Big Island Recommendations

[psuwalt]

Planning my retirement trip for next September to Hawaii. We'd like to spend one of our weeks on the Big Island. Looking for some "Kona" experts to give advice on what area of the island I should find accommodations as well as any sight-seeing favorites.

Thanks in advance.

 

[jhac007]

An excellent choice as a starter would be to purchase a copy of the book "The Big Island Revealed-The Ultimate Guide Book". In my opinion this book has it all as far as a guide book and is handy to study for the next few months, take on the plane with you and keep close by as you travel thru out the island. Purchased my second copy a few months ago (first copy was not returned by a friend) and will be heading to the Big Island next month (7 days on the BI, 8 days on Maui). Stick around, this board will fill you in on all the timeshare possibilities.

Jim

 

[Conan]

The beaches are mainly on the west side, so the choice for most vacationers is between Kohala and Kona. You'll find sand beaches in Kohala, but the snorkeling is better in Kona.

"West Hawaii

• [SIZE=+1]North Kohala - [/SIZE]Rural in nature, in this part of the Big Island sprawling ranches and upscale developments co-exist with small farms and plantation-style homes. Charming Hawi and harbor town Kawaihae both have good shopping and restaurants, with many small art galleries and shops. Schools are located in Hawi.
• [SIZE=+1]South Kohala - [/SIZE]is home to many of the large resorts on the Island. Dry and sunny, it is also a choice location for golf, retirement and corporate condominiums, and vacation retreats. Waikoloa Village and Waimea are the major communities here, with shopping and restaurants. Waimea has both public and private schools, and a good hospital (North Hawaii Community). Famous white sand beaches are found on this coastline.
• [SIZE=+1]North Kona - [/SIZE]is the most populated district in West Hawaii. Kailua-Kona stretches south to Keauhou with properties available of every description: vacation condominiums and retirement homes are available, as well as "Hawaiian/local-style" dwellings with no A/C, etc. Jobs, schools, restaurants, shopping and a variety of entertainment are within a short drive. Holualoa, a beautiful little artists' colony in the "Kona Coffee Belt", overlooks Kailua Bay at the cool elevation of 1200 ft.
• [SIZE=+1]South Kona - [/SIZE]Lush and beautiful, South Kona has managed to retain its rural feel, despite its increase in population. Independent coffee, macnut and flower farms are found here, interspersed with small communities. The largest of these are Kealakekua and Captain Cook. Schools and shopping are found in these communities. There is a hospital here, too (Kona Hospital).

http://www.konaweb.com/konaweb/map.shtml

 

[cgeidl]

Stifling hot

IMHO and personal experience I believe September is the absolute worst Kona month due to hotter temps,no winds and high humidity.If you can tolerate 88 degrees with 85 humidity with no wind Hawaii and Kopa is good any time. But if you do consider later fall ,winter and spring but congratulations for retiring. It may bring another job opening.

 

[slip]

I've Never been here in September but I'm here now and it's been 81 everyday,
Humidity in the 70's. It's been great. I would recommend a car not unless
You want to stay close and walk around Kona everyday. It really depends
On what your interests are. Let us know what you like to do and we can
Fill up your time. I'm going to the Place of Refuge now. Aloha

 

[lynne]

Konaweb

You can get quite a few questions answered on Konaweb:

http://konaweb.com/forums/visiting.cgi

 

[slip]

We just went by the Kona Webcam a couple of minutes ago and waved.

 

[jacknsara]

Planning my retirement trip for next September to Hawaii. We'd like to spend one of our weeks on the Big Island. Looking for some "Kona" experts to give advice on what area of the island I should find accommodations as well as any sight-seeing favorites.

Thanks in advance.

Kapoho - at the eastern most tip of the Big Island
However, there are no timeshares there - just lots of houses & stuff on www.vrbo.com

 

[Conan]

IMHO and personal experience I believe September is the absolute worst Kona month due to hotter temps,no winds and high humidity.

For what it's worth, I think September is a perfect month. It's warm, and the summer crowds have gone.

 

[psuwalt]

Thanks!

Thanks everyone for the quick replies. You all have given me very useful suggestions to consider. Can't wait to get there and begin the next chapter in my life (retirement).

 

[Elli]

For what it's worth, I think September is a perfect month. It's warm, and the summer crowds have gone.

I agree, like the last 2 weeks of Sept., usually nice and hot.

 

[chester1122]

weather

Just to jump in, we were there the last week of August 2011 and it was perfect. Not too hot, not too humid. Hawaii has the perfect weather all year round. If you look on the weather charts there isn't a huge fluctuation. Seems to me the biggest difference is the rain which tends to be November to January, but hey you're in Hawaii!

Now, we've been to the caribbean in August now that was hot and humid.

I agree, like the last 2 weeks of Sept., usually nice and hot.

 

[psuwalt]

Weather in Hawaii

We were in Hawaii in September, 2010 and the weather was perfect. We were in St. John in the Carribean in September, 2011 and that was stinking hot. No comparison.

 

[slip]

The weather is one of the main reasons why Hawaii is our number one
Destination year round.