Frommer’s EasyGuide to the Big Island of Hawaii. Jeanne Cooper
in advance for airport pickups; drivers will check on your flight’s arrival. On the Hilo side, call Kwiki Taxi (www.kwikitaxi.wordpress.com;
By Car You’ll want a rental car on the Big Island; not having one will really limit you. All major car-rental agencies have airport pickups in Kona and Hilo; some even offer cars at Kohala and Kona resorts. For tips on insurance and driving rules, see “Getting Around Hawaii” (p. 601).
The Big Island has more than 480 miles of paved road. The highway that circles the island is called the Hawaii Belt Road. From North Kona to South Kohala and Waimea, you have two driving choices: the scenic “upper” road, Mamalahoa Highway (Hwy. 190), or the speedier “lower” road, Queen Kaahumanu Highway (Hwy. 19). South of Kailua-Kona, the Hawaii Belt Road continues on Mamalahoa Highway (Hwy. 11) all the way to downtown Hilo, where it becomes Highway 19 again and follows the Hamakua Coast before heading up to Waimea.
North Kohala also has upper and lower highways. In Kawaihae, you can follow Kawaihae Road (Hwy. 19) uphill to the left turn onto the often-misty Kohala Mountain Road (Hwy. 250), which eventually drops down into Hawi. The Akoni Pule Highway (Hwy. 270) hugs the coast from Kawaihae to pavement’s end at the Pololu Valley Lookout.
Note: Saddle Road (Hwy. 200) snakes between Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa en route from Hilo to Mamalahoa Highway (Hwy. 190). Despite improvements to its pavement and narrow shoulders, it’s frequented by large military vehicles and plagued by bad weather; most rental-car agencies forbid you from driving on it. I’ve found the 29 miles from Hilo to the Mauna Kea Access Road to be very easy to navigate in good conditions, but be careful not to speed, especially close to Hilo.
By Bus & Shuttle SpeediShuttle (www.speedishuttle.com;
The islandwide bus system, the Hele-On Bus (www.heleonbus.org;
Travelers staying in Kailua-Kona and the Keauhou Resort can hop on the open-air, 44-seat Keauhou Resort Trolley operated by Roberts Hawaii (
The Waikoloa Beach Resort trolley runs from 10am to 10pm daily from Hilton Waikoloa Village and the Waikoloa Beach Marriott to the Kings’ Shops and Queens’ MarketPlace; it costs $2 adults, $1 ages 5 to 12 (younger free). Guests at Kings’ Land by Hilton Grand Vacations can catch a free shuttle to Hilton Waikoloa Village and pick up the trolley from there. Hilton Waikoloa Village also runs golf shuttles for guests.
By Bike Due to elevation changes, narrow shoulders (with the notable exception of the Queen Kaahumanu Highway between Kailua-Kona and Kawaihae), and high traffic speeds, point-to-point bike travel without a tour guide isn’t recommended. However, several areas are ideal for recreational cycling and sightseeing. See “Biking” under “Other Outdoor Activities” for rental shops and routes.
By Motorcycle & Scooter The sunny Kohala and Kona coasts are ideal for tooling around on a motorcycle, while those sticking to one resort or Kailua-Kona can easily get around by scooter. Big Island Mopeds (www.konamopedrentals.com;
Air Quality Although air quality has been excellent since Kilauea’s 35-year eruption ceased in 2018, you can find daily air-quality reports, based on sulfur dioxide and particulates measured at eight different sites, at hiso2index.info.
ATMs/Banks ATMs are located everywhere on the Big Island, at banks, supermarkets, Longs Drugs, and at some shopping malls. The major banks on the Big Island are First Hawaiian, Bank of Hawaii, American Savings, and Central Pacific, all with branches in both Kona and Hilo.
Business Hours Most businesses on the island are open from 8 or 9am to 5 or 6pm.
Dentists In Kohala, contact Dr. Craig C. Kimura at Kamuela Office Center, 65-1230 Mamalahoa Hwy., Waimea (
Doctors For drop-in visits, head to Urgent Care of Kona, 77-311 Sunset Dr., Kailua-Kona (www.urgentcareofkona.com;
Emergencies For ambulance, fire, or rescue services, dial
Hospitals Hospitals offering 24-hour, urgent-care facilities include the Kona Community Hospital, 79-1019 Haukapila St., off Highway 11, Kealakekua (www.kch.hhsc.org;