experience. The first thing I did was drive around the entire island and up into the interior. It is like going back to the time of the earth forming. If I could live there I would.

Villages... Lush up north....

We chose to stay on the Hilo side. I googled places to stay and rented someone's vacation home right on the ocean, well on the cliff, actually. We loved it. We did a helicopter ride over the volcano, swam in the ocean and pools. It's not resort-y which I like. Another fun thing was we went down a mountain in a kayak-type boat. We loved the Big Island!

That was so much fun!!!

...even when I was living on Oahu. It just looked like good wholesome fun.

I grew up in Pasadena and am a PHS Grad! Go Bulldogs!

I've been to the Big Island 3 different times. You pretty much can't go wrong, but definitely plan on renting a car so that can get around. So much to see and do. The Kona side is definitely more beach and resort oriented, Hilo is pretty sleepy. I really like the North side of the Big Island because it's kind of sleepy but there's still a lot to see and do: Kamuela, Waimea, Kapaau, Kohala, Hawi. You're a bit further away from the National Park though - I suppose it depends what you really want to do. Are you looking to get around a whole bunch and take in the sights or to relax and make only a few excursions. One thing I would not do is buy into tour junkets unless that's really your thing. Hawaii is much better at your own pace.

Aloha.

I love the north shore of Kauai, so I'm sure I'll love the north of Hawaii. I changed plans: I'm going to Santa Fe, NM this spring and Hawaii next spring for my 50th birthday. It will give me more time to save up $$ and I'll even bring the boyfriend for a change

Yep, I was born in Pasadena, Huntington Hospital. My brother was born at St. Luke's. We moved to South Pasadena in '76 and I've been here ever since.

Hawaii is all about the ohana. More fun together. Enjoy the solitude of New Mexico!

I lived in Pasadena from 1994-2004 off of Rosemead and Del Mar - the "Michillinda Park" neighborhood.

hope you can make it here next year. i've been here in hilo since 1975. graduated from UH-Hilo, and have been in love with the big island since my first day. tons of stuff to do, lots of it free or low cost. you do need a car to get around. the high-end touristy stuff costs the most, like riding around in a noisy and annoying (if you live here) helicopter. good example, hiking into waipio valley...free. hiking to see the lava flowing into the ocean...free. driving up to mauna kea visitors center and looking at the stars/planets thru amateur telescopes...free. swim in the hot ponds of kapoho...free. i could go on, but you get the idea. get a map for free, ask a local where to do what looks fun for you, then go. if you need to ask directions, don't use the highway numbers (most people who live here have no idea what the numbers are), just name the place you want to go. volcano and waimea have cool weather, and no matter where you are the beach is not far away. you could hike here for 25 years and never walk all the trails (trust me). camping is sketchy unless you know where to go, most of the camping areas are also drinking spots. relax and have fun, bring along plenty of smiles !!! aloha

Third floor, or the tatami room. Cheap, safe, easy to get to the ocean at Kealakekua bay or a drive to Hapuna. That's where I stay anyway. It's not fancy, (if it were, I wouldn't like it) but it's great.http://www.managohotel.com

the people are great and very helpful directing to wonderful non touristy anventures.

http://www.rainbowplantation.com/

We always stay there when we first arrive and the night before leaving . about 30 min from kona airport.