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Explore The Island
Helicopter touring is one of the most popular ways to see the Big Island. Among the more notable helicopter companies are Blue Hawaiian Helicopter Tours, Safari Helicopters and Mauna Loa Helicopters. Airplane tours are also available; try Island Hoppers or Mokulele Flight Service.
Prefer to stay a little closer to the ground? Try a tour by horseback. Ride along the open range of the Kohala Mountains, through a tropical rainforest, or get a little firsthand paniolo (Hawaiian cowboy) experience. Some stables are situated on private ranchland, while others conduct tours along the trails of Kealakekua Bay and Waipio Valley. For more information, contact Kohala Na'alapa Stables, Waipio Ridge Stables or any of the numerous stables listed in activity directories.
For something entirely different, go to a star party. Constellations are the main event here, and you won't be distracted by any loud music. Held at the summit of Mauna Kea, stargazing events offer unparalleled views and a unique glimpse at Hawaii's natural history. Contact Paradise Safaris or Hawaii Forest and Trail.
Cruises
Popular cruise operators include Dream Cruises and Captain Beans' Cruises. These tours usually include food, drinks and all necessary equipment. Less cozy, but far more “up-close-and-personal,” are the rafting and kayaking tours available through companies such as Aloha Kayak Co. and King Nalu Kayak Tours. For those who prefer to see the underwater world without getting wet, submarine tours are available through such companies as Atlantis Submarines.
Water Sports
Notable surfing beaches include Kahalu'u Beach Park, Honoli'i Point and Hilo Bayfront. Scuba schools abound. Contact Torpedo Tours, Dolphin Discoveries or Ocean Eco Tours. More involved than snorkeling (but less involved than scuba) is thy hybrid sport known as ‘snuba' (call SNUBA Big Island, Inc for more information.) To rent a Jet Ski, call Aloha Jet Ski.
Golf
The Big Island offers some of the best golf conditions anywhere. It boasts18 courses, ranging from championship oceanfront courses (Mauna Kea Beach Golf Club) to isolated, upcountry courses (Makalei Hawaii Country Club.) The courses of Kohala Coast, for example Francis H. I'i Brown Golf Courses and Waikoloa Village Golf Club, boast spectacular scenery, challenging play and excellent facilities.
Fishing
Charter your own fishing boat or go on a fishing cruise, as the options abound. You'll find world-class marlin fishing, among other things. Contact Hapa Laka or Enterprise Sportfishing. Many fishing boats dock at Honokohau Marina on the West Side of the island.
Culinary Tours
Kona coffee is world-famous, and the farms that produce it are usually open to tourists. Visit Holualoa Kona Coffee Company or Kona Coffee Living History Farm. Also worth a visit is the Mauna Loa Macadamia Nut Factory, home of Hawaii's favorite nuts.
Less known than its coffee are the Big Island's microbreweries and tropical wineries. Located in Volcanoes National Park is the Volcano Winery, serving exotic wines such as Macadamia Nut Honey Wine and Lehua Blossom Honey Wine. The Mehana Brewing Company can be found in Hilo, and offers locally brewed ales and lagers. Kona Brewing Co. on the West Side is a popular daytime attraction and nighttime hangout spot.
Shopping
Visit Kings' Shops in Waikoloa for an upscale shopping experience. Kona Inn Shopping Village is a popular Kailua mall housed in a former hotel in Kailua-Kona. In the upcountry village of Holualoa, you'll find the highest concentration of galleries on the island. Don't miss Ululani or Holualoa Gallery. Other funky upcountry shopping centers include Waimea Center and the Kawaihae Shopping Center. The downtown areas of Volcano Village and Hilo afford hours of browsing and shopping enjoyment.
Theaters
Hawaii may not be known as a nighttime hotspot, but it certainly has its share of entertainment venues. Take in a movie at the Kona Marketplace Cinemas, Keahou Theatres (also in Kona), or (if you're staying on the Hilo side), at Prince Kuhio Theatres or Palace Theatres. If live performance is what you have in mind, the Akebono Theater in Pahoa is a safe bet.
Music and Nightlife
Popular live music venues on the Kona side include Huggo's and Lulu's; Pahoa Lounge specializes in local acts performing Hawaiian music. Lulu's also features club nights most weekends. Croonie's (in Hilo) is a sports bar, frequented by a younger, local crowd. The Hard Rock Cafe provides a reliably fun, upbeat atmosphere, as well as sponsoring the occasional club night. If you're looking for something that caters a bit more to alternative lifestyles, check out The Mask (in Kona).
Luau
Aside from their entertainment value (which is high,) luau also offer a taste of traditional Hawaiian cuisine. The flavors of Polynesia make these cultural events even more of an enticement. The popular Island Breeze Luau takes place on an idyllic strip of oceanfront property. Other luau include the Royal Kona Luau and Luau at the Outrigger.
However you choose to spend your days (and nights) on the Big Island—commando-hiking through the jungle, sunning by the hotel pool, visiting an active volcano, hanging out at a local bar&mdashyou're pretty much guaranteed an interesting time. All the necessary elements of a perfect vacation are within reach, so make your time in Hawaii exactly what you want it to be.
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