 sheila Wed, 20 Aug 2008 12:14:51 +0000 http://www.govisithawaii.com/?p=878#comment-8813 Hi Merilee - Thanks for sharing your opinion on the Trailblazer guide. I've ordered one for Kauai to review it. This particular post was based on having only one day on the Hilo side. I've also written suggestions for having only one day on the Kona side. From the Kona side post , I recommend seeing the stunning Pololu Valley and hike down to the beach if you have time. A helicopter tour is certainly not necessary in order to appreciate Hawaii's beauty. But, if you are short on time, it's a great way to see a lot in a short amount of time. Hi Merilee – Thanks for sharing your opinion on the Trailblazer guide. I’ve ordered one for Kauai to review it.

This particular post was based on having only one day on the Hilo side. I’ve also written suggestions for having only one day on the Kona side. From the Kona side post , I recommend seeing the stunning Pololu Valley and hike down to the beach if you have time.

A helicopter tour is certainly not necessary in order to appreciate Hawaii’s beauty. But, if you are short on time, it’s a great way to see a lot in a short amount of time.

]]> By: Merilee http://www.govisithawaii.com/2008/07/01/what-to-see-on-hawaiis-big-island-in-one-day-part-two-from-the-hilo-side/#comment-8748 Merilee Sun, 17 Aug 2008 14:12:29 +0000 http://www.govisithawaii.com/?p=878#comment-8748 Hi Sheila, We've never been able to afford a helicopter tour and on our last two visits toured the whole island by car and on foot. I saw the comments about the Big Island Trailblazer guide and can vouch for its usefulness for hiking and snorkeling venues. Since we were beach hungry we followed their directions to some pretty awesome spots off the normal tourist radar. Like just out of Hilo is a stretch of public beaches with beautiful ponds and grassy zones and good swimming. The hike to Pololu Valley we also recommend. There is a total description of this book on Amazon.com and we noticed it for sale at the Borders store near Kona. Hi Sheila, We’ve never been able to afford a helicopter tour and on our last two visits toured the whole island by car and on foot. I saw the comments about the Big Island Trailblazer guide and can vouch for its usefulness for hiking and snorkeling venues. Since we were beach hungry we followed their directions to some pretty awesome spots off the normal tourist radar. Like just out of Hilo is a stretch of public beaches with beautiful ponds and grassy zones and good swimming. The hike to Pololu Valley we also recommend. There is a total description of this book on Amazon.com and we noticed it for sale at the Borders store near Kona.

]]> By: vicki http://www.govisithawaii.com/2008/07/01/what-to-see-on-hawaiis-big-island-in-one-day-part-two-from-the-hilo-side/#comment-8638 vicki Wed, 06 Aug 2008 20:28:08 +0000 http://www.govisithawaii.com/?p=878#comment-8638 Please do not take any helicopter tours to the lava flow. These tours are flying over a residential subdivision every ten minutes, and destroying the peace and privacy of the residents. Please walk or drive around our island and enjoy the beauty and the people. Boycott helicopter tours until they act like good neighbors. Please do not take any helicopter tours to the lava flow. These tours are flying over a residential subdivision every ten minutes, and destroying the peace and privacy of the residents. Please walk or drive around our island and enjoy the beauty and the people. Boycott helicopter tours until they act like good neighbors.

]]> By: Sheila http://www.govisithawaii.com/2008/07/01/what-to-see-on-hawaiis-big-island-in-one-day-part-two-from-the-hilo-side/#comment-7955 Sheila Thu, 24 Jul 2008 18:40:16 +0000 http://www.govisithawaii.com/?p=878#comment-7955 Hi Gail - I can see how a pilot can really enhance your tour. Fortunately I've been lucky with the helicopter pilots so far. I'll have to look for the Big Island Trailblazer. I've not heard of it. Is that just for hiking? Hi Gail – I can see how a pilot can really enhance your tour. Fortunately I’ve been lucky with the helicopter pilots so far.

I’ll have to look for the Big Island Trailblazer. I’ve not heard of it. Is that just for hiking?

]]> By: Gail http://www.govisithawaii.com/2008/07/01/what-to-see-on-hawaiis-big-island-in-one-day-part-two-from-the-hilo-side/#comment-7857 Gail Wed, 23 Jul 2008 15:53:29 +0000 http://www.govisithawaii.com/?p=878#comment-7857 Nicely done and nicely written tips and photos. Having been to the Big Island twice I totally agree with your observations. A helicopter ride is the best bet for understanding the enormity of the place and hopefully you'll get a good pilot narrator. Our first one was pretty dull, second ride a whole geography and history lesson. Try to do this the day after your arrival. Second piece of advice I can offer: buy the Hawaii Big Island Trailblazer for even more places to go. Their directions get big bonus points and for us it was a big timesaver to do our research before we got there. Nicely done and nicely written tips and photos. Having been to the Big Island twice I totally agree with your observations. A helicopter ride is the best bet for understanding the enormity of the place and hopefully you’ll get a good pilot narrator. Our first one was pretty dull, second ride a whole geography and history lesson. Try to do this the day after your arrival. Second piece of advice I can offer: buy the Hawaii Big Island Trailblazer for even more places to go. Their directions get big bonus points and for us it was a big timesaver to do our research before we got there.

]]> By: Sheila http://www.govisithawaii.com/2008/07/01/what-to-see-on-hawaiis-big-island-in-one-day-part-two-from-the-hilo-side/#comment-7260 Sheila Sun, 06 Jul 2008 13:12:02 +0000 http://www.govisithawaii.com/?p=878#comment-7260 Hi HVG - I'm glad you like this one day plan of what to see in your backyard. :) Thanks for letting us know we should skip the Panaewa Zoo. With such precious little time in such a beautiful place, we need tips like that to maximize our time. Hi HVG – I’m glad you like this one day plan of what to see in your backyard. :)

Thanks for letting us know we should skip the Panaewa Zoo. With such precious little time in such a beautiful place, we need tips like that to maximize our time.

]]> By: HawaiiVacationGifts http://www.govisithawaii.com/2008/07/01/what-to-see-on-hawaiis-big-island-in-one-day-part-two-from-the-hilo-side/#comment-7228 HawaiiVacationGifts Sat, 05 Jul 2008 12:23:04 +0000 http://www.govisithawaii.com/?p=878#comment-7228 I live on the Hilo side and I think Sheila has done a wonderful job of what to do in a day. I tried to think of what to add and couldn't think of anything. I will add that you can skip the Panaewa Zoo--it is small and not that remarkable. This is something to do only if you will be on the east side of the Big Island for a long time. I live on the Hilo side and I think Sheila has done a wonderful job of what to do in a day. I tried to think of what to add and couldn’t think of anything. I will add that you can skip the Panaewa Zoo–it is small and not that remarkable. This is something to do only if you will be on the east side of the Big Island for a long time.

]]> By: Sheila http://www.govisithawaii.com/2008/07/01/what-to-see-on-hawaiis-big-island-in-one-day-part-two-from-the-hilo-side/#comment-7134 Sheila Wed, 02 Jul 2008 15:28:04 +0000 http://www.govisithawaii.com/?p=878#comment-7134 Yes, GOC, a helicopter tour is a wonderful way to see the islands from a whole new perspective. Plus, you'll see remote areas that don't even have roads or trails within miles. I'd be willing to guess that a helicopter tour is THE highlight for the people who take a helicopter tour on their Hawaii vacation Yes, GOC, a helicopter tour is a wonderful way to see the islands from a whole new perspective. Plus, you’ll see remote areas that don’t even have roads or trails within miles. I’d be willing to guess that a helicopter tour is THE highlight for the people who take a helicopter tour on their Hawaii vacation

]]> By: GoOahuCard http://www.govisithawaii.com/2008/07/01/what-to-see-on-hawaiis-big-island-in-one-day-part-two-from-the-hilo-side/#comment-7132 GoOahuCard Wed, 02 Jul 2008 13:40:39 +0000 http://www.govisithawaii.com/?p=878#comment-7132 I would def. recommend the helicopter tour. I did it last year on vacation and you truely will not be able to see the islands this way. Well worth the money even if youdo it just once in your life. I would def. recommend the helicopter tour. I did it last year on vacation and you truely will not be able to see the islands this way. Well worth the money even if youdo it just once in your life.

]]> By: Sheila http://www.govisithawaii.com/2008/07/01/what-to-see-on-hawaiis-big-island-in-one-day-part-two-from-the-hilo-side/#comment-7105 Sheila Wed, 02 Jul 2008 02:30:17 +0000 http://www.govisithawaii.com/?p=878#comment-7105 Hi Lissete - thanks for adding those Volcano area restaurant tips. With only 5 restaurants in the area, any extra alternatives are definitely welcomed! Hi Lissete – thanks for adding those Volcano area restaurant tips. With only 5 restaurants in the area, any extra alternatives are definitely welcomed!

]]> By: Lissete http://www.govisithawaii.com/2008/07/01/what-to-see-on-hawaiis-big-island-in-one-day-part-two-from-the-hilo-side/#comment-7090 Lissete Tue, 01 Jul 2008 21:56:17 +0000 http://www.govisithawaii.com/?p=878#comment-7090 Spot on on all accounts! Although, I can't imagine just one day. We did the "waterfall tour" on our drive from the Kohala Coast to Volcano and also did not have time for the Botanical Gardens. In Volcano we ate at Kiawe Kitchen & Lava Rock Cafe both Ok with spotty service. We discovered on our last night, that the Grocery store next to Lava Rock Cafe sells take out pizza, hot soups and sandwiches which is a great & quick alternative to the restaurants. Spot on on all accounts! Although, I can’t imagine just one day. We did the “waterfall tour” on our drive from the Kohala Coast to Volcano and also did not have time for the Botanical Gardens.

In Volcano we ate at Kiawe Kitchen & Lava Rock Cafe both Ok with spotty service. We discovered on our last night, that the Grocery store next to Lava Rock Cafe sells take out pizza, hot soups and sandwiches which is a great & quick alternative to the restaurants.

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