- BIG ISLAND
- ACCOMODATIONS
In the 1950's Laurence Rockerfeller built Mauna Kea Beach Hotel in Kawaihae. He worked with then Governor John Burns to plan and build Queen Kaahumanu Highway to connect to Kailua-Kona, and since then world-class golf courses and upscale resorts are replacing barren lava fields on the Kona-Kohala Gold Coast. More modest accomodations are available in Kailua-Kona and there's a spill-over into cool up-country Waimea-Kamuela. West Hawaii is alive with activity!
On the other side of the island, Hilo is the wettest city in the United States. But it's a warm rain that cleans the air and produces magnificent waterfalls and lush tropical gardens! Even as part of a quick circle-island tour originating in Kona-Kohala, or as a part of day trip from Waikiki, or as a day's stop from a cruise boat, visitors sense the special quality of Hilo. The major attraction is Volcanoes National Park which has a special ambiance that is impossible to see in a day. Small inns, cottages and other accommodations are clustering around Volcano Village and cozy fireplaces end an active day. The Puna, Hamakua Coast and Kau sugar industries are no more and as new economics take over, a wide range of eco-tourism activities are being developed.
The Big Island has the most varied accomodations ranging from the Presidential Suite in the finest resorts to a double-decker bunk in a rural dormitory. The residents of the Big Island are a mixed and hardy breed different from all other islands. We protect, preserve, and share our lifestyles and Aloha Spirit. We do so for ourselves, friends, family members, and our guests. The biggest secret still awaits discovery! In the 1980's an intense political battle resulted in an exciting future for Big Island tourism. Hawaii County is the only island with a clear bed and breakfast code and there's a huge range of accomodations outside of the resort zoned areas. This has empowered the residents who now have a major voice and influence in OUR visitor industry.
This Fuku-Bonsai Big Island website section is an effort to share and promote the full range of accomodations, activities, and attractions to develop a sustainable visitor industry with a full price range. I believe that the Big Island visitor industry should be inclusive rather than exclusive and that companies will survive and prosper only if it serves a need, provides good value, and successfully wins the support of a loyal clientle. I believe that multi-faceted visitors travel to collect experiences and should be treated equally. I would appreciate hearing from any visitor if any of our links were not consistent with these beliefs.
A good place to start is ADVENTURES IN PARADISE, a directory of inspected Hawaii B&B's and Hawaii travel information. Ken Smith through his Instant Hawaii Web Service, assists and promotes other B&B's.
I recommend visiting ALTERNATIVE-HAWAII, an extensive website that allows direct contact with B&B's and other categories of accomodations. It's billed as "THE HAWAII ECOTOURISM SITE; your guide to the path less traveled." It's that and more. Their listing fee is very modest, but even those who may not be able to afford the fee are listed.
Fuku-Bonsai is fortunate to have the support and goodwill of many throughout the Big Island and we work together in a mutually supportive Promotional Partnership Program. In the following pages, I'll be introducing many of them.
I recommend visiting ALTERNATIVE-HAWAII, an extensive website that allows direct contact with B&B's and other categories of accomodations. It's billed as "THE HAWAII ECOTOURISM SITE; your guide to the path less traveled." It's that and more. Their listing fee is very modest, but even those who may not be able to afford the fee are listed.
Fuku-Bonsai is fortunate to have the support and goodwill of many throughout the Big Island and we work together in a mutually supportive Promotional Partnership Program. In the following pages, I'll be introducing many of them.