GPS on the Big Island (Hilo, Volcano: rental car, rental, airport)

[MrSaturdayNight]

Hi, does anyone know if GPS works on the Big Island? Not even trying to be funny but I will have to drive to Pahala from the airport and I was told that GPS may or may not work there. I really hope it does work otherwise I am in trouble.

[hotzcatz]

Doesn't matter, there's only one road to get there, but GPS does work. If you fly into Kona, go out of the airport, turn right and follow the road until you get to Pahala. If you land in Hilo, go out of the airport, turn left and follow the road until you get to Pahala.

[mdand3boys]

Originally Posted by hotzcatz

Doesn't matter, there's only one road to get there, but GPS does work. If you fly into Kona, go out of the airport, turn right and follow the road until you get to Pahala. If you land in Hilo, go out of the airport, turn left and follow the road until you get to Pahala.

I love it.
We do some Geocaching and our older unit works just fine. However, it is not one that has "roads" on it, so I cannot comment there.... I do see rental cars all the time with them inside (tourist stuck it on top of dashboard) so I guess they work?

[MrSaturdayNight]

Thanks guys..ill need to pick up a rental car from the Hilo airport so is it still a left turn out of the rental place towards Puhala?

Thanks

[SkyBob]

Doesn't GPS work worldwide?

[persephone1]

LOL...funny place this Hawaii...Sometimes Road start up on Crater go down nothing then long way down there is ocean and the same road...it follows the creek lines. So yes GPS works but there might not be a road to go on ...ha-ha. Most times one road goes around the island.

It is impolite to honk.

[KoaKine]

Dose Hawaii always pay their satellite bill on time that might be why its hit and miss?

[Dreaming of Hawaii]

Yes, Mr. Saturday Night, what hotcatz told you about getting out of the airport is still good information. When you leave the airport, there is one road that leads out to the highway. You will know you are there because there is a signal. Turn left and stay on that road for about an hour and then you will see a sign that says "Pahala". Very easy to find because there are no other towns once you pass the entrance to the Volcano Park. Turn right (the only way to turn) and you will be in the town. The town is very small. Driving on the Big Island is very simple -- you don't need a GPS.

[mdand3boys]

Actually,the driving isn't as simple as it sounds. Daytime, not so bad.
Nightime - BAD.
There are very strict laws regarding signs. There are no billboards, companies cannot have large signs advertising "Turn Here" or similar. Street signs are small and not very reflective for night driving. There are few street lights and the ones that are in place are of the yellow variety which are very dim and point straight down. The roads are dark colored blacktop. The lava is, well; black. The wild pigs are black. The roadside reflectors are non-existent, broken or not reflective. Because of the curvature of the Earth/position of the sun, it gets DARK here. As my kids state, night-time with no moon is scary dark. There just isn't anything to reflect light.

Night driving is something to be taken very seriously here.
However, the darkness is great for the telescopes.

[mogon]

Completely agree on all counts; well-put.