Costco has the best deals for groceries, and it usually is super crowded with long lines.
If you don't want to wait in long lines, Safeway delivers groceries. Go to Safeway.com and you can change Pick-up to Delivery at the top middle of page, just put in the zipcode where you are staying to see if they will deliver to you. You can also leave them instructions where to drop off groceries if you won't be there.
Please, don't forget to tip well because that helps drivers want to keep delivering. This is how I shop most of the time. They have great organic items.
There are only 2 grocery stores near resorts. Island Gormet is next to the Hilton, and Food Land is close to Mauna Lani, and Mauna Kea.
The food court next to the Luxury Theater in Waikoloa has the best prices to eat out in that area.
Lava Lava Beach Club is a fun place to have lunch and dinner. If you want the shore you might see sleeping turtles. Please, respect their space. It's against the law to touch them. Thank you!
There are only 5 places in the world you can swim with manta rays, and there are 2 spots here on the Big Island. I recommend finding a boat that goes out of Keauhou Bay because it is the shortest boat ride.
You can also swim directly from shore near the Manta Restaurant and you could possibly see manta rays from the beach there as well. For more information go to MantaRayAdvocates.com.
Donkey Balls chocolate are a super funny gift! It's yummy, funny chocoloate! Their small
factory is south of Kona town in Kainaliu, and you can also find their Donkey Balls
in all the ABC stores and other grocery stores on the Big Island.
There is a Kona Trolley that is FREE and it takes you from one side of Kailua Kona town to the other. Make sure to call the operator about where to pick it up and when Trolley will show up because it's usually late. The operator doesn't work Sundays or after 5pm all other days.
The Hele-On Bus will take you all the way around the Big Island for FREE. It just can brake down and be very late so call the operator to find out if the bus is on time. The operator doesn't work Sundays or after 5pm. Make sure not to catch the very last bus in case it breaks down. Catch a least 2 to 3 buses before the last one as to always make sure you'll get a ride back, and they will bring another bus as long as it's not the last bus.
There are Fun Bike rentals all over some towns that you can rent by the hour. Here is one site to check out HIBIKE. Be careful because there are a lot of tourist drivers, so always be aware when you are riding, and ride defensivly!
Hilo side https://htbg.com/ is a Great botanical garden to visit! Rent their see thru umbrellas because it could pour rain while you're walking through garden.
There is also a small creek like waterfall going west after Hawaii Tropical Botanical Garden. People swim there and swim at your own risk. It's the Old Mamalahoa HWY.
If you’re renting a car, Fissure 8 is like you
are on the moon. Google how to get to Fissure 8 and it should lead you right
there. It’s in Puna. There will be signs that say no go
to crater, I know people who have hiked up and had no issues, but go at your own risk.
Wear close toed shoes because of very loose lava. You can always take a tour through the link.
Isaac Hale is a big balck sand beach born in 2018 and it's near Fissure 8.
Sam’s Hideaway is the oldest local bar in Kona
town with Karaoke starting at 8pm. It’s across from the Kona Inn Shopping Village. Google
has directions.
You don't need to go to the Mauna Kea summit to star gaze. The Mauna Kea visitor center is over 9,200 feet in elevation and all cars can drive there. It offers great star gazing and sunset watching! Plus, as far as I've seen the rangers come out and use a lazer to tell you about the stars, and you can ask them questions. You can also hike the hills there too!
Call
them to check on the weather for the night you want to go, and what time they close. Go early
because they have great documentaries to show, ask if they still show them when you call. They also have fun space items to buy and if you put a star app on your phone you can see the constellations there after sunset.
Only 4X4's with experienced drivers can go to the Mauna Kea Summit because it's 13,803' feet and brakes can go out, plus no child should go to the summit because of how thin the air is. Call the visitor center to learn more (808) 934-4550
Summit Tours are the safest way to go to the
summit of Mauna Kea,
plus they offer a lot more than just a ride up. No regular car can legally go
up to the summit because it is not safe due to the steep drive down. You can Google Mauna Kea Summit Tours to find the one you want to go with if you're interested.
There are a lot of Fun Apps for the Big Island, and some
will give you self-guided driving tours. Go to your App store and put in
Big Island in the search to see what Apps you can find because there are fun ones!
#1 thing to do is NOT to have regrets of not being able to do something because that will never feel good. If you can feel your vacation is fun and perfect as it is, that will always feel better.
Life is a journey and none of us will ever be able to do everything. Staying happy in what you can experience always feels better.
