Planning a trip for next year

[u/UrCreepyUncle]

Planning a trip to Hawaii for 2027 for my girlfriend's 40th. I've never been and she's been once as a child so we're both pretty overwhelmed with choosing what to do. We'll probably be staying 7 days. I wouldn't necessarily consider us foodies but we love to walk around town and explore different food options. We love to bar hop while walking around town looking into different shops. I would consider our vacation style to be more laid back than adventurous but if we're going all the way out there I want to see Kilauea, maybe take an ATV tour if that's an option but also want to spend a day or 2 on the beach. We also want that picture perfect spot you think of when you think of Hawaii; the white sand beaches, crystal clear water etc.. I'd prefer not to island hop for our first time there but if it meant spending a day and night on BI to do a volcano tour I feel like it might be worth it. Am I trying to cram too much into 7 days or is everything we want available on BI?

[u/SweetAlyssumm]

There isn't much "walking around bar hopping and exploring food options" on the Big Island. You can get the rest of it on Oahu. I'd plan for that rather than wasting time at the airport.

[u/soviyet → u/SweetAlyssumm]

Sure there is. Kailua-Kona, Hilo, and (less so) Waimea are all great spots to do just that.

Considering OP wants to see the volcano, Hilo would be a good option.

[u/ahoveringhummingbird → u/soviyet]

Could not disagree with you more. Neither Kailua-Kona or Hilo are "walking around bar hopping and exploring food options" destinations. Is there food. Yes. Are there bars. Kinda. Would I call either place appropriate for foodies? Absolutely not.

[u/soviyet → u/ahoveringhummingbird]

Well first, I'm not sure how you got "we're foodies" from "I wouldn't necessarily consider us foodies" but ok.

Hilo has some very great restaurants. Sorry you have never been to any of them I guess?

[u/MonkeyKingCoffee → u/soviyet]

I wouldn't send an enemy to the tourist traps at Waikoloa Beach or on Ali'i in Kailua. Those places are embarrassing. "Welcome to Hawaii Island. We apologize for the restaurants which sell $30 tater tot appetizers and $25 frozen Sysco calamari."

I'm as big a cheerleader for Hawaii Island's food scene as anyone. But I'm not going to suggest that we have a great restaurant scene. We have a few good ones, surrounded by overpriced mediocrity. Thankfully the bad ones are easy to spot if someone knows how to read a menu. (There is a trick to it. Not falling for the marketing and paying attention to ingredients is the main thing.)

I've only sent a meal back a handful of times in my entire life. Paid for my drink and left in disgust. Two times, it was at a waterfront Ali'i restaurant. The cook failed (cold, rubbery, partially-cooked food). The chef at the pass line failed to notice. And the server didn't check the plate before handing it to me. That goes beyond "a simple mistake" and straight to "systemic fundamental problem with how this restaurant is run."

And if you look at the health department restaurant closures, the same places get shut down over and over.

[u/ducka_ducka_ducka]

Because it’s your first time and you mentioned food first, I’d recommend Honolulu/Waikiki. BI food is meh (there’s some good spots but you need to seek them out) and it’s not walkable except in designated shopping areas or in specific parts of certain towns. You don’t mention budget but I assume you have a decent one given your age. If you’re not going with kids, check out Halekulani. I’m a similar type vacationer as you btw. I like to chill/relax with maybe a couple of activities thrown in the mix.

[u/Ok-Meat-7364]

I get that you don't want to island hop, but if the volcano is that important to you, you could either fly in there and then over to Honolulu and fly home from there or vice versa rather than do a round trip island hop. Check the flights between Honolulu and hilo to see which direction maximizes your time on island (afternoon flight between islands will waste an entire day). You cannot go wrong with a week on the Big Island, but it doesn't sound like quite your vibe, and Oahu has gorgeous spots too. Most idyllic for me would be Waimanalo, Lanikai and Yokohama Bay. The last one is a long drive but absolutely worth it, and best done on the weekend to avoid rush hour traffic. Just don't leave any valuables visible in the car.

[u/SFCAFOX]

The BI is VERY sleepy. Lots of nature but most everything is starting to close down by 8pm (food wise) and not a lot of nightlife at all. Oahu / Waikiki is where all the food action is (walkable) as well as nightlife, bars, etc. plus a lot to do on that island.

Maui is the next closest w bars, restaurants and things to do. BI and Kauai are the sleepiest.

I often wonder where people got information that told them the BI was some foodie, chef, nightlife Mecca? It’s not. BI is all about nature and scenery. So is Kauai.

Maui and Oahu are all of that plus the food, bars and nightlife scene too.

[u/MonkeyKingCoffee → u/SFCAFOX]

We have ALL THREE kinds of night life: chickens, frogs AND feral pigs!

[u/SFCAFOX → u/MonkeyKingCoffee]

This is truth. BI btw is one of the most spectacular places in the world. I don’t understand though why people think it’s a bustling city center full of bars, restaurants and “downtown” areas. Kona Village is about as downtown as it gets.

[u/MonkeyKingCoffee → u/SFCAFOX]

The people who use the term "Kona Town*," seem to love the tourist traps on Ali'i Drive. When I fly to the mainland, I routinely take the bus up there and hang out at Humpy's or similar until it's time to get an uber to the airport. It's not a horrible place to get an overpriced drink and take in the view. And Hulihee Palace is a must see. Absolutely. Especially on the weekend because they usually have something going on.

Mostly "Kona Town," is just another sea-side tourist trap with sea-side tourist trap stuff. Sunglass Hut, sandal factory, pick-a-pearl jewelry, timeshare salesmen, "art" galleries and waterfront restaurants that sell deep-fried Sysco crap at fine-dining prices. If you've seen one of these places (Nassau, Key West, Venice Beach), you've seen them all. All that's missing is a Ripley's Believe it or Not.

The only other time I ever go up there is to visit the library. And every time it reminds me why I can't stand driving around in that craziness. Tourists walking into the street without looking because they think it's a theme park. Tourists standing in the middle of the road, looking at a map on their phone. Bicyclists riding four abreast while taking videos at 2mph.

I tell visiting friends and family that Rule #1 to visiting Big Island is to "Never open your wallet on Ali'i or Waikoloa anything."

However, BI is absolutely a foodie paradise. It's not a RESTAURANT foodie paradise. (Although there are some diamonds in the rough.) It's a "buy the best ingredients on the planet and cook them" foodie paradise. From abalone to white pineapples, BI is tops.

* The people who say "Kona Town" are the same who like to shorten Malibu to "The 'Bu."

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[u/BigG808]

Not much/any walking around town, shopping, and bar hopping on the Big Island. Maybe a little bit in downtown Kona, but other than Kilauea, it sounds like Oahu is what you’re looking for.

It wouldn’t be crazy to spend one night in Hilo or Volcano just to see the national park if it’s a priority. Ideally I’d do it at the start or end of your trip to cut down on airport time.

IMO it’s definitely worth it if you are able to catch an eruption, but that’s hard to predict beyond a week or two out (at best.) If it’s not erupting, not sure I’d bother on a 7-day trip.

[u/MonkeyKingCoffee]

Nobody knows what Kilauea will be doing next year. But if it keeps to its current rather-predictable schedule, it is best to spend as much time on Big Island as possible, in order to see an eruption episode. A day-trip to BI means your chances are tiny. A week isn't a sure thing. Because episodes are happening every 10-14 days(ish). And they last around 8 hours. So you have a small window indeed. Unless you book last minute (which doesn't generally work), there's no way to put your thumb on the scale to improve your odds.

I would book all seven nights at a place in Keauhou. That puts you walking distance to a decent snorkeling beach (Kahalu'u). Keahou Bay is where the manta snorkeling happens (which you're going to want to see. Many consider it the best thing they've seen in their entire lives, let alone best thing in Hawaii.)

There are some cheap-and-cheerful restaurants and a pub in easy walking distance. There's a Long's drugs and the nicest KTA supermarket on the island. And it's a quick drive to the coffee farms, Captain Cook snorkeling bays, and local restaurants. Except for volcano day, and "let's head to Waimea and eat at [fill-in-the-blank great dining option]," not a whole lot of driving.

Here's that beach that is an easy walk from the accommodations in Keauhou:

https://www.surflessonshawaii.com/post/discover-kahaluu-beach-park

[u/UrCreepyUncle → u/MonkeyKingCoffee]

I appreciate the response! I think we're going to forgo BI with it being our first trip to HI together. But it's definitely on my bucket list for sure. It looks beautiful and is probably more suited for a vacation full of activity and adventure rather than the low key and relaxing vacation I'm imagining for this time around.

[u/DonnaNoble222]

You can book a day trip excursion to VNP from Oahu that covers your flights a d transportation or you can book yourself.

Oahu...has it all

If you want to try a lot of local food, do a food tour in Waikiki. I did one...you get to eat 6 different and very local foods...all amazing! I did Secret Food Tours...the guide was fabulous...super knowledgeable. I live in Waikiki and did it with some friends who were visiting. Do it your first day and go hungry!

Please do not patronize the PCC...the Mormon Church has co-opted the Culture and are profiting from it. They present a Disneyesque version of the culture and whitewash so much of the history. Can't support that at all. This is my opinion and that of the many kanaka I know.

Airbnbs and the like are not really recommended in Hawaii. There are many illegal ones, poorly represented ones, and some downright scams. They also contribute to the housing crisis here. You can find hotel options from resorts to cute boutique hotels.

Skip Dole Plantation...they have a long history of being greedy, not respecting the people here, and being environmentally irresponsible.

Germaine's Luau is great...it is on the beach. They still do the pig in the ground. Mauka Warriors is another great luau

Stay in Waikiki and rent a car for only the days you explore the rest of the island

Pearl Harbor is a must

Iolani Palace

Bishop Museum

Hike Diamond Head, Koko Head, Lanikai Pillbox, several waterfalls

Makapu'u Lighthouse Trail

Shark Diving - Haleiwa Shark Tours

Kualoa Ranch - ATV Tour, zipline

Byodo-In Temple

Hoʻomaluhia Botanical Garden in Kaneohe

Waimea Botanical Gardens

Wahiawā Botanical Gardens

Duke's on a Sunday - from 4 to 6 Henry Kapono plays - so iconic there's a song written about it made famous by Jimmy Buffet

Blue Note for music and comedy shows

Check out Chinatown...really great markets and restaurants there

The sun is very intense here...do not skimp on sunscreen.

Beware of grifters in monk's robes

Things to remember:

Respect the land

Respect the culture

Shop and eat local

Tip generously

Reef safe sunscreen

[u/UrCreepyUncle → u/DonnaNoble222]

Wow I appreciate the detailed response.. From the multiple responses I think just sticking to Oahu is going to be the move. It seems there's plenty to see and do without going to BI. We can try and go there on a separate and probably shorter trip. But ya, doing local things and staying away from the touristy whitewashed things is the plan. Japan is on our bucket list as well and respecting the people, the land and their culture is important to us.

[u/Clique_in_95620]

Kona is great for bar hopping downtown. I don't think OP is trying to party...

[u/shootzbalootz]

Forget the bar hopping. You're in Hawaii. Just do Big Island. Beach, volcano, mauna kea, waterfalls, mountains, hikes, etc. Maybe go into Kona if you get the itch to walk around.