Top Tourist Must-See's

We are planning our trip for October of this year and intend to spend about 7 nights on the island. We love the ocean but NOT sitting on a beach all day, so that will not be a focus of our trip. We are more interested in historic things, nature, lovely drives and cultural activities. We will have a car to get around so distance is no issue. We%26#39;re looking to see and do things that are nowhere on the mainland - things typically hawaiian.

We also could use recommendations for a hotel which is luxurious and will pamper us in every way.

Thanks for all your help!

Top Tourist Must-See's

The Four Seasons would be my recommendation for luxurious pampering. It%26#39;s fantastic!

I%26#39;d wouldn%26#39;t miss a helicopter ride over the erupting volcano (seeing the lava spill in to the sea and new earth forming is amazing). Also, the Waipio Valley lookout is beautiful. I%26#39;d also recommend spending a day in Hilo and visiting Akaka Falls, Rainbow Falls, and the Hawaii Tropical Botanical Gardens - which are fantastic! There is also a candy company there in Hilo that is great for treats %26amp; souvenirs. You could do all these Hilo stops after a helicopter ride (which leaves from Hilo airport - and I recommend a morning flight). Hilo isn%26#39;t too far of a drive from the Kohala Coast (i.e. Four Seasons %26amp; other resorts).

Near Kona you will likely enjoy the Place of Refuge. If you like to snorkel, I highly recommend the snorkeling just off of the Captain Cook monument at Kaleakala Bay (sp?) - and note the monument itself is actually on British soil! The snorkeling there is the best we%26#39;ve seen in all of our trips to Hawaii. Place of Refuge also has good snorkeling.

Top Tourist Must-See's

Aloha......

Well you can%26#39;t beat the four seasons......if they don%26#39;t got it you haven%26#39;t yet dreamed of it.......figure about 7 to 800 a night with tax and no meals. add about $250 a day for grits.

Next in my thin book is Mauna Kea, and Hapuna, the Hiltons disney with mangos,

For must do;( in order)

Go to hotel and have a nice dinner out...

Go in a fix wing tour of the island......helos only show you 1/2 of the potential.....mark on a map what floats your boat.

Go to Capt Cook, ( K bay) for the best snorkel in Hawaii

Hit Mauna Kea or HAPUNA BEACH

Drive to the summit of Mauna Kea

Visit the Volcano and Hilo....stay in Volcano

Visit Akaka and Rainbow Falls

See the Wiapio valley from the overlook.

Go to a beach BBQ or the Clam Bake at four seasons or Mauna Kea hotel

Cruise downtown Kona a 1960%26#39;s beach town.

..........your on your own...........HD.

other special places to visit might be Hawi and the north kohala coast. and holualoa coffee plantations...

enjoy.

Hey Dan %26amp; Mauna Kea,

We are returning to the BI this fall and the one thing that has intrigued me since I was there last was the idea of driving up Mauna Kea, you hear so many things about rental cars on the saddle road, the weather, etc. What is the deal on driving up???