The Big Island

Advantages: An experience of a life time
Disadvantages: Hot, hot and hot

...this year?!:) (Must have been the third or fourth time I stated this). Anyway, this is an op about my travel on the Big Island of Hawaii. The Big Island is so named because it is the biggest island within the state of Hawaii. The island is dotted with coffee and macadamia nut plantations as well as the usual volcanoes. Scientists are still arguing whether there is one big volcano or three separate ones. Every now and then, during our drive around ...
...We flew to the Big Island on Aloha Airline, which you could read about in a previous op. We had a hired car and armed with a map, were able to find our way to various places, including our hotel. Here are some of the highlights of our visit. Airport = There are two airports on the Big Island. One at Kona and the other one at Hilo. We arrived at Kona airport. It was an open air one, right by the coast. Yes, you read right. Open air. No walls ... Read review

Advantages: Relaxing, striking scenery, diverse
Disadvantages: Quite big, needs time to enjoy

Have been to the Big Island several times now and have found it quite enjoyable, striking and beautiful. I would reccomend renting a 4WD because there are some places that really should be seen that many visitors fail to visit. Most visitors use the road that goes around the top of the island to navigate from Kona to Hilo (or vice versa). Its the one main highway, the southern route having been blocked by lava flows sometime over the last thirty ...
...island connecting the two - for many years this road was listed in guide books etc as nothing more than a dirt track, a badly maintained road etc. Don't fear its not that bad and I've also heard that they are regenerating the road. My point is that this route has some of the most beautiful and bizarre scenery i've seen in my life, provides access to the world famous observatories and is much more exciting that the alternative route. When travelling ... Read review

Advantages: Volcano, Lava flows
Disadvantages: Too big??

This was the third island visited on our last holiday. Previously going to Maui, then Kauai. This may have something to do with my opinion, but here goes anyway. The big island was worth a visit, but certainly is not as spectacular as the previous two islands visited. We only spent four days here, some would say not long enough to hold a valid opinion, but it was definitely the worst of the three places. The earth was BLACK, different from a paradise ...
...the island and this was worth doing. We saw more beautiful waterfalls, not as nice as Kauai though, and the live volcano at the south of the island. Also, the lava flowing into the sea and steaming up. This was quite awesome. I would not go back again, but did find a good quick tattooist in Hana. Nice chinese symbol now on my leg!! ... Read review

Advantages: Massive feeling of space
Disadvantages: In the middle of no where

...The first thing that hits you when you arrive by the regular bus to the airport is the massive size of the airport. The building is in the middle of no where really and looks really good with it's curved metal design. As you walk in you will be amazed by the massive feeling of space inside it. Directly infront of you are banks of check in desks, mostly empty becuse not many airlines fly there. The next thing to strike you is how empty the building is. All there is around you is the odd member of staff and a few tourists. Because the whole island is tax and duty free you can take a look around the duty free shops there without checking in, a thing i have never came across at an airport before. The prices in the duty free shop are cheaper than the uk but are quite high priced compared to the rest of the island. If you... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: Friendly service.
Disadvantages: Flies only within the Hawaiian islands and some states.

...Earlier in the year, I had the opportunity to visit the islands of Hawaii. There, I flew between Oahu and the Big Island on Aloha airlines. A short background Small airline that service mainly the islands of Hawaii. Recently has started flights with several cities on the west coast of USA as well as Vancouver. Service several pacific islands such as Christmas islands, Johnston islands etc. My experience = As usual, we arrived early at the check-in counter of the Aloha airline section of the Honolulu airport. Check-in process was very efficient and within minutes, we had our boarding passes. It was only then that I found out that seats are not allocated but passengers choose their seats on boarding on a first-come first-served basis. This, I found interesting because I never expected... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: Excellent Facilities
Disadvantages: A long time to check-in for the ship

...I have just got back from Hawaii after spending 7 days on the Norwegian Star cruising around the islands. The islands visited were Hawaii (Big Island), Fanning Island, Maui, Kaui and finally back to Honolulu (Oahu). The ship departs from Honolulu and arrives back there at the end of the cruise. Airfare was extra and was actually more expensive than the cruise - we booked in March and paid £600 each flying with United Airlines but on looking at United's website in September, the flights had gone up to £800 each, so it pays to book early. A cab from the airport to Honolulu costs approximately $26. We stayed in Honolulu for two days prior to the cruise and I would recommend this as it gives you time to get over the long journey! We flew to LA from Heathrow which took 10 hours; we then had to take another flight from LA to Honolulu... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful