Hawaii The Big Island Revealed Updates
Updates to 6th Edition
At Wizard Publications we continually strive to bring you the most up-to-date and accurate information on the islands. We are the only publisher who updates our books every time we reprint them. So if you see the updates below already listed in the book you just bought, you may have a recent printing.
Lava Flow Viewing Access Update: The lava is sporadically flowing a couple of miles from the end of the county road on Hwy 130, but things can get complicated. Although the old state highway still exists under the lava flow (and is therefore state land), County Civil Defense dissuades hikers from proceeding when they start duty around 4 p.m., and they absolutely have that authority. Visitors arriving before then might encounter a couple of private tour companies that will walk you a couple of miles out to the flow for around $150 per person. When I politely declined their services, one company rep from Poke-a-Stick Tours incorrectly told me there were state officers “patrolling the lava flows and arresting viewers who weren’t with paid guides.” Another person representing Kalapana Cultural Tours threatened every person and group walking to the end of the road while we were there, screaming obscenities and insults to all who approached. In our case, he said he would beat us all up and singled out my 4-foot 11-inch daughter-in-law saying, “You shut your mouth. I slap girls, too!” We explained that with GPS we wouldn’t be straying from the old Hwy under the lava and would not trespass onto private property, which the gentleman correctly indicated the lava might be flowing onto. But we were told that the state had “stolen all the land” under the highway anyway and that the same beating would take place if we proceeded. We declined the tour and called the police, then watched as others got the same threats before the police arrived, by which time the man (whose name we gave to the police) had left. My point is you may encounter unauthorized “enforcers” at the end of the government road on Hwy 130, and regardless of your feelings, rights or pride, you should turn away if you feel unwelcome. The lava might indeed be flowing onto private property and you do not have a right to trespass onto it. If you want to pay a guide, that’s your decision. Personally, we’ll take a pass.
For an update on Kilauea Volcano’s area closures please click here to see the current advisories in effect as posted by the National Park Service daily.
Kealakekua Bay (pages 18, 77, 209, 210, 212 & 237): Summer of 2012 a visitor was swept off the rocks and killed by a rogue wave in Kealakekua Bay while on a guided tour. The state DLNR responded by “temporarily” banning all kayaks, surfboards, boogie boards, SUPS and private vessels at Kealakekua Bay (including kayak tour companies) until further notice. They have since loosened their stance a bit and currently, Aloha Kayaks and Kona Boys Kayaks have resumed guided kayak tours of Kealakekua Bay and Captain Cook Monument. Permitted boats (such as Fair Winds & Hula Kai) are allowed to bring tours into the bay, but they can’t land and no one is allowed to go up on land from the boats. No list of all such permitted companies has been published. It is still legal to hike down the trail to the monument to snorkel at Captain Cook Monument as long as you don’t bring and launch or land a kayak, boogie board, etc. And they ask that anyone doing so be careful and respectful of the coral and other life there. A management plan that would allow individuals to obtain permits to use rented or personal kayaks on the bay and to snorkel at the monument is still “under discussion,” but everyone must have a paid permit – no more free permits. The state says this will somehow keep people safe. Residents will be able to purchase annual permits. No time frame as yet for when all this will happen.
Hele-On Bus (page 25) fell victim to budget short-falls and is no longer free unless you’re over 55, a student or disabled, for everyone else it’s a buck now. Also on this page, Jack’s no longer does bus tours for non-Japanese speakers.
Swing Zone (page 34 & 184) is closed.
Wavecom Solutions (page 42) is no more.
Kilauea Clothing Co. Vintage Aloha Wear (page 58) is closed.
Kona Joe (page 68) changed their phone number to (800) 322-2100.
Elementz Designs (page 74) is closed.
Divine Goods Hawai’i (page 75) is closed. As are Sweet Surrender and Pacific Island gallery on the same page.
Thurston Lava Tube’s darker half (page 96) had a collapse and is currently closed. No date or plan to reopen at this time.
Volcano Winery’s (page 104) phone number changed to 808-967-7772.
Down to Earth, Nutty Guys and The Grove Gallery (page 122) are all closed.
‘Akaka Falls (page 124) now charges $5 per car to park, or $1 per person to walk in.
Umauma Falls (page 125) cost is now $12 to view the falls.
Journey and Island Paperie (page 137) are both closed.
Hapuna Beach (page 153) now charges $5 per car for parking. Hawaii residents with ID are free.
Kahua Ranch (page 177) phone number changed to 808-882-4646.
Mauna Kea State Park (page 179) to get revervations call 808-961-9540.
Sea Strike (page 183) changed their phone number to 808-895-1972. Also on this page, Yama’s Specialty Shop is closed.
Waikoloa Beach Golf Course (page 186) changed phone numbers to 808-886–7888. And Waimea Country Club (pages 184 & 187) has closed.
Rain Forest Lava Tube hike (page 199) has been discontinued indefinitely due to budget cuts.
Renting a Kayak for Kealakekua Bay (pages 209–211) the State of Hawai‘i may ban all kayaking in this area as of 2013. So please call ahead to make sure kayak renting is still available.
Ehu and Kai (page 209) please call them before you head over to their office because they may be working at the pier instead.
Before we could get our books on the shelves, Hawaii Healing Ohana (page 224) closed.
Island Slice (page 226) is pau.
A restaurant (Island Dining) is no longer open to the general public, Pahoa Village Cafe.
Wilson’s by the Bay (Island Dining) has moved to 141 Mamo Street (between Kinoole St. and Kilauea Ave.).
Huli Sue’s (Island Dining) underwent some changes since we visited. The Waimea location has now closed and in its place is The Fish & the Hog Market Café. We have not yet reviewed this new place. The Mauna Lani location is now Marco’s Italian Kitchen and has a completely different menu which we also have yet to review.
Bianelli’s (Island Dining) has moved to Keauhou Shopping Center, 78-6831 Alii Drive. Their new phone number is 808-322-0377. Kohala Snack Shack changed their name to King’s View Café. Jungle’s Edge Coffee also changed names to Kona Brothers Coffee.
Carol’s Café (Island Dining) has moved back into Pacific Island Fitness at 74-5583 Luhia Street, Kailua-Kona. Her menu has changed radically and we have not yet had a chance to review it again.
Patz Pies (Island Dining) has moved to 82-6127 Mamalahoa Hwy just south of the Manago Hotel at Kamakani St. and is now called Patz Pies at Paparoni’s.
The following restaurants in Island Dining have closed: Anthony’s Italian & Irish, Baker Tom’s, Blazin’ Steaks, Boston Basil’s, Giovanni’s Aloha Shrimp, Kiawe Kitchen, Kiliki‘i Italian Ice, Luke’s Place, Pahu I‘a, Pakini Grill, Pizzeria Zacchini, Sweet Paradise Chocolatier, U • Top • It.
Hale Pohaku (page 294) is no longer being managed by a rental agent.
Sheraton Keauhou Bay Resort (Where to Stay chapter) changed its name to Sheraton Kona Resort & Spa at Keauhou Bay (which is really too long of a name, in our opinion), so we’ll just call it “Sheraton Kona Resort & Spa.”
Keauhou Beach Resort (Where to Stay chapter) will close the end of October 2012 and will be demolished. We are sad to see this one go.
The Kona Village Resort (Where to Stay chapter) remains closed after it got whacked by the tsunami.
