Comments on: Guest Post – Big Island of Hawaii

By: Rob Dalton w/ Waikoloa Vacation Rentals

Rob Dalton w/ Waikoloa Vacation Rentals — Wed, 19 May 2010 21:24:39 +0000

If you have kids and you get a chance you may want to try out the Hilton Waikoloa for a day. They have slides and a huge pool with a lagoon area, which kids love.

By: Brent

Brent — Tue, 19 May 2009 20:50:30 +0000

Hawaii is absolutly beautiful, the Mauna Kai resort in Kauai was amazing, they recomended us some of the best bike paths, visit Hawaii. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8_epUmKGG3U

By: Andy

Andy — Mon, 16 Mar 2009 19:43:41 +0000

Be sure to check out some of the great Kailua Kona vacation rentals(http://www.zonder.com/Listings.aspx?loc=Kailua+Kona,+HI) available from Zonder!

By: Bryan

Bryan — Fri, 06 Mar 2009 17:43:47 +0000

Thanks Matt. I hope. It's actually a great time to visit the Big Island of Hawaii. Deals everywhere minus the crowds. The few tourists we have that I talk to are getting unheard of bargains. Many seem happy to be getting far away from the troubles at home. There are plenty of guide books available that will make your visit here go smoothly and be completely enjoyed. Like you said, Holidays are what we make them. No matter where you go not everything will go as planned or hoped for. But, those mishaps don't have to be a negative. Many times they lead to the highlight of a vacation. Posts like Danyelle's are the last thing this island needs in this economic slow down. Tourism is our livelihood. Hawaii Volcanoes National Park is a fascinating place to visit.

By: Matt

Matt — Thu, 05 Mar 2009 21:48:38 +0000

I enjoyed reading Bryans comment on the blog, more than the blog itself.
I think if an article dwells on the negatives, it will often be read that way.
Holidays are what we make them.

By: John Doe

John Doe — Thu, 05 Mar 2009 16:17:12 +0000

Interesting perspective! I'm actually surprised you haven't gotten flamed more. I've only been to Oahu but I loved every minute and plan to do some of the other islands in the future. Did you know that Waikiki is an artificial beach? All the sand was shipped in from Australia and California. Go more than a few feet out in the warer and you are walking on sharp volcanic rock.

By: Hawaii Valcano Tours

Hawaii Valcano Tours — Thu, 05 Mar 2009 04:04:31 +0000

Wow, those are amazing pictures. See molten lava flow at Kilauea volcano in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park.

By: Bryan

Bryan — Wed, 04 Mar 2009 15:36:12 +0000

All I can say is you definitely didn't do your homework before visiting the Big Island. Sounds like you were expecting some type of Carribean island. You did the typical tourist stuff or worse. We have great hidden beaches that hopefully stay that way. The adventurous visitor is rewarded with secluded beauty. The volcanoes activity changes hourly. The ocean entry you visited was just starting after 8 months of only flowing at the high remote elevations. It's not in the park and the county has control of the viewing area. Something their not used to. Your beach experience at Magic sands is typical in the winter months. It's called disappearing sands for a reason. The winter swells take all of the sand away. It returns during the spring and summer. This island is full of hidden treasures. I'm wondering why it took 4 hrs to drive to Hilo. 2 1/2 is normal. The bumpy road you mentioned is called saddle rd. If you read your rental car agreement it says to stay off of that rd. Much of it has been realigned and repaved as of now. It's always been an extreme secondary rd that locals use as a shortcut. The Kona side is still under construction. The beach you talk of to the north is on the northwest side in Kohala. That's Hapuna beach. Many times voted the # 1 beach in the world. This is a young volcanic island and our coast is mostly rocky cliffs. This island has so much to do and see. Yes, Kona is commercialized. The people who live here do need places to shop and they need jobs. You only have to drive a very short distance and your out of town and in rural areas. I live 4 miles mauka (up the mountain) of town and it couldn't be any more rural. Holualoa. If you only wish to go somewhere warm and lay on a beach, the Mauna Kea beach resort will do just fine. If your into what this island offers like diversity and adventure then rent a condo and get out early and enjoy. Always best to visit the beaches early in the day as we get our usual afternoon clouds. The volcano has been putting on a great show since Feb of 2008. Get direct flts to Kona and avoid HNL airport. All of your bad experiences were easily avoidable. Best to tell your good experiences too.
Aloha,
Bryan