Activities & Links
The following are some of the places you may visit in your free time.
PUUHONUA O HONAUNAU NATIONAL HISTORIC PARK -- The Place of Refuge, most revered of Hawaii's religious sanctuaries (25 min N)
HAWAII VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK -- designated World Heritage Site and International Biosphere Reserve (90 min S)
PALEAKU PEACE GARDENS --a 9 acre healing sanctuary and community resource center (25 min N)
STATE PARKS OF THE ISLAND OF HAWAII
KEALAKEKUA BAY -- marine life of Hawaii (30 min. S)
COUNTY PARKS ON THE ISLAND OF HAWAII
EYE OF HAWAII -- comprehensive guide to the Big Island of Hawaii
TEETIMESHAWAII.COM -- book tee times on golf courses throughout Hawaii
WEST HAWAII TODAY -- the local newspaper
ALOHA FESTIVALS ON THE BIG ISLAND
King Trails Ride (808) 323-2388 - Horseback down close to Captain Cook Monument. Bring fins from the house, they supply the masks. www.konacowboy.com (30 min N)
ATV Adventure to the Green Sand Beach www.bedrockranchatv.com (30 min S)
Kula Kai Caverns www.kulakaicaverns.com (808) 929-7539 Explore & go spelunking in a cool cave
(20 min S)
Kona Coffee Living History Farm - Guided tour. www.konahistorical.org (25 min N)
Aloha Theater - (808)322-3383 Great local plays, concerts, films and a restaurant. www.alohatheatre.com (30 min N)
Hawaiian Cycling Tours - Bike 12 miles downhill to Green Sand Beach www.orchidislebicycling.com
(30 min S)
Real Estate - Fell in love with Kona? Want your own Peace of Heaven? Then call Kona Carla. (808) 896-6768. www.konacarla.com ( Carla lives just up the hill. )
Masseurs -
Lomi Lomi (The best Hawaiian style healing massage) Terri (541)53-6777.
Juliet (808) 329-4574 She will come to Peace of Heaven for your massage.
Diving Local certified neighbor will take you diving. Bryan (30)668-4298
Surf Lessons - Call Konaboys (808) 328-1234 www.konaboys.com (30 min N)
South Kona Scuba (808) 322-5012 Beginner lessons. Certified -rentals www.southkonascuba.net
(30 min )
Churches - Do a search www.superpages.com
Gone Again Travel - Local nice travel agents, good deals. (808) 322-6061 (25 min N)
ISLAND BREEZE LUAU - King Kamehameha Hotel (808) 326-4969 (45 min N)
Fishing -Voted best charter. www.bitemesportfishing.com (808) 936-3442 (45 min N)
Best Sunset Cruise - Captain Bean's Cruises www.key2hawaii.com (45 min N)
Fairwind Cruises (808) 322-2788 Another great way to snorkel at the Captain Cook Monument. www.fair-wind.com (45 min N)
Helicopter Ride (808)961-6810 www.tropicalhelicopters.com (60 min N)
Mauna Kea Summit Adventure-Guides (808)322-2366 www.maunakea.com (2 ½ hr)
Hawaii Tropical Botanical Garden-Awesome garden www.hawaiigarden.com (2½ hr)
Want more details on exploring the Island?
I recommend buying Hawaii The Big Island Revealed by Andrew Doughty and Harriet Friedman
A Fun Itinerary
Arrival: On the way from airport, I suggest the following stops. Choicemart, & South Kona Fruitstand. Be sure to try strawberry papayas, apple bananas, organic mixed greens for your salad, and if season, mangoes. Then swim in ocean, cook and then sit in the jacuzzi & gaze at stars.
Day 2 -Take kayaks to Black Sand Beach. Snorkel with turtles. Have a cook-out. Call a masseur. Relax.
Day 3 - City of Refuge, bring a picnic, lunch. To the left is a beautiful picnic area. After visiting City of Refuge go to two step beach, to snorkel with the turtles & fish. Leave the car in the parking lot, bringing snorkel equipment and beach towels. Walk to the 2nddriveway to the left, go left . Watch where everyone is entering the ocean, that is why it is called two step beach. Maybe you'll even get to swim with the dolphins here too.
Day 4 - Volcano Park. Hike Thurston Lava Tube and Kilauea Iki ( an awesome 4 mile loop trail, through a rain forest and steam. Bring flashlights from house, just before dusk, is when you want to head out to see the lava flowing. Check at the visitor center to see how long your hike will be. You want to arrive just as it is getting dark, to see lava glowing. Everyone needs a flashlight for the hike back. Either eat a early dinner or pack one. There is no food close to this area. Bring water and good hiking shoes. Can be cold too.
Day 5 - Stay home. Early morning hike crater rim. Bring water, wear good hiking shoes. Snorkel. Dine at Ke'ei Café.
Day 6 - Green Sand Beach ATV or hike. Go early morning. Bring water and backpack with lunch or snack. One hour there and one hour back.
Day 7- King's Trail Rides to Captain Cook Monument. Bring fins from house.
They supply the lunch.
Day 8 - Drive around Island, follow my map.
Day 9 - Visit a coffee plantation. Take a sunset cruise.
Day 10 - Explore caves at Kula Kai Caverns. Go spelunking on a hot day and cool off.
Day 11 - Take a helicopter ride.
Day 12 - Visit the painted church, then on to Paleaku Peace Gardens. Then take another swim at two step beach.
Day 13 - Take a surf lesson or scuba diving lesson. If experienced diver, pick up scuba gear from South Kona Scuba and my pebble beach is one of the favorite spots for divers.
Day 14 - Go fishing. If you're here when the waves are too big for swimming, there is a public pool , a small one too for small children and showers , next to the Old Airport Park. Stroll through town, then dine at Kona Brewry Co. for some of the best beer and pizza.
HAVE AN ALOHA VACATION!!!
