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Short Trip to Big Island

NiteMaire

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HVC Sedona Summit
VVR The Colonies
Since interisland travel opened up, we decided to take a weekend trip to the Big Island. We stayed at Volcanoes National Park. We arrived Friday evening and left Sunday.

Here's what we did on our short trip.

Saturday:
Puʻuhonua o Hōnaunau National Historical Park aka Place of Rufuge
Snorkled Two Step
Kona Walkabout and Lunch
Huehue lava tube

Sunday:
Punalu'u Bakery
Green Sand Beach
Black Sand Beach

On the way out of the park, we stopped to admire the steamy fields. When we first arrived at the Place of Refuge, we thought it was closed. The parking lot is closed, but they had signs on the gates stated that the visitor's center was closed, but the park was otherwise open. We were there for a bit and saw 5 other people in the park during our time there. It really felt like we had the entire area to ourselves. Afterward, we walked to Two Step. Snorkeling was great. Lots of fish, and some in our party saw an eel and turtle.

We then headed to Kona for lunch. A couple of places were open. We settled on Fish Hopper. Nice lunch. We found a few stores open, but most were closed.

After lunch we headed to Huehue lava tube. Much to our disappointment, we found out it was closed. Barriers are up on the side of the road to prevent parking and a sign is up stating it's closed. Very disappointing for those that hadn't seen it before. We then took Saddle road to get back to the park. We stopped at the Mauna Kea visitor's center (which was closed) and admired the view above the clouds. The road to the top is closed at the visitor's center.

On Sunday, we drove to Punalu'u Bakery before heading to Green Sand Beach trailhead and hiked in. While we had a Jeep, we hiked in since we read it may be illegal to drive (although not enforced). Enjoyed the trip. When we departed, there were 8-10 vehicles at the beach. We've been once before, but there were only 1-2 vehicles then. On the way out we stopped at the southernmost point in the US and several jumped from the nearby cliff.

Even though the reviews weren't the best, we decided on lunch at Shaka Restaurant billed as the Sounthernmost Bar in US. The reviews matched our experience. After lunch, we headed back to the airport.

We leave Saturday for a week on Kauai. I'll start a separate thread when we get there.
 

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Jwerking

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Marriott Barony Beach Club, Marriott Summit Watch, Port of Call (HHI), Mayan Palace
Thanks for the trip report - many familiar places since we spend about 1 to 2 months on the BI in Jan or Feb. Loved snorkeling at Two Steps - sounded like you had the place to yourself which was a treat! I see you are staying a Lawai Beach Resort in Kauai - nice snorkeling across the beach. And be sure to drive to Tunnels and Ke'e Beach up north for some great snorkeling - which is not available during the winter when we visit.

So jealous - since we are stuck at home. We do live directly on the beach which is a nice treat - so have no need to visit any East Coast beaches.
 

slip

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Resorts Owned
Pono Kai, 20 wks; Maui Schooner, 1.5 wks; 1 week Ke Nani Kai; WaveCrest Condo, Molokai, HI
Since interisland travel opened up, we decided to take a weekend trip to the Big Island. We stayed at Volcanoes National Park. We arrived Friday evening and left Sunday.

Here's what we did on our short trip.

Saturday:
Puʻuhonua o Hōnaunau National Historical Park aka Place of Rufuge
Snorkled Two Step
Kona Walkabout and Lunch
Huehue lava tube

Sunday:
Punalu'u Bakery
Green Sand Beach
Black Sand Beach

On the way out of the park, we stopped to admire the steamy fields. When we first arrived at the Place of Refuge, we thought it was closed. The parking lot is closed, but they had signs on the gates stated that the visitor's center was closed, but the park was otherwise open. We were there for a bit and saw 5 other people in the park during our time there. It really felt like we had the entire area to ourselves. Afterward, we walked to Two Step. Snorkeling was great. Lots of fish, and some in our party saw an eel and turtle.

We then headed to Kona for lunch. A couple of places were open. We settled on Fish Hopper. Nice lunch. We found a few stores open, but most were closed.

After lunch we headed to Huehue lava tube. Much to our disappointment, we found out it was closed. Barriers are up on the side of the road to prevent parking and a sign is up stating it's closed. Very disappointing for those that hadn't seen it before. We then took Saddle road to get back to the park. We stopped at the Mauna Kea visitor's center (which was closed) and admired the view above the clouds. The road to the top is closed at the visitor's center.

On Sunday, we drove to Punalu'u Bakery before heading to Green Sand Beach trailhead and hiked in. While we had a Jeep, we hiked in since we read it may be illegal to drive (although not enforced). Enjoyed the trip. When we departed, there were 8-10 vehicles at the beach. We've been once before, but there were only 1-2 vehicles then. On the way out we stopped at the southernmost point in the US and several jumped from the nearby cliff.

Even though the reviews weren't the best, we decided on lunch at Shaka Restaurant billed as the Sounthernmost Bar in US. The reviews matched our experience. After lunch, we headed back to the airport.

We leave Saturday for a week on Kauai. I'll start a separate thread when we get there.

Nice report and great pictures. We have been to most of those but need to get to the green sand beach yet. Next year I may plan a couple days there when I have to go for work. Then my wife any I can enjoy a few days.
 

NiteMaire

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VVR The Colonies

Emi

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mahalo for sharing. Pictures look amazing. How long is the hike at a modest pace to Green Sand beach? Is it difficult or mostly level? Any tree shade?

Mahalo
 

NiteMaire

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HVC Sedona Summit
VVR The Colonies
mahalo for sharing. Pictures look amazing. How long is the hike at a modest pace to Green Sand beach? Is it difficult or mostly level? Any tree shade?

Mahalo
2.5-2 8 miles each way. Mostly flat. No shade at all. There is a nice breeze so I recommend staying near (not necessarily on) the coastline each way.

On our first trip there in 2018 someone said the fence line (you'll see it if you go there) was the shortest way. We regretted taking it since there wasn't much of a breeze.

ETA: recommend going very early morning and returning mid-late morning. On the first trip we can back in the heat of an August afternoon...
 

pedro47

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Thanks for your trip report and photos.
 
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