Big Island Hawaii Guidebook

Water shoes are very helpful- some beaches require a little hike and some have some lava rock or coral that can be sharp. You don’t want to put a damper on your trip with a cut on your feet!

The higher elevations (like Volcano State Park) can get pretty chilly. The town of Volcano is at approximately 3,000+ ft. Temps drop about 1 degree per 100 ft. in elevation so it can be 30 degrees cooler up there than down at sea level. Bring layers or versatile clothing options. (Our property is around 500 ft so offers the perfect climate - we don’t need heat or a/c!)

Embrace the culture and remember to drive and treat others with Aloha. This means driving with courtesy (using your horn is considered rude here). People often allow others to go first at traffic signals or when turning left. And if someone seems to be in a hurry, kindly pull over and let them pass. Don’t be surprised if other drivers or pedestrians wave- so wave back! :)

The Hawaiian language isn’t widely used anymore, but there are some words that are commonly used. The Hawaiian alphabet has only 12 letters. It is easy to sound out words- just pronounce each letter individually. Here are a few worlds you should know. Aloha- used as a greeting but also has deeper meaning- to be well, be blessed, well wishes, kindness and respect; Mahalo=Thank you; Mahalo nui loa=Thank you very much