Archive for the ‘Hawaii Activites’ Category

As far as weddings go, there are quite a few options on the Big Island of Hawaii for both ceremony and reception sites. One such unique location is Anna Ranch Heritage Center, Waimea, Hawaii. Dating back to 1847, Anna Ranch showcases the history of ranching on the island and captures the past, bringing it to present day island life. Anyone who appreciates history will truly enjoy this venue, looking to the past, the present, and as weddings demand, the future.

Located just a half mile from downtown Waimea, Anna Ranch Heritage Center offers just under fourteen hundred square feet of indoor space, several acres of outdoor options, and beautiful well-manicured gardens to accommodate almost any size party. Anna Ranch has ample resources to create a fabulous experience. With a professional and attentive staff, capable preferred vendors, and a fine history of event planning, the ceremony and reception are certain to be well organized.

Anna Ranch Heritage Center has tried to create the total experience offering an onsite blacksmith and saddle maker. These, along with other children’s activities, are certain to create special memories for adults and children alike. Programs for children are available for private events, and souvenirs will accompany those who take part in the programs.

If in search of local history, private space, or something out of the ordinary, the nonprofit Anna Ranch Heritage Center will satisfy any event requests. Their phone number is (808) 885-4426 or guests of Waikoloa Vacation Rentals may call (808) 333-1910 or email concierge@waikoloavacationrentals.com for assistance.

If one is in search of a wedding venue with history, rustic beauty, and the beautiful Big Island as the backdrop, Kahua Ranch may be the perfect place. It is not on the water, it does not have sand, but what it does have is over eight thousand acres of working active ranch land and three thousand two hundred feet of elevation offering a change of scenery with great views of the Big Island of Hawaii.

Located about an hour from Waikoloa Beach, this amazing property has the space for up to two hundred guests on its main deck, with plenty of room for larger parties outside along with beautiful locations to hold the ceremony.

Kahua Ranch does work with a few local caterers to make the event even better; however, they welcome anyone hired by private parties or wedding coordinators to organize the event as well.
With competitive prices, a beautiful property, and friendly staff, Kahua Ranch could be the location for any bride and groom looking for something less traditional, yet still wanting to be immersed in paniolo (Hawaiian for cowboy) culture dating back to 1928.

The ranch also offers a program through an independent planner titled ‘An Evening at the Ranch’. It is an educational, unique, and fun experience for the entire family. Amazing sunsets, food, live music, and much more can be found on the ranch.

For ranch information, call (808) 882-4646 and for information regarding ‘An Evening at the Ranch’ call (808) 882-7954.

Guests of Waikoloa Vacation Rentals may contact (808) 333-1910 or email concierge@waikoloavacationrentals.com for assistance.

For anyone looking for a more historical mode of transportation while viewing the island from a different vantage point, horseback riding is a great activity for the entire family.

There are quite a few stables available to travelers and they offer different experiences as well. See valleys, rivers, waterfalls and places like the “Valley of the Kings”. This was home to many of the rulers of Hawaii, site of important Heiaus (sacred temples), ancient burial caves and also a place of refuge.

Another option is to explore the open range, getting out and moving faster for those who are more experienced. There are also tours for anyone with less experience or younger children looking to understand and give riding a try.

Meals are included on some excursions and there are some physical requirements and varying tour times. Children’s programs are also available depending on the stable.

Guests of Waikoloa Vacation Rentals may contact (808) 333-1910 or email concierge@waikoloavacationrentals.com for assistance.

On the Big Island there are quite a few golf courses to choose from. Locally, there are four fantastic options between the Waikoloa Beach and Mauna Lani Resorts.

At Waikoloa Beach Resort, golfers can choose between the Beach and the Kings’ Courses, two different experiences offering a greater selection to the avid golfer.

The Beach Course, designed by Robert Trent Jones Jr., allows golfers to play without sacrificing the ocean view. The Kings Course, designed by former British Open champions Tom Weiskopf and Jay Morrish, has Big Island Mountain Views. Check-in for both locations takes place at the Kings’ Course clubhouse. The Waikoloa Beach Resort Golf Courses offer a shuttle within the Waikoloa Beach Resort area for both pre and post round play.

Just a few miles up the road, the Mauna Lani Resort offers two beautiful selections named for their physical location, the Mauna Lani North and South Courses. Offering 36 holes of championship golf between the two venues, The Mauna Lani North Course, characterized by rolling terrain and kiawe (mesquite) forests, is a sharp contrast to The Mauna Lani South Course. This selection has one of the most photographed over water greens in the world.

A bit further north along Queen K Highway, stands thirty-six holes of great fairways. The Hapuna Beach Course, designed by Arnold Palmer and Ed Seay, along with the Mauna Kea Golf Course designed by Robert Trent Jones Sr., offer some of the greatest golfing on the island. Each course offers different challenges, views, and experiences for any golfer.

About fifteen minutes inland, Waikoloa Village offers a public course for anyone looking to play a round but spend a bit less on the experience. It is a fully functioning eighteen-hole golf venue with pro shop, restaurant, and more.

South of the resort, closer to Kona, the Big Island Country Club offers eighteen holes of play on the lower slopes of Mauna Kea. Designed by acclaimed golfer, Perry Dye, this par 72 course was created with all golfers in mind, regardless of skill level. Anyone looking to get away from the resort atmosphere will surely enjoy this experience away from it all.

These courses may have special pricing based on both the time of day and time of year.

Guests of Waikoloa Vacation Rentals may contact (808) 333-1910 or email concierge@waikoloavacationrentals.com for assistance.

Pearl Harbor is one of the most popular attractions the Hawaiian Islands has to offer. There are two ways to make this day trip from the Big Island, either take a package tour from the Big Island or schedule the day at the convenience of the group with guided tours available on Oahu.

There is a particular tour company that offers the trip as an all-inclusive package. Their fees include airfare, transportation, and a fully guided tour. This is the simplest way to complete the tour without having to worry about the details. Everything is handled for the group by the tour organizers. It does make for a long day as the tour flight departs Kona at roughly 5 am and returns at about 9 pm, however if Pearl Harbor is a must see, it is completely worth it. The tour includes a quick visit to other parts of Honolulu as well.

The other option is to schedule the trip without booking through an all-inclusive guide service. Pearl Harbor is only about a ten minutes’ drive from the Honolulu airport. Taxi service and car rentals are both available for transportation. There are also quite a few tours once on Oahu to choose. This includes self-guided tours with an iPod or guided tours of the Missouri. Pearl Harbor does sell a limited number of tickets daily so utilizing an organized tour does increase the chances of viewing the Arizona Memorial.

Guests of Waikoloa Vacation Rentals may contact (808) 333-1910 or email concierge@waikoloavacationrentals.com for assistance.

Majestically standing at an elevation of 13,796 feet is Mauna Kea, which means “White Mountain”. Its name comes from its snow-capped summit in the winter. It is the tallest mountain in the world at 33,000 feet, when measured from its base at the sea floor. Mauna Kea is home to the Hawaiian goddess Poliahu. The last eruption was 3,500 years ago.

The summit is the home to some of the world’s leading astronomical observatories such as Keck, Gemini, Canada-France-Hawaii, Cal-tech and the University of Hawaii, where the view is clear 300 nights a year.

Waikoloa Vacation Rentals does recommend arriving at the visitors’ center toward late afternoon into the early evening. As the elevation is so dramatic, the night sky is one of Mauna Kea’s most impressive features.

There are two options to visit this historical site. The First would be to drive with your loved ones, family, and friends to the visitor center at Mauna Kea. There are great views and some activities at the 9,000 feet elevation. A four-wheel drive vehicle or commercial tour must be utilized to gain access to the summit, as ordinary vehicles are not capable of handling this road. The second would be a guided tour, allowing access to the higher elevation, observatory, and more.

To reach Mauna Kea, take Highway 190 north towards Waimea. The Saddle Road (named because it runs between Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa) is located on the right, just before the 6-mile marker. After the 28-mile marker, turn left onto the Mauna Kea Access road. The Visitors Information Station is about 6 miles up the road, on the right. They are open from 9 AM to 10 PM daily. This trip takes about an hour and a half to two hours from Waikoloa Beach Resort.

Effects of high altitude and weather conditions are two factors that should be known prior to embarking. Be sure to check updated conditions, pack appropriately and take the recommended precautionary measures.

Guests of Waikoloa Vacation Rentals may contact (808) 987-4519 or email concierge@waikoloavacationrentals.com for assistance.

To see what Waikoloa Vacation Rentals has to offer for luxury vacation rentals, please visit us at waikoloavacationrentals.com.

Weather and Road Conditions (808) 935-6268
http://mkwc.ifa.hawaii.edu/forecast/mko/index.cgi
http://mkwc.ifa.hawaii.edu/current/road-conditions

Imagine a tour that can provide you with an aerial view of the glorious Big Island of Hawaii. One that will allow you to hover beside a cascading waterfall, suspend you over the active Kilauea Volcano, gently drift in and around mystical valleys, and take you through a journey of the majestic mountains of Mauna Kea, Mauna Loa, Hualalai and Kohala. There is nothing that can compare to the scenic experience of a helicopter tour. It is the only way to immerse yourself in the full beauty of the island. The breath taking sights will completely consume you creating lifelong memories that will instill in you the essence of Hawai’i.

From short, budget tours that take you to the volcano to private valley landing tours, the Big Island of Hawaii has a tour for everyone. Helicopter tours are one of the most popular adventures on the Big Island and fill up quickly.

Contact Waikoloa Vacation Rentals at (808) 987-4519 for more information.

Enjoy a selection of luxury Big Island of Hawaii vacation rentals at www.waikoloavacationrentals.com.

The Hilton Waikoloa Village encompasses 62 acres of pristine oceanfront property on the Golden Coast of Kohala. Since 2005, over $100 million has been invested in capital improvements. From the reupholstering of the canal boats and engine replacements, to the system upgrade. You are sure to enjoy a fun day riding on both modes of transportation as you visit each of the four swimming pools.

The beautiful Hilton Waikoloa Village now offers a day use room with pool passes for all Big Island visitors based on hotel availability. It allows up to four persons including children to utilize a guest room, the pools, and slides from the hours of 10am to 6pm for $160. Registering earlier than 10am is possible, however access to both the pools and slide begin at 10am.

Reservations for this activity can be made 7 days or less in advance. Registration begins at the front desk of the hotel and ends at the pool desk. Resort staff will direct you beyond the front lobby.
Parking validation is not included in the price of the room however if any of their restaurants are utilized during the day (minimum of $50), parking will be validated. Otherwise self-parking is $15.

Towels are included; just bring your sunscreen, personal items, and loved ones to enjoy the day in the sun.

Hilton Waikoloa Village Resort specific questions can be directed to (808) 886-1234. Guests of Waikoloa Vacation Rentals may contact (808) 987-4519 or email concierge@waikoloavacationrentals.com for assistance.

Offer is subject to change by the Hilton Waikoloa Village.  Access to the pools is included if you are staying at Kolea at Waikoloa with Waikoloa Vacation Rentals.

To view luxury vacation rentals near the Hilton Waikoloa Village visit www.waikoloavacationrentals.com.

One of the most popular tours on the Big Island of Hawaii has reopened.  This fascinating tour takes you on a journey through the landscape Hawaii is known for.  The native Hawaiian guides fill the tour with Hawaiian history and folklore.

The tour begins with an exciting off road excursion ina custom Pinzgauer which takes you to a launch site in the Kohala mountains.  You will then enjoy a short hike in a jungle setting over a flume bridge with a view of a beautiful waterfall and an earth tunnel. 

Shortly after that you will board a kayak on your way on a 2.5 mile journey through lush rainforest with views of water flumes, earth tunnels, and much more.

Kohala Ditch Adventures offers a tour that is sure to help make your stay on the Big Island of Hawaii one to remember.

Please call the Waikoloa Vacation Rentals concierge at (808) 333-1910 for special rates and more information.

First Fridays at the Shops begins June 4 and features music by local artists at center stage.  This month the artist is Poncho Man.

They will not be offering the popular hula show at center stage throughout the summer.  We will advise when it is available again.

One June 8 Juice 101 will have their grand opening and from 4-5:30 pm they will be offering free smoothies and other giveaways.  They will be serving both breakfast and lunch.

On June 26 Jam World will be having their grand opening and a portion of all sales that day will go to the Dream Come True Foundation.  There will also be giveaways and live entertainment.