My apologies ... I was too tired to see my error last night. I would never advise going up the hill to old Matsuyama's. I thought the bus was stopping at the newer Matsuyamas, which is by Pine Trees Cafe just south of the airport. As the stops along one route are K-Mart, then Matsuyama's, then the Hilton, I thought it was in a line. I guess that would be too convenient.
Scratch that.
If I were you I would
a) fly into Hilo. It shouldn't be much more expensive.
b) rent a car at KOA. Is there some reason you can't rent an economy car?
You haven't been here, and you don't know how large the Big Island is, how big the climbs, how much the drivers could care less about being attentive to bikes. It's not like California, whole other mind-set here.
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Aloha Jason, I've been stymied many times about how to get to/from Kona flights & Pahoa. It is quite a bit cheaper & usually a direct flight. You can: 1. advertise on Craig's list on rideshare for a ride (offer $ towards gas) from KOA to Hilo side, then bike. 2. advertise on Craig's list for a ride from KOA to a bus stop in Kona. Be advised if the bus has several bikes already it will not accept your bike & you'll have to wait for the next bus.
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I've been to the Big Island three times this year.I'm going again in Feb.I love it there! We love it so much we bought a place in HPP (Hawaiin Paradise Park), which is not far from Pahoa.We've made new friends there and people have been great.I love it in Hilo too.I've only been to Kona once so far.There is a wonderful Farmers Market every Sunday not far from Pahoa,the Makuu Market. Great eats,live music,great fruit and vegetables, friendly people.
Yes, the island is really big. All the other Hawaiin islands would fit inside the Big Island.
We are making the move as soon as we can get our act together.
Have a great stay on the island,
Jon in Puyallup (where it was recently 14 degrees and snowing)
Jon in Puyallup, Wa.
Jon in Keaau/HPP
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Pog, I can stay with my girlfriend at the retreat, however as her guest I'd have to pay $25 a night. Otherwise I can become a volunteer (don't really want to) or a customer ( really don't want to do that).
CSGray - 1500 feet above sea level in 5 miles poses a problem! :-0 I haven't ridden my bike for 7 months, so I know that's not doable in my current state. Might be able to walk it, but my unsightly appearence/odor might offend the other bus passengers :p
Kathy, thank you. Hippies have their place, but some of them can be... overbearing in their ways. I have briefly considered staying at Kalani, however due to the nature of the camp ( or what I've heard) I think I would be better off staying elsewhere.
My friend was WWOFing at a farm where most of it's staff were on heavy drugs (according to a 3rd source). If I recall correctly this farm was near Hilo. In any case, I'm really not too worried. But hearing the story did spook me, but my rational mind kicked into gear and I realize it was just a spot of bad luck for him. A similar thing happened to me in Oakland.
I would fly into Hilo, but AlaskaAir had a special where I could fly into Kona for $150+taxes, so it was dirt cheap! I hadn't even planned on visiting my girlfriend until I saw that deal. I'm not able to rent a car because I've never driven a car and thus, don't own a license. I do think though, with the warnings of big climbs and traffic, I may get a cheap dirt bike to get around. Is that a viable option?
Thanks for the link!
Bullwrinkle thanks for the maps suggestions. I typically buy maps and study Google Earth before I head out. These maps will be helpful.
TND - thanks for the reassurance. I'm courious what is your reason for not considering a bicycle primary transport? Also, what places specifically should I stay away from (I'm assuming you're thinking of specific bars/stores/etc)?
DoryGray - I will look into that. I never hitchhiked/rideshare by myself before. Should be interesting. How often does the bus come along? From the schedule I looked at online it seems like it only runs twice a day - to hilo then back from hilo.
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You could also take a shuttle or cab to where you can catch the bus, then take the bus from there.
Carol
Carol
Every time you feel yourself getting pulled into other people's nonsense, repeat these words: Not my circus, not my monkeys.
Polish Proverb
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I would fly into Hilo, but AlaskaAir had a special where I could fly into Kona for $150+taxes, so it was dirt cheap!
Do you realize it is going to cost more to check in your bike than your ticket cost ?
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Jason,
The most frequent buses from the west side to Hilo are the Waikaloa buses. It is almost 20 miles, but fairly flat, so may be a better ride than up Kaiminani... and there are far more of the buses, not just the one morning Kona-Hilo bus
The bus is free, but you will pay $1 per bag (over one school backpack size) and $1 for the bike. (There is one bus that does stop in the airport, but this is not really convenient for anyone coming to Hilo... mainly for workers from Kau...)
The roads are not terrible to ride on... but there is some worry about the drivers (a couple of years ago a councilman was quoted saying that the drivers on this island suck....I would not go quite that far... but there are interesting things that make me pause when biking,,,the one that got me the most was towing an unoccupied car with a tow strap that was at least 20' long.... that car was all over the road, the side & bouncing off the guard rail.... )
There is also the chance of catching a ride over, there are some people who commute between, & may assist... depending on your timeframe & theirs, just post here & craigslist & such...
Also you can pick up a bike here... maybe GF can keep a look out for one (end of semester sales are happening now & the University has boards that things are posted....)
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Search more on the Woofer network to get a list of farms on the island that offer volunteer services in exchange for lodging. There is one close to Pahoa that I know of that requires 20 hours per week in exchange for food and a yurt. The big problem if you don't have a car then you have to thumb it or ride a bike which will def. increase your odds of getting hurt or messed with. Crime is a problem every where especially in my home town Denver, recently a real rash of car smash and grabs in broad daylight. So when in Hawaii use same precaution as you would anywhere else. Let people know where you are going, use common sense, watch your back side, remove yourself from situatiions when ever possible, leave your valuabes in a secure place vs dragging them to the beach.
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Jason-- how long are you planning to stay? We just bought a home in Hawaiian acres. May need a house sitter/ renter for a couple of months.
Email me at kodachromes@gmail.com
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CSGray, good call, I didn't think of that. I'm usually careful with my money so I think of walking/biking/public transport before I think of cabs.
Obie, I checked on AlaskaAir, and there are no extra charges outside the norm. I plan to fit my person items in a carry on and large messenger bag, and have my bike be my "checked luggage". As long as it's not overweight or oversized, it's just $20.
Carey, thanks for the info on buses & roads. You sound like you do a bit of biking. What's your preferred bike? Mountain bike, road bike, touring bike? I have a Giant OCR2 road bike. I thought about buying a bike in HI, but I doubt I could get as nice a bike for a minimal $20 (or $50) checked luggage fee.
TheodoreJay, not too interested in WWOFing. But I thank you for the heads up.
TND, received your e-mail. It's a great deal, I will start typing a response as soon as I'm done with this.
Kathy, the island sounds like a dream but my legs are already starting to hate me! :p
Bummer to hear about dirt bikes. It'd be a cheap and efficient way to get around.
As for the $25 a night at the Yoga retreat, I should mention that my girlfriend is living in a tent on the retreat. It's do-able, but I just came from doing 6 months of that in Alaska and I'm a bit maxed out on that. I dunno how she's able to do it, she's a strong woman!
Here's a quote on volunteers having visitors at the retreat:
"May I have visitors?
After being in residence two weeks, family and friends may visit and stay with you in your accommodation or camp. All guests must register at the Reception desk and pay $35 per person, per night. This price includes meals and use of the facilities. It does not include the price of classes, adventures, or bodywork. Each guest may stay a maximum of seven nights."
$1000 a day? Gaw, I wish I had that kind of money to spend! I'll put up an ad for the rideshare. What would be a fair amount of money to offer?
Thanks all!
Jason
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