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Big Island

things to do and places to visit when on the Big Island

Hawaii Inter-Island Flights With Points: Three Ways We Paid

September 29, 2026September 25, 2026 by Jeremy Smith
The open-air departure gates at Kona International Airport, Hawaii, June 2026- bronze statues and the Southwest boarding area

Hawaii inter-island flights with points: four seats on one 55-minute Southwest hop to Honolulu, paid three ways- 8,000 points, a flight credit, and cash.

Categories Big Island, Oahu Tags Points & Miles

Turo vs a Rental Car in Hawaii- What Each One Cost Us

October 30, 2026September 22, 2026 by Jeremy Smith
The sea arch off La'ie Point State Wayside on the windward side of Oahu, surf breaking on the rock shelf below, 7 June 2026- photographed on the North Shore drive from the Toyota Sienna booked on Turo

Budget on the Big Island, Turo on Oahu, same trip. What each one cost, and why the card that covered one covered nothing on the other.

Categories Big Island, Oahu Tags Practical Travel

Two Step Snorkel and the Captain Cook Market (2026)

October 30, 2026September 18, 2026 by Jeremy Smith
Jeremy Smith, Shana Morris and the boys at the Two Step entry, Honaunau, Big Island, May 2026- the eroded lava shelf

Two Step snorkel on the Big Island, plus the Captain Cook market on the way home. What the $5 parking really is, and whether the two hour drive is worth it.

Categories Big Island Tags Individual Reviews

Captain Cook Snorkel and Kona Manta Night Dive (2026)

October 30, 2026September 15, 2026 by Jeremy Smith
Jeremy Smith and Shana Morris at the Outrigger Kona Resort, Kailua-Kona, May 2026- manta boats anchored offshore at sunset

Captain Cook snorkel and the Kona manta ray night dive, two days apart with SeaQuest. What we paid, why we skipped the night one, and which is worth repeating.

Categories Big Island Tags Individual Reviews

Never Convert HGV Points to Hilton Honors- Here Is the Math

October 27, 2026September 11, 2026 by Jeremy Smith
Sunrise over the golf course at Kings' Land, Waikoloa, Big Island- palms silhouetted against the rising sun, black lava in the foreground and the mountains behind, May 2026

Converting HGV points to Hilton Honors turns a seven-night villa into one night. The real numbers from a week at Kings’ Land on the Big Island.

Categories Big Island Tags Points & Miles

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