Big Island, Hawaii

Know before you go

• Bring cash or plan on hitting up an ATM on the island. Many local places, especially on the east side of the island won’t take cards. You will also need cash at the farmers markets and any food trucks you stop at on the beach.
• If you have time, try to split your trip between the east side and west side of the island. Each has a lot to offer any traveler. In fact, they can seem like two different islands. You will also cut way down on driving time if you split your trip. Volcano National Park deserves more than an hour of your time. If you are staying on the east side, you can take a few days to wander the different sections.

Resources

• Hawaii The Big Island Revealed: The Ultimate Guidebook (6th Edition) by Andrew Doughty

Transportation

• Rental cars are really the only way to go. Shop around, use your Costco discount, check the web for coupons. Your other option is the bus on the west side or hitchhiking. Scooters are also a great way to get around.
• Gas is expensive, at least $1 more on the island than on the mainland. In Kona we paid $4.47/gal, in Hilo $4.25/gal.

Food: A fellow blogger, Hiking in Paradise, has clued me into a few Hawaiian dishes including Saimin,  Kal-bi and Meat Jun. We never did give them a try, but I did see Saimin on a menu at breakfast. There are tons of local and not so local foods to try. Our favorite is still Kalua Pig and anything else you want to try to BBQ. We certainly had a great Pulled BBQ Pork sandwich in Hawi. Sushi can be found in droves along with spam and eggs if you so desire it.

• Lava Java Morning
• Family Friendly Eating around Kona
• Pahoa Farmers Market
• Hilo Farmers Market
• Family-Friendly Eating around Pahoa and Hilo- coming soon

Kailua- Kona (west side of island)

Know before you go:

• This is definitely the more touristy side of the island. It does not rain as much as the east side of the island. It also has more white sand and swimmable beaches than the east side. There is plenty of exploring to do even if you never make it to the east side.
• There is some amazing snorkeling and baby beaches here, including Kahalu’u Beach Park and Ho’okena Beach.
• Many beach parks do have facilities. If you go to more remote beaches though, you are on your own.

Lodging: Many of the larger  (and smaller) resorts are on this side of the island. There are also plenty of rental homes and condos to check out.

• Kailua Kona rental house review

Food: the cost of food may blow you away. It is more expensive to buy groceries and go out to eat than many places on the mainland. With a little planning and research you can find some budget friendly options though.

• Island Lava Java- by far my favorite breakfast place on the island. Make sure you go early on Sunday for brunch and have the Guava Bread Pudding French Toast
• Ultimate Burger- tucked into a shopping mall, these were decent burgers at a decent (for the island) price
• Da Poke Shack- we never got to eat here, but the owners of our rental and their kids swear by it.
• Tacos El Unico- decent tacos, rice and beans. You get your choice of meat which include the usuals plus beef cheek and tongue, which by the way are delicious.
• Family Friendly Eating in Kona

Posts to Inspire You

• Alien Landscape Washes Over Wawaloli Beach
• Lava Java Morning
• Kahalu’u Beach Park: Big Island Baby Beach Even Parents Can Enjoy
• Ho’okena Beach: Sometimes You Just Don’t Need a Swimsuit
• Take an Unexpected Drive to the North End of the Big Island
• Kailua Kona Farmers Market
• First Taste of Shaved Ice
• Almost Lost the Toddler at Kua Bay
• Black Crab Camo
• Head South to the Big Island’s Painted Church
• Lava + Coral = A Different Kind of Graffiti on the Big Island
• Mauna Kea: A little planning goes a long way
• Pu’uhonua O Honaunai National Historical Park

Hilo, Pahoa and Kapoho (east side of island)

Know before you go: 

• It can rain quite a bit on the east side of the island. Pack an umbrella and raincoats for sure. You can also pick up a cheap plastic poncho on the island.
• Hot spring fed ponds are the big draw in Kapoho. Many of the beaches are too rough to swim in, especially with young children.
• Volcano National Park is a must. If you can make a couple of half day trips to the volcano you can see more and everyone, even your toddler can have a good time without missing a nap.

Lodging: There aren’t many large resorts on this side of the island. There are a few hostels in Hilo and elsewhere I’m sure. Renting a house really is the way to go. You can be as close to the beach as you are willing to pay for. You can be right near the Champagne Ponds or volcano. The options are endless. We even drove by a very tacky looking castle you can rent along Rt. 137.

• Kapoho rental house review

Food: If you are renting outside of a town it will probably be easier to do most of your meals in your own kitchen rather than planning on going out to eat a lot. This will also save you a lot of money

• Boogie Woogie Pizza (Pahoa) half cheese/half pepperoni for $14. Not bad for the island. Pizza was OK. Not the best I’ve had, but certainly not the worst.
• Ken’s Pancake House (Hilo) large menu, decent food. The French toast was huge and quite tasty.
• Pahoa Farmers Market
• Family Friendly Food in Pahoa and Hilo- coming soon