Looking for Hawaii Big Island Experts

[Tink&SquirtsMom]

We didn't touch them at all, my kids just put the leaves in the water (the same kind that were already in the water) and they would swim right up and eat them. We knew about the laws against touching them, but not about staying 20 feet away or interacting with them at all. In fact on mulitple Hawaii trips we've been on sea turtle snorkels which get you right up close to them to snorkel alongside them. How can that be allowed? When we were there that would have been near impossible to stay 20 ft away. They were everywhere. They are beautiful animals and I understand completely why the laws are in place (one guide told us stories of sea turtles drowning because of tourists hold them under, etc), but we weren't doing anything that threatened them or interfered with their natural behavior (just adding more leaves to the water for them to feed off of... something they were already doing).

 

[Honu]

In fact on mulitple Hawaii trips we've been on sea turtle snorkels which get you right up close to them to snorkel alongside them. How can that be allowed?

Like the whale watching tours, they are allowed, but there are restrictions on how close you can get. The operators should have been making this clear to everyone that went into the water. And it is impossible to avoid them in the water at times. I've been the victim of many swim-by flipper whacks.

 

[robinb]

I didn't see this mentioned, but another snorkeling spot of beginners is Kahalu'u Beach Park: http://www.letsgo-hawaii.com/beaches/kahaluu.html. It's just south of Kona, about an hour drive from the Hilton. The beach is really nothing to look at, but this is the place to go if you want to swim with the turtles. There were 5-6 turtles which would swim in and out of the people when we were there. It was amazing to be floating on the water and then have a huge sea turtle suddenly swim under you! The water is very calm and there are lifeguards posted who also remind people to leave the turtles alone. When you're done swimming there is a mini-mall nearby with decently priced food.




ETA: Here are some pictures from our visit to the volcano in 2003 when we could walk up to the eruption:

Yes, that's hot lava behind us!

 

[cardaway]

Our family was over my Mothers Day yesterday and most of them have been to the Big Island. We got lots of good ideas, and one even brought over a guide book they purchased (it's a few years old).

Another thing they all said is "you have to go to that Italian restaurant" but nobody can remember the name.

One thing that came up yesterday that I had never heard of before is a tubing run down what sounded like the pineapple plantation waterways. They said it took hours and was kind of fun. Anybody else done that?

 

[DawnCt1]

Our family was over my Mothers Day yesterday and most of them have been to the Big Island. We got lots of good ideas, and one even brought over a guide book they purchased (it's a few years old).

On thing they all said is "you have to go to that Italian restaurant" but nobody can remember the name.

One thing that came up yesterday that I had never heard of before is a tubing run down what sounded like the pineapple plantation waterways. They said it took hours and was kind of fun. Anybody else done that?

I will bet that Italian restaurant is Cafe Pesto, up in Kawaihae. If its Donatoni's, that's at the Hilton and it will be expensive. If you are interested in tubing, I believe it is called Shootin Da Flume. You can probably google it.

 

[Laura]

I will bet that Italian restaurant is Cafe Pesto, up in Kawaihae. If its Donatoni's, that's at the Hilton and it will be expensive. If you are interested in tubing, I believe it is called Shootin Da Flume. You can probably google it.

No more Flumin' Da Ditch, thanks to the earthquake.
http://www.flumindaditch.com/

 

[cardaway]

No more Flumin' Da Ditch, thanks to the earthquake.
http://www.flumindaditch.com/

Wow, that's shocking. Wonder what could have been damaged enough to close something like that.

 

[DawnCt1]

Wow, that's shocking. Wonder what could have been damaged enough to close something like that.

There were hotels and roads closed, so it doesn't surprise me. I know folks who went to Maui in the winter and still couldn't circumvent Haleakala on the Hana Hwy. due to road closers and bridges being out.

 

[cardaway]

There were hotels and roads closed, so it doesn't surprise me. I know folks who went to Maui in the winter and still couldn't circumvent Haleakala on the Hana Hwy. due to road closers and bridges being out.

I did some searching after I made that post and found a some pictures from a trip report. Once I saw that the thing had tunnels I was no longer surprised.

 

[Jeafl]

I will bet that Italian restaurant is Cafe Pesto, up in Kawaihae. If its Donatoni's, that's at the Hilton and it will be expensive. If you are interested in tubing, I believe it is called Shootin Da Flume. You can probably google it.

I was going to say they are probably talking about Donatoni's. If so, it was expensive, but truly outstanding. The service was first class as well. I would never take kids there, but it is a wonderful treat for adults.