We spent our honeymoon at the Big Island in Hawaii and I can provide some highlights
There are 2 main cities, Hilo in the East, and Kona in the West. Personally, there is more things to see closer to the Hilo side of the island, but the resorts are all on the Kona side.
In Kona, we stayed at the Sheraton Keauhou Bay (
www.sheratonkeauhou.com/). Nice place, very family friendly.
In terms of activities around the Kona:
- The town of Kona is nice to spend an afternoon checking out the shops and beaches. Big Island isn't really known for their beaches compared to the other islands. The only exceptions, the Black sand beach South of the island and the much rarer Green sand beach (although this requires a 4 hour hike to see it)
- Kona Brewing company - Like our Brewsters, they make a wide variety of beers. Try the coconut beer. One of the free guide books has a coupon for a free appetizer (no purchase required) so that might be something to your liking
http://konabrewingco.com/
- Royal Kona Coffee Company - Prides themselves as the best of Hawaiian coffee. We didn't get a chance to make it there, but heard good things.
http://royalkonacoffee.com/AboutRoya...8/Default.aspx
- Greenwell farms coffee - Less touristy and we had friends who swear by their coffee -
http://greenwellfarms.com/
- Neat thing, the Punalu Bakery at the Southern tip of the Island. It's on the way to the Southernest most point of the United States and nearby the black sand beach
http://www.bakeshophawaii.com/
- Donkeyballs - unique jaw breaker size chocolate covered coffee beans. Great gift/sourvenirs
http://www.donkeyballskona.com/
- Eats: Huggo's on the rocks. Nice place to have drinks and past the day by. They also have an indoor place. Gets more lively at night.
http://huggos.com/
- Luau? If you haven't been to one before, Kona has 3 hotels that holds them
- Night time Manta Ray viewing/swimming - For the adventurous, go out for a night time boat trip. The Rays are attracted to light and the captain will get a whole bunch of them to come up the boat for a feeding. To the bold, you can also scuba/snorkle with them. The dive leader brings a giant spotlight underwater and the Rays circle all around you.
Hilo: You'll probably not get a chance to travel to the East side of the Islands unless you have a car or a free day.
Volcano National Park - This is the main reason people come to the Big Island. Our highlight of the trip, see the craters, sulphur deposits, and the dried lava flows from prior eruptions. It's 2 hours (96miles) from Kona (30min drive from Hilo) and it's best to spend the day there to experience everything. Also note that when we went in Sept, lava flow was at an extreme low, so we weren't recommended to do a lava boat tour to see it flow into the ocean, as we would most likely not see anything
http://www.nps.gov/havo/index.htm
Big Island Candies
http://www.bigislandcandies.com/BIC/ - Neat place for goodies
I don't recommend the Macadamian nut factory - a bit of a tourist trap and expensive souvenirs
Akaka Falls - Waterfalls North of Hilo. Much better than the Rainbow Falls which have run dry
Eats: Ken's House of Pancakes (an absolute dive, but cheap, large portions, and a selection of syrups that can't be beat anywhere. We went everyday for breakfast). Cafe Pesto Hilo (Must try their version of the Poki)
That's all I can think of for now. You been to Hawaii before so I'm sure you already konw things like going to the ABC stores to get your souvenirs. Things tend to be cheaper in the Big Island than in the other islands.
Heading to Hawaii (The Big Island)
