Hi! My husband and I go to Maui every year for our Anniversary and love it. This year we are going to Maui in May, again, but we are going to take a family trip over Thanksgiving. Our friend told us their favorite island is the big Island. We have never been there, and I am wondering if anyone can give some input about Kohana or Waikoloa! Im a little nervous to try something new since we are so familiar with Maui...best beaches, best restaurant, ect... Any advice would be appreciated!
Kohana / Waikoloa or back to Maui for Thanksgiving 2009?
please get and read ';Hawaii for Dummies'; to discover whats here and not.
You are meaning the Kohala coast...there is no Kahana. Kohala coast is an area thet extends from Hapuna Beach to The airport north of Kona; where the Kona coast begins. Kohala in winter can be rather windy Waikaloa is also known as Waika-Blow-A
Compared to Maui all the hotels are low rise and not wall to wall... many are 10 miles apart, and there are only about 8 Mauna Kea, Prince, Fairmont,Mauni Lani, Hilton,Marriott, Kona Village, Four Seasons. Thats over 20 miles. only 6 are on a beach
Dining for the most part will mostly be at the resorts. There is no shopping, thrill rides, dinner shows or cruises. We are very rural in nature with very few beaches and difficult access which limits a visitor only a handful.
That said you will find the Big island the exact oppsite of Maui...., however the best snorkeling and diving in the state. It will be a culture shock to you so to speak.... NOTHING will be like Maui... no nightlife,limited beaches, long drives to anywhere as the island is 6 times the size of Maui... From Waiakoloa to drive to Hilo, with no stops is almost 3 hours one way, with a few stops figgure 5 hours...one way and the Volcano is another hour south. Maui is entertainment options un-limited Big Island is for people who can entertain themselves.
what are you looking for? What do you intend to do?
Kohana / Waikoloa or back to Maui for Thanksgiving 2009?
agreed, whenever someone says they LOVE Maui and are nervous about a new place, my gut feeling is that they want Maui and not the Big Island.
Especially when you say best beaches, best restaurants as what you are looking for. The Big Island isn%26#39;t the one to go to to check out lots of beaches or restaurants.
It is good if you want less people. In general you have to work harder to experience the beaches than on Maui, including hiking in on lava access trails, with a few exceptions.
If you thought Maui was too crowded and commercial, then I would say try the Big Island, but you love Maui, so I say stick with it unless you are tired of it.
For sure anyone who comes to the Big Island looking for a Maui like vacation will be constantly disappointed because it%26#39;s so different here.
My mistake, it is Kohala that I meant :)
Thanks for the input! We aren%26#39;t much for ';tours'; and such. We just want a nice place to relax and not do too much...poolside, beach, restaurants...
Someone had told me that the Waikoloa side has the best weather...sunny most of the time, not sure if that is true or not. In November, we expect a little rain, but hope for the sun!
%26gt;%26gt;%26gt;We just want a nice place to relax and not do too much...poolside, beach, restaurants...
While you can do this in Waikoloa, almost all the restaurants are in shopping centers, no ocean view. There is one ocean view at the Hilton that is overpriced and not that good, and the Marriott restaurant has a distant view.
Up the road, there are resort restaurants with great views and setting, but very expensive. ($45 and up entree, a la carte)
If you have plenty of money to spend and enjoy the best of Waikoloa and Kohala, you can get very nice dining.
If you are on a moderate budget, the restaurants are average and no view.
Don%26#39;t get me wrong, I like Waikoloa.
It is generally sunny but subject to high winds in November, not all the time, but Waikoloa is nicknamed Waikoblowa for a reason.
Where do you love to stay on Maui? That might help.
For best restaurants, check out the reviews. Also check out travelers photos for the area. There%26#39;s a lot of info here.
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