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xp- Going to the Big Island next month...

parrotgirlparrotgirl
in Hawaii Babies

It is going to my our first time and we are bringing our will-be 5 month baby. We will be staying in a house and will have a car. Is there anything that is a must do?? Any recommendations would be appreciated!! MH is buying a travel book next week but just wanted to see what you ladies recommend! :)

Thanks in advance! 

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Re: xp- Going to the Big Island next month...

  • expatjenexpatjen member

    What side of the Big Island will you be?  If you're based in Kona, the beaches at Hapuna are fabulous (although not sure how much time you want to spend at the beach with a 5 month old!)  :)  You can take a day trip to Waimea or to Hilo (where I grew up) or even down to the Volcano.  

    There is a great botanical garden between Hilo and Waimea - I forget the name.  

    There is a really awesome place called Imiloa, in Hilo, that lets you explore the connections between Hawaiian culture and astronomy.  https://www.imiloahawaii.org/

    Akaka Falls and Rainbow Falls are also there, plus the Hilo Farmers Market (on Wed and Sat).  

    Good places to eat in Hilo are:  Ken's Pancake House, Encore (local food), Cafe Pesto,  Seaside (great seafood!), Cafe 100 (best loco mocos), Ocean Sushi (best sushi!), 1 Plus 1 Cafe (Thai/Vietnamese), Hilo Rice Noodle Shop (all types of noodle dishes! very good!).

    Thinking about all these places makes me want to go home! :)  Have a great time on the Big Island!!! 

    **a girl from Hawaii, living and driving in South India**

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  • parrotgirlparrotgirl
    Wow!! really great suggestions!! Thank you so much- let me know if you think of anything else :)
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  • mrspresleymrspresley

    wish i could find my BI trip review :(

    the biggest thing we found - was that the BI is much BIGGER than we thought it was!! haha. as such, it takes FOREVER to drive from one part of the island to the other...it was exhausting and it was just us! i can only imagine what it will be like with a baby.  my biggest advice is to split the trip between 2-3 parts of the island so you can visit one part of the island and then stay there instead of having to drive back.  not sure if that's possible for you but it's something to consider.  we stayed at the kohala coast and by the time we got to the volcano, spent the day there, etc. the last thing we wanted to do was drive back to our hotel - so we ended up booking a B&B for the night

    for me a "must see" is the big island candies factory ;) i love those cookies and wish i could get more w/o having to pay shipping now.  the botanical gardens were nice too.  if you go at the right time, you'll see turtles at captain cook's monument - early morning is good, before lots of people are out. there's a black sand beach and green/red sand too if i remember correctly. the "big island revealed" guidebook was the only book we used and it was great!!

    if i think of anything else i'll let you know

    Lemon Poppyseed Muffins

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    Baby Birthday Ticker Ticker

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    Jaime & Brent
    Oahu, Hawaii | Sept. 9, 2005

    My Food Blog - Good Eats 'n Sweet Treats

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  • expatjenexpatjen member

    With regard to the time it takes to go from Kona to Hilo (or vice versa), the new Saddle Road is pretty much complete, so it takes just about an hour to go over the mountain.  From Hilo, the Volcano isn't too far (under an hour), so it's really do-able from that side.  I haven't driven from Kona to the Volcano in a really long time, so not sure how long it takes.  

    And I ditto the Big Island Candies suggestion! They are SUPER yummy!  :)   

    **a girl from Hawaii, living and driving in South India**

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  • parrotgirlparrotgirl

    Thanks Jen & Jaimie!! Looks like Big Island Candies is a big hit, I will definitely need to go to Hilo just for that. I looovve desserts :)

    We definitely want to see the volcanoes, MH wants to do a helicopter tour to see all the volcanoes but I get motion sickness :( So we'll have to figure something out.  Botanical garden is also on our list! Can't wait for our week-long vacay!!

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