Our family will be traveling from Atlanta in late May to the big island and would like to solicit some device from the well traveled Big Island fans on TA.
Our flights are on Delta from ATL to Honolulu.
1st question: We want the kids(12 %26amp; 15) to see Pearl Harbor. Should we stay the 1st night in Honolulu the first night to see Pearl Harbor the next morning before heading to the Big Island
or
leave for HNL a day early on the way back, spend our last night in Honolulu and see Pearl Harbor before our afternoon return flight?
2nd question: When flying from HNL to Hilo, which side of the plane offers the best views?
3rd question: We will be staying the first few BI nights in Volcano to do some VNP hiking %26amp; hopefully check out the lava flow. Is it easier to visit Punaluu %26amp; South Point from Volcano o rWaikoloa?
4th Question: We will be finishing our stay at Mauna Lani. We plan on visiting the KVR luau and want to know how early we need to make reservations?
Thanks in advance for all the help %26amp; advice.
The Happy Wanderers
Final touches on Big Island Trip
Re your first question. We did the same thing a couple years ago and did Honolulu at the end of our trip. I wish we had done it the first part because Honolulu is so crowded and rushed compared to the BI. I think it would have been better to have that rush time before heading our to relax.
Final touches on Big Island Trip
I second the answer to do Pearl Harbor and Honolulu on the first end of your vacation. You really want to come to the Big Island for the relaxation. Get the fast paced, crowded stuff out of the way first.
We visited South Point and Punaluu from Volcanoes and had no issues. Make it a point of stopping at the Hana Hou Restaurant for a great lunch!
Please, though, when at Black Sand Beach, observe the rules about the turtles and keep your distance. They are beautiful, and worth protecting!
16 days and counting
I%26#39;d say the best way to find out about lu%26#39;au reservations at KVR is to give them a call; 1-800 367-5290. Ask them when they put the pig in the imu, and see if you can be there to watch. IIt%26#39;s interesting.)
Dear ATL:
1. I would vote for Pearl Harbor if your main destination is Oahu (otherwise just a big sunken ship and a couple more old naval ships to visit) and will detract from your main destination. Basically I%26#39;m not a big fan of island hopping :/
2. Probably gonna get better views out of right side of plane (depending on final approach and weather) flying into Hilo. If you switch your plans and fly direct from west coast to Kona then you get better views on left side of plane (usually).
3. If you are set on getting to South Point (check your car rental agreement) maybe do that as an early morning side trip on the way to/from Waikoloa (BTW the green sand beach is a long dusty/windy hike, probably not a good idea to leave your fully loaded rental by itself).
4. Reservations for luau better ask that question directly.
Aloha %26amp; Have Fun, TheodoreJay
Re your 3rd quesion. On your way from Volcano to the Mauna Lani you can hit Punaluu %26amp; South Point. That way you don%26#39;t drive out of your way.
Good questions.
#1 I agree with everyone, do it first and get to Pearl as early and you can get those kids up and dressed, it get%26#39;s busy there and the first tour is the best IMHO.
#2 I hope Dan reads this and answers it, he knows those things. I usually fly into KOA.
#3 Normally I would suggest driving to ML the northern route, but you could take the south route and take in Punalu%26#39;u and Ka Lae (south point) on the way. It would be a long day. If you are asking should I plan a day to do Punalu%26#39;u and Ka Lae from Volcano Village or Mauna Lani I would say from Volcano Village.
#4 If you know for sure that is what you want to do make those reservations early, they do book up fast and it looks like you have but the one shot to do it.
#1, dunno, but it will be kind of hectic either way. Not a fan of the drive between Honolulu and Pearl Harbor/airport. It can be long and slow. You will pay max for a one day car rental, so this will be expensive.
You might consider not staying in HNL, instead staying at an airport hotel, which will be near Pearl Harbor, then coming back and jumping on a flight. The traffic in Honolulu is heavy enough and the parking scarce enough that it%26#39;s frustrating to do a hit and run view of Waikiki.
#2
I like the left side, because that gives the views of Lana%26#39;i, Moloka%26#39;i, and Maui, which are really interesting, as well as the view of Oahu as you depart.
On the right side you get only the Hamakua coast and Hilo as you land, so for 5-10 minutes it can be interesting, but only if there aren%26#39;t clouds. My last few trips into Hilo our approach was completely clouded in, so that side can be a wash. But the views of Maui from the left are very fine, as normally you%26#39;ll still be above the clouds, not in them.
#3 If you have a day to explore Ka%26#39;u while staying at VV, that would be better than doing it in transit from Waikoloa. I personally will not walk away from my car in those areas unless it is empty of anything I value.
#4, Indeed, call them and ask.
Thanks to everyone for their input, it is much appreciated.
As a data point, the KVR luau takes reservations up to 6 months in advance.
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