Visiting Big Island--where to stay? (Hilo, Waipio: rental car, oceanfront, rentals)

[goat1of2]

Hello all,
I've been reading a lot of your posts in anticipation of our upcoming trip to the Big Island in November/early December. NO, we won't be looking to buy a house and stay! So y'all can relax.

We are outdoor people. We want to: see the lava flows especially at night, visit the Volcanos National Park, go to Mauna Kea, watch stars (vog allowing, of course), watch folks surfing big waves, hike in the Waipio Valley, maybe swim in a heated tidal pool or two, Akaka Falls.... I've done my research!

Where are the best places for us to stay? I was thinking of staying in one place for two weeks and then in another for the third week. We probably don't want to spend the entire time in a heavily vogged area so perhaps the Waipio Valley would be good? We are not the least interested in the Kona resort areas.

I've been looking at vrbo.com at rental houses and of course am very confused by all the town names with all the vowels--they all look alike after a while and I'm having a hard time finding many of them on the map!

[whynot?]

I thought we were going to have to accommodate another new citizen! (Kidding!)

I live on Maui and have only stayed in Kona, but I was looking around some BI stuff a few weeks ago and came across a bungalow called "Cliff House" in the Waipio Valley. It looked stunning to me -- I've never been, of course. But your mentioning that you were outdoors-types made me think you might like it.

Also noted your username and (in case you care) they make some wicked good goat cheese at the Hawaii Island Goat Farm up on the Hamakua coast, near the sweet hamlet of Honokaa. (Not to throw too many vowels at you, of course.) Lots of great produce at the markets around Waimea, too.

You'll get other great recommendations, too, no doubt from regular posters who live on the Big Island. Enjoy your trip -- it's beautiful there.

[leilaniguy]

Everything you want to see is on the Hilo side. Most hotels in Hilo are mediocre at best. There are no rentals in Waipio that I know of, only nearby. The Cliffhouse site states it is 1000' above Waipio valley. It is a long hike to the beach. There are many oceanfront and near-ocean properties listed on VRBO, but many have no ocean access, just cliffs into the water. I would suggest Kapoho at the east tip of the island. The air is usually the purest there, easy ocean access and it has heated tidepools to swim in. Be aware there is growing concern about bacteria in the water in all tidepools here. Kapoho's actual address is Pahoa, zip 96778.

[Sweetbeet]

Sounds like my vacation in 2005. Be careful, that started something that is about to come to a head (like a pimple) - I'm moving to Kauai in 20 days!

Anyway, we stayed in a wonderful house on the very east end of the island, in a place called Kapoho. The Kapoho tidepools have great snorkeling, and they were a short walk from the house. Search on VRBO for something out there, maybe you'll find it.

We drove over to the west (Kona) side of the island one day, took another day trip up to Waipio, and spent one day and most of another exploring various parts of the volcano. We hiked out to see the lava flowing at night (this was when there were surface flows within the park, it was a long and grueling hike but well worth it - things are different now, you'll have to see what's possible), saw the crater itself, the Thurston lava tube, the petroglyphs. One thing we missed was Kealakekua (not sure of spelling) Bay - we only had about 8 days and didn't get there. But my sister and niece had an extra day and took kayaks out in that area, around Captain Cook and "K" bay, and said it was wonderful and the snorkeling was great.

(That's funny - Leilaniguy and I posted about Kapoho at the same time! great minds think alike...)

Just a few ideas. And be careful, you might get hooked...

[Watchful]

Our trip was quite different - as we cashed in a 6-night award stay in the Waikoloa area.

However we added on two nights at a VRBO in the Volcano Village area. It was invaluable having that close location for doing early morning and late evening touring of the lava flows, as well as getting to see other sights in the national park.

This has been several years ago, but the rates were quite good at that time.

[Dreaming of Hawaii]

I recommend the book "Hawaii, The Big Island Revealed".

On the Kona side, be sure to visit the Place of Refuge. Historical place that also has a great beach. You can snorkel in Kealakekua Bay while you are there.

[cynmkolohe]

From the ideas you are considering for activities, you will probably want a few days near Volcano Village (many B&Bs to choose from) and a few days at Kapoho. The thing about Kapoho is the distance from Hilo and access to some of the things you are going to want to do. It sounds like you will want to spend a good bit of time somewhere along the Hamakua coast. Then, if you want to make the drive to the white, sandy beaches or even on south of Kona for a day-trip, you won't be facing several hours of driving.

If you can use Google Earth, try mapping a few of the place names and look at the drive times from place to place.

[WASailorGirl]

In December, I stayed at a vacation rental near Laupahoehoe vrbo #124481. It was breathtaking. The owner's have 2 vacation rentals - one on each side of their larger home. There is lush vegetation between the homes - you won't hear or see anyone else unless you want to. We stayed in the Bamboo House. They also have the Mango House. The photos of the Bamboo House are dated on their website. The home is much better in person than the photos show. This area is in a good spot to see the waterfalls, go north to the Waipio Valley, west to the resorts and beaches, or south into Hilo. I highly recommend it. I was sad to leave. I've been searching for a property to buy just like it. No luck yet.

[goat1of2]

Thank you thank you for your kind and informative responses! The goat farm is on The List! Staying at least a few days near the lava flows in order to be convenient to night viewing is also a good idea. I believe I had taken "The Big Island Revealed" out of the library last fall. I will have to get it again.

The rental car companies all seem to say that we aren't allowed to drive a rental on the Saddle Road. Good lord, how else are we expected to cross the island? And, how bad can it be? I grew up in NH where a lot of the roads are rutted gravel roads, winding and a bit steep. I think I can pilot a rental safely along something like that. Any suggestions?

[Watchful]

We did the Saddle Road. I think if you break down you are in a heap of trouble.

But for me it was worth the "gamble."