Thanks guys, lots of good ideas so far. Car will be booked tonight.

It would be great if we could stay longer but this we just found out we were going a few days ago and we head out in a couple weeks. My girlfriend made presidents club at work so the trip is more or less free. I just have too much going on at work to be gone too long.

The two best thoughts from above: 1) Hawaii Revealed. Fantastic books! 2) Jeep.

I had a wonderful time on the Big Island. Went to the Observatory - used low range all the way down the hill. It is THAT steep. Green sand beach - got it on three wheels several times. Saw the lava hit the ocean at sunset. Hiked all over. Snorkeled all over. It is absolutely KILLER. Six days will fly by!

Larry

Yep. and going up is no easy ride. The air is thin at 10,000 feet. leaving another ~3,500 vert feet to climb, steeply, engine gasping for oxygen...

The Park rangers have you stop and wait an hour or so, on the way up (plan for that) to help acclimation. It's a different world up there. Bring jackets.

Go to Waimea and eat here. Great place, we go at least twice when we are on the big island.

Red Water Cafe

Lots of beautiful hikes down into some great valleys.

Hapuna state beach.

If you are going to snorkel get a snorkel map/guide (or just ask if/when you rent the equipment). Some world class snorkeling... some meh snorkeling... and some darn dangerous snorkeling!

Need I say... if you like coffee...

Honestly, visiting a coffee plantation is pretty low key... pretty much a grass shack where they serve you coffee surrounded by coffee trees (at least the plantation we picked at random)... cool if you are into that sort of thing (I am).

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Oh wait, did you say "big" island?

This is all you need to know. Oh gawwwdd, this photo slays me.... we were just in Kauai a few weeks ago. Ready to go back right now!

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Two-fisted eater?

If I could, I would :D

ya know you can get great poke in LA...

I could use some reccos, Todd. My poke findings in OC haven't been that great.

My wife and I stayed at The Fairmont Orchid on the Big Island in 2003. I won a sales award so the whole 7 day trip was free including the rental of a convertible and all the food and drinks.

The Hawaii Revealed book is a must as well as a rental car. Go to the volcano and the wet side for sure. I can't remember the other places we went but I know we had a blast!

Take your skiis. Not many have skiied a valcano.

I left these at the top of The Mauna Kea in 1986. I lived on the island for two years and this was my last trip to the top.

I left them as a offering to Madam Pele.


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This picture was taken around 13,000 ft. Oh yeh, you don't want to fall. That black stuff is Lava rock.

Or, go into Kawaihae harbor at 6AM and watch the canoe club launch their outriggers for long distance paddle practice. hey bra, maybe they let you "carry canoe".

Waipio Valley was amazing, you'll need a jeep to get down there. Volcano national park. We hiked the dry lava lake bed, whatever it's called and then drove to watch the sun go down and the glow begin from the crater. Lot's of little hole in the wall places to eat. We stayed at a couple of B&B's away from from the touristy areas. We were there 8 days and could have easily stayed longer.

Orchid has good snorkeling. Get the little card to rent snorkel gear for the week and have the outrigger drop you offshore and just swim back. Havi is a nice stop sort of/not quite on the way to the Waipo Valley (Havi has a feel like Paia on Maui or North Shore of Oahu - a cool little time-warp from early surf movies).

Huggo's for the sunset/drinks/dinner in Kona. Overlooks the sea at almost every table.

I'm in the Chicago cold too, so stream local radio Big Island KAPA FM in the few days before you go to feel the warmth!

KAPA - 100.3 FM Hilo, HI - Listen Online

We spent a week in HI last November - flew home Thanksgiving. We stayed at the Hilton Waikoloa Village to burn off a bunch of hotel points. A couple things to note.

EDIT - just noticed you have your accommodations already picked out... Well disregard but I will leave my review of the Hilton here for others.

Hilton Waikoloa - a huge property that is pretty removed from the action. If your goal is to stay on the property this would be a good place. They have a large lagoon complete with turtles for snorkeling and paddle boarding. For folks who don't like the open ocean it's a decent alternative. Prices are extraordinary (high). Lots of food options though most are average quality. Depending on which tower you are placed it can take you 20 minutes to walk from your room to the parking lot. Lots of cool artwork to see - the property seems to cater to Japanese tourists. If your plan is to do lots of outdoor adventures then this resort should be last on your list. We racked up 500 miles that week getting where we wanted to go. :(

Ocean sports - diving and snorkeling are fantastic. We always hit up Snorkel Bob on the first day for a week long rental of the good gear. Lots of great diving just outside the harbor - something like 40 different spots. Shout out to Jacks Diving Locker - great crew. There is lots of good shoreline snorkling (2 steps is best) but for a good organized boat trip book with Fair Wind on their Hula Kai boat. Great food, drinks, and the boat is new and faster so they take you to some remote spots. The last spot furthest South was amazing - deep caves and cliffs with lots of sea life.

Night Manta Ray Dive - DO IT! My 14 yr daughter and my wife were really concerned about entering the water at night. Both agree it was the highlight of their trip.

Island Explorations - South past Kona are lots of coffee plantations and the scenery changes to exotic - compared to the lava fields. In between the Hilton and the Kona airport off the 19 is a lava field park. Drive down a mile or so and get out to walk. Literally a different planet. Plan a 1 day drive to the other side Hilo. Drive the Old Mamalahoa Hwy - beautiful scenery - similar to road to Hana on Maui. Bring a lunch to the Kolekole Beach Park - weekdays there's nobody there.

Have a great trip!

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We've been having some weather lately. LOL