Hawaii transport other than private cars

[Andrew Nightingale]

I am visiting the big island of Hawaii in January on a RTW trip from the
UK. I would like to stay in Kona for 3 nights and Hilo for 3 nights. I
do not drive. (I am thinking of the "Seaside" hotels).

What is the most practical method to get from one to the other?

I am informed that public transport is very limited on the island. On
the other hand, the island's own website talks of a free public
transport system. Would it be practicable for this particular journey
one time? I would very much like to hear from anyone that has used the
Hawaii big island public transport system.

I am informed that a taxi from one place to the other would be absurdly
expensive. That's vague. Could anyone estimate an actual figure? Is
there a place I can look up fares? Could someone reading this in Hawaii
put me in contact with a taxi driver for a quote?

The possibility of a flight from Kona to Hilo arises. Is that the sanest
idea?

Or would it be most sensible to stay in Kona for the whole period?

I am keen to fit in a whale-watching trip, which seems easiest from
Kona, but also to see something of the famous volcanic activity, which
seems easiest from Hilo.

Thanks for your help.

[Lawrence Akutagawa]

Post by Andrew Nightingale
I am visiting the big island of Hawaii in January on a RTW trip from the
UK. I would like to stay in Kona for 3 nights and Hilo for 3 nights. I do
not drive. (I am thinking of the "Seaside" hotels).
What is the most practical method to get from one to the other?
I am informed that public transport is very limited on the island. On the
other hand, the island's own website talks of a free public transport
system. Would it be practicable for this particular journey one time? I
would very much like to hear from anyone that has used the Hawaii big
island public transport system.
I am informed that a taxi from one place to the other would be absurdly
expensive. That's vague. Could anyone estimate an actual figure? Is there
a place I can look up fares? Could someone reading this in Hawaii put me
in contact with a taxi driver for a quote?
The possibility of a flight from Kona to Hilo arises. Is that the sanest
idea?
Or would it be most sensible to stay in Kona for the whole period?
I am keen to fit in a whale-watching trip, which seems easiest from Kona,
but also to see something of the famous volcanic activity, which seems
easiest from Hilo.
Thanks for your help.
--
Andrew Nightingale of Cambridge (UK)

Did a net search and came up with:

http://www.hawaii-county.com/mass_transit/transit_main.htm

Tough to beat free with one US dollar per piece of luggage. And if you
want to see the volcano area, you need to get to the Kau area. Note that
the Hilo-Kau route/schedule has a stop at the visitor's center. On the
other hand, perhaps you can pick up a tour to the volcano area from either
Hilo or Kona, as per for example:

http://www.lavatours.com/kilauea.htm

http://www.hawaiifun.org/Polynesian+Adventure+Tours/Hilo+-+Volcano+National+Park+Odyssey+&+Rainbow+Falls.shtml

http://www.hawaii-forest.com/adv-volcano.html

Do your own web search for other tour suggestions.

And yes, Keith Martin, I deem myself accountable for this information I
post.

[Hunt]

Post by Lawrence Akutagawa

Post by Andrew Nightingale
I am visiting the big island of Hawaii in January on a RTW trip from the
UK. I would like to stay in Kona for 3 nights and Hilo for 3 nights. I do
not drive. (I am thinking of the "Seaside" hotels).
What is the most practical method to get from one to the other?
I am informed that public transport is very limited on the island. On the
other hand, the island's own website talks of a free public transport
system. Would it be practicable for this particular journey one time? I
would very much like to hear from anyone that has used the Hawaii big
island public transport system.
I am informed that a taxi from one place to the other would be absurdly
expensive. That's vague. Could anyone estimate an actual figure? Is there
a place I can look up fares? Could someone reading this in Hawaii put me
in contact with a taxi driver for a quote?
The possibility of a flight from Kona to Hilo arises. Is that the sanest
idea?
Or would it be most sensible to stay in Kona for the whole period?
I am keen to fit in a whale-watching trip, which seems easiest from Kona,
but also to see something of the famous volcanic activity, which seems
easiest from Hilo.
Thanks for your help.
--
Andrew Nightingale of Cambridge (UK)

http://www.hawaii-county.com/mass_transit/transit_main.htm
Tough to beat free with one US dollar per piece of luggage. And if you
want to see the volcano area, you need to get to the Kau area. Note that
the Hilo-Kau route/schedule has a stop at the visitor's center. On the
other hand, perhaps you can pick up a tour to the volcano area from either
http://www.lavatours.com/kilauea.htm
http://www.hawaiifun.org/Polynesian+Adventure+Tours/Hilo+-

+Volcano+National+Park

Post by Lawrence Akutagawa
+Odyssey+&+Rainbow+Falls.shtml
http://www.hawaii-forest.com/adv-volcano.html
Do your own web search for other tour suggestions.

Thanks for the info. I have always had a rental, and did not notice many/any
buses. I would have "assumed" that the Big Island might not have any - look
how wrong assumptions can be. My suggestion would be to get a tour package to
Hilo (well worth the visit on many levels!), and I'd have cost the OP $'s.

Now I know,
Hunt

[George Max]

On Sun, 21 Oct 2007 00:19:05 GMT, "Andrew Nightingale"

Post by Andrew Nightingale
I am visiting the big island of Hawaii in January on a RTW trip from the
UK. I would like to stay in Kona for 3 nights and Hilo for 3 nights. I
do not drive. (I am thinking of the "Seaside" hotels).
What is the most practical method to get from one to the other?
I am informed that public transport is very limited on the island. On
the other hand, the island's own website talks of a free public
transport system. Would it be practicable for this particular journey
one time? I would very much like to hear from anyone that has used the
Hawaii big island public transport system.
I am informed that a taxi from one place to the other would be absurdly
expensive. That's vague. Could anyone estimate an actual figure? Is
there a place I can look up fares? Could someone reading this in Hawaii
put me in contact with a taxi driver for a quote?
The possibility of a flight from Kona to Hilo arises. Is that the sanest
idea?
Or would it be most sensible to stay in Kona for the whole period?
I am keen to fit in a whale-watching trip, which seems easiest from
Kona, but also to see something of the famous volcanic activity, which
seems easiest from Hilo.
Thanks for your help.

Well, I visited there with my family a couple of summers ago. At that
time, I didn't see any public transit in the manner of buses or rail.
At least not any that circled the island like the system on Oahu
(Honolulu)

Yeah, a taxi is probably expensive. I suppose you could get a flight
from Kona to Hilo on something like Island Air or Pacific Wings.
They've got really small planes.

Considering your desire is to see some whales, I think your best bet
is to stay in the Kona area and take a bus tour or helicopter ride to
see the volcano. What you see when you go to the volcano in terms of
red lava flow is a gamble. It might be flowing like mad in the way
movies show volcanos, or not much may be visible.

[Runge4]

didnt see much in way of public transportation
Volcano park is not so far from Kona either
Maybe you'll find Hilo a little depressing compared to Kona...especially if
you're without a car !
I didnt notice seaside hotels right near the downtown, so that would mean
lots of walking or taxiing ?

Post by Andrew Nightingale
I am visiting the big island of Hawaii in January on a RTW trip from the
UK. I would like to stay in Kona for 3 nights and Hilo for 3 nights. I do
not drive. (I am thinking of the "Seaside" hotels).
What is the most practical method to get from one to the other?
I am informed that public transport is very limited on the island. On the
other hand, the island's own website talks of a free public transport
system. Would it be practicable for this particular journey one time? I
would very much like to hear from anyone that has used the Hawaii big
island public transport system.
I am informed that a taxi from one place to the other would be absurdly
expensive. That's vague. Could anyone estimate an actual figure? Is there
a place I can look up fares? Could someone reading this in Hawaii put me
in contact with a taxi driver for a quote?
The possibility of a flight from Kona to Hilo arises. Is that the sanest
idea?
Or would it be most sensible to stay in Kona for the whole period?
I am keen to fit in a whale-watching trip, which seems easiest from Kona,
but also to see something of the famous volcanic activity, which seems
easiest from Hilo.
Thanks for your help.
--
Andrew Nightingale of Cambridge (UK)

[TheNewsGuy(Mike)]

Post by Andrew Nightingale
I am visiting the big island of Hawaii in January on a RTW trip from the
UK. I would like to stay in Kona for 3 nights and Hilo for 3 nights. I
do not drive. (I am thinking of the "Seaside" hotels).

I would really rethink your trip. Without a car you will be stranded in
one place. There are so many great things to do on the Big Island; been
there twice, going back for a month this year. (check out my trip
report http://tinyurl.com/2cybkq ) but without a car? Nope... You
could take tours to different places each day - that would be the only
way to see the sites.

I would suggest, if you want to go to Hawaii for 6 days WITHOUT A CAR,
you would be better off in Honolulu where the terrific Oahu public
transportation system can get to to anywhere on the island cheaply and
efficiently. It is not as nice as the Big Island but you won't be
seeing much there, anyway.

Now, if you ride a bicycle, you can join all the Kona Ironman wannabes
riding up the Queen Kaahumanu highway.

[Alohacyberian]

Post by Andrew Nightingale
I am visiting the big island of Hawaii in January on a RTW trip from the
UK. I would like to stay in Kona for 3 nights and Hilo for 3 nights. I do
not drive. (I am thinking of the "Seaside" hotels).
What is the most practical method to get from one to the other?
I am informed that public transport is very limited on the island. On the
other hand, the island's own website talks of a free public transport
system. Would it be practicable for this particular journey one time? I
would very much like to hear from anyone that has used the Hawaii big
island public transport system.
I am informed that a taxi from one place to the other would be absurdly
expensive. That's vague. Could anyone estimate an actual figure? Is there
a place I can look up fares? Could someone reading this in Hawaii put me
in contact with a taxi driver for a quote?
The possibility of a flight from Kona to Hilo arises. Is that the sanest
idea?
Or would it be most sensible to stay in Kona for the whole period?
I am keen to fit in a whale-watching trip, which seems easiest from Kona,
but also to see something of the famous volcanic activity, which seems
easiest from Hilo.

I'm almost positive it would be cheaper to fly from Kona to Hilo than to
take a taxi which would probably be somewhere between two-hundred fifty and
six hundred dollars. But, look into the tour buses when you arrive, you'll
find a plethora of information both at the airport and at your hotel. I'm
sure all your questions here are quite common questions put to concierges at
hotels. Personally, I like Hilo (jungle side) better than the Kona side
(desert side) - so I'd recommend you stick with your initial plan. Hilo is
less touristy and much greener. Hilo does get much more rain, but no more
than a lot of places in the U.K. and the major difference is that the rain
in Hawaii isn't cold! You are invited to visit my Big Island of Hawaii
webpage at:
~ http://keith.martin.home.att.net/page9B.html - where you'll find no
pop-ups, no advertising, no cookies and nothing for sale! Bon voyage. KM

[Mimi]

Post by Alohacyberian

Post by Andrew Nightingale
I am visiting the big island of Hawaii in January on a RTW trip from the
UK. I would like to stay in Kona for 3 nights and Hilo for 3 nights. I do
not drive. (I am thinking of the "Seaside" hotels).
What is the most practical method to get from one to the other?
I am informed that public transport is very limited on the island. On the
other hand, the island's own website talks of a free public transport
system. Would it be practicable for this particular journey one time? I
would very much like to hear from anyone that has used the Hawaii big
island public transport system.
I am informed that a taxi from one place to the other would be absurdly
expensive. That's vague. Could anyone estimate an actual figure? Is there
a place I can look up fares? Could someone reading this in Hawaii put me
in contact with a taxi driver for a quote?
The possibility of a flight from Kona to Hilo arises. Is that the sanest
idea?
Or would it be most sensible to stay in Kona for the whole period?
I am keen to fit in a whale-watching trip, which seems easiest from Kona,
but also to see something of the famous volcanic activity, which seems
easiest from Hilo.

I'm almost positive it would be cheaper to fly from Kona to Hilo than to
take a taxi which would probably be somewhere between two-hundred fifty
and six hundred dollars. But, look into the tour buses when you arrive,
you'll find a plethora of information both at the airport and at your
hotel. I'm sure all your questions here are quite common questions put to
concierges at hotels. Personally, I like Hilo (jungle side) better than
the Kona side (desert side) - so I'd recommend you stick with your initial
plan. Hilo is less touristy and much greener. Hilo does get much more
rain, but no more than a lot of places in the U.K. and the major
difference is that the rain in Hawaii isn't cold! You are invited to

I can't think of many places on the mainland that get 130 inches of rain a
year. However, Hilo in January gets only about 9 inches; it's a relatively
dry month. And Kona is the most reliably dry and sunny area in the 4 main
islands. The airport in Kona is basically open-air. Some of the seats at the
gate lounges are covered by a roof however.

To the OP, even if public transportation doesn't work out, a flight between
Hilo and Kona and a patchwork of tours will get you around. The beautifully
lush Hamakua Coast and historic Waipio Valley would be another interesting
trip from Hilo.

But be sure you just spend some time relaxing.

Marianne

[Alohacyberian]

Post by Mimi

Post by Alohacyberian
I'm almost positive it would be cheaper to fly from Kona to Hilo than to
take a taxi which would probably be somewhere between two-hundred fifty
and six hundred dollars. But, look into the tour buses when you arrive,
you'll find a plethora of information both at the airport and at your
hotel. I'm sure all your questions here are quite common questions put
to concierges at hotels. Personally, I like Hilo (jungle side) better
than the Kona side (desert side) - so I'd recommend you stick with your
initial plan. Hilo is less touristy and much greener. Hilo does get
much more rain, but no more than a lot of places in the U.K. and the
major difference is that the rain in Hawaii isn't cold! You are invited

I can't think of many places on the mainland that get 130 inches of rain a
year.

He isn't from the mainland, nor did I refer to the mainland U.S., but,
rather the U.K. which isn't on the mainland, but is rather a group of
islands off the mainland of Europe and has climates similar to those of
Seattle & Vancouver, B.C., where it rains a lot. KM

[Mimi]

Post by Alohacyberian

Post by Mimi

Post by Alohacyberian
I'm almost positive it would be cheaper to fly from Kona to Hilo than to
take a taxi which would probably be somewhere between two-hundred fifty
and six hundred dollars. But, look into the tour buses when you arrive,
you'll find a plethora of information both at the airport and at your
hotel. I'm sure all your questions here are quite common questions put
to concierges at hotels. Personally, I like Hilo (jungle side) better
than the Kona side (desert side) - so I'd recommend you stick with your
initial plan. Hilo is less touristy and much greener. Hilo does get
much more rain, but no more than a lot of places in the U.K. and the
major difference is that the rain in Hawaii isn't cold! You are invited

I can't think of many places on the mainland that get 130 inches of rain
a year.

He isn't from the mainland, nor did I refer to the mainland U.S., but,
rather the U.K. which isn't on the mainland, but is rather a group of
islands off the mainland of Europe and has climates similar to those of
Seattle & Vancouver, B.C., where it rains a lot. KM

Missed the K. However, none of these places gets nearly 130 inches of rain
per year. Seattle, for example, gets about 35 inches. It just rains slowly
(:-)

Hmmm. Maybe Lawrence has a point.

Marianne

[Lawrence Akutagawa]

Post by Alohacyberian

Post by Mimi

Post by Alohacyberian
I'm almost positive it would be cheaper to fly from Kona to Hilo than to
take a taxi which would probably be somewhere between two-hundred fifty
and six hundred dollars. But, look into the tour buses when you arrive,
you'll find a plethora of information both at the airport and at your
hotel. I'm sure all your questions here are quite common questions put
to concierges at hotels. Personally, I like Hilo (jungle side) better
than the Kona side (desert side) - so I'd recommend you stick with your
initial plan. Hilo is less touristy and much greener. Hilo does get
much more rain, but no more than a lot of places in the U.K. and the
major difference is that the rain in Hawaii isn't cold! You are invited

I can't think of many places on the mainland that get 130 inches of rain
a year.

He isn't from the mainland, nor did I refer to the mainland U.S., but,
rather the U.K. which isn't on the mainland, but is rather a group of
islands off the mainland of Europe and has climates similar to those of
Seattle & Vancouver, B.C., where it rains a lot. KM
--
(-:alohacyberian:-) At my website view over 3,600 live cameras or
visit NASA, the Vatican, the Smithsonian, the Louvre, CIA, FBI, and
NBA, the White House, Academy Awards, 150 language translators!
Visit Hawaii, Israel and more at: http://keith.martin.home.att.net/

[Chuckle, chuckle, chuckle] Please note that Keith provides no
references/links/citations beyond just plain talk, talk, talk...what the
island folks call "shooting off wid da mout." Yesterday I asked here
whether or not Keith holds himself accountable as per his statement that
Hilo gets "...no more than a lot of places in the U.K...." as far as rain is
concerned. He now plays here the KM2 of totalling ignoring my Hilo/UK
question, as well he might given my citation of government statistics
showing just how totally, beyond any doubt whatsoever, absolutely false his
statement is. One can well understand, given such hyperbolic, utterly
untrue and most misleading statements from him, why he continues to evade my
basic, fundamental question to him:

"Do you agree that a maker of a statement is accountable for that
statement? A simple 'yes' or 'no' from you will suffice."

And do note as well his oh so clever use today of the Keith Martin of non
sequiturs, red herrings, and ad hominems. Do you see any allusion - even
the slightest reference - in his post today to Hilo? I can't. Instead, he
now drags into the discussion on his own volition Seattle and Vancouver,
B.C.! But no trace at all, at all, at all of Hilo in his post. Hilo - one
of the concerns of the OP - is now gone and forgotten in Keith's post today.
Wonderful sleight of hand. Thus does the Keith Martin work in evading,
evading, evading.

As to my accountability question, Keith continues duck it with the KM2 as he
in the past has with the Keith Martin, the Alvin Toda of crawling away for
awhile under that rock of his, and his very own six year old kid's taunt
"Yes or no. KM."

Quack, quack!

[sally]

I agree with some of the other posters about checking into tour busses. They
are all over the place and not very expensive. You can call travel agents in
advance or get recommendations for tours from your hotel.

The Kona side of the island has sunnier beaches and fancier hotels, but
otherwise I think there is a lot more to do around Hilo.

[Lawrence Akutagawa]

Post by Alohacyberian

Post by Andrew Nightingale
I am visiting the big island of Hawaii in January on a RTW trip from the
UK. I would like to stay in Kona for 3 nights and Hilo for 3 nights. I do
not drive. (I am thinking of the "Seaside" hotels).
What is the most practical method to get from one to the other?
I am informed that public transport is very limited on the island. On the
other hand, the island's own website talks of a free public transport
system. Would it be practicable for this particular journey one time? I
would very much like to hear from anyone that has used the Hawaii big
island public transport system.
I am informed that a taxi from one place to the other would be absurdly
expensive. That's vague. Could anyone estimate an actual figure? Is there
a place I can look up fares? Could someone reading this in Hawaii put me
in contact with a taxi driver for a quote?
The possibility of a flight from Kona to Hilo arises. Is that the sanest
idea?
Or would it be most sensible to stay in Kona for the whole period?
I am keen to fit in a whale-watching trip, which seems easiest from Kona,
but also to see something of the famous volcanic activity, which seems
easiest from Hilo.

I'm almost positive it would be cheaper to fly from Kona to Hilo than to
take a taxi which would probably be somewhere between two-hundred fifty
and six hundred dollars. But, look into the tour buses when you arrive,
you'll find a plethora of information both at the airport and at your
hotel. I'm sure all your questions here are quite common questions put to
concierges at hotels. Personally, I like Hilo (jungle side) better than
the Kona side (desert side) - so I'd recommend you stick with your initial
plan. Hilo is less touristy and much greener. Hilo does get much more
rain, but no more than a lot of places in the U.K. and the major
difference is that the rain in Hawaii isn't cold! You are invited to
~ http://keith.martin.home.att.net/page9B.html - where you'll find no
pop-ups, no advertising, no cookies and nothing for sale! Bon voyage. KM
--
(-:alohacyberian:-) At my website view over 3,600 live cameras or
visit NASA, the Vatican, the Smithsonian, the Louvre, CIA, FBI, and
NBA, the White House, Academy Awards, 150 language translators!
Visit Hawaii, Israel and more at: http://keith.martin.home.att.net/

My question to you, Keith, is whether you hold yourself accountable for both
what you post here and what is in that website of yours. That is, do you
stand behind your statements? I note no references/links/citations...just
plain unsubstantiated verbiage. In the lingo of islands, just talk, talk,
talk...aka "shooting off wid da mout". Or are you just blowing the usual
Hawaii tourist smoke stuff for which you do not hold yourself
accountable...stuff that sounds really, really good but when examined has no
substance? After all, you have yet to answer my question posed to you a
long time ago -

"Do you agree that a maker of a statement is accountable for that
statement? A simple 'yes' or 'no' from you will suffice."

Take, for example, that statement of yours today - "Hilo does get much more
rain, but no more than a lot of places in the U.K...." You hold yourself
accountable for those words as per Hilo getting "...no more than a lot of
places in the U.K...." as far as rain is concerned? You stand behind them?
If so, please indeed before all of us here back them up with
references/links/citations. Just to keep the analysis/comparisons on the
apples to apples level, please when providing those
references/links/citations use UK locales at sea level...as Hilo is.... with
population equal to or greater than that of Hilo. I say you are just
blowing smoke much as a squid shoots off a cloud of ink simply to confuse
and mislead.

Allow me to point out that the average annual rainfall in Hilo is of the
order of 130 inches plus per year as per the US National Weather Service:

http://www.prh.noaa.gov/pr/hnl/climate/phto_clim.php

And the average annual rainfall in each of Northern Ireland, Scotland,
England, and Wales...the entities that make up the United Kingdom...falls
far, far, far short of 130 inches, as per

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Climate_of_the_United_Kingdom

England - 44 inches
http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/climate/uk/averages/19712000/areal/england.html

Wales - 56 inches
http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/climate/uk/averages/19712000/areal/wales.html

Northern Ireland - 43 inches
http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/climate/uk/averages/19712000/areal/n_ireland.html

Scotland - 60 inches
http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/climate/uk/averages/19712000/areal/scotland.html

And average annual rainfall for a sea level locale with population equal to
or greater than Hilo in each of those entities:

England: Blackpool @ 53.30°N 3.70°W 30.6 inches
http://www.worldclimate.com/cgi-bin/data.pl?ref=N53W003+2100+0331201G1

Wales: Cardiff @ 51.40°N 3.30°W 36.2 inches
http://www.worldclimate.com/cgi-bin/data.pl?ref=N51W003+2100+03715W

Northern Ireland: Belfast @ 54.65°N 6.20°W 33.5 inches
http://www.worldclimate.com/cgi-bin/data.pl?ref=N54W006+2100+03917W

Scotland: Edinburgh @ 55.95°N 3.30°W 26.2 inches
http://www.worldclimate.com/cgi-bin/data.pl?ref=N55W003+2100+03160W

Instead of answering my accountability question - one which has a direct
bearing on your posts such as today's as I have demonstrated before all the
folks here - you instead employ the KM2 of ignoring my question....as per
today, the Keith Martin of non sequiturs, red herrings, and ad hominems...as
in your other post here in this newsgroup today, the Alvin Toda of crawling
away for awhile under your rock, and your six year old kid's taunt "Yes or
no. KM." Bottom line, you still duck my question on statement
accountability.

Quack, quack!

[George Max]

On Sun, 21 Oct 2007 00:19:05 GMT, "Andrew Nightingale"

Post by Andrew Nightingale
The possibility of a flight from Kona to Hilo arises. Is that the sanest
idea?
Thanks for your help.

I looked at the Island Air website today. It appears that you can fly
from Kona to Hilo for $20. The problem is that the flight leaves Kona
at around 6pm and returns from Hilo in the morning at around 8am. So
you'd have to stay over in Hilo a day to get to see any of the
volcano. Which is about 35 miles away from Hilo.

[Alohacyberian]

Post by George Max
I looked at the Island Air website today. It appears that you can fly
from Kona to Hilo for $20. The problem is that the flight leaves Kona
at around 6pm and returns from Hilo in the morning at around 8am. So
you'd have to stay over in Hilo a day to get to see any of the
volcano. Which is about 35 miles away from Hilo.

Then again, no one is compelled to take Island Air. KM

[Maurice ON4BAM]

On Tue, 23 Oct 2007 13:35:10 GMT, "Alohacyberian"

Post by Alohacyberian
Then again, no one is compelled to take Island Air. KM

After our experience with them last year (summer 2006) I would
certainly avoid them...

We booked 2 flights with them, months in advance, the first was
refunded after a long delay and airplane trouble after which they put
us on an Aloha flight. The second flight was delayed long enough to
get "food vouchers".

For the OP: Having a car would make it a lot easier to see things on
the Big Island. We didn't see any public transport and little tour
busses.
If you fly into Hilo the helicopter flight over the active volcano is
a "must see" in my mind.


Bye Maurice

[Alohacyberian]

Post by Maurice ON4BAM
On Tue, 23 Oct 2007 13:35:10 GMT, "Alohacyberian"

Post by Alohacyberian
Then again, no one is compelled to take Island Air. KM

After our experience with them last year (summer 2006) I would
certainly avoid them...
We booked 2 flights with them, months in advance, the first was
refunded after a long delay and airplane trouble after which they put
us on an Aloha flight. The second flight was delayed long enough to
get "food vouchers".
For the OP: Having a car would make it a lot easier to see things on
the Big Island. We didn't see any public transport and little tour
busses.
If you fly into Hilo the helicopter flight over the active volcano is
a "must see" in my mind.

I've never flown Island Air, but, after a friend who made the mistake once
and explained his "adventures", I decided I never will fly Island Air! I
would agree, the helicopter tour over Kilauea Volcano is not to be missed
and is worth every penny of the cost for lifetime memories. KM

[Lawrence Akutagawa]

Post by Alohacyberian

Post by George Max
I looked at the Island Air website today. It appears that you can fly
from Kona to Hilo for $20. The problem is that the flight leaves Kona
at around 6pm and returns from Hilo in the morning at around 8am. So
you'd have to stay over in Hilo a day to get to see any of the
volcano. Which is about 35 miles away from Hilo.

Then again, no one is compelled to take Island Air. KM

ah yes...here is Keith again, doing the KM2 as per my comments on his remark
that Hilo gets "...no more than a lot of places in the U.K...." as far as
rain is concerned. I do give him credit for displaying before all here his
constant, unwavering evasion of issues/questions directed at him. In his
posting today he totally ignores my Hilo/UK rain response to him., where I
pointed out that his statement is a flat out lie and challenged him to
provide references/links/cites to back his statement. All he does is ignore
me - the KM2 in full glory. Similarly, he employs the KM2 in ignoring yet
once more my other question to him -

"Do you agree that a maker of a statement is accountable for that
statement? A simple 'yes' or 'no' from you will suffice."

Now this accountability question is one most germane to posts like his
Hilo/UK rain one. One would think that he would realize by now that he
slowly but surely loses credibility over his tactics of the KM2, the Kevn
Martin of non sequiturs, red herrings, and ad hominems, the Alvin Toda of
disappearing for awhile under that rock of his, and his six year old kid's
taunt "Yes or no. KM"....all with the one and only objective of ducking yet
again in front of all here the issue/question. Or that I will keep
reminding all here of his ducking such a basic, fundamental, totally
relevant, straightforward, simple question whenever he does appear. Will
there be a KM3? Who knows? Stay tuned, sports fans, and we will surely
find out.

Quack, quack!

[George Max]

On Tue, 23 Oct 2007 13:35:10 GMT, "Alohacyberian"

Post by Alohacyberian

Post by George Max
I looked at the Island Air website today. It appears that you can fly
from Kona to Hilo for $20. The problem is that the flight leaves Kona
at around 6pm and returns from Hilo in the morning at around 8am. So
you'd have to stay over in Hilo a day to get to see any of the
volcano. Which is about 35 miles away from Hilo.

Then again, no one is compelled to take Island Air. KM

No, they are not. It's just an option. With possible scheduling
problems.

[Andrew Nightingale]

As the original OP I thank the various posters to this thread. With only
6 nights on the island, and realizing from the evidence supplied how
much there is on the island, I have decided that it is absurd to spend
one of my days travelling from one hotel to another with packing and
unpacking. I have therefore booked my whole stay at the Sheraton in the
Kona area which seems able to help me book excursions of all sorts. I
will rely on such excursions to see more of the island.

I have never learnt to drive, and do not intend to, so that is not an
option.

I have explored the various websites that posters have given and also
the basic www.bigisland.org

The estimate of taxi fare from Kona to Hilo helped to rule that option
out. The bottom figure would have been bearable but the top not. I am
also of the age when something that seems to be too good to be true is
assumed to be so. I saw the website on free public transport but also
the remarks that people had not seen evidence of public transport on the
ground. I am therefore not tempted to risk this. I will keep an eye out
for any public buses when I am there.

If I had gone from Kona to Hilo (by whatever means) it would have been a
one-way trip in the middle of my stay, flying out of Hilo to Oahu and
on at the end of my stay. But the posters about the unreliabilty of the
airline running this flight puts me off this option.

For future visits, the remarks that Oahu has a good public transport
system encourage me to stay on that island another time. I'm coming in
and out of Oahu anyway. I might also consider coming both in and out of
Hilo from Oahu and exploring that side of the island then.

Posters here and all websites point to helicopter trips, which certainly
seem possible from Kona, as one of the best ways to see the volcano, so
that will be one of my priorities.