Fodor's Travel: Best Things To Do In Hilo

Above, an aerial view of double waterfalls north of Hilo. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

During our Hawaii trip seven years ago, we were on the Kona side of the Big Island. While there, we rented a car and drove across the island to the Hilo side where we had a scheduled helicopter tour to Hawaiian Volcanoes National Park and waterfalls along the coast.

It was an interesting drive, especially seeing volcanic cinder cones along the way. The helicopter tour was with Blue Hawaiian Helicopters based at the Hilo Airport. 

According to Fodor's Travel, there are other things to do in the Hilo area.

They begin with:

The Hilo side of Hawaii’s Big Island is extremely underrated for its wide variety of wonderful experiences it offers visitors—from verdant rainforests to hiking in the shadows of ancient active volcanos. Hilo is an underrated part of the Big Island, where you’ll discover that hotels, restaurants, rental cars, and tours are often less expensive than other more popular places throughout the islands.

Although Hilo is noticeably less polished than some of Hawaii’s more resort-heavy areas, there are dozens of unique accommodations and many activities to enjoy. If you’re headed to Hawaii, here’s why you should head to Hilo.

To read more, go here. 

T&C Travel Guide: Hawaii's Big Island

Above, double waterfalls on the Hilo side of the Big Island. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

During my 2016 trip to Hawaii, I spent a few days on the Big Island.

We stayed on the Kona side of the island, but we took the 77-mile drive across the island to Hilo to catch our Blue Hawaiian Helicopters tour of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park and waterfalls. 

Yahoo! Life Town & Country section posted a travel guide to what the Big Island has to offer.

They begin it with:

Forget revenge when it comes to vacations this year, what we all need is sunny spot to rest. May I suggest Hawaii's Big Island? It's a little more locals-only than Maui and its microclimate offers the rainforest on one side of the island and sunny beaches on the other. We recommend staying at least four days to really nail the blend of adventure and relaxation— after two days of cabanas and cocktails, a waterfall hike is just the thing. Below, the very T&C things to eat, do, and see on Hawaii's Big Island.

To read more, go here.

Hawaiian Airlines To Begin Tokyo To Kailua-Kona Service

Above, the baggage area of Kona International Airport. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

No sooner than we departed the Big Island of Hawaii to return home, news was released that Hawaiian Airlines will be offering service between Kona International Airport at Kailua-Kona to Tokyo.

Japan Today reported:

HONOLULU —Hawaiian Airlines on Friday secured the right to begin flying nonstop between Tokyo and Kailua-Kona, bringing a regularly scheduled direct flight from Japan to the Big Island for the first time since 2010. 

The U.S. Department of Transportation said it awarded a new nighttime slot at Tokyo’s Haneda International Airport to Hawaiian Airlines. 

Hawaiian plans to use it to fly to Kona three times a week and to Honolulu the other four times. The airline already flies between Haneda and Honolulu. 

Hawaiian Airlines spokesman Alex Da Silva said the company anticipates beginning service between late October and late January.

Above, one of the gates at Kailua-Kona. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The Kona International Airport looks much different than today's mega-terminal airports. It consists of bungalows and the baggage area is open air.

To read more, go here.