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  • ร—
    Urban Bliss Life ยป Blog ยป Hawaii, the Big Island Travel Guide

    Published: January 6, 2015 / Updated: May 28, 2022 by Marlynn Jayme Schotland ยท This post may contain affiliate links.

    Hawaii, the Big Island Travel Guide

    It's cold here. My feet are freezing as I type this. Do you know where it's warm? Hawaii.

    There are so many things I love about Hawaii: the relaxed pace of life, the incredibly fresh and healthy food, the sand and the surf, being outdoors from the moment you wake until the moment you sleep.

    Each Hawaiian island has its own treasures, and over the next four weeks, I am going to take you on a journey to the location of my most recent Hawaii trip: Hawaii Island.

    Jump to:
    • Hawaii Island
    • Where to Stay in Hawaii the Big Island
    • Dining at Kilauea Lodge
    • What to Do on the Big Island
    • Ziplining in Hilo
    • Secrets of Puna Tour
    • Black Sand Beaches

    Hawaii Island

    Hawaiipalmtrees2

    Nearly twice the size of all of the other Hawaiian islands combined, Hawaii Island -- or, as it is often called, The Big Island -- is a study in contrasts.

    The eastern side of Hawaii island, where the city of Hilo is located, is lush with green rainforests and can go from cloudy, windy, and rainy, to pleasant and sunny within minutes.

    The western side of Hawaii island, where the city of Kona is located, is the sunny, hotter side of the island.

    We'll be visiting Kona later in this series. Today, we're going to take a look at a few highlights in the Hilo area.

    Where to Stay in Hawaii the Big Island

    On Hawaii Island, you'll find a wide variety of lodging options. From vacation home rentals to condos, from boutique hotels to massive resorts, there is a lodging style to fit your budget and type of vacation.

    During my time on the eastern side of Hawaii Island, I stayed at the Kilauea Lodge, a former YMCA camp turned inn and restaurant.

    HawaiiKilaueaLodge

    In the small, quiet village of Volcano just one mile from Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, Kilauea Lodge offers a comfortable place to rest your head after a busy day exploring and adventuring. HawaiiKilaueaLodgekeys

    The 12 rooms on property, as well as four off property units located nearby, are decorated in traditional Hawaiian decor. You'll find bright, comfortable bedding (it does get chilly at night here), stained glass and Volcano art, and plenty of space to stretch out and relax.

    HawaiiKilaueaRoom

    Standard rooms sleep between two and four people, and start at $195 per night. The four larger, deluxe rooms on the property all include lanais, WiFi, fireplaces, and start at $215 per night.

    Full breakfast at the lodge restaurant is included with all room reservation rates, and all guests have access to the lodge hot tub and gazebo.

    HawaiiKilaueaLodgegazebo

    Dining at Kilauea Lodge

    The Kilauea Lodge restaurant is open for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and Sunday brunch, and offers hungry travelers and locals hearty dishes.

    I recommend starting with the fried zucchini and sauteed mushrooms, both of which I could have snacked on all night long. The catch of the day is usually a good bet. You can choose to have it prepared in one of three different ways:

    • sauteed in piccata sauce
    • broiled and topped with mango chutney glaze with crushed macadamia nuts (this is SO good)
    • blackened Cajun style with papaya salsa.

    I regret that I did not try their Sunday Brunch, but word on the street is that it is just as expertly prepared as the restaurant's dinners. If you get the chance to go, please enjoy this dish for me and report back: Crossing Lava. It's Smoked salmon and poached eggs served on grilled English muffins with Hollandaise sauce. Doesn't that sound amazing?

    A fun conversation piece stands as a centerpiece in the lodge restaurant: the International Fireplace of Friendship, a fireplace constructed in the 1930s that holds coins and stones from all over the world.

    HawaiiKilaueaLodgeRestaurant

    Kilauea Lodge
    19-3948 Old Volcano Road
    Volcano Village, HI 96785
    808-967-7366
    http://www.kilauealodge.com

    What to Do on the Big Island

    Want to bike down a volcano? Zipline through a rainforest? Explore a black sand beach? You can do all and more activities on the eastern side of Hawaii Island.

    One of my favorite experiences was ziplining for my very first time. I KNOW. How can it be my first time ziplining? I can't believe it took me this long either. But: it will most definitely not be my last. I am hooked! Thanks to the awesome crew at KapohoKine Zipline Through Paradise!

    Ziplining in Hilo

    HawaiiKapohokineStore

    My group arrived at KapohoKine Adventures headquarters in downtown Hilo. We signed waivers, checked out the cool gear they have in the store (you can rent GoPro equipment for your adventures here if you don't have your own).

    Then we were off on a very (very) bumpy but beautiful drive up to Honoli‘i Mountain. There, our guides Alex, Mike D., and Mike H. took great care of us. We commenced gearing up while listening to safety instructions.

    HawaiiZiplineEquipment

    Then it was time for the first zipline. If you've never ziplined before, the rocky footbridge up to the first can seem a little intimidating. Thank goodness for our guide Alex, who helped put everyone at ease.

    HawaiiZiplineAlex
    HawaiiZiplineBridge

    My turn!

    HawaiiZiplineMJS

    The experience was AMAZING. Zipline Through Paradise has eight zipline runs of varying lengths, all tandem runs, each with a different gorgeous view.

    Hawaii Zipline Waterfall

    This is the fun crew I had the pleasure of zipling with: fellow travel writers Adam Sawyer and Diane Merlino, and Erin Kinoshita, who represented our trip hosts, the Big Island Visitors Bureau.

    HawaiiZiplineGroup

    I took several GoPro videos (which mostly consist of over-excited, rookie zipliner moves like screaming "WOOOOOHOOO!!!" for much of the video), and I wish I took more photos while ziplining, but here's one of the GoPro videos I took where I am somewhat composed:

    Ziplining was probably my favorite experience of this trip to Hawaii, the Big Island. It was such a fun, exhilirating way to kick off the week-long adventure, it was a gorgeous sunny day, and my trip mates were so friendly and hilarious. I loved every bit of this experience, and the guides just made it all the more wonderful. If you're looking to zipline on your next trip to Hawaii Island, I can definitely recommend KapohoKine Zipline Through Paradise.

    Tours operate rain or shine. Prices vary, but at press date, children ages 12 and younger can zipline for $169 each and adults can zipline for $179 each. If you're on vacation and one of your friends doesn't want to zipline, there is also the Walk Along option for $49, where you can follow your friends along on foot at watch them zip over you.

    You must weigh between 35 and 275 pounds to zipline, and be able to navigate stairs and lift 15 pounds. Light snacks and beverages are provided. There is a boxed lunch option for purchase as well. Find more information, including tips on what to wear and bring, at the KapohoKine website.

    Secrets of Puna Tour

    On our next adventure in the eastern side of Hawaii island, we embarked on the Secrets of Puna tour, also offered by KapohoKine Adventures.

    First stop: The Painted Church, a decommissioned church that was moved by locals twice to avoid molten lava flows.

    The Painted Church Hawaii Island

    Inside, you'll find wall paintings, photos, and written memorabilia that weave together the many stories of the region. Across the street, there is a Noni Juice factory, which I will share later in another post in this series.

    In the gravel lot of the decommissioned church, we enjoyed a delicious barbecue lunch prepared by our guide. The shoes pictured below were not part of the lunch, although I had worked up enough of an appetite that I might have considered taking a bite had it not been for the fantastic barbecue lunch prepared ;)

    Black Sand Beaches

    After lunch we went to explore the newest black sand beaches, formed from the 1983 volcanic eruption. The stark contrast of the sparkly black molten lava rock against the bright blue sky is absolutely stunning, but also slightly unsettling . . . to realize that the ground you are walking on was once someone's house or business or a light sandy beach.

    HawaiiVolcanicBeach1

    I took so many photos here - I just couldn't get enough of this mass display of nature's ability to completely change not only the landscape, but the lives of its people. However, so as not to bore you (or add to site loading time), I'll just share two photos:

    HawaiiVolcanicBeach2

    The tour continues into Mackenzie Park, where you can snorkel and explore lava coves. The tour wraps up at Lava Tree State Park, where you can view incredible lava formations.

    Throughout the entire tour, our guide kept us intrigued by fascinating local history, lore, and legend. He was incredibly knowledgeable and very entertaining.  The Secrets of Puna tour is available by special request, and lasts about six hours or so. Contact KapohoKine Adventures for more information or to book your tour.

    My question for you today: have you ever ziplined before and what was your experience doing so? If not, would you ever want to go ziplining?  

    Many thanks to the Big Island Visitors Bureau for this complimentary press trip to Hawaii Island, so I could share more travel stories and tips with you. All opinions and photos are, as always, my own. 
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      Reader Interactions

      Comments

      1. Scott Hill says

        September 30, 2019 at 1:27 pm

        Awesome blog, thanks for sharing this up here. Hawaii is the coolest place to be, whether you're looking for adventure, beauty, good food, or a romantic time. It's all here. Ziplining is a great and most common adventure activity in the Big Island. There are so many places that give you a great view of the place from different angles.

        Reply
      2. Create/Enjoy says

        January 07, 2015 at 12:52 pm

        That looks SO COOL!! We were on Oahu for our honeymoon and had a great time, but nothing so adventurous!!

        Reply
      3. Mary Ann says

        January 07, 2015 at 10:49 am

        What an amazing trip! I've never been to Hawaii, but your photographs are gorgeous. My tenth wedding anniversary is next year... maybe I'll be able to convince my husband we NEED to make the trip!

        Reply
      4. Donald Ranni says

        January 06, 2015 at 5:57 pm

        Going to Kona Feb 1 for a month looking forward to The trip
        It will be nice to get away from the Cold and snow here in Canada

        Reply
        • Marlynn Jayme Schotland says

          January 07, 2015 at 9:45 am

          I hope you have a GREAT time, Donald! I will be writing about Kona later in the month for more Travel Tuesday tips, so I hope you'll check back! Enjoy your trip!

      5. Bill Volckening says

        January 06, 2015 at 3:53 pm

        Oh, lucky you! Looks heavenly!!

        Reply
        • Marlynn Jayme Schotland says

          January 06, 2015 at 4:50 pm

          It was, and I definitely felt blessed to be there!

      6. Erin says

        January 06, 2015 at 12:27 pm

        We sure had a blast, Marlynn! Love your creative photos!

        Truth be told, the first time I ziplined was just a few months prior to joining you on the very same KapohoKine Adventures tour. Once I got over my own fear of the first "jump", I was hooked! Next time I'm in Portland, we should go zipping again!

        Reply
        • Marlynn Jayme Schotland says

          January 06, 2015 at 4:26 pm

          Erin, I would love to go ziplining again with you! Let me know the next time you are in Portland -- there are some local places I've heard about that I'd love to try!

      7. Renรฉe says

        January 06, 2015 at 9:02 am

        Totally jealous. I haven't been to Hawaii (yet), but it is definitely on the list for the next few years, so I will definitely keep this post in mind!

        Reply
        • Marlynn Jayme Schotland says

          January 06, 2015 at 4:37 pm

          Renee, I think you would love it! The food there is incredible!

      8. Rachel says

        January 06, 2015 at 12:00 pm

        I am so jealous!!! This looks so amazing. Wonderful trip.

        Reply
        • Marlynn Jayme Schotland says

          January 06, 2015 at 4:26 pm

          It was pretty incredible. I felt very blessed to be there!

      9. kelsey says

        January 06, 2015 at 8:51 am

        this is where i'm from! went to school in hilo and my home is near kilauea lodge in volcano! some family friends own it! :) nice to see some photos from home

        Reply
        • Marlynn Jayme Schotland says

          January 06, 2015 at 4:48 pm

          Kelsey, I did not know you were from Hilo! That is so awesome! Kilauea Lodge was such a nice place to stay! I think we met one of the owners, the wife, at check in. So sweet

      10. Bea says

        January 06, 2015 at 11:44 am

        My feet are cold and yes, a trip to Hawaii sounds beyond blissful. Now on to your question - okay truth be said I have never, ever zip lined and cannot envision myself to ever doing it. Yes, it is the plain truth :) I am so terribly afraid of heights and just the thought of it makes me break out in a cold sweat.

        Happy New Year to you and your family, Marlynn.

        Reply
        • Marlynn Jayme Schotland says

          January 06, 2015 at 4:34 pm

          Bea, I totally get it, and think it is A-okay to never want to zipline if you are afraid of heights! It's pretty high up, but truth be told. I was more nervous standing on the platforms between zipline runs than I was during the ziplining itself! :)

      11. nourished roots says

        January 06, 2015 at 8:19 am

        Wow! I am so jealous! This is the time of year I am dying to see some sun! I have zip lined in both Costa Rica and Honduras- they were both amazingly fun but a little scary at first.

        Reply
        • Marlynn Jayme Schotland says

          January 06, 2015 at 4:49 pm

          I am so jealous that you have been to and ziplined in Costa Rica and Honduras! Costa Rica is definitely on my travel list.

      12. Pech says

        January 06, 2015 at 10:38 am

        Love the shot of the blue skies and black sand, it's so uniquely Hawaiian. I was wearing sneakers and also accidentally brought some of that sand back with me in my suitcase when it leaked out my shoes... :X

        Reply
        • Marlynn Jayme Schotland says

          January 06, 2015 at 4:35 pm

          It was such an awesome sight! I hope you got all the sand out ;)

      13. Melinda says

        January 06, 2015 at 8:21 am

        This post came at the perfect time. We're in the very early planning stages for a Hawaiian vacation next year! I'm keeping all this in mind for research!

        Reply
        • Marlynn Jayme Schotland says

          January 06, 2015 at 4:48 pm

          Melinda, which island? I love them all for different reasons (have not been to Kauai or Molokai).

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      Hi! If you're looking for easy, fast, delicious family-friendly recipes, wine pairings, and travel tips, you've come to the right place! I'm Marlynn - a cookbook author, writer, photographer, and mom of two teenagers + a lovable lab retriever. I hold a WSET 2 with Distinction in wine, and am a member of Society of American Travel Writers (SATW) and the International Food, Wine, and Travel Writers Association (IFWTWA).

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