Hawaii The Big Island Revealed

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Kayaking to Captain Cook Monument in Kealakekua Bay (page 208-210 & 233) has gotten a bit complicated. It comes down to this: If you want to rent a kayak and paddle around the bay or to the Captain Cook Monument area, you don't need a permit. If you want to LAND at the monument side of the bay, you either need to go on a guided trip with Adventures in Paradise (ph: 212-209-3370) or Hawaii Pack and Paddle (ph: 808-328-8911), or you need to get a permit from the state DLNR. To get a permit you can either stop by their office (a convenient 5-hour round trip from Kona--Division of State Parks, Hawaii District Office, 75 Aupuni St., Room 204, in Hilo), or download a form from: www.hawaiistateparks.org and fax back to them at 808-974-6222 or email it to: dean.h.takebayashi@hawaii.gov. They'll take a week to grant the permit and you can print it out with that printer you brought with you on vacation or find one at your hotel. The DLNR told us that all kayak renters at the bay are illegal and that you should get your kayak from either of the guided companies or Kona Boys (808-328-1234) or Aloha Kayak Co. (808-322-2868).

For an update on Kilauea Volcano's area closures please click here www.nps.gov/havo/closed_areas.htm to see the current advisories in effect as posted by the National Park Service.

Aloha Airlines (mentioned in the Basics chapter) is out of business.

Mokulele airlines was bought by go! (metioned in the Basics chapter). Please call them directly if you have reservations at 1-888-435-9462.

Big Island Exotic Car Rentals (page 23) phone number is changed to 808-880–9998.

Affordable Car Rentals, (page 23 & 24) is closed.

Imua Camper Company (page 24) is closed.

Kona Harley-Davidson on page 24 is closed.

GB Adventures (page 24) is under new management and now known as Happy Campers Hawaii, with a new phone number 808-896-8777.

Anderson Portraits Hawaii (page 25) is closed.

Costco on page 34 changed their phone number to 808-331-4800.

'Imiloa Astronomy Center (page 34 & 109) admission has increased to $17.50 for adults, $9.50 for children (4-12).

Mele Kai (page 39) has closed.

Marina Seafoods (page 57) is closed.

Hulihe'e Palace (page 59) has reopened from its renovations.

Kona Historical Society Museum (page 67) is now closed Friday through Sunday and admission has increased to $7 ($3 for kids).

Hilo Homemade Ice Cream (page 111) changed their phone number to 808-935-3895.

Also on page 111, Nani Mau Gardens changed their lunch buffet price to $13.

Verna's (page 120) was sold and reopened as another place. We have not yet reviewed it under its new owners.

Mamane Street Bakery (pages 129 & 137) has moved to Waimea and is now a commercial bakery only. However, they have opened a retail outlet across the street from their new factory called The Bread Outlet.

Parker Ranch (page 136) no longer offers their wagon tours, home tours or has their museum or visitor's center.

University of Hawaii Telescope (page 142) no longer offers tours of their telescope. Try Subaru Telescope at 808-934-5056.

Namakani Paio cabins (page 179) are closed temporarily and will reopen when Volcano House reopens.

Kona Fishing Tackle (page 183) is closed try Yama's Specialty Shop same phone number but located on the corner of Lunapule & Ali'i Drive in Kona.

Red Sail Sports (pages 178, 212, 214, 216, & 277) is no longer in business.

Golfing (starting on page 183) for some reason, the golf courses on the Big Island have really jacked up their rates lately. For instance, Mauna Kea is now $350!

Island Hoppers (page 192) has changed their name to Iolani Air Tour Co.

Kealakekua Kayak & Dive (page 208) is history.

Stargazing will cost you a bit more (page 222): Hawai'i Forest & Trail's Mauna Kea Stargazing tour is now $185. Mauna Kea Summit Adventures tour is now $197.

Captain Tom at Living Ocean Adventures (page 224) changed his pricing to $85 for his tour.

The Rain Forest Hike to Pu'u 'O'o on page 228 has been closed by the DLNR. They closed it when lava activity in the vicinity of the end of the trail presented hazards. Now that the lava has moved elsewhere, we don't know if they still want it closed or simply forgot to take down the sign.

Dolphin Quest Hawaii (page 232) has a new phone number (actually 2 numbers): Toll-free reservations line is (800) 248-3316. Direct line to Dolphin Quest Hawaii is (808) 886-2875.

Kamaha'o Lu'au at the Sheraton Keauhou Resort has been replaced by a new show, Firenesia at 808-326-4969, that we have not had the chance yet to review.

Huli Sue's phone number (Island Dining chapter) is incorrect. It should be (808) 885-6268.

Mac Pie (Island Dining chapter) has closed their retail outlet, but you can still get them some places around town--especially Costco.

Pahoa Village Cafe (Island Dining chapter) phone number is 808-965-1133.

Tropical Dreams Ice Cream (Island Dining chapter) is no longer being carried by Kailua Candy Co., or Rocky's Pizza, but U-Top-It and Huli Sue's still has it.

Tako Taco Taqueria (Island Dining chapter) phone number 808-887-1717.

Starbuck's is no longer in King's Shops but it is in Queens' MarketPlace with a new phone number 808-886-1888.

Volcano House (Island Dining chapter) is closing for renovations from January 1, 2010 until they open again, maybe 24-30 months.

In the Island Dining chapter the economy has not been kind: Aloha Outpost Internet, Aunty's Place, Bad Ass Coffee Co., Big Island Steak House, Cassandra's Greek Taverna, Dara's Thai, Donatoni's, The Grill, Hard Rock Cafe, Harrington's, Hula La's Mexican Kitchen, Kimo's Family Buffet, Kohala Rainbow Cafe, Kona Mix Plate, Lisa's Pizza & Deli, Orchid Marketplace, O's Bistro, Palazzo Aikalima Gelato, Palm Terrace, Rio's of Kona, Sharky's, Tante's Bar & Grill, Tropical Dreams Ice Cream (Hilo in Kress Bldg.), Scandinavian Shave Ice, and Waimea Ranch House have all closed.

Short n Sweet Bakery & Cafe (Island Dining Chapter) closed Hawi location and reopened in Hilo at 374 Kinoole St. It's still under the same ownership.

Property Network (Where to Stay page 278) went out of business and if you used them to reserve a condo at Keauhou Punahele, Kona Ali'i, Kona Isle, Kona Makai, Kona Pacific, or White Sands Village you need to check on the status of your reservation as it may no longer be valid. Try contacting Elite Property Management at 808-327-6751 or Knutson & Associates at 808-329-1010. These two companies represent many of the condos that used to be managed by Property Network.

West Hawaii Property Services (Where to Stay page 278) changed their local number to (808) 334-1199.

The Outrigger Keauhou Beach Resort (Where to Stay Chapter) changed their toll free number to (800) 688-7444.

The Land Office (page 278 and 301) is closed. Please see new review of Colony One at SeaMountain.

Shirakawa Motel (page 301) closed.