Going to Hawaii alone next week

I leave for Hawaii on thursday, possibly by myself and I am nervous. Do I have anything to worry about? Anything I should see or do? Thanks

Going to Hawaii alone next week

Have a great time! If you say exactly WHERE you are going it would be easier to suggest things.

Cautions: (1) Keep at least 1/4 tank of gas in the car--fill up before that. Gas stations can be far apart and few are open 24 hours. (2) Carry a cell phone that works and bring your battery charger. There is NOT covereage everywhere, but in many places there is. (3) Do not hike alone over lava rock or on forest trails because if you sprain an ankle or worse help is far away, may be out of cell range. (4) Similarly, don%26#39;t shore snorkel or swim if you are the only one there. In any case, stay out of the water at dawn and dusk, keep out of murky water and water where streams wmpty into the ocean, or where you see fishing boats.

Going to Hawaii alone next week

If you are used to traveling alone you shouldn%26#39;t experience any more difficulty in Hawaii than you would any where else. Of course, any trip is what you make it. Choosing to travel alone always has it%26#39;s own challanges but you should be fine.

Hi thank you for your responses so far. I am staying in Kona and will have a rental car if that helps any.

Hi, don%26#39;t be nervous. The fact that you are possibly going alone tells me you must be quite an independent woman. You will be fine. Just use common sense like you would at home. Have a wonderful trip. I wonder sometimes if I ever had the option to go alone, if I%26#39;d do it. Just to get to Hawaii, I think I%26#39;d give it a try!

You should try a snorkel trip--those offer the best and most reliable experience. Shore snorkeling can be iffy depending on the sea conditions and extent of stirred up sand. So do one trip early on and if you like it, you can rent equipment from Snorkel Bob or Jacks or where ever in Kailua-Kona and go to Kahaluu (has life guards and lots of people). The trips have all the equipment you%26#39;ll need. See the Snorkeling page for ideas (FairWinds is in drydock probably thru October). tripadvisor.com/Travel-g29217-c7522/Island-O…

If you are interested in history, the petroglyphs up at Pukao (Mauna Lani) and/or Waikoloa are nice. You can combine this with a visit to the Mauna Lani historc fishponds and the shopping up at ML and Waikoloa shops if you want tripadvisor.com/Travel-g29217-c56173/Island-…

Place of Refuge is a nice half day trip. You can also see Painted Church and coffee places. The visitor books they have at the airport and in stands on the streets have good maps in them, as does the Drive Guide you will get with your car. They also have coupons for some of the boat trips.

Thank you all for your tips and encouragement. I do plan to go to the painted church and the Place of Refuge. How is the drive to both of these places? Any good beach suggestions? I was planning to go to the Hawaii Tropical Botanical Garden, anything else I should check out while on that side of the island? I will check out those things you mentioned. Thank you

http://hawaii.gov/dlnr

is reporting the following:

09/11/08 - THREE BEACH PARKS CLOSE DUE TO INCREASED SHARK SIGHTINGS ALONG KONA COAST, -DLNR, the Hawaii Fire Department Ocean Safety Division and the Hawaii County Department of Parks and Recreation closed Waialea Bay State Park, Hapuna Beach State Recreation Area (SRA), and Spencer County Beach Park, September 8, due to the sighting of large sharks ranging in size from 6 – 15 feet. There are confirmed reports of 15 large sharks from Waialea Bay to Kawaihae Small Boat Harbor area.

Other releases in the ';featured news'; section indicate these beaches have been closed since September 5th. Even though your post says you will be about 30 miles south of this area in Kona, I recommend you read all the releases for the past week or so. One includes a 10 point list of precautionary measures.

After the gardens go on out to the Wiapio Valley overlook (or book a horseback ride into the valley) be sure and stop at the Wiapio Valley Artworks and check out all the gorgeous handcarved wood pieces they have...stunning.

If you are traveling sout from Kona: there is a place called The Coffee Shack, wonderful place to stop for brkfst or lunch. It is on the ocean side of the road. I will try to see if I can get you some info on about how far it is out of Kona. Or perhaps someone here already knows.

Oh, and you can also buy their own coffee there.

All seating is out on a big lanai/porch. Just perfect.

all good advice.... steer clear of locals surf beaches like Banyan, and stick to popular visitor beaches. Avoid the area of Puna, outside of the National park.

Join a tour... there are lots Cell phones dont work in a LOT of areas