LOCATION:

Hale Mar is located on the gorgeous, tropical east side of the Big Island of Hawaii, in the sunny "Hawaii Paradise Park" area which is 20 minutes south of Hilo and 30 minutes from the Volcano National Park.  The Big Island of Hawaii is the largest of the Hawaiian islands and has the lowest population density. It is known for its diversity of natural beauty, serenity, and agricultural products including Kona coffee, macadamia nuts, orchids and exotic palms, as well as its active volcano and true black sand beaches of lava-based sand! To see detailed maps of our area, locate the town of Pahoa, Hawaii at www.mapquest.com (we are on the ocean, near Pahoa).  A vacation to the Big Island can be combined easily with a day or overnight hop to the island of Oahu (HNL) to see Waikiki Beach, the Banzai surfing pipeline and the luxury shopping of Honolulu.

AIRLINES:

The closest airport is Hilo (ITO), about 20 minutes' easy drive to Hale Mar.  Many airlines fly direct or nonstop to Hilo: we recommend checking www.kayak.com to find the best prices.  Most airlines have last minute specials, especially at off-season times between holidays.

ALTERNATIVELY, you can fly into Kona (KOA) on the north/west side of the island.  You'll have a 2-3 hour scenic and comfortable drive to Hale Mar, taking either the "north" or "south" route around the island - each is uniquely beautiful and filled with ample photo and rest stop opportunities.  Plan your drive during daylight hours for the best sightseeing and easiest navigation.

If you are planning to visit more than one Hawaiian island, check out great prices on inter-island flights at www.iflygo.com.

WEATHER:

Year-round average is high of 80, low of 65 degrees Fahrenheit (27-19 degrees Celsius).  December-January are cooler (70's), July and August are the warmest months (90's).  While the east side of Hawaii is known as the "rainy" side, Hale Mar is located in a microclimate area which enjoys gorgeous sunny days most of the year. From November-January expect dramatic high waves and crashing surf, and truly amazing close-up whale watching from Hale Mar's back yard.  A "typical" day at Hale Mar includes an hour or two of rain, 8+ hours of sun, and continuous pleasant breezes off the ocean. Check the current weather at http://weather.yahoo.com/forecast/USHI0074.html. 

CAR RENTAL:

You will want to rent a car for sightseeing, dining out and shopping during your vacation.  Hawaii is known for LOW rental rates (under $30/day) and both airports are served by all major car companies (National, Budget, Hertz, Avis, etc.). We recommend checking current prices for the type of car you prefer at www.orbitz.com and then putting in a bid for a slightly lower price at www.priceline.com.  Note, if you want to visit the more remote, "off the beaten track" areas like South Point (the southernmost point in the U.S.), the green sand beach, and the Mauna Kea observatory, definitely consider renting a 4 wheel drive vehicle!

COMMUNICATIONS:

Local telephone service provided; bring a calling card for long distance calls. Fax machine provided  Cell phone coverage ranges from excellent to intermittent, depending on your carrier.  NEW high speed wireless internet access available throughout the house for a nominal charge; bring your own laptop PC. Internet Cafe also available in nearby town of Pahoa.

DINING:

Many supermarkets and natural foods markets are nearby, selling excellent prepared foods (fresh sushi, barbecued chicken, etc) as well as groceries to cook at home.  The Farmers' Market in Hilo every Wednesday and Saturday is a feast for the eyes, noses and mouth.  Casual restaurants range from fast food (McDonald's, KFC) to exotic (Japanese, Chinese, Thai, Mexican, Italian, American, Hawaiian and more.)  For special evenings, there are a few more formal/romantic restaurants in the area as well - we provide a restaurant guide at the house.  Unless you have a large group, there's no need for reservations far in advance.

WHAT TO BRING:

Camera, sunglasses, bathing suit, lightweight casual clothes, light sweater or jacket, sun hat, sunscreen, insect repellent for rainforest walks, specialized sports equipment (fishing, golf, skiing, snorkeling, surfing, horseback riding), personal medications (pharmacies nearby if needed), your favorite music CDs, long distance calling card, laptop computer if desired.  For night time lava viewing hikes at the volcano, bring sturdy walking shoes, long pants and sweater.  If you plan on island exploration by car, we recommend bringing the Hawaii Atlas & Gazetteer by DeLorme, available at Amazon but not always available on the island!  Also the book "Hawaii, the Big Island Revealed," by Doughty & Friedman, is terrific reading as well as a superb guidebook. We provide all bedding and pantry basics at the house.  Voltage for electronics equipment is regular U.S. AC.

WHAT TO TAKE HOME (SHOPPING):

Kona coffee beans; macadamia nuts; locally made honey (bought at apiaries or at supermarket); arts & crafts like Koa wood, glassworks, ceramics and paintings; Hawaiian clothing and sarongs.  Do NOT try to take home any fresh fruits (mangoes, guava, limes, passion fruit, ginger, coconuts, dragon fruit - pictured at left, etc.) unless prepackaged for shipping, as they will be detected by the mysterious, all-knowing machines at the airport and confiscated by unamused customs agents.  Note: it is widely believed to be VERY bad luck to take home pieces of lava rock!

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Also check out our Bahamas beach house at www.BahamasVacationHouse.com