Posted by Nat Coalson on September 20, 2007 at 3:51 PM
I'm considering a trip to Hawaii and would like suggestions. I want to stay in one place the entire trip and just take day trips for shooting, exploring etc.
I've been to Honolulu/Waikiki and all over Kauai.
For those who have been other places in Hawaii - if you had to choose one favorite place to stay, where would it be?
Thanks in advance...
Posted by Les Barstow on September 20, 2007 at 5:57 PM
The Big Island was really nice. Stay in Hilo - it's cheap and you can get easy access to Volcanoes NP and the north shore with its waterfalls.
Posted by Doug Andrews on September 20, 2007 at 6:16 PM
Maui is awful nice. Had our honeymoon there. Plenty of nice beaches, coral reefs, waterfalls on the road to Hana. The there's Haleakala NP. Very colorful and scenic. Sunrise from there is quite spectacular. You can see Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa on the big island from the summit. Inside the caldera has a nice desert SW vibe to it which contrasts well with the tropical island feel of the rest of the place.
Posted by Paul Beiser on September 20, 2007 at 6:16 PM
Hi Nat,
I did a Thom Hogan workshop there 2 years ago on the Big Island, and it was great because we go to see and shoot a WIDE variety of incredible landscapes, from Kona, to the National Park (great lava) and then Hilo and the botannical gardens. We also shot the beach on the North Side that is famous (can't remember the name). Sounds like Les has done photography there. Some of my pics are here: Big Island Photos
Posted by bill meikle on September 20, 2007 at 6:46 PM
I'm with Paul, Nat, the Big Island has red lava flows and turtles on the beach and is big enough to offer many different places to go. But Kauai would be my first choice.
Bill
Posted by bill meikle on September 20, 2007 at 6:47 PM
Then again if you just want whales then Maui is the island of choice.
Bill
Posted by Jim Talaric on September 20, 2007 at 8:35 PM
Have been to Oahu, Maui, Kauai and Hawaii (the big island) several times. Kauai and Hawaii are my favorites but if I had to choose one, with photography in mind, Hawaii is the winner, hands down!.
Nat call me for a cool hotel recommendation near Kona and a helicopter operator if you decide to head to the big island.
Jim
Posted by Brian Jackson on September 20, 2007 at 11:02 PM
I've been living in Hawaii in the winters for the last 6 or so years and have been to all the islands and it fills like I been just about everywhere there is to go. Too much to explain here so if you want I could give you a call and explain each of the islands and what there is to do. All of them have their benefits and it looks like people here are giving you some good advice.
Posted by Art Escobado on September 20, 2007 at 11:05 PM
Kauai and the massive Na Pali coast with the Waimea Canyon throwing it down is pretty spectacular and not over shot IMHO.
Posted by Nat Coalson on September 21, 2007 at 10:12 AM
Thanks, guys... The Big Island it is!!
Posted by Ken Wyatt on September 23, 2007 at 12:16 AM
Hi Nat,
One more vote for the Big Island. For all the reasons above. We stayed at the Volcano Inn (near the town of Volcano), as their prices seemd pretty reasonable. You might check out the latest lava conditions, as mid-June there was an earthquake, which caused the level of lava to drop 300 feet - which effectively stopped the flow to the ocean. It had started to rise again gradually just as we had to leave. One other option we've done a couple times is to rent an RV or camper in Hilo, then camp in the many (free) state parks. It's been a few years since we did that, so would be worth a search first.
Ken
Posted by Neil Corman on September 25, 2007 at 3:07 PM
I guess timing is everything, as I was wondering a similar question. I think also based on some research and the information here I will head to the big island when I am out that way in Jan.
Posted by Les Barstow on September 25, 2007 at 3:46 PM
Neil, I'd recommend Kauai as much as I'd recommend Hawaii. Nat specifically excluded Kauai, which skewed recommendataions a bit.
Posted by Neil Corman on September 25, 2007 at 4:24 PM
Once I leave Oahu, where I will be with some friends I will have eight days to explore and am debating whether to do the 5 and 3 approach or just spend them all on the big island.
Posted by Nat Coalson on September 25, 2007 at 6:28 PM
I've made my travel plans, will be on the Big Island Oct 29-Nov 4. I plan to spend most of my time on the Hilo side, with a couple of nights in Kona. The only reason I excluded Kauai is because I've been there before... it's beautiful, but I need something new. And photographing the volcano sounds very cool, assuming the lava levels are back up...
Discussion
14 repliesI've been to Honolulu/Waikiki and all over Kauai.
For those who have been other places in Hawaii - if you had to choose one favorite place to stay, where would it be?
Thanks in advance...
I did a Thom Hogan workshop there 2 years ago on the Big Island, and it was great because we go to see and shoot a WIDE variety of incredible landscapes, from Kona, to the National Park (great lava) and then Hilo and the botannical gardens. We also shot the beach on the North Side that is famous (can't remember the name). Sounds like Les has done photography there. Some of my pics are here: Big Island Photos
Bill
Bill
Nat call me for a cool hotel recommendation near Kona and a helicopter operator if you decide to head to the big island.
Jim
One more vote for the Big Island. For all the reasons above. We stayed at the Volcano Inn (near the town of Volcano), as their prices seemd pretty reasonable. You might check out the latest lava conditions, as mid-June there was an earthquake, which caused the level of lava to drop 300 feet - which effectively stopped the flow to the ocean. It had started to rise again gradually just as we had to leave. One other option we've done a couple times is to rent an RV or camper in Hilo, then camp in the many (free) state parks. It's been a few years since we did that, so would be worth a search first.
Ken