Waikoloa, Hawaii Golf

[auntiem]

I am going to be there the week of Thanksgiving and want to golf. I already made a tee time for the Waikoloa Beach Course- would like 1 or 2 other places.

I am not looking for something really challenging or really easy- would like a course that is "pretty" and has great views.

Thoughts?

 

[HornTillDeath]

Have a timeshare in Waikoloa. I've only played the Beach and King's courses. Beach course is cool as it juts out into the ocean. King's course is carved out through the lava fields. Between those 2, the King's course is probably the "better" golf course.

Mauna Kea is the most well known along the gold coast, but it's hard to get into and pricy. From what I have seen, I don't know that I would bother with any of the inland courses. But dude, you're playing golf in Hawaii, so it doesn't much matter.

BTW: Lunch and brew after golf at the King's course is really, really good. We usually play early and have our wives come meet us for lunch.

 

[HornTillDeath]

autiem, are you looking for other recommendations as well? food, sites, etc.

Happy to obliged, don't want to impose.

 

[auntiem]

Yeah that would be great!!

 

[HornTillDeath]

Ok, great. We've been there a lot of times. Have done almost everything there is to do, but haven't done it all yet. I'll list our favorites. If there is something you read about and want more information, let me know and I'll tell you our experiences.

One very important note! On your driving trips, Volcano National Park, Mauna Kea, etc. fill up with gas before you leave, or when you pass through town. Gas stations are very spread out and most are closed at night. We were cruising on fumes last time coming home from the Volcanos and there is only one gas station open on the stretch from the park to Kona. And no gas stations near the park.

FOOD:

Kamuela Provision Company (Hilton): Get your reservations early enough to sit outside so you can see the sunset. Also, cabana boy comes around at dusk to light the tiki torches (my wife's favorite part).

Roy's at the King's Shops: Roy's is now a chain, with one in Austin, but the Waikoloa resturant is the second one ever opened and personnally think it is much better than their Austin cousin. No view, but great food.

Brown's Beach House (Fairmont Orchid): Short drive north of Waikoloa. Outside seating, again make reservations early enough for the sunset. They have a guy that plays guitar and sings out under the trees. Some nights have a traditional hula dancer come dance with him.

Daniel Thiebaut's (Waimea/Kamuela): Great small restaurant in Waimea. Need to time this to hit Waimea on the way back from one of your road trips. Too long of a drive just for dinner.

Luau: If you want to do a luau, my opinion is the Marriott luau is better than the Hilton's. Get there early enough to get a front row seat, and make sure there are no obstructions between you and the stage for picture taking. While your waiting for things to get started, you can wander back to the fish ponds and beach (A-bay).

Groceries: If you're in a condo instead of hotel, we pick up stuff for breakfast, picnics, etc. Nothing beats breakfast out on the lanai in the mornings. There is a good grocery store in the Queen's shops. There's a smaller store in th King's shops, but doesn't have as big a selection and expensive. If you think the Queen's shops is too expensive, there is a real grocery store (like safeway) in Waikoloa Village which is about 10-15 minutes away.

My daughter is making me add in that you need to get Melona Bars at the grocery store. Ice cream bars that taste like melons. We've only been able to find them in Hawaii. They're addictive.

SITE SEEING:

Whales: We've never timed it right, but you should be there at the right time for whale watching.

Volcano National Park: Well worth the trip, in fact it is probably the only "must see" on the trip for me. On the way, stop off at Panaluu Beach Park, black sand beaches and sea turtles. Not a lay on the beach type of beach, but very pretty take lots of pictures. Once you are in Volcano Park, tere are several stops like Thurston Lava Tube well worth seeing, but don't think you have to stop at every pull over as you make the drive. The caldera was very active when we were there this summer. One do not miss is the trail of craters road. The first few times we went, we either ran out of time or it was clsosed because of lava flows. Take the time to stop and walk over to the sea edge. The view down the cliffs are great, some of the greatest photo ops. It's a full day trip, if you stay till dark, you can eat at the Volcano House restaurant. At night you can see the glow of the caldera.

North Island: A good half day trip is up to the north end of the island around Hawi, etc. Several small parks, small towns to shop in, etc. At the end of the road is Pololuu Valley. Very scenic, you'll see it on a lot of post cards. You can actual walk to the valley floor and beach, it's about a 45 minute walk, just be aware, you have to walk back upas well.

Hilo: You make a trip around to Hilo, will pass through a number of towns on the way. This is the trip where you'll want to time hitting Waimea at dinner time at Daniel Thiebaut's. Take rain gear, you are headed to the tropical side of the island. Along the way stop at Wapio Valley. Great view. You can go on a tour down into the valley. Don't try it in your rental car. It's a 25% grade. Not a lot to see once your down there, the view is from up on top. The real thrill is the ride down and up, white knuckles. We did it once, but probably won't do it again. If you're into flora, the Hawaii Tropical Botannical Gardens is just off the highway, very pretty. Also you'll stop at Akaka Falls, a few miles off the highway, but one of the main reasons you came over to this side of the island. As you head up to the falls, you'll pass by a row of shops, there is small ice cream store there, that's a really good place for lunch. It doesn't look like much, but the food is wonderful. In Hilo, you'll want to go to Rainbow Falls and the boiling pots. There are lots of stories about Hilo and the tsunami and banyan trees, etc. You'll want to read up about that before you go, otherwise Hilo will strike you as just an ordinary town.

Mauna Kea Summit: If you're going to do this plan ahead before you go to Hawaii, or go with one of the tours. If you're going to do it on your own, rent a 4-wheel drive and bring coats, sweaters, etc. You'll be driving from sea level to about 13,000 feet in an hour and half. Let your body adjust. Also, you'll be going from 80 degrees to 30 and windy. Drive up to the top and park your car looking west, so you can jump inside and still see the suset. Hop out to take pictures then jump back in. After dark they do a star seeing tour with staff at the visitor's center. Well worth it. It's always clear, because you're above the clouds, and it's the only place you can see the north star and the southern cross in the US.

BEACHES

Hapuna Beach is our favorite. It's north of Waikoloa. Very scenic. But do not go if it's windy, you'll feel like your being sand blasted.

A-bay: IT's right there in Waikoloa, a very laid back beach. It's surf protected so more floating that jumping in the waves. If your beach day is windy, this is much better than Hapuna.

UNDER THE WATER:

If you want to go snorkeling, I suggest Fair Winds. They have a big catamaran and take you over to Captain Cook's monument. Protected and very pretty.

Manta Rays: There are several outfits that do a night dive or snorkelling trip to see the manta rays, pretty cool.

Diving: I think Fair Winds takes divers as well. My wife and I are both divers, but have actually been a little dissapointed with diving in Hawaii. You're actually diving on the side of a mountain. Dive depth is not that far off shore because of the steepness, so you get a lot of surge.


GOLF: I already told you about the courses. But schedule your tee times early in the morning. Your body is still on US time, so it doesn't feel early. Plus, you finish early enough to do other things during the day.

That's about all I can think of right now. I started to add a section for things "not to do" like macadamia nut plantation (boring) or sea kayaking (great adventure and pretty, but totally exhausting). However, if there is something you read about and would like our biased opinion, feel free to ask.

Have fun! Relax! And Hook 'em.

 

[auntiem]

Thanks!! I cannot wait!

 

[auntiem]

Aloha and Happy Thanksgiving

Played Kona Country Club Mountain course yesterday- it was beautiful! Great views- great course! Fairly cheap ($100 for the round) Had to contend with herds of goats- but actually they were kind of fun to have around!

Makalei tomorrow- peacocks there! Suppose to be a nice course too!

 

[HornTillDeath]

I was coming out here to post and ask you how the trip went. Hopefully you're still there.

Let me hear after you get back and get your mainland legs back.

 

[auntiem]

The trip was awesome!! What a great island.

Played three round of golf. Did a helicopter tour. Drove over to Hilo for that, which was a great drive.

Food was terrific! Ate at Huggos, KPC and Roys a couple times. Want to go back!!