The Big Island of Hawaii - Hawaii with Kids - page 157

1 Orientation
Most people arrive on the Big Island at Kona International Airport, on the
island's west coast, and discover there are only two ways to go: clockwise or
counterclockwise. From the airport, Kilauea volcano is to the right or counter-
clockwise, and the ritzy Kohala coast is to the left or clockwise. (If you land in
Hilo, of course, the volcano is clockwise, and Kohala is counterclockwise.)
If you think you can “do” the Big Island in a day, forget it. You need about 3
days to really see Hawaii Volcanoes National Park alone. It's best to spend at least
a week here.
ARRIVING
The Big Island has two major airports for jet traffic between the islands: Kona
International Airport and Hilo International Airport.
The Kona Airport receives direct overseas flights from Japan (Japan Airlines)
and Vancouver (Aloha Airlines), as well as direct mainland flights from Los
Angeles and San Francisco on United Airlines ( & 800/241-6522; www.united.
com); from Los Angeles on American Airlines ( & 800/433-7300; www.aa.
com); and from Oakland and Orange County on Aloha Airlines ( & 800/
367-5250; www.alohaairlines.com). Otherwise, you'll have to pick up an inter-
island flight in Honolulu. Both Aloha Airlines (see above) and Hawaiian
Airlines ( & 800/367-5320; www.hawaiianair.com) offer jet service to both Big
Island airports. All major rental companies have cars available at both airports.
See “Getting Around” in chapter 2 for more details on interisland travel and car
rentals.
VISITOR INFORMATION
The Big Island Visitors Bureau has two offices on the Big Island: one at 250
Keawe St., Hilo, HI 96720 ( & 808/961-5797; fax [phone]); and one on
the other side of the island at 250 Waikoloa Beach Dr., Waikoloa, HI 96738
( & 808/886-1652 ). Its website is www.bigisland.org.
On the west side of the island, there are two additional sources to contact
for information: the Kona-Kohala Resort Association, 69-275 Waikoloa
Beach Dr., Kamuela, HI 96743 ( & 800/318-3637 or 808/886-4915; fax 808/
886-1044; www.kkra.org); and Destination Kona, P.O. Box 2850, Kailua-
Kona, HI 96745 ( & 808/322-6809; fax [phone]). On the east side, you
can contact Destination Hilo, P.O. Box 1391, Hilo, HI 96721 ( & 808/935-
5294; fax [phone]). At the center of the island, contact the Waimea Vis-
itor Center, P.O. Box 6570, Kamuela, HI 96743 ( & 808/885-6707; fax 808/
885-0885).
The Big Island's best free tourist publications are This Week, the Beach and
Activity Guide, and 101 Things to Do on Hawaii the Big Island. All three offer lots
of useful information, as well as discount coupons on a variety of island adven-
tures. Copies are easy to find all around the island.
The Beach and Activity Guide is affiliated with the Activity Connection,
Bougainvillea Plaza, Suite 102, 75-5656 Kuakini Hwy., Kailua-Kona ( & 800/
459-7156 or 808/329-1038; www.beachactivityguide.com), a discount activi-
ties desk offering real savings (no fees, no timeshares) of up to 15% on activities
including island tours, snorkel and dive trips, submarine and horseback rides,
luaus, and more. The office is open daily from 7:30am to 5:30pm.