***NOTE: We try to keep up with all the current changes, however, it is always advisable to check on the destinations you plan to visit just to make sure they are available for visiting. Most are free but some charge a small entry fee.***

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> Where to find Hawaiian Food in North America

WINE TASTING ON THE BIG ISLAND?

Join Jeremy Creeley's wine tasting experience at Jackie Rey's Ohana Grill in Kona. A great bargain and fun experience! No previous wine experience necessary. Come learn and sample some of the world's great wines in a non-threatening and inviting environment.

CRUISE Ship Schedule for HILO - 2008 OR 2009

CRUISE Ship Schedule for KONA - 2008 OR 2009 OR 2010

SUPERFERRY - For the latest Superferry Routes and Times click the follow icon:

HILO [East Hawai`i] - A sleepy (but charming!) town that is often times less favored over the Kona Coast due to Hilo's lush and cooler tropical climate. Surrounded by elegant gardens and parks, and a back drop of the world's tallest mountain, it has emerged from an old plantation town "movie set" into a cultural mecca for families, retirees, ecotourism, scientific discovery, and above all cultural significance. Considered the world's epicenter of the revival of the ancient Hula and Mele (song/chant), here the spirit of Aloha is strong, practiced, and preserved. Most visitors are struck by the warmth, friendliness, and diversity of its people.

As the Island's county seat, sprawling Hilo is striking in its beauty and its politics. Scenic gardens, uncluttered parks, and forests are bountiful. It is the gateway to the only surviving rain forest in the U.S., where a large portion of endangered native bird species reside. Asian and Hawaiian customs influence a rich tapestry of the Aloha Spirit and Ohana (family). Politically referred to as East Hawai`i, don't let your tour guide counselor steer you away from exploring this historic one of a kind small town gem.

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KONA-KOHALA-WAIMEA [West Hawai`i] - Referred to as West Hawai`i, with its sunny and mythical dry coast, its upland vistas and electric blue ocean, the Kona-Kohala Coast is considered a world class tourist destination. International flights enter the Big Island through Kona's charming mini airport, one of the few tropical "open" airports left. Its coastline and uplands are bursting with ancient Hawaiian archeological sites and history. This is the cradle of Hawai`i's ancient customs and culture and is preserved and passed on to the generations. Kailua-Kona also represents Hawai`i's last "Hawaiian village community." Residents take pride in their village of Kailua and great efforts go toward keeping the Kona district quaint, visitor-friendly, and Hawaiian. Its popularity has brought the Kona-Kohala Coast into the lime light of world travelers, and the Coast has amenities to suit any taste, including its performing arts and famous Kona coffee.

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First time to the Big Island?

Want a FREE suggestion on how to tour the Big Island on your own? We do this as pure aloha (free). Tell us how many days you will be staying, and if you are staying on the Hilo side or Kona side. Mahalo! (Thank you)]:

IMPORTANT! - We get a lot of questions for answers that are already available on this web site. We ask that you first check out as much information as you have time throughout this site before contacting us. This will help us respond to all inquires promptly. Mahalo! (Thank you!)

If you are located in North America, are you listed in our Hawaiian Food directory?

You don't have to take our advice or tips. You can also wing it on your own--be adventurous! If you do, take a virtual tour of the Big Island first (you must have Quick Time installed on your computer to view it!).

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BIG ISLAND CANDIES, Hilo - 808-935-8890 - They are more famous for their cookies than candies! FAB-U-LOUS and D-LICIOUS!

Mokupapapa Discovery Center - Hilo. Great for kids to learn about their marine environment. Films and exhibits. 808-933-8195 Web site

Pacific Tsunami Museum - Hilo. 808-935-0926. Located in Hilo bay front behind the King Kamehameha statue on Kamehameha Avenue. Web site

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For Hawaiian food in North America, go here

Please note, we are not professional food critics (nor do we intend to be) and we do not review establishments located in major resorts (such as your Hilton, Sheraton/Starwood, Four Seasons, etc. chains). As you will note above under "Local Dining we recommend," this request is for small "local establishments" with an entree ranging between $5 - $20, excluding beverages.

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Shipman House Bed and Breakfast Inn, Hilo. 800-627-8447. Web Site.

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Arnott's Lodge - Described as "immaculate budget accommodations." Noted for hiking adventures, including dorm-style lodging and private room and bath. 98 Apapane Road, Hilo. 808-969-7097. Web Site

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DOs

• Respect the elderly.

• Stop when someone (or something) is crossing the road.

• Aloha Spirit - Did you know it is against the law to not show one's spirit of Aloha toward others? That's right! Some may not realize that the "Aloha Spirit" is part of the Hawaii Revised Statutes. State law states: "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.

• Stay within the speed limits - weather and other conditions make driving very different from "mainland driving." This maybe one of the hardest thing to do if you're from the continent.

• Pedestrians have the right of way. ALWAYS STOP if someone is about to cross a street, road, or path whether they are in a cross walk or not!

• LEAVE YOUR BAD HABITS AT HOME so be prepared to use your best social skills (especially eliminating bad behavior of children and adults alike!) You are not necessarily in "America" but you are definitely in Hawai`i, a "nation within a nation."

DON'Ts

• Do not stack rocks - Piling of rocks along trails, valleys, and other areas are taboo. Visitors are asked not to stack rocks especially in sacred places like the volcano national park. How would you like someone to come into your sacred place or worship and start moving the alter, relics, and other objects considered sacred? Rangers also say they alter the park's natural setting and violate federal law. Those who insist on stacking rocks could be charged with a misdemeanor punishable by up to six months in jail and a $5,000 fine. Moreover, the construction of rock piles and distort geologic history.
• No unreasonable and loud public noises (e.g. boombox, car "low riding" with music blasting, etc.)

• Do not Pick the flowers, fruits, and produce unless you've asked for permission to pick them.

• Respect the `Aina (Land).
• Never blow your car's horn unless you're "waving" at someone. Honking is considered rude and un-Hawaiian.

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Prevailing winds that affect the Hawaiian Islands move from east to west. On the Big Island, the volcanic mountains trap the moist air from the Pacific. As a result, the windward sides (Hilo-Hamakua Coastline) are cooler and wetter, while the leeward sides (Kohala-Kona-Kau) are warmer and drier. For example, on the leeward side (Kona) there are places which see only five or six inches of rain a year, while Hilo, on the windward side, is the wettest city in the United States (average of over 180 inches of rain in a year).

If you are planning a trip to a higher altitude (such as Volcano National Park, the Saddle Road, or Mauna Kea) you should bring a light jacket, sweater or sweatshirt. Generally speaking, unless there are severe tropical storms, the beaches' average daytime high in summer is in the mid-eighties, while in winter the average daytime high is still in the high seventies. The temperatures drop about ten degrees at night. In the winter months Hilo, Volcano, and Waimea can dip into the 50s - 60s with heavy snow falls on Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa.

Want more? Here's a passage from the Farmer's Almanac that might serve as a guide:

"HAWAIIAN WEATHER IN A NUTSHELL - You will enjoy Hawaiian weather at its best if you plan your visit during the dry-season months of May through October. The two best months are June and July. The driest and sunniest locations are in the southern and western sections of the islands. Remember these two simple facts and you should enjoy mostly dry, warm weather, with only a slight risk of brief isolated showers. If you plan your Hawaiian visit during the wet-season months of November through April, the overall weather patterns will be more changeable. "

We generally like sending our entire staff to the Big Island each year in the February - March period since it is cooler especially with snow-capped Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa. One of the wonderful things about the Big Island is that much of its weather is "localized." If it is raining in one location you can easily drive to another section of the island to enjoy dryer weather.

You can also find more weather perspectives at Go-Hawaii.

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• The Big Island is Hawaii's largest at 4,038 square miles. It is twice the size of all other Hawaiian Islands combined.

• It has the largest contiguous ranch, in the United States, the Parker Ranch near Kamuela -- about 480,000 acres of land.

• It is the youngest of the island chain at 800,000 years and was the first island discovered by voyaging Polynesians.

• Kilauea volcano is the world's most active.

• Ka Lae (South Point) is the southernmost point in the United States, located at 18:54:49 N 155:41:00 W. It has a constant 27 knots per hour wind blowing east to west, 24 hours per day and 365 days per year.

• Has two of the tallest mountains in the Pacific - Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa. Mauna Kea is the world's tallest mountain measured from the sea floor. Its peak towers over 13,000 above sea level.

• Most of the world's macadamia nuts are grown on this island and is the worldwide leader in harvesting macadamia nuts and orchids.

• Statehood Aug. 21, 1959 (50th state) was followed by the illegal overthrow of the Hawaiian Government by the United States. Many see "statehood" as unjust occupation.

• Hilo is its county seat, and second largest city in the State.

• Currency U.S. Dollar

• Language English (official), Hawaiian (official) - The unofficial language is a local form of creole called "pidgen."

• Origin of Name From the ancient Polynesian homeland called Hawaiki

• Population Approx. 162,000

• Kona Coffee is not "Hawaiian coffee." In order to be called "Kona" it must be grown exclusively on the West (aka West Hawai`i) side of the Big Island. Conoisseurs say Kona coffee is "devote of bitterness" which is no surprise why its limited production is snapped up by coffee lovers each year (sending its price sky high!). The crop is grown within a narrow strip of land (about 3,000 acres) between the townships of Holualoa and Honaunau accessible via Hiway 11. If you're in the town of Captain Cook, then you're smack dab in the middle of coffee country. On the other hand, if coffee is grown elsewhere in the Hawaiian Islands (such as Kaua`i and Maui) the coffee is referred to as "Hawaiian coffee."
• Hawai`i has lost more bird species than all of North America. It has been estimated that of the 71 known Hawaiian bird species, 24 have disappeared and 32 are endangered. Hawai`i Island is home to the many of these endangered species.

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