People always ask me, “What’s your favorite island to visit?”
It’s a tough call — and it always depends.
If I’m looking for a relaxing weekend of doing nothing, I’d opt for Kauai. If I want to eat — and I mean eat — I’d go with Maui.
But if I wanted a mix of things to do — from hiking to lounging to eating massive plate lunches — there’s no island better than the Big Island.
Since my mom and boyfriend are both from Kailua-Kona, I’ve visited that side of the island more often. But the sleepy town of Hilo on Hawaii’s east side is one of my favorite towns. It’s quiet and rainy with some of the friendliest people you’ll ever meet.
I was there this weekend, touring the island — appropriately nicknamed “big” since it’s nearly twice the size of all the other Hawaiian Islands combined — from Hilo to Waimea to Kona.
Here’s what those 48 hours looked like, minus the food. That’s for tomorrow’s blog!
15 Comments
Easy for me… The BIG ISLE!!! Such diversity of land/seascape. My favorite part is Waimea as you can access the slopes of Hualalai to view the lava fields from on high, or marvel at a snowcapped Mauna Kea… drive along the breathtaking High Road to Hawi or look down upon or hike through Waipio Valley! So much to see… did I mention the volcano? LOL!
I took this a couple of years ago just after sunrise on the high road to Hawi:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/rex_maximilian/3201558862/sizes/o/in/set-72157612311720106/
Kona and Hilo are beautiful in their own way also, but the centrality of Waimea to all points of the island is key for me!
Thanks for sharing your pics! OMG that first one just blew my mind.
This is one of my favorite posts. First, I love the Big Island. Since I used to ride around on the Maunalani Flash sometimes on Friday nights I do like to spend some time up there playing golf. I love walking down to watch the lava run into the sea even though the sulfur is gnarly. I also like Hilo. But the artist community in Kona and the fishing do it for me, and a kona sunset is hard to beat. My heart and soul are on Oahu, love Maui for food and golf (surprise surprise) and scenery and whatever else. Kauai is a once a year thing in my mind. Not sure why I am not a big fan though I do love the area around Princeville.
Loved living in Kailua Beach, loved Ewa Beach. I think I’d like a house out in Ewa and a condo in Waikiki. Or maybe just one place in Ko’Olina. Actually if dreams came true I’d have a Nordhavn 86 parked in Ko’Olina marina and I’d live on it. Need a change of scenery… take the ultimate mobile home island hopping.
You really gotta visit soon. I can tell you’re getting homesick!
Haven’t been home since 2009… starting to get to me. Maybe Christmas 🙂
Hello Cat, I haven’t been to the Big island in years and my brother lives in Kona too. It’s time for a visit.
Yes it is! I can’t believe you haven’t been there in years! It’s only a 40-minute plane ride away!
Cat,
Next time you come over here try going thru Kau side. Not as dramatic views as the Hamakua gulches & the veldt-like vista of Waimea, but with Volcano village, Punaluu bakery & Hana Hou restaurant, Wittington & Punaluu beach the drive is really nice. I live in Hilo for the week & Kona the weekend in Capt. Cook, so I get to enjoy both sides!
That’s how I normally drive from Hilo to Kona, actually. This was the first time I went the north way. Next time, for sure. So I can eat at the Thai restaurant in Volcano and get bread from Punaluu. (And pork chops at Manago Hotel, of course.)
Great write-up and pics of my town of Hilo. Glad the weather wasn’t as wet as it can be sometimes. Looking forward to your food pics!
And fyi, I think your photo of Moku’aikaua’s exterior is actually Hulihe’e Palace.
I changed it! Thanks!
I went in to the restroom and it was dry, no rain. Took a leak and came out it was like a monsoon had hit all of a sudden the rain was gushing out of the rain spouts as thick as my thigh. That was weird.
loved the post. I just ordered some vanilla and some vanilla coffee. Both were very good! The last week or so sometimes when I click on your site my virus protection stops me and says it is protecting me from malware. I gave it a few days hoping it would resolve and then tried again. It was fine yesterday and today the first time I tried it told me that again. Is there an issue with the site or is it my computer? Thanks.
I know, I heard about that. We took down the Google ads. That might have been the culprit. Thanks for letting me know!
I grew up on the Big Island on the Hamakua Coast. Loved your pictures of the drive though I wished there were more! I don’t know if you’ve ever been to Kimura’s Lauhala Shop in Kona, but the next time you go, you should! It’s been there for years. I remember going there whenever my aunty came home from the mainland. She always wanted to get the house slippers. Here’s a link to the shop’s info: https://www.holualoahawaii.com/member_sites/kimura.html