Big Island

WHEN TO GO

The Big Island has year-round air and ocean water temperatures in the mid-70s to 80s (though higher elevations can be as cool as 45 to 55° F, so pack a windbreaker). Since weather is not a concern, work around the holidays and the summer high season (mid-June to Labor Day). Mid-September to mid-November is a great time to travel and beat the crowds, but right after New Year's until spring break (except for around Valentine's Day) is the best window for deals.

HOW TO GET THERE

It's an island—unless you have a week to waste going back and forth on a cruise ship, you must fly. Most people find a good deal on a direct flight to Honolulu then take a 40-minute flight on Hawaiian Airlines to the Big Island. If you don't mind small planes, Island Air and Pacific Wings are a less expensive way to fly inter-island. Alternately, if money is not an issue, a helicopter is the ideal way to island-hop (numerous companies have counters at the airport—Blue Hawaiian and Sunshine are the best known). Both Hilo International Airport and Kona International Airport have daily service from Honolulu. American and United airlines also offer direct daily flights to Kona from mainland cities—obviously the best way to minimize travel time and maximize vacation time. There is also a small Waimea-Kohala Airport, mostly used for private charters.

GETTING AROUND

Because of its sheer size, this is a driving island. Rent a good car (all the usual suspects are here at the airports—Alamo, Avis, Budget, Dollar, Enterprise, Hertz, National, Thrifty) but only get a four-wheel drive if you plan to do more adventurous stuff like motor to the top of Mauna Kea or go off-roading in search of secret surf spots. A GPS device isn't necessary, but a detailed map and guidebook that gives specific landmarks and mile markers is essential. When in doubt, ask several different sources (you may notice the locals speak a kind of patois called pidgin English) for directions.

TOURIST INFO

Hilo Big Island Visitors Bureau
250 Keawe Street
Hilo
Tel: 808 961 5797

West Hawaii Big Island Visitors Bureau
250 Waikaloa Beach Drive
Suite B-15, Waikoloa
Tel: 808 886 1655

OTHER INFO

SUGGESTED READING

Hunter S. Thompson's The Curse of Lono is a manic diatribe about middle-life, mid-'80s angst coming to a head during a brutal holiday season in Kona. In addition to many Hawaiian myths and some passages Mark Twain wrote about Hawaii, the book includes Thompson's take on the Ironman Triathlon and the Hawaiian International Billfish Tournament.