The Big Island: Tips

Button Up Bring warm weather clothes if you are heading to higher elevations – temperatures can drop to 25 degrees on the summit of Mauna Kea and 45 degrees around Volcano and Waimea.

Rent a Car Unless you’re planning to never leave the confines of your swank Kohala coast resort, visiting the best big island sites requires a bit of driving. All the usual rental car suspects are headquartered at the two airports

Local Cuisine Be sure to enjoy a few of the local specialties while you’re here, like poke (marinated raw tuna tartar), loco moco (a hamburger patty on a mound of white rice covered with a fried egg), and dried cuttlefish strips (dried strips of squid).

Protect Yourself Pack at least 30 SPF sunscreen to protect yourself from the sun and copious amounts of bug spray (a must in the greener, wetter parts of the island).

Plan Ahead If you’re planning on making a trip to Kau be sure to bring your snacks and supplies as the area is still pretty raw.