Originally Posted By SuzieQ We're going to Hawaii! I just booked our trip for late June. We'll be at the Hilton Waikoloa Village. I know we'll go to Volcanos National Park amongst other places. Any one have favorite places they like to visit while on Hawaii?
Originally Posted By DVC_dad My parents went a lot when my dad was living...come to think of it my mom still goes with her "church lady" friends. She swears by the helicopter ride to the volcano this or that...personally I've never been to Hiwaii, as you can deduce from reading between the lines, my childhood is partly why I am so gung-ho to spend every vacation WITH my kids.
Originally Posted By SuzieQ We're going as possibly one of our last *sniff, sniff* family vacations. Our son will be 17 and going into his senior year of high school. So, we've booked the trip for the 3 of us and want to do it up right! We are get out and have an adventure people, not laze on the beach folks. I'm pretty sure a helicopter tour will be in the plans! Anybody been snuba diving? I'm thinking this might be a great alternative to going through the hassle and expense of getting certified for Scuba. I dove as a teenager, but was never certified.
Originally Posted By DVC_dad I called mom, she said, "I got two words for you, Pearl Harbor." So there you go.
Originally Posted By mrichmondj Pearl Harbor isn't on the Big Island, though. Volcanoes National Park is likely one of the most fascinating places I have visited on earth. I could spend months there. A helicopter tour would be great, but hiking the trails there and walking on the actual lava fields with steam rising through the cracks is even more exciting!
Originally Posted By SuzieQ ^ Planning to do both! We went to Craters of the Moon in Idaho last summer on our way to Yellowstone. It was fascinating! We explored lava tubes, took flashlights down into the caves - found ice when it was almost 100 outside! We really wanted to get to Pearl Harbor, but it's going to have to be another trip. I got such a deal on this one, going with something that added Oahu really increased the price!
Originally Posted By smedley I don't have anything to add suggestion wise, but just wanted to say how jealous i am!! You're so going to have a blast I can tell, and Hawaii is in my top ten places I really want to visit. Ok I felt like I should contribute so I found this website <a href="http://www.bigisland.com/html/Hikes_and_Ecotourism.html" target="_blank">http://www.bigisland.com/html/ Hikes_and_Ecotourism.html</a> Oh and I didnt get to emailing you yet, but I got my chocolate, thanks so much it's lovely!!!
Originally Posted By SuzieQ Thanks smedley! I went to Hawaii 17 years ago. We were on Kauai. I was two months pregnant and had horrible morning sickness the entire time. By the time I felt good enough to go out of the hotel, the afternoon rain showers would arrive. Needless to say, I need to give the place another try as my memories are not the fondest, LOL!
Originally Posted By Big Thunder I've been to the big Island for work but frankly I didn't do much for pleasure and recreation that trip. I thought that Dolphin Quest would be cool for families. [I think it's on property?] Please give a detailed report after your trip though, coincidentally, we have plans to take a family vacation at Hilton Waikoloa Village also when Lil Thunder graduates next year from HS. I've never stayed at Waikoloa Village, but I've stayed at Hilton Hawaiin Village in Waikiki, I hear that Waikoloa Village is much better. Even though it will be the last vacation when our daughter is still a minor, it probvably wont be the last family vacation.
Originally Posted By SuzieQ Yeah, I'm sure it won't be our last family vacation either. Heck, we take 3-generation family vacations now! It kind of feels like it's the last vacation when he'll be a 'kid'.
Originally Posted By Big Thunder I totally understand, ya actually got me thinkin bout that reality too Seriously, all the details and any pics will be much appreciated as I'm sure you are anticipating your trip there. So are we. If you earn any spare Hhonors points that you just dont need nor want from that trip and you'd like to help a worthy cause... the "Thunder family going to Waikoloa Village foundation" would be very grateful
Originally Posted By ajnhollysmommy We went to the Big Island about 5 yrs ago. The Helicopter tour is awesome! Before you leave the airport pick up the coupon books they have all over - you can get alot of buy one get one free coupons. Have lunch at the visitors center at Volcano National Park, we did a tour and it was alot of fun. Our guide told us stuff that we would have never known about if we did it on our own. Make sure to bring a lightweight jacket or warm sweatshirt -- it is cold up there- I wore shorts and froze~ I stood by all the vents I could find just to get warm.(This was in late May) Black Sand beach is a must see! Honu's everywhere (turtles) They do have 1 day tours to Maui or Oahu - we did this our 1st time to Oahu- the nice thing is it was cheap and the tour people took care of everything. We did this through Roberts travel I think?? If you have any more questions you can email me ALOHA!
Originally Posted By SuzieQ I'll definitely be taking tons of pictures and writing a report, Big Thunder! And LOL on the Hilton points. My dad and I laughed when we tried to guess how many points this place would be. I used up most of my points last year ajnhollysmommy - thanks for the tip about the coupons! Did you have any trouble scheduleing things like the helicopter after your arrival? I was wondering if that needed to be booked ahead of time.
Originally Posted By SuzieQ *sigh* 40,000 points per night! I remember getting an entire week for 100,000!
Originally Posted By Big Thunder actually you can stay at Hilton Hawaiian Village or Hilton Waikoloa Village, one week [6 nights] for 175,000 pts, that's not a huge savings but better than 40M a night. BTW I was JK bout soliciting a points transfer... Ummm unless someone really wants to kick me down a few
Originally Posted By GrumpysWife We're planning a trip to the big island next Jan/Feb - already waiting for that trip report to help me plan ours!!
Originally Posted By SuzieQ LOL Big Thunder! Just to let folks know, the very best price I found was through Southwest Airlines Vacations. It was $600 less than Pleasant Holidays or Aloha Air. And MUCH less than pricing air and hotel separately. The flight times aren't the best, but we fly out of Oakland instead of San Francisco, which is a huge bonus in my book. ATA owns and operates the planes used for Hawaii, and they only fly to the big island once a day out of Oakland, so we took what they had!
Originally Posted By DlandDug I spent a week on the Big Island in 1991. It was my lovely parting gift when I came in second on Jeopardy! The trip was to experience the total solar eclipse. I also like to get out and do things. We had a car as part of the package, and it was worth it. Chain of Craters was unforgettable. We went out during the day, although it is recommended at night. While we were there, a shelf suddenly began gushing fresh lava. It was incredible. (The rangers shut down the whole area as we were walking out backwards, taking photos!) We stayed at the old Kona Hilton. I liked Kona better than the modern resorts up north. It has the real flavor of old Hawaii, but is not as gritty as Hilo. There are some fine historic buildings there. If you want a really authentic, old style luau, book the one at the King Kamehaha. (It is held outside, weather permitting.) We also went snorkeling among tropical fish at Kealakekua Bay, where the Captain Cook monument is located. The only way to get to the monument is by swimming across the bay among schools of colorful fish. Akaka Falls State Park and the Thurston Lava Tube were very pleasant day hikes. Do be sure to head up to the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park ( <a href="http://www.nps.gov/havo/" target="_blank">http://www.nps.gov/havo/</a> ).
Originally Posted By ajnhollysmommy we did not have any trouble booking anything even the day of, we booked snorkling and all tours after we arrived.
Originally Posted By DlandDug Yes. We booked at the hotel or in kiosks in town. There was no trouble getting anything, except on the day of the eclipse. It was a red letter day in Hawaiian tourism!
