What shouldn't we miss doing on the BI . . .

when you%26#39;re on a budget!

You may have read my other post - - staying 2wks on Kauai and 1 week on the Big Island.

Besides going to the Volcano Nat%26#39;l Park and diving . . . any other great adventures! It looks like we should have stayed 2 wks on the Big Island %26amp; 1 on Kauai - - but we took what we could get!

Look forward to reading great posts!

What shouldn't we miss doing on the BI . . .

I hear Akaka falls is quite nice, an easy walk, and free.

I plan to go there.

What shouldn't we miss doing on the BI . . .

Aloha Texas,

Don%26#39;t know if appropriate or not (PLEASE forgive if this is another case of size 13 foot in size 14 mouth): Speaking as an old sentimental slob who got married (to the most wonderful Lady in the world) on the Big Island, I think it would be a Beautiful place to renew Vows. (perhaps beach front at sunset and don%26#39;t forget the cake.)

Shouldn%26#39;t that be size 14 foot in a size 13 mouth? And no, you got it right with 2 weeks on Kauai. You%26#39;ll love it.

Aloha Texas,

Don%26#39;t know if appropriate or not (PLEASE forgive if this is another case of size 13 foot in size 14 mouth): Speaking as an old sentimental slob who got married (to the most wonderful Lady in the world) on the Big Island, I think it would be a Beautiful place to renew Vows. (perhaps beach front at sunset and don%26#39;t forget the cake.)

Perfectly appropriate but my husband of 23 yrs thinks renewing vows is silly - - hmmmm

Ideas; 1) pick-out a special dress guaranteed to, shall we say, prevent overheating by you/promote opposite reaction by him, 2) promise not to tease when he gets all teary-eyed, 3) let him pick cake flavor %26amp; SIZE and, 4) tell him Mel Gibson (etc.) did it.

Come-on Folks, help us out!

Yes, 2+ weeks on the Big Island and about three or four days on Kauai tops would have been much better, in my opinion. But I don%26#39;t like to sit around much. If you are just wanting to relax you made the right choice.

On to your question---If I had to pick things that are not to be missed (with added comments on cost):

1) Mauna Kea Summit (need to rent a 4x4)

2) Waipio Valley (you can walk down, no charge; or join a tour)

3) Kapoho Tide Pools (free!)

4) Volcano National Park ($10 entrance fee per vehicle)

5) Kayaking Kealakekua Bay (about $75 for kayak and snorkel gear)

6) Drive the old roads along the Hamakua Coast

Other CHEAP (free) things to do:

1) 69 Beach (Kohala coast)

2) Kua Bay (Kohala coast; requires a hike or 4x4)

3) Makalawena beach (Kohala coast; requires a hike or 4x4)

4) Polulu Valley hike

5) Explore around Punalu%26#39;u Black Sand Beach

6) Hike either of the Pu%26#39;u Huluhulus (one on the Saddle Rd and one down the Chain of Craters; the 2nd one assumes you have paid admission to the park)

7) Hike to lava (requires park entrance fee)

8) Walk down Honokohau beach to the Queen%26#39;s Bath

If you have questions about any of these, I can fill you in on

more details (provide pertinent links), just ask.

dear logophile- can you share more of your expertise about the BI? we%26#39;re looking for reasonably priced lovely places to stay. we%26#39;re open to hotels and/or camping. thanks!

flymarbles,

while in volcano, we stayed at my island b%26amp;b which is a nice affordable quant place that%26#39;s located near volcano national park. there are affordable places in the kailua-kona area, but they are mostly resort type places. i%26#39;d refer to hawaiidan for tips on good places to stay for a reasonable price.

good luck and most of all have fun!

flymarbles,

If you give me any idea of what you plan to see and do on the island (it%26#39;s a BIG island), I would be happy to offer some suggestions. I have done a bit of camping around the island, and when I stay anywhere but Kona (timeshare there), I tend to go for budget (but nice) lodging, so I may be able to offer some help.

Advice is much appreciated. We%26#39;ll be there for about a week- hope to explore one or more of the parks and some lying around on the beach doing nothing. So we%26#39;ll probably stay at one or two places if stuff is spead out. Nothing too touristy or resort-like. We%26#39;re not very good planners...