Hawaii Island

 
Hero Image

Vacation Packages

The Island of Discovery

Click for Deals

    

Hawaii Island Hotels

Costco Member Reviews

Featured Deals

More About Hawaii Island

Overview

Hawaii Island has an incredibly diverse landscape comprised of multiple climate and sub-climate zones. Lush green flora and cascading waterfalls, arid desert and sandy beaches, rolling pastures and tall forests, meet alpine tundras and snow-capped peaks all in the middle of the Pacific Ocean. This wild and untamed island is a natural masterpiece in motion.

To see the beauty of this island firsthand take a day trip along the visually stunning Hamakua Heritage Corridor stretching from Hilo to the Waipio Valley Lookout. Along the way stop and stretch your legs at the Hawaii Tropical Botanical Garden, featuring more than 2,000 species of tropical plants from around the world. Then hop back in and make your way to Akaka Falls State Park, one of the largest waterfalls on the island. Continue north past scenic lookouts, sea cliffs, tropical rain forests, and plantation towns until you arrive at Waipio Valley Lookout. This road trip is a full-day adventure if coming from the Kona area but truly one worthy of the drive.

Nature at its mightiest can be witnessed by those who visit Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. Located southwest of Hilo, this National Park is home to two volcanoes. Kilauea is one of the most active volcanoes on earth and has been erupting since 1983, while Mauna Loa last erupted in 1984. Explore 150-miles of hiking trails through craters, rain forests, and deserts, or tour the museum, local petroglyphs, and a walk-in lava tube. Before heading out this way, check local conditions and park notices.

Content provided by Costco Travel experts. Copyright © Costco Travel. All rights reserved.

Before You Go

Airport Check-In: It is recommended that you reconfirm your flight information and check in for your flights at the airline’s website 24 hours prior to your scheduled departure. Please bring all your final documents with you. It is important to arrive at the airport at least 90 minutes prior to departure for all domestic flights, and two to three hours prior to departure for international flights.

Required Documents: U.S. citizens must travel with a valid government-issued photo identification (such as an enhanced driver’s license). A passport is not required for U.S. citizens traveling to or within the Hawaiian Islands. Rules are subject to change at any time, without notice. For the most current information, visit the website for the U.S. Department of State at www.travel.state.gov.

Newlywed Information: Tickets and other travel documents must exactly match your current identification. If not, you could be denied boarding and no refund will be forthcoming.

Honeymoon Packages: Some hotels require you to present a marriage certificate or license for you to receive the honeymoon package. Please bring your marriage documentation with you if you are traveling on a honeymoon package.

Luggage: Baggage allowances and fees vary by airline. For airline baggage fees and policies please visit https://www.costcotravel.com/Info/Airline-Baggage. If baggage fees do apply, this cost will be additional and must be paid directly to the airline.

Arriving: Onboard your aircraft, all visitors will be given a form from the Hawaii State Department of Agriculture, and the Hawaii Visitors and Convention Bureau asking for information about their trip. This visitor information is used in tabulating visitor data. The agriculture information is necessary to maintain Hawaii’s delicate environment. The importation of uninspected plants and animals could ruin Hawaii’s paradise forever. A 120-day quarantine is required for most pets and a number of plants are restricted. For details, please consult your airline.

Departing: At the airport prior to check-in, travelers bound for mainland destinations will be required to pass their baggage through agriculture inspection. This brief procedure is designed to prevent travelers from exporting any uninspected local produce. Packaged produce, such as pineapple, is available for purchase at the airport or in designated stores on the island.

Travel Health Information: For the most current worldwide health information, consult your family physician or the official website for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention at www.cdc.gov/travel or by phone at 1-800-232-4636. You’ll find information on recent outbreaks, required vaccinations, insect protection, illness and injury abroad, and more.

General Safety Tips: By taking a few simple security precautions before and during your vacation, you can help ensure that you, your traveling companions, and your valuables are as safe and secure as possible.
  • To make it easier to replace your passport if it’s lost or stolen, in addition to your passport, take a photocopy of your passport information page (keeping it separate from your actual passport).
  • Carry only a limited amount of cash, just enough for gratuities and incidental purchases. Major credit cards are widely accepted and can be replaced if lost or stolen.
  • Always lock your hotel room door (including patio and balcony door on any level of the building) and use the peephole before opening the door.
  • Store your valuables (such as cash, credit cards and airline tickets) in the hotel’s in-room safe or front desk safety deposit box.
  • If you must carry valuables on your person, do so in a pouch or money belt concealed under your clothing. Purses and backpacks can be easy targets for thieves.
  • For complete and current safety and security information, including travelers’ tips, public announcements, travel advisories, and more, please visit the website of the U.S. Department of State at www.travel.state.gov.

Climate:
Average Fahrenheit Temperature:
  • December through February: 82° to 81° (Winter)
  • March through May: 82° to 84° (Spring)
  • June through August: 85° to 87° (Summer)
  • September through November: 87° to 84° (Autumn)

Water Safety: Tap water is safe to drink.

Local Currency: U.S. Dollar

Time Zone: Hawaii-Aleutian Standard Time. Hawaii does not observe daylight saving time.

Local Language: English

Transportation: Rental cars, taxis and buses are available; however, taxi and bus service is not as frequent as on Oahu. To determine time schedules, please inquire at your hotel.

Do Not Forget: Visitors are reminded to bring reef-safe sunscreen, a hat, sunglasses, swimwear, insect repellent, personal prescriptions, a camera, film/memory card, an extra camera battery, comfortable walking shoes, and travel documents.

Top Experiences

  • Akaka Falls : One of the tallest waterfalls on the island.

  • Downtown Hilo : A small town with important cultural sites, galleries, wooden storefronts, and local restaurants.

  • Hawaii Volcanoes National Park : Explore hiking trails, lava-tubes and the aftermath of nature at its finest.

  • Historic Kailua-Kona Town : A quaint seaside village in the heart of Kona offering historical points of interest, shopping, and dining.

  • Mauna Kea Observatories : The Visitor Information Station on Mauna Kea offers a stargazing program on select days each week. Weather permitting.

  • La Lae (South Point) : The southernmost point of the United States. From this lookout, nothing but blue ocean water separates you from Antarctica.

  • Puukohola Heiau National Historic Site : Home to one of the largest heiau (temples) built in Hawaii.

  • Waipio Valley : Witness the beauty and wonder of the "Valley of the Kings."

Content provided by Costco Travel experts. Copyright © Costco Travel. All rights reserved.

Transfers

Region: Kailua Kona
Transfer Company: Aloha VIP Tours
Telephone: 808-955-5900

Instructions: Upon arrival at the airport, please proceed to the baggage claim carousel. There you will be met by a Roberts Hawaii representative who works with Aloha VIP holding a sign with your name on it.

Rental Cars

rental car logo

Kona International Airport
Kailua-Kona, Hawaii, 96745
Telephone: 808-329-8896
Monday-Friday Hours: 6:00 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.
Saturday-Sunday Hours: 6:00 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.

Hilo International Airport
Hilo, Hawaii, 96720
Telephone: 808-961-3343

Rates Include

  • Rates include the daily rental rate, Hawaii state general excise tax, vehicle rental surcharge per rental, per day, vehicle licensing and registration fee per rental, per day and airport concession recovery fee for Kahului, Lihue, Kona and Hilo.

Renter Qualifications

  • Valid driver's license in own name (required by law). Foreign renters must have a valid license from their home country. An international license alone is not acceptable.
  • Major credit card in own name (AMEX, VISA, MasterCard, Discover and Diners Club)
  • Alamo vehicles may not be used for off-road use; camping is prohibited.
  • A cash deposit is acceptable in lieu of a major credit card, provided customer cash qualified within certain restrictions.
  • Renters must be at least 21 years of age at the time of the rental. Renters ages 21-24 will be subject to a daily surcharge.

Additional Driver Policy

  • One additional driver is included in the rates.
  • Additional drivers must be at least 21 years of age. Drivers 21 to 25 years of age are subject to the underage drivers fee.

Safety

  • Hawaii state law requires that a child under 4 years of age (up to about 40 lbs) is properly restrained in a child safety seat. (Renter responsible for securing child passenger in child safety seat in rental vehicle)
  • Child safety seats are available for a daily surcharge and must be requested in advance.

Items on Request

  • A request for hand controls must be requested directly through Alamo's Tour Help Desk.

Accident Protection Plan

  • Optional insurance plans are available to book directly through Alamo at the rental location.

Drop Charges

    The vehicle may be picked up at one location and returned to another for an additional fee.
    • Fee varies by location.
    *Drop charges are subject to change without notice.

Cancellation Policy

  • There will be no charge for cancellations made prior to pick-up date.


rental car logo

Kona International Airport
Kailua-Kona, Hawaii, 96740
Telephone: 808-329-8511
Monday-Friday Hours: 6:00 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.
Saturday-Sunday Hours: 6:00 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.

Rates Include

  • Rates include the daily rental rate, the Hawaii state general excise tax, the daily vehicle rental surcharge, the daily vehicle licensing and registration fee, and the airport concession recovery fee (where applicable).

Renter Qualifications

  • Valid driver's license in own name (required by law). Foreign renters must have a valid license from their home country. An international license alone is not acceptable.
  • Major credit card in own name (AMEX, VISA, MasterCard, Discover and Diners Club)
  • Avis vehicles may not be used for off-road use; camping is prohibited.
  • A cash deposit is acceptable in lieu of a major credit card, provided customer cash qualified within certain restrictions.
  • Renters must be at least 21 years of age at the time of the rental. Renters ages 21-24 will be subject to a daily surcharge.

Additional Driver Policy

  • One additional driver is included in the rates.
  • For additional drivers beyond the one complimentary, a daily fee will apply and will be charged at the Avis rental location.
  • Additional drivers must be at least 21 years of age. Drivers 21 to 25 years of age are subject to the underage drivers fee.

Safety

  • Hawaii state law requires that a child under 4 years of age (up to about 40 lbs) is properly restrained in a child safety seat. (Renter responsible for securing child passenger in child safety seat in rental vehicle)
  • Child safety seats are available for a daily surcharge and must be requested in advance.

Items on Request

  • A request for hand controls must be requested directly through Avis' Tour Help Desk.

Accident Protection Plan

  • Optional insurance plans are available to book directly through Budget at the rental location.

Drop Charges

    The vehicle may be picked up at one location and returned to another for an additional fee.
    • Fee varies by location.
    *Drop charges are subject to change without notice.

Cancellation Policy

  • There will be no charge for cancellations made prior to pick-up date.