Going to HI, Big Island, any do-not-miss??
 

First time in the Big Island, going with the family (kids 10 and 8). Staying at the Waikoloa Beach Marriott for 6 nights. Beach (snorkeling) and volcanoes is very high on my list. Will have car for a few days.

Any must-not-miss thing, either restaurant, hangout, beach, etc.?

Any must-NOT-do, don't-drive-by-there-at-night?

Thanks in advance

I loved the big island. My favorite things were (in no order) the observatories on top the big mountain (whose name I forget - low range is a must), the green sand beach (4x4 needed if you drive), the rays at night near Kona, Pahoa, the volcano.

Most of this stuff can be found in "Hawaii The Big Island Revealed." The authors live in Kauai so they are up on the good stuff. Mostly I would buy the book and do what you want.

Larry

+1 on the Big Island Revealed tourbook. They were pretty spot on on most things.

Sunset at Anaehoomalu Bay is a must do. Obviously the volcanos; the drive there and back isn't as short as you'd think.

Jealous!

Rent a decently fast car and drive from Waikoloa to Hilo, via Waimea.

I think that's right. It's been over a decade. :(

If you can, make sure you do the helicopter ride.

Hanauma Bay is fun unless you swim way out there, then it's sorta scary. As far as big island, the volcano seems like a must see.

Your friends will know you had fun in the middle of the Pacific when you come back a-glow. I mean....glowimg with excitement.

Would be pretty impressive for the OP to do Hanauma Bay on his trip. Quite the epic swim from the Big Island. ;)

I was way out there once by myself. Suddenly, I think about the damn Tiger shark that may be in these water. I was hauling ass back. Scary

No Pearl Harbor visit?

Things to do........
 

The Royal Hawiian Hotel used to make a killer Bloody Mary!

I lived in Kawaihae for 3 years, I worked at the The Mauna Kea Beach Hotel. You need to drive out to Waipio Valley and either hike down to the beach or take a mule train. Its called the valley of the Seven Kings and it is breathtaking.
History of the Waipio Valley - The Valley of Kings

The Observatory at the top of the Mauna Kea was only accessible by 4 wheel. Take your skis its probably still covered with snow.

You could go see the empty folder where Obama's birth certificate is supposed to be.

Oh lighten up! That was a softball! :D:pSmileWavy

Anyway, Hawaii has a great bus system that i used when I was there, so if you don't have a car the whole time, no problem. Plus you get to ride with the locals, which can be an adventure.

Black sand beaches are something you should check out -- one of the few places in the world where they exist.

The volcano is spewing now. But be careful out there...

The Hilo side is less touristy - nice places to visit. Some of the lava pools on the coast have some amazing waterlife -- just be careful if you encounter eels -- they are not friendly.

-Z-man.

Yeah I know! That water looks awfully black. On the way back those tuna were scaring the pee outa me.

That's one thing (amongst many) I didn't do on my only trip to the Big Island. But it's one thing I definitely regret missing.

I'll second going to see Waipio and the Big Island Revealed guide book. When you go to Waipio stop by the Tex drive-in in Honokaa and have a loco moco and some malasadas. http://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g60585-d519160-Reviews-Tex_Drive_In_Restaurant-Honokaa_Island_of_Hawaii_Hawaii.html

Kealakekua Bay is worth seeing. Lots of people rent kayaks and go paddle around with the dolphins there. There is a great coffee/ breakfast place that is up on the hillside overlooking the bay. The food is very good, the coffee is amazing and the view the best of any restaurant that we went to on the big island. The Coffee Shack, 100% Kona Coffee

Place of Refuge/honaunau is great for snorkeling. Green sand beach is really cool, but a bit hard to get to, since it is way down by south point. The Kohala ditch/flume is worth seeing as well, but I read that there was some damage from an earthquake a couple years ago, so I'm not sure of the status.

You have to go over to Volcano natl park of course. It is a bit of a drive to get over there from Kona, but there are enough things to see between there and Hilo, that you can make a whole day of it. Also on the way into Hilo is Onomea bay. There is a great relaitvely short scenic drive. http://www.instanthawaii.com/cgi-bin/hawaii?Drives.onomea The Hawai'i Tropical Botanica Gardens along the drive are worth stopping to see as well.

Most of all the respones are right on definitly get the Big Island Reavealed. Difinetly drive around the Island to see it all plan a whole day for it. The zip line adventure tour would be great if you and your family are active. If ya need other info on things to see send a pm to me and i'll try to help ya the best i can.

Aloha
Ted

There is an INCREDIBLE rental house at the rim of Waipio...
Hawaii Vacation Rental - The Cliff House @ The Top of Waipio Valley
Rent this house..a friend of a friend owns it and I have stayed there..unbelievable views.

Rent a car and loop the island over a few days...skip around. Avoid Unncle Billy's hotel in Kona.

Drive the saddle road from Kona to Hilo between the volcanoes. The rental car contract forbids it, but trust me, it's no problem as long as you're careful. About halfway across the island, as it begins to descend toward Hilo, the road becomes the windiest, smoothest, rollercoaster of a drive you can imagine. I couldn't believe such an incredible driving road existed and I just kept muttering "this is unbelievable, I wish I had my Porsche" all the way to Hilo.

I stayed at the Waikoloa Marriott for a week. Decent hotel, but was under renovation while I was there in 2007.

The volcano and all the lava fields were the highlight of the trip, but I think you'd also enjoy driving down to South Point. That's a beautiful drive too, and a really cool destination. The southernmost point in the U.S.