Big island recommendations

In March/April we split our time 4 nights in Volcano and 4 nights north of Kona (in Kohala). The Hawaii Volcano National Park was a highlight, and I’d strongly recommend staying in Volcano for 3-4 night if the park interests you and you like to hike/walk as well as tour by car. There is a fair amount of traffic driving in and out of Hilo or Kona, so you will enjoy the park more if you stay nearby. I wish we had had a few night in Hilo as well, but we did not so I can’t recommend a place to stay.

It’s hard to recommend how to split your time without knowing how much time you want for beaches vs gardens, historical sites, the National Park, etc.

Edited to add: Here is a link to my trip report. Many of the replies add more ideas of great things to do.

https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/trip-reports/much-more-than-beaches-the-big-island-of-hawai-i-2023

We have stayed at Kane Plantation and it was magical! Michael and David are the consummate hosts; the property is gorgeous and breakfast is divine. Book it ASAP, and you will not be disappointed.

Awesome/ did you stay anywhere else or just do daytrips from there?

Hi Barbara. Thank you so much. Your report and the comments that follow are incredibly helpful. So much so I think your itinerary would definitely be worth following. We would love to hike in the national park and I was just reading in the big island revealed book that People spending a few days near the national park is very much advised as there is so much to see and do in that area. Also, in the comment section people mention specific tours and other spots to visit so like I said, thank you so much. I’m not going to stress if we can’t really find a place in Hilo that looks like us . Hawaii is not an inexpensive holiday, especially for us with the Canadian dollar. So wherever we go, I want to make sure we feel good about it and excited. The national park really sounds like a place that we would love to visit.

I second the recommendation to spend at least a couple of nights in Volcano, but Hilo is well worth a visit also.

We had an early morning flight, so we stayed for one night at Marriott's Courtyard King Kamehameha's Kona Beach Hotel. It was absolutely horrid. Dirty rooms, mold and virtually no customer service. I would not stay there again even if it was free of charge.

I think you're likely to find the cheapest accommodation in or near Hilo. It's the " wet side" of the island and therefor in less demand than the sunny Kona side. It's only about a 45 minute drive from there up to the volcano so you can enjoy some time up there without paying a premium for a hotel close by.
If you're looking for a cheaper alternative to Kailua consider the pretty little town of Waimea. It's where we stay ourselves every year - well off the usual tourist track yet still only an hour from the airport and the pretty Kona beaches ... which we enjoy but are always happy to leave behind us at the end of a long day out.

did you also ask this question on the TA Hawaii Big Island forum? I think I responded there.

I recommend that you check out the tripadvisor Hawaii forum. There are helpful destination experts and a large community of TA members that love to discuss Hawaii.

You will need a car on the Big Island. I usually rent from https://www.discounthawaiicarrental.com/en-ca/

I generally like the leeward side of the Big Island for more choices of accommodations, restaurants beaches, and shopping. With 12 days, it would be worth spending a few nights in Volcano and Hilo.

Glad my report was helpful. If you are in good shape, everyone I know who has taken the Kilauea Iki hike has loved it. And wow, the Kane Plantation looks wonderful. I'll have to remember it if we have a chance to return.

We did a week long Big Island tour as COVID restrictions just ended. Arriving KOA we stayed 2 nights in a Kailua Kona condo, then traveling around the island c'clockwise spending 2 nights in the Volcano House, 2 night in Hilo then 2 nights in at the Kamuela Inn in Waimea.

Highly recommend several nights in or near the Volcano NP and the historic Volcano House is an interesting stay with a view of the caldera. https://hawaiivolcanohouse.com/ If the Volcano House is booked check near by Volcano village for limited alternatives.

Hilo is all about location in that Hilo will give you a flavor of local life. That also means most accommodations are not very deluxe. Hilo Farmers Market a must experience. http://hilofarmersmarket.com/

Kamuela/Waimea is up country with weather between dry Kona and wet Hilo and short drives to each coast. Kamuela Inn is affordable and comfortable. https://www.thekamuelainn.com is an hour drive to KOA airport. Kamuela is only a 10 mile drive west to Spencer Beach Park. Note that the Pu'ukohola Heiau National Historic Site is next to Spencer Beach and a good walking tour.

Point of interest. Too many Waimeas so Waimea's post office is Kamuela.

Waimea is a landlocked census-designated place (CDP) in Hawaii County,
Hawaii, United States. The population was 7,028 at the 2000 census and
9,212 at the 2010 census.[2] Since each U.S. state cannot have more
than one post office of the same name, and there is a post office in
Waimea, Kauai County, the official U.S. Post Office designation for
Waimea is Kamuela, although this name is only used by the post office,
not by locals or the local government.[3] The name Waimea means
reddish water.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Waimea,_Hawaii_County,_Hawaii#

Connecting flights btw the islands are cheap and plentiful. It's really hassle free.

Another plug to spend a couple of nights in Volcano. We stayed at this Airbnb and it was awesome https://www.airbnb.com/trips/v1/f0645148-72dc-46f2-bae9-2bd583734e11/ro/RESERVATION2_CHECKIN/HMWRF4RPQQ. The area really becomes deserted and even more special when the tourbusses leave for the night. Plus you get to the park before the next day’s tour busses arrive. Lots of fantastic hikes and great views. I haven't been since the most recent two eruptions.

In Hilo, I'd strongly recommend the Bioreserve north of Hilo. https://htbg.com. But honestly, I don't love Hilo. Hard to put my finger on why I find it so charmless. Maybe it's the big box stores, chain restaurants and suburban traffic, but I'm always anxious to be on my way.

One thing to be prepared for, on both Maui and Big Island is a somewhat vocal minority who are strongly nativist as well as people who are less than excited to have tourists clogging up roads. Just know that people have strong feelings and you may want to tread lightly and have empathy. For example, if you go to the Mauna Kea Observatory, you may see people protesting what they see is a colonial occupation of their sacred land. There is no danger, it's just a cultural aspect to be aware of. If you are planning on going to the Observatory, book a tour. It's well worth the expense to get access to the upper levels. In the olden days you could just drive up basically the whole way, but that's not the case anymore. Also, your underpowered rental car may struggle in the thin air.

We love the Big Island. Our first visit there was a 12-night stay and we circumnavigated the island with 3 nights in each of 4 locales. SInce then we've been back several times and can't wait to go back again this fall. On our last visit, in 2022, we stayed at the Holualoa Inn in Honoka'a. It was utterly fantastic. We stayed in the Coffee Cherry room which though facing away from the ocean has its own private hot tub and patio, and there are plenty of opportunities for ocean views all over the house and grounds, which includes a wonderful sculpture garden in addition to the pool and communal hot tub. Breakfast was always delicious and the innkeepers are truly gracious, warm and hospitable in every way. We have stayed twice at the Volcano Village Lodge in Volcano, which is convenient for the park and for meals in the nearby restaurants; places tend to close relatively early so plan your hikes accordingly if you aren't eating in Hilo. Finally, for a real splurge but worth the cost, IMO, consider the Wa'a cottage at Lava Lava Beach Club in Waikoloa. The other three cottages are fine too, I'm sure, but Wa'a was truly, truly memorable.

hey hey all
just a correction here from beepers40 post
holualoa inn is in the small village/town of holualoa, not honoka'a. the inn is located above kailua kona town in the coffee lands and to me very bohemian lifestyle up there. it's where they have the kona coffee festival.
honoka'a is beginning of the hamakua coast, northern route #19, near the turn off to waipio valley.
as chris states, it's more a larger minority of the islands that feel strong about their islands. it's not only tourists, many people have moved there to "live in paradise" and want to bring their ways. like other states, people were flown here on one way tickets with the clothes on their back and expect the state to take care, others have bought land/property that locals can't afford with out bidding and paying cash, no affordable/low income housing others working remotely meaning can work anywhere. i could go on but you get the picture. i'm from hilo/waimea/hamakua area with my family there to visit and have seen the many changes on this rural 2 lane hiway/roads around the island.
where ever you are, stop and spend time to "talk story" with some of the locals that are proud of their heritage, growing up on the islands. learn the history of the areas and some struggles/disasters that have happened on the big island
coffeetimes.com
click LBD, click island guide, and click island you're interested in. have fun
aloha

Princess Pupule is talking about Rick's Back Door Travel Aloha style. Travel with eyes open and respect for both locals and wildlife. Don't touch the Honu.

https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/hrscurrent/vol01_ch0001-0042f/hrs0005/hrs_0005-0007_0005.htm

[§5-7.5] "Aloha Spirit". (a) "Aloha Spirit" is the coordination
of mind and heart within each person. It brings each person to the
self. Each person must think and emote good feelings to others. In
the contemplation and presence of the life force, "Aloha", the
following unuhi laula loa may be used:

"Akahai", meaning kindness to be expressed with tenderness;

"Lokahi", meaning unity, to be expressed with harmony;

"Oluolu", meaning agreeable, to be expressed with pleasantness;

"Haahaa", meaning humility, to be expressed with modesty;

"Ahonui", meaning patience, to be expressed with perseverance.

These are traits of character that express the charm, warmth and sincerity of Hawaii's people. It was the working philosophy of native
Hawaiians and was presented as a gift to the people of Hawaii.
"Aloha" is more than a word of greeting or farewell or a salutation.
"Aloha" means mutual regard and affection and extends warmth in caring
with no obligation in return. "Aloha" is the essence of relationships
in which each person is important to every other person for collective
existence. "Aloha" means to hear what is not said, to see what cannot
be seen and to know the unknowable.

(b) In exercising their power on behalf of the people and in fulfillment of their responsibilities, obligations and service to the
people, the legislature, governor, lieutenant governor, executive
officers of each department, the chief justice, associate justices,
and judges of the appellate, circuit, and district courts may
contemplate and reside with the life force and give consideration to
the "Aloha Spirit". [L 1986, c 202, §1]