It’s nicknamed “The Big Island” for a reason. With so much ground to cover, how much of Hawai’i can you see in just a few days?
Thank goodness for Hawaii. Sunny escapes maintain our sanity in the winter. There’s so much to love about living in the Pacific Northwest. But if we’re being honest, we tire of the months of rain and gray skies.
To cope with the winter blahs we typically plan a sunny weather getaway. Hawaii is one of our top choices. Not only is it beautiful, it’s also convenient to get to from Portland. Last year, we made our first visit to the island of Hawai’i (often referred to as “The Big Island”).
What to Know about the Island of Hawai’i
We had four full days on the island so we’re not experts by any means. Here are some things to know if you visit the Island of Hawai’i:
- It’s nearly twice as big as all of the other Hawaiian islands combined, thus the nickname “The Big Island”.
- You can travel through nearly all of the world’s different climate zones on this one island.
- To best experience the island, you should rent a car. Driving is easy here, but things are very spread out. Look out for goats, boars and Nene (Hawaiian geese) on the road. Pack some snacks and drinks when driving the island as parts of it are quite remote with limited places to stop.
- The west side of the island, where Kona is located, is considered the dry side. Kailua-Kona tends to be more touristy. There are lots of hotel choices on this side of the island.
- Hilo, is on the east side. That’s the wet side of the island. Hilo is the most populated city on the island. Many of the island’s best attractions are located closer to Hilo.
- The island has two small airports Kona International (KOA) or Hilo International (ITO). It’s about a 90 minute drive between Kona and Hilo so keep that in mind when deciding which airport to fly in/out of.
[ Related: How to Choose the Right Hawaiian Island ]
Things To Do in Hilo & The East Side of the Island of Hawai’i
We spent two nights in Hilo. Located nearby was The Umauma Experience, a fun place to ATV and zipline with the family. Hilo’s also close to Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park, where you can easily spend a day or more doing things like exploring lava tubes and walking across craters.
The Umauma Experience
The Umauma Experience is perfect for families who enjoy adventure. Activities include zipline, ATVs, ebikes, horseback riding, and rappelling down waterfalls.
Our family went on the ATV ride. It was quite an adventure. Prepare to get dusty or muddy depending on the conditions. It does get bumpy, but you’ll be provided with helmets and goggles. There’s a break on the tour to cool off in a waterfall and enjoy some refreshments.
KidTripster Tip: You need to have a valid driver’s license to get behind the wheel. For families with kids under 16, the 2- or 4-person ATVs are your best bet.
After our ATV adventure, my daughter and I wanted more thrills. So we did the zipline tour. It includes nine ziplines. We flew over waterfalls and had gorgeous views of the Pacific Ocean. This activity is available to ages 4 and up.
KidTripster Tip: If not all members of your family want to participate in all activities, there’s a waiting area. Snacks and drinks are available for purchase.
Honoka’a Town & Honoka’a Chocolate
After our adventure at the Umauma Experience, we made our way up the coastline to historic Honoka’a town. There are several cute shops and restaurants here.
To my kids delight we stumbled upon the Honoka’a Chocolate store. The retail store offers free samples of its award winning chocolate. This was a great way to learn about the chocolate and how it’s produced.
If you want to get more in-depth, join a Honoka’a Chocolate farm tour or tasting. The immersive experience includes a tour of a cacao farm and a chocolate tasting.
KidTripster Tip: The drive from Honoka’a to Waimea is about 20 minutes. We highly recommend grabbing a meal at The Fish & The Hog in Waimea. It serves amazing seafood and bbq, in a casual setting. Save room for dessert! There might be a line out the door when you arrive, but it’s worth the wait. Come earlier rather than later as some of the smoked meats sell out.
Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park
Two of the world’s most active volcanoes are located in one impressive national park. Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park extends from sea level to 13,680 feet. It’s a diverse geological and biological landscape, and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
There’s plenty to keep you busy in the park for a few hours, or a few days. Stop at the visitors center upon arrival. Inside, rangers will give you the lay of the land, and offer advice as to how to best use your time.
If interested in hiking, trails will take you across a crater, down a trail of volcanic destruction, or right up to petroglyphs. The archaeological site of Puʻuloa contains over 23,000 petroglyph images. Also accessible, are lava tubes and steam vents.
If a driving tour is more your speed, there are plenty of overlooks and pull-outs. You’ll witness stunning sights just steps from the parking lots.
If driving east on the Crater Rim Drive Tour, you’ll have the opportunity to connect with the Chain of Craters Tour which leads all the way to the ocean.
KidTripster Tip: Driving through park can take hours so plan accordingly. We recommend packing snacks and water for the hike and/or drive. Once you leave the visitor’s center, there won’t be any opportunities to purchase food. I don’t know about your kids, but mine don’t like to go too long without a snack.
You should also dress in layers as the temperature can vary widely, and the weather changes quickly. We experienced rain, sun, warm temperatures, and chilly winds all in a single afternoon.
Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park is located about an hour drive from Hilo, and two hours from Kona. If you’re not renting a car, you can sign up for a guided tour that will transport you to the park. Tours are available out of Kona and Hilo.
[ Related: 10 Reasons Families Love Napili Kai Resort in Maui ]
Where to Stay in Hilo
We stayed at the Grand Naniloa Hotel which is a Doubletree by Hilton property. The Grand Naniloa’s located between downtown Hilo and the port of Hilo.
Guest rooms and suites are modern, many of them have a private lanai and an ocean view. The hotel’s located on the ocean, but doesn’t have a beach. It does have an outdoor pool as well as a large lawn dotted with chairs for lounging.
We liked that the Grand Naniloa Hotel has free entertainment several nights a week featuring Hawaiian music and dancers.
The beautiful Lili’uokalani Gardens are about five minutes away by foot. It’s the largest authentic ornamental Japanese garden outside of Japan. To get there you’ll walk along Banyan Tree Drive which is a street with a canopy of banyan trees, planted in the 1930’s. The trees are named after the celebrity who planted them. It’s worth your time to make the walk down Banyan Drive to the Lili’uokalani Gardens. The public park is open 24 hours a day, no admission is required.
KidTripster Tip: Grab a coffee at Big Island Coffee Roasters, just a short two minute drive from the hotel. This is Hawaii’s most awarded craft coffee roaster. The coffee’s grown locally and harvested and roasted in small batches. The Hilo Cafe and Roastery serves great handcrafted coffees and baked goods, like yummy popovers, in a bright and cheerful space. The espresso bites are dangerously good. They look like a candy bar, but it’s actually edible espresso so be careful not to overdo it.
KidTripster Tip: Some cruise ships arrive in Hilo. The port of Hilo is pretty far from town. This area of Hilo is more industrial and not as picturesque as other parts of the island. If you plan to walk off the ship and explore, you’ll want to arrange a ride into town or book an excursion through your cruise line. We saw a lot of confused cruise passengers wandering around near the port without a ride, or a place to go.
Things To Do in Kona & The West Side of the Island of Hawai’i
After leaving Hilo, we headed to Kona for our final two nights on the island. We booked a room at an oceanfront front resort so that we could enjoy some beach time.
There are lots of activities that can be booked out of Kona. Did we do any of them? Honestly, no. We did a lot of driving on our first few days in Hawai’i and chose to leave the car parked in Kona while we opted to relax.
When we weren’t on the beach, we enjoyed shopping and dining in downtown Kona. Ali’i Drive is the main road through town. There’s a concentrated mile long stretch that is ideal for tourists staying in the area. It’s easily walkable and bustling with island energy.
[ Related: 6 Best Beaches for Families in Oahu ]
Where to Stay in Kona
If you’re looking for a hotel that’s both family friendly and centrally located, the Courtyard King Kamehameha’s Kona Beach Resort’s a great choice. We loved our spacious one-bedroom, two bath suite, because it had room for everyone to spread out. Having an extra bathroom when traveling with tweens and teens makes a huge difference.
The resort has a pool and a beach. Included with your stay at Courtyard King Kamehameha’s Kona Beach Resort are perks like use of snorkel gear and beach chairs. Cabanas are available for rent.
The resort’s walking distance to lots of shops and restaurants in Kona. Best of all you can get authentic Hawaiian Shave Ice and Kona Coffee without ever leaving the hotel.
The hotel offers an authentic luau three nights a week. The Island Breeze Luau includes performances, a buffet and beverages. Prices for adults start at $175, and $87 for kids. Hotel guests receive a 20% discount for up to four people.
KidTripster Tip: One of Hawaii’s most important cultural sites sits next to the resort. The Ahu’ena Heiau was constructed by King Kamehameha the Great. This was the site of council meetings. This landmark is still used for traditional purposes. Hotel guests can walk up to the site, but not enter it.
We look forward to a return visit to the Island of Hawai’i as there’s so much to see and do here. We barely scratched the surface during our quick trip.
