Hawaii - Jeff Campbell [187]
Sights & Activities
WAIKOLOA PETROGLYPH PRESERVE
A lava field etched with impressive petroglyphs, many dating back to the 16th century, is located beside the Kings’ Shops. Some are graphic (humans, birds, canoes) and others cryptic (dots, lines); some from the 19th century are the English-lettered names of the men who made the King’S Road along here. From the Kings’ Shops outdoor malls, a five-minute walk along a signposted path leads to the first of the etchings. Stay on the path to avoid damaging the petroglyphs, and bring water and a hat, as it’S hot and exposed.
The Kings’ Shops offers a free, one-hour petroglyph tour (tours 10:30am Thu-Sun).
′ANAEHO′OMALU BEACH PARK
Dubbed ‘A Bay’ by the linguistically challenged, this artificial beach (6am-8pm) feels like the thin drawn line of a draftsman’S pencil – one that in winter must be protected by a three-foot berm of sand to keep from being washed away. Nevertheless, it’S a perfectly lovely narrow strip with shady palms separating an extremely calm bay from two ancient fishponds. It’S popular with families, swimmers and picnickers; snorkeling is decent at the north end, in front of the sluice gate. You can also follow the coast south and discover more sandy patches, while a short footpath with interpretive plaques passes ancient Hawaiian fishponds, caves, ancient house platforms and a shrine. Drinking water, showers and bathrooms are available.
At the northern end, next to a fitness area and volleyball net, is Ocean Sports (886-6666, ext 2; www.hawaiioceansports.com; 8:30am-5pm), which rents kayaks (single/double per hour $18/$22), hydro-bikes and snorkel gear at scandalous prices. It also offers scuba-diving and surfing lessons, as well as a variety of activity and sunset cruises.
To get here, turn left off Waikoloa Beach Dr opposite the Kings’ Shops.
HILTON POOLS & DOLPHIN SWIM
The grounds of the Hilton Waikoloa Village (Click here) both feel and operate like a theme park. There’S a man-made beach on a protected lagoon (frequented by sea turtles and tropical fish), two ridiculously enormous serpentine pools (with multiple waterslides, waterfalls, hot tubs, and sandy toddler areas), and a minigolf course. The centerpiece, though, is the large enclosed pond holding a handful of playful bottlenose dolphins. Nonguests are welcome to stroll the grounds and watch the dolphin shows for free. To swim in the pools and lagoon (catnip to kids), you can buy a nonguest pool pass ($80 for up to four people) and also a day-use room ($80 extra).
To swim with the dolphins, book an encounter with Dolphin Quest (886-2875, 800-248-3316; www.dolphinquest.org; per person from $200, family of up to 6 $1300; 8:30am-5pm). You get 20 to 30 minutes with the dolphins, depending on the program. Some consider this a highlight of their trip, and the dolphins are well supervised during encounters, but it’S an experience not without controversy (Click here).
GOLF
You can’t go wrong at the highly regarded Waikoloa Beach & Kings’ Courses (877-924-5656, Kings’ 886-7888, beach 886-6060; www.waikoloabeachresort.com/golf.php; guests/nonguests $130/195); each course has 18 holes’ worth of stunning views and lava flows.
CULTURAL ACTIVITIES
Queens’ Marketplace (886-8822; www.waikoloabeachresort.com/big-island-shopping; 201 Waikoloa Beach Dr; 11:30am-1:30pm) offers daily cultural activities and crafts, including hula and ukulele lessons, how to make ipu (gourd instrument used in hula), petroglyph rubbings and more. Some are free; others charge a small fee ($5 to $15). See the website for a schedule.
Festivals & Events
Great Waikoloa Food, Wine & Music Festival (886-1234, www.dolphindays.com; Hilton Waikoloa Village; admission $120) On the third Saturday in June, this festival is the culmination of the Hilton’S four-day Dolphin Days event. It combines two dozen of the state’S prominent chefs with an array of fine wines and boutique brews, plus jazz music.
A Taste of the Hawaiian Range (322-4892; www.ctahr.hawaii.edu/taste/; Hilton Waikoloa Village; admission $35) Held