E KOMO MAI BIGWayfinder ISLAND Itinerary Windward (wet side) Hilo Leeward Kailua-Kona (dry side) TABLE OF CONTENTS Introduction COVID Testing Program: Step-By-Step Video Big Island in a Nutshell: Video Guide Excursion days 1. North Kohala Day 2. Kohala Coast Day 3. South Kona Beaches & Coffee 4. Hamakua Coast to Hilo 5. Kona to Volcanoes in One Day 6. Hello Hilo Quick Hits Favorite Tours Snorkel Guide Aloha! Thank you so much for purchasing our itinerary and entrusting us to help make your vacation the absolute best it can be. We are so excited to share our favorite spots with you. We designed this itinerary to be a grab-and-go type guide. That is, we don’t expect you to do all of these excursion days in a row. That would be exhausting. Instead, we hope that if you want to venture out and explore an area one day, our excursion days can help you do just that, without wasting precious time researching. For example, say you really want to explore north Hawai'i. Flip to our North Kohala Day and follow the guide. We’ve mapped out your day to make the most of your time, get in the best sights, and make sure you’re not backtracking all over the place. Don’t feel like doing a full-day itinerary but you want to know what is the best restaurant/beach/tour in your area? This is where our “quick hits” section comes in. In this section, you’ll find our favorite restaurants, beaches, and snorkel spots around different parts of the island. And don't miss the list of our favorite tours and excursions, in case you want to add a little more to your trip. Plus, don’t forget to watch the videos that are included with this guide. And lastly, check out our snorkel section for some advice to help you snorkel safely like a pro. Malama Pono, Erica & Jordan (and Henry & Hattie) Copyright 2021 Gellerholz Inc. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electrical or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or any other information storage and retrieval system, without the written permission of Erica Gellerman or Jordan Fromholz. This guide is for the recipient ONLY. COVID TESTING PROGRAM Step-By-Step Video Questions about the testing program? We walk you through the rules, our experience using Vault Health, and completing the pre- travel forms. We go step-by-step and answer some of our most frequently received questions. Click here or the image to play. If that doesn't do the trick, copy and paste this into your browser: https://youtu.be/AXGpueSiIEw Note: this is not personalized advice and you should still consult the official guidance published by the state of Hawaii. Visit their website for up-to-date information. HAWAI'I IN A NUTSHELL Video Guide Get to know the Big Island before you get here. We start with a lay of the land so you can familiarize yourself with some basics and then dive into what to expect when you visit different parts of the island. This video will help you pick what excursion days you absolutely have to do. Click here or the image to play. If that doesn't do the trick, copy and paste this into your browser: https://youtu.be/l51Pjcf6-cE EXCURSION DAYS NORTH KOHALA DAY Excursion Day NORTH KOHALA DAY Welcome to cowboy country, or better known as paniolo country in Hawaiian. Kohala Mountain is the oldest of Hawai’i’s five volcanoes. Kohala is also home to the Parker Ranch, one of the oldest and largest ranches in America. Pre-dating Texas ranches by 30- years. 4 3 This is Jordan’s favorite day out on 2 the Big Island as you will experience 5 the impressive Pololu Valley, quaint 1 & 6 plantation towns, and local grindz (food). PACK Sturdy Shoes Closed Toe Shoes & Long Pants (if horseback riding) RESERVATION Cash SCHEDULE Horseback riding book 4-wks in INITIAL TRAVEL TIME advance From Kailua-Kona: 55 minutes (get Merriman's Big Island directions here) dinner reservation 4- From Hilo: 70 minutes (get directions wks in advance here) OVERVIEW North Kohala Day STOP 1: HAWAIIAN STYLE CAFE, WAIMEA 65-1290 Kawaihae Rd, Waimea STOP 2: POLOLU LOOKOUT Google Maps Directions 52-5100 Akoni Pule Hwy, Kapa’au Prices: $10 - $15 per entree Google Maps Directions Tip: Cash only! Parking: small lot available, or roadside parking Tip: Short, but steep, muddy hike so STOP 3: THE ORIGINAL bring good shoes (and maybe KAMEHAMEHA THE GREAT STATUE walking sticks) 54-3900 Mahukona-Niulii Road, Kapa’au Google Maps Directions STOP 4: HAWI TOWN AND A quick stop on the road back to KOHALA COFFEE MILL Hawi, there is a nice gift shop here 55-3412 Akoni Pule Hwy, Hawi with shave ice Google Maps Directions Coffee, lunch, post-hike ice cream. It’s all here STOP 5: PANIOLO ADVENTURES Mile 13.2, Kohala Mountain Rd, Waimea STOP 6: DINNER IN WAIMEA AT Google Maps Directions MERRIMAN’S BIG ISLAND Price: $99 per person 65-1227 Opelo Rd B, Waimea Note: not into horseback riding? We Google Maps Directions have alternatives in the In-Depth Price: entrees $33+ section Less expensive, more casual alternatives provided North Kohala Day IN-DEPTH North Kohala Day STOP 1: HAWAIIAN STYLE CAFE, WAIMEA You’re up and at em early this morning. On your way to your hike (or lookout point), you’ll want to stop in Waimea for breakfast. Hawaiian Style Cafe is a winner with both tourists and locals alike. You can enjoy favorites like french toast, pancakes, eggs, and loco moco. They are a cash-only restaurant, so be sure to plan ahead! Stop 1 Alternative: Waimea Coffee Company If the wait for breakfast is too long or you simply don’t want a full meal, you can grab a quick cup of joe at Waimea Coffee Company. Click for directions. STOP 2: POLOLU LOOKOUT A natural gem of the North Kohala coast is the Polulu Valley, where you can get a glimpse of the verdant landscapes and cliffs bordering the black sand beach. This is a classic postcard view of Hawaii, that you’ll get to see in person. There is a small parking lot at the end of the road, but it usually fills up early (before 9 am during the week). If the lot is full, you can find street parking along the road. From here you can enjoy the view from the top or take the 20-minute hike down to the bottom of the valley. The hike is steep and muddy in parts, but if you’re up for it, it’s worth the adventure. When you get to the bottom you’ll find a black sand/stone beach, hiking trails, tree swings, and a river going up the valley. It’s a peaceful place to stop and enjoy. Swimming is strongly discouraged because the ocean waves and currents can be strong and unpredictable here. Please refrain from hiking into the valley as it is sacred and private land. North Kohala Day IN-DEPTH North Kohala Day STOP 3: FIRST KAMEHAMEHA STATUE IN KAPA’AU Once you’ve left Pololu Lookout, you’ll head back into town and make your first quick stop in Kapa’au, at the first King Kamehameha I statue ever made. King Kamehameha is the most famous historical ruler and unified the Hawaiian islands in 1810. North Kohala is his birthplace, and the statue was erected here (a replica of the statue can be found on O'ahu). The Hawaii Tourism Authority has a brief history of this iconic ruler. STOP 4: HAWI TOWN AND KOHALA COFFEE MILL A few minutes down the road from Kapa’au and you’ll arrive in Hawi (pronounced Havi). In this charming town, you can stroll the small main street, stop in at the shops, and treat yourself to a snack or lunch. We recommend Kohala Coffee Mill as you’ll have some great Kona Coffee and a range of other options, from sandwiches to ice cream. Hawi is famous for being the turnaround point for the bike section of the Ironman. North Kohala Day IN-DEPTH North Kohala Day STOP 5: PANIOLO ADVENTURES Waimea is cowboy (paniolo) country and what better way to embrace that than with a horseback ride. As you’re driving back from Hawi to Waimea, you’ll be met with rolling green fields and views of the ocean. Spend some time here with an afternoon horseback ride with Paniolo Adventures. This beginner- friendly activity will get you out in the fresh air (and out of your car) as you learn some of the history of this ranching area. Stop 5 Alternative: Koai'a Tree Sanctuary If you’re not up for a horseback ride, enjoy the scenery with a short stroll at the Koai’a Tree Sanctuary. There are multiple hikes here of varying difficulty, but you can do the easy, less than 1-mile loop for a little break and to enjoy some of the scenery that you won’t find many other places on this island. More about the sanctuary can be found here. STOP 6: DINNER IN WAIMEA Head back to Waimea for delicious dinner options. Waimea has some excellent dining options, and our favorite is Merriman’s. Owned by chef Peter Merriman, you can also find a Merriman’s on Maui. They serve fresh local produce in a relaxed upscale environment and reservations are required.