Your one MUST DO activity/landmark/restaurant for Big Island and Maui

[lawren2 Malibu Beach Barbie & A Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close lawren2]

I've never been to either and yes I do have the revealed books and a "local" person for guidance. I always love to hear what other people/tourists have enjoyed most on their stays anywhere...

We are at Kona Coast for the Big Island stay and Maui Schooner for Maui in case locale is a factor particularly with a restaurant recommendation.

If you could do just ONE thing on each island what would they be?

[SherryS Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close SherryS]

Early morning snorkel at south Maui (Ahihi Kineau, "The Dumps") and on return trip to Maui Schooner, park at Polo beach and walk along the beachfront walkway to Ulua Beach. Our favorite Maui activity!

[philsfan Administrator Find all posts View Profile Close philsfan]

If you like Sushi, Sensei Seafood is very good. There is one in Kihei. When we were there they had an early-bird deal where everything you ordered before 6 pm was half price. Get there early if they still do that, there was a line waiting to get it.

The snorkeling was pretty good at Kahaluu Beach Park which is close to Kona Coast. It's was a popular place when we were there. Parking was a challenge.

[Presley Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Presley]

Volcano National Park.

[barndweller Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close barndweller]

You should visit Volcano National Park while on Hawaii. Take a circle island drive to experience the varied landscapes of the Big Island. On Maui have dinner at Mamma's Fish House. Although most people take the drive on the famous road to Hana, most turn around at the pools. Instead keep going for a more memorable drive. Also take the drive from Kaanapali around the northern part of the island to Kahalui. Take the walk to the blowhole. If you are squeamish, turn around at that point. If you are not afraid of narrow winding roads, keep going.

[JLB Please excuse me, I'm a Dick. Not a moron just a Dick Find all posts View Profile Close JLB]

Have fun.

Guess this explains your HI Ex Ops.

[Glitter Brunello Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close Glitter Brunello]

Maui: Road to Hana with stops from Revealed.

Big Island: Kayak across Kealakekua Bay for snorkeling at Captain Cook's monument. This was closed for years after the earthquake and again for some time earlier this year but now appears to be allowed again -we did it on our own but you may need to join a guided tour.

[JROBIN Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close JROBIN]

On the Big Island: Manta Ray Night Dive or Snorkel (Diving is recommended if you are certified).

On Maui: Snorkeling at Ulua, Makenna Landing, Five Graves/Caves.

PS: Your PM box is full, I would like to send you some additional information

[StressCadet Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close StressCadet]

Maui: GET ON A BOAT! Snorkel cruise..Sunset Cruise. I don't care. Just get out on the water!

BI: Agree with Barn. Take that drive up to Volcano National Park. Enjoy the changing landscape. Quick detour to Akaka Falls. Stop at Tex Drive in for fresh, hot, made on the premises Malasadas. Be sure to take the scenic bypass too. The revealed book will explain.

[happymum Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close happymum]

Big Island - Definitely snorkel at Captain Cook monument. Spectacular. We did a snorkel cruise there and enjoyed it so much we repeated it the second week. Also really enjoyed snorkelling at the "place of refuge"(?) , was lucky enough to have a pod of wild dolphins hang there for a couple of hours.

[Luanne Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Luanne]

Volcano National Park.

Definitely. And if possible have a meal at the Kileaua Lodge. I think they used to only serve dinner to the public, but I know they started doing breakfasts a few years ago and I think they're doing lunch as well. It's located in Volcano Village.

Another favorite of ours (restaurant) is Cafe Pesto. There is one north of Kona and one in Hilo.

[Laurie Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Laurie]

2 for each island:

Big Island

1. figure out where lava is flowing and go there right away, and keep going back until you see live lava, whether oozing or spewing or pouring into the ocean or sparkling in the dark or reflected in the night sky. If it's happening, see it in as many forms as possible. The National Park is great, but nothing compares to the live stuff which isn't necessarily in the park.

2. snorkel in the warm ponds, southeastern coast Puna district and Kapoho areas - not necessarily only the place built like a pool, but other places with less people. Explore the red road area. This is probably my favorite part of the Big Island. (We have tacked on a private rental there to a TS stay.)

(Agree with Capt Cook monument snorkel, plus Kahalu'u for every-day free walk-in snorkeling - go early b4 crowds arrive or late as they're leaving.)

Maui:

1. whale watch cruise from Lahaina, unless it's not the season.
2. restaurant: Alexander's Fish & Chips, Kihei

Have a great trip!

[lawren2 Malibu Beach Barbie & A Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close lawren2]

On the Big Island: Manta Ray Night Dive or Snorkel (Diving is recommended if you are certified).

On Maui: Snorkeling at Ulua, Makenna Landing, Five Graves/Caves.

PS: Your PM box is full, I would like to send you some additional information

My PM box is an unmitigated disaster and I haven't had any time to work on it. If it isn't to much trouble you can e-mail me at lawren2_10956 @ yahoo.com

[philsfan Administrator Find all posts View Profile Close philsfan]

Volcano National Park.

Just keep in mind that this is a full day trip. It turned into 18 hours for us because a rock slide blocked the only road Back to Kona. The locals cut a path for us and about a hundred others on an old dirt road that ran through a dilapidated farm. Fallen trees had blocked parts of the road. It was a wild experience following the guys with the chainsaws.

[StressCadet Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close StressCadet]

Just keep in mind that this is a full day trip. It turned into 18 hours for us because a rock slide blocked the only road Back to Kona. The locals cut a path for us and about a hundred others on an old dirt road that ran through a dilapidated farm. Fallen trees had blocked parts of the road. It was a wild experience following the guys with the chainsaws.

Agree. We did on overnight at a B n B in VNP mid timeshare stay. We had a leisurely, stop and see whatever we wanted drive on the way. Night viewing of lava (was a bust-you can go to VNP at night-which we didn't know at the time) spent the night, breakfast and then Punalu'u to see the black sand beach and turtles and a backtrack to VNP. We really enjoyed Thurston Lava Tube. Do that if you go.