Reddit reviews Hawaii The Big Island Revealed: The Ultimate Guidebook

So so so so many recommendations, OP included a great list too. Definitely follow rules and laws for flying your drone. Its VERY tempting to want to fly it everything cause its so MOTHER EFFING beautiful, but stay out of the state and national parks with it.

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I will also suggest, no..HIGHLY RECOMMEND this book https://www.amazon.com/Hawaii-Big-Island-Revealed-Guidebook/dp/0996131825/ref=pd_lpo_sbs_14_t_0?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=ST3GCAV0BCCZMNGAK34N

I normally go anywhere and think I'll just find everything I need online or on my phone, and while you can, this book is CRAZY helpful. Plus its great reading on the plane and will get you more excited. Really helpful tips, hidden gems, etc in this book...cant recommend it enough. And its well written, not boring at all to read.

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When in Kona, check out

• Ali'i Gardens Market Place. Great prices on shirts, gifts, etc - and some good food - including shave ice
  
• Any farmers market will do too, several along Ali'i drive in Kona
  
• Da Poke Shack - best poke bowls on the island. (they also see it at costco and its pretty good there. If you have costco card, definitely go there for shopping and essentials for the week, including gas.
  
• Go to the little surf shop by Da Poke Shack, you can rent snorkle/mask for like $25 for the week. Great snorkling around Captain Cook, and Bay of Refuge - a must do
  
• Eat Breakfast at 808 Grindz - macdamia waffles and pancakes - you can thank me later
  
• If you want to do a Luau, Island Breeze is the best one on the island. We did this in lieu of a wedding reception, it was an absolutely amazing time, great food, and call you can drink mai tais!
  
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  Hilo
  
  
• Check out the zoo, pretty cool little zoo and cheap
  
• Hawaii Botanical gardens - not like any other BG you have ever seen...its truly a treasure to see, plants and it backs up to the ocean at the end....stunning is putting it mildly.
  
  Other Stuff
  
  
• Drive to top of mauna kea - make sure you have 4wd - we rented a 4 door jeep. You have to stop at the visitors center to get acclimated with the altitude. This is no joke, spend the 30 mins there, if not longer. Getting out of your car at the top of the volcano is beautiful, but if you're not ready you WILL get sick. Headache, light headed, vomit, or all 3.
  
• Waipio valley...yes yes, all day yes. You can drive down to the black sand beach there too, just be careful...its not an easy drive down or up