Hawaii first timer’s long trip report

Question

We arrived in Kona around 5:30pm, waited for luggage and our rental car then took off to a simple Airbnb for the night. It was a dated condo with a noisy A/C but had a free assigned parking spot and fit the budget since we weren’t spending much time there. We walked down to Kai’s for an ocean side dinner which was just okay, much too sweet “Kai-Tai” cocktail. Most shops were closed at that hour so headed back for an early night after a long travel day.

Woke up super early thanks to jet lag and counted down the minutes until the nearby Kona Coffee and Tea opened at 6am. The sun rises so early here. Enjoyed an Ameri-Kona on our lanai which had a distant view of the ocean. We drove over to the Kona Boys shop and had a nice chat with the owner there who has family 2 hours away from my home city. Later in our trip, I wanted to do a kayak/snorkel tour so Frank went over everything and assured us beginners we would be safe and have a blast. My husband and I each picked out a pair sunglasses on sale then headed over to Greenwell Coffee Farm for their first tour of the day with Elenor. El was a sweet woman who gave a nice, informative tour of their farm. Loved seeing the other foods growing on the farm, including spicy black pepper which unfortunately wasn’t being sold at the time. After the tour we sampled several of their coffee roasts and considered buying a bag but experienced our first Hawaiin sticker shock moment at the price per pound.

Full of caffeine and no breakfast we continued down Hawaii Belt Road to Honaunau Poke Shop, a street side walk-up order place with delicious poke. We tried 4 different kinds, our favorite being the wasabi. On our way to Volcano, I wanted to stop at Punalu'u Bake Shop but when we arrived, there were several tour busses and the lines were out the door so we pressed on to Hale ‘Ohu B&B. This was an amazing secluded gem located deep in the rainforest with updated rooms and bathrooms. Our amazing hosts gladly stored our bags there before check in so we could explore the park.

After a quick stop at the visitor center and weighing our options of what we had time for that afternoon, we decided on the Keanakako Overlook. While the “trail” was a somewhat boring walk along the old, damaged Crater Rim Road, the views from this point were impressive, being able to get close to the eruption site. The weather was turning on us on the walk back and soon we were caught in not really rain but a heavy all-encompassing mist. Stopped into Volcano House and sat at the bar with a Big Island Brewhaus pint, talking with the bartender about the most recent eruption. He said traffic was backed up for 2 hours because of car accidents on both roads coming into the park. Later, we drove down to the end of Crater Rim Drive West but heavy clouds and fog blocked some of the views. Back at the B&B with beers and a snack, we sat on the patio enjoying the bamboo grove until dinner, you could listen to the long stalks knocking together in the breeze. At Kīlauea Lodge for dinner, I had coconut crusted brie and crab cakes and B had the catch of the day. That night, we were sung to sleep by a thousand chirping frogs.

Answer

Welcome to the Big Island! Your first day and early experiences give a great sense of what a first-timer’s trip can feel like—full of adventure, exploration, and the small surprises that make Hawaii unique. Starting in Kona with a simple Airbnb worked well to rest after a long travel day. Even though the A/C was noisy and the condo dated, having a free assigned parking spot and staying within budget was smart, especially for a first night.

Your evening walk to Kai’s for ocean-side dining illustrates how early travel days can be tempered by jet lag and limited dining hours. While the “Kai-Tai” cocktail was too sweet for your taste, it’s common for newcomers to notice how different tropical cocktails can be compared to what they’re used to back home.

The next morning highlights the joys of early sunrise and Kona coffee culture:

Starting the day at Kona Coffee and Tea, enjoying coffee on the lanai with a distant ocean view.
Visiting Kona Boys and chatting with the owner, which adds a personal touch and connection to the local community.
Exploring Greenwell Coffee Farm with a guided tour, seeing unique crops like black pepper, and sampling high-quality coffee roasts. Hawaiian coffee prices often surprise first-timers, but tasting local varietals is part of the experience.

Lunch and on-the-road exploration further showcase the local flavors and adventures:

Stopping at Honaunau Poke Shop, a walk-up spot beloved for its fresh poke varieties. Wasabi poke being a favorite is a common choice among visitors seeking something unique yet traditional.
Attempting to visit Punalu'u Bake Shop shows how popular tourist spots can have long waits, especially when tour buses arrive.
Checking into Hale ‘Ohu B&B, a secluded rainforest gem with updated rooms and attentive hosts who stored your bags before check-in, allowing you to explore Volcano National Park unencumbered.

Your Volcano National Park afternoon demonstrates a mix of planning and adaptability:

Keanakako Overlook offered dramatic views of the eruption site, even if the trail itself was less thrilling.
Heavy mist and clouds created atmospheric conditions, common on the Big Island, especially near volcanic areas.
Stopping at Volcano House for a local beer while talking with the bartender provides insider perspectives and context about park conditions and recent events.
Evening exploration along Crater Rim Drive West offered partial views due to fog, reinforcing the unpredictable and ever-changing nature of volcanic landscapes.

Dinner at Kīlauea Lodge rounded out the day:

Coconut crusted brie, crab cakes, and catch of the day highlight local ingredients and culinary creativity.
Relaxing at the B&B patio with the sound of bamboo stalks and frogs provided a serene, immersive experience in Hawaii’s unique rainforest environment.

Overall, this first-timer’s trip report captures the essence of Big Island travel: balancing exploration, local food and drink, scenic views, and the sometimes unpredictable Hawaiian weather. It’s a mixture of planned activities, spontaneous stops, and sensory experiences that create lasting memories. Future travelers can take note of early sunrises, popular food spots that may have long lines, and the value of lodging that allows flexible exploration of local attractions.

Hawaii first timer’s long trip report

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