After my recent trip to the Big Island of Hawaii, I decided to compile a short list of driving tips for those thinking about visiting the biggest island in the Hawaiian Island chain.
1. If you’ve never visited the Big Island before, try to pick up several different maps. You can find free ones at the airport or at the car rental places. You’ll need a few different ones because not all show street grids. For the most part, they show highway numbers and routes to circle the island. Once you get into the towns though, there aren’t many that give you a close look at the street names. By having several maps with you, you’ll be able to cross check the directions and have an easier time finding the places you’d like to visit.
2. In most cases, following the highway signs should get you to where you’re going. There aren’t that many roads to get lost on. However, sometimes it will seem like you’re going the wrong way because the sign will tell you to turn off the highway, but you’ll keep driving for miles and miles before you see anything. The roads might go through small towns or just vacant land. Most roads will wind up into higher or lower elevation and at some point will shrink down to one lane. It will seem like this couldn’t possibly be the right road, but don’t worry. It is.
3. Gas is extremely expensive in Hawaii in general, and the Big Island is no different. The island is big and you’ll probably need to fill up a few times during your trip. For those traveling interisland, the prices might not seem like a big change from your home island. However, those visiting from the mainland will probably have sticker shock when they see the average gas prices here.
If you’re a Costco member, you’re in luck. Costco is less than 10 minutes west of Kailua-Kona. You’re best bet is to fill up there as prices are definitely cheaper. It was about 10-15 cents per gallon less than outside gas stations when I was there. If you’re not a member, keep an eye out for gas stations as you begin to sightsee. Sometimes there are stations right next to each other, but their prices are drastically different.
4. Days of sightseeing can be extremely long, especially if you’re trying to hit all the main events. Pack a cooler full of ice and fill it with refreshments (Wal-Mart and Big K are just up the road, if you’re staying in Kailua-Kona). This will help keep you going after miles and miles of driving. Bring along a few snacks to keep your sugar levels up too.
5. If music is an essential part of your traveling experience, my advice is to bring your own. I’m pretty sure most rental cars come with CD players and auxiliary jacks so you can play the music you like.
The reason I recommend bringing your own music is not because the Big Island doesn’t have any radio stations. In fact, from my experience, it seems like they have different stations on the east and west sides. However, not all stations get reception island wide. So if you’re headed to visit the volcano, you’ll have dead air a majority of the way.
If you don’t mind a little bit of dead air every now and again, the radio stations on the Big Island vary from island music, which includes contemporary Hawaiian, Jawaiian and reggae, to top 40, hip hop and r&b;, to soft rock, pop rock, oldies and country. Not a bad mix.
These tips should help make your vacation on the Big Island a little bit easier. Hopefully, you won’t even need to concern yourself with these things because you’ll be having too great of a time to be bothered. Remember, you’re on “Hawaiian Time” now. Kick back, relax and just take in the splendor of the island.
