My boss recently gave me a trip to Hawaii in celebration of 10 years of service. Awkwardly, I asked what was included, and she said "the cost of airfare and hotel." The excitement was overwhelming, but when the imaginary party streamers in my head fell to the ground, the realization hit that I had no budget for a local camping trip, let alone Hawaii. I kept a smile on my face as I heard the gears of my emotional roller-coaster grinding and screeching to a halt. I left her office with a polite "thank you," and set out to begin the inquiry of how I was going to pay for food and entertainment while enjoying a week on the Big Island, Hawaii. Here's what I found out:
Travel September through November. Flights and accommodation are cheaper. Stay pretty much anywhere along Ali'i Drive in Kona on the warmer side of the island. If nothing else, the beaches are wonderful as all-day entertainment.
Make sure your room or house has a refrigerator. Visit a local grocery store to purchase food and water.
Don't buy special clothes. Bring a backpack, swimsuit, shorts, T-shirts, walking shoes and a jacket. You really don't need anything more.
If staying away from the main strip, a hotel shuttle service to take you to visit tourist destinations in the Kona area.
Stay away from the tour kiosks. BIG rip-offs!
Rent a car for two days to visit Volcano National Park. For a small day use fee, you can experience some of the most amazing natural sights on the planet. Pack water, sandwiches and snacks. Go in the morning, and be prepared for rain. It's about a three-hour drive from Kona, so I recommend staying over. You don't want to miss the glow of the lava flow at night. Call ahead and ask the ranger about inexpensive sleeping cabins. They are more like camping, but well worth the overnight stay. On the way to the volcano, stop off at Punalu'u Black Sand Beach. Sea turtles swim and sun there. If you like it, plan to spend some time there on your drive back to Kona.
Get into the water! You don't have to take an expensive snorkeling tour to enjoy the beauty of the sea life in the warm ocean reefs.
Slow down. You're on island time! Enjoy the sights, the people and the adventure.
This tidbit of travel advice was contributed by Thorn Hailfrost.
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