Question – Difficulty in Kayaking Kona

We received the following question by email: We are looking at doing the “Kayak the Sea Caves Near Honaunau” as that looks like loads of fun, and we will be doing the Captain Cook trip as well…based off your recommendation of that as well. Anyways we just want to make sure that a trip like this doesn’t warrant a large amount of “open water” type kayaking experience. We have kayaked in Florida, but not on the ocean, are pretty fit (our past-time is spent climbing mountains in land-locked Colorado) and we just want to make sure that we don’t head out and find ourselves in large, crashing waves and having a sphincter-puckering time. I figure that obviously conditions can change, but in general is this an overly difficult kayak trip requiring quite a bit of experience?

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Question – Tsunami Damage to Kona

We received the following question by email: Hi. Coming to Hawaii in July 2011. Spending most time on Kauai. Would like to come to Kona and hike and see volcano/lava. Was there any damage from storms that would prevent us from doing that in Kona?

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Big Island Tsunami Damage – Update 3/15/2011

The Big Island was hit by a tsunami on Friday, 3/11/2011, triggered by the massive 8.9 magnitude earthquake near the east coast of Honshu, Japan. As of 3/15/2011, many parts of the Kohala, Kona, and South Kona coasts are still damaged. Most major roads have been re-opened. Many rumors swirled following the tsunami as to the extent of the damage to hotels and public areas. Here is a summary of what is still damaged.

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Question – Hiking the Muliwai Trail to Waimanu Valley

This question was received by email: In planning a trip to Hawaii for later this year your site has been very, very helpful in sorting out things to see and do. Hopefully you will also be able to help me fill in a few details. I am really, really looking forward to hiking the Muliwai Trail that goes from Waipio Valley to the Waimanu Valley and have a few questions in regards to it. I talked to DLNR, but they really didn’t help to fill in any of the blanks. 1. The best time. Possible choices are the end of August, middle of September, or early October. What would be the best choice weighing in crowds, rain, and hurricane season? 2. Is there any camping along Waipio Beach? I understand that a lot of the Waipio Valley is private property, but I was hoping there would be some way to hike down into the valley the night before, campout on Waipio Beach, and then hike over to Waimanu Valley the next day. Thoughts? 3. Any other tidbits you might have in regards to the trail?

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Question – Where to Buy Camping Fuel and Trekking Food?

This question was submitted by email:

We are heading for Big Island this May. We are doing some backpacking. Therefore my question: Are there any stores around where to buy camping gas and trekking food?

Derk 

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Answer:

Derk,

 You can buy camping fuel (white gas and /or large Coleman canisters) from Wal-Mart (Kona and Hilo) and various other stores including Kmart and Ace Hardware.  I don’t recall seeing any stores that sell lightweight trekking food (freeze-dried) – you may need to pack that in your suitcase as we have done in the past or opt for dried Lipton noodles and Spam (local favorite).  There are no big outdoors supply stores on the Big Island, unfortunately.  Enjoy your trip!

Continental Airlines Flights from the Mainland Direct to Hilo

Back in the 1980′s, when Hilo was making its move to become a major tourist destination in the Hawaiian Islands, There were several major airlines that flew direct from the US mainland to Hilo Airport.  In recent years smaller airlines such as ATA have done so on a non-regular basis.  After they went bankrupt, there was no longer air service to Hilo without first connecting through Honolulu International Airport.  Until now…

Below excerpt from USA Today:

United Airlines merger partner Continental announced on Wednesday it will add service to the “Big Island” of Hawaii. The carrier will fly to Hilo International from both San Francisco and Los Angeles, which each are major hubs for United. Continental will fly one round-trip flight each Saturday on the routes using Boeing 737-800 jets.

Continental’s Hilo flights will become the airport’s only nonstop links to the U.S. mainland.

“These flights will offer customers convenient, nonstop service to the Big Island without having to connect in Honolulu,” Jim Compton, chief revenue officer of United Continental Holdings, says in a release announcing the new routes.

Reader Comment – Shark Sighting at Kukio Beach

Reader comment submitted via email:

We drove all the way to Kukio beach but it was closed due to a Tiger shark sighting. Is there a web site to check for closures, etc? Thank you.  PS I would like to have gone in to see if we could have seen a triangle fin sticking out of the water. –Brad.

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Reply:

Brad,
Sorry to hear about the beach closure. There is no website that I know of for checking beach closure status. Frankly, shark sightings at area beaches are rare. I am puzzled about the kukio beach sighting too – since the shore there is very shallow with a natural rock barrier paralleling the beach. Perhaps the shark was sighted out in deeper water?  When you are in the area, make sure you also check out Kikaua Point Beach (just to the south of Kukio).

Question – Renting Kayaks at Captain Cook

We received this question by email:
We’d like to rent a double kayak to see the Cook monument and to snorkle. Can we do this on the spot, or should we reserve in advance? What is the cost of the kayak rental and permit? –Tom O.

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Answer:
There are no kayak rentals at Kealakeua Bay itself (the launch point where you start your paddle to Captain Cook). However, in the nearby town of Honalo, there are numerous kayak rental stores. We recommend renting from the Aloha Kayak Company (native Hawaiian owned) where a tandem kayak will cost you $60 per day.   I would definitely call ahead of time and reserve your kayak in advance, especially if you are planning your Captain Cook adventure in the busy tourist season.  Keep in mind, because of recent regulations, more and more visitors are opting to pay for the chartered tour to Captian Cook via boat or zodiac instead of kayaking.

As far as permitting goes, check out the details on how to obtain a Captain Cook Kayak Permit.  Permits from the Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) are free, but there is a considerable amount of headache involved in trying to submit and receive your permit (fax the form ahead of time, etc.)  Even if you choose not to apply for the Captain Cook Kayak Permit, you can still kayak within Kealakekua Bay, you just cannot beach your kayak on the opposing shore (near the Captain Cook monument).  This should not inhibit you from still snorekling above the wonderful reef (you can simply pull the kayak behind you by holding the bow line as you snorkel).

Running / Walking Events for November 2010

The Big Island of Hawaii – and especially Kona, is a popular vacation destination for the fitness-minded, the adventure racer, triathlete, and outdoors enthusiast.  The Big Island Running Company offers a wide assortment of running footwear, athletic clothing, and outdoors apparel and is conveniently located in the Coconut Grove Marketplace in Kailua-Kona. 

Here are the events for November 2010:

11/7/10: Queen Ka’ahumanu Triathlon Club 20k and 30k Supported Training Runs, Free, 7:00 AM, Old Airport Park, Kailua-Kona

 11/11/10: November 11 – Big Dog’s Veterans Day 5K, run/walk 3.1-miles, Coconut Island (Moku Ola) starts at 7:30 am and is free.  Random prizes given and post race refreshments provided.  Just show up, sign in and have fun.  For more information on any Big Dog event call 969-7400 or email waiakeabigdog@aol.com.

 11/13/10: Big Island Running Company presents the Miracle Mile, a one-mile road race in connection with the Kona Coffee Cultural Festival, 9:15 AM, starts at Coconut Grove Marketplace, finishes at West Hawaii Today on Kuakini Highway.

 11/25/10: Big Island Running Company presents the 6th Annual Wobble & Gobble Run/Walk (6.4 mi., 3.5 mi., 1 mi.), 8:00 AM, Lako St. Jog Path at Walua Road, FREE.

11/28/10: Post Pigout Peamania (1/4 mi. swim + 2 mi. clockwise run + 1/4 mi. swim + 2 mi. counterclockwise run), 8:00 AM, Kailua-Kona

Plan your Hawaii Vacation Online

There are many resources online that can help you book your tickets, find bargain accommodations, and plan all of your activities. Most people nowadays will use online airline travel reservation websites to search for cheap airfare. For a destination like Hawaii, what time of year you plan on visiting can impact the airline ticket price by as much as 50% or more. Using the right airline bookings site can help you forecast in advance when tickets are cheaper and help you find the dates and times that are most reasonably priced.

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