Bought plane tickets 2 hours before, had no plan, no place to stay, and rolled on STRAIGHT VIBES!! Here is everything, in order, how the hours of my last 36 hours unfolded
1. Flight from Honolulu to Kailua-Kona
(Only about 30 mins!)
Hawaiian Airlines - Flights to Hawaii, Plane Tickets & Airfare
2. Used Economy Booking to rent car
SUPER affordable and only had $20 extra per day for being under 25 years old
Cheap Car Rentals Worldwide
2. Continued… Economy Booking directed us to Thrifty
Great customer service, efficient, and car was ready!!!
Thrifty Car Rental
3. Drove from Kona Airport to Hilo
- drove at night
- watch out for wild animals
- never was uncomfortable, the road is SO NICE!
Is it safe to drive from Kona to Hilo in the night? - Tripadvisor
4. Stopped to get snacks!!!
- pringles, nerds gummy clusters, and a Gatorade zero = TOP TIER
The 21 Best Gas Station Snacks | The Kitchn
5. Drove to see Kīlauea at night
- no flow tonight
- VERY few cars and VERRY dark (kinda scary ngl)
Hawaiʻi Volcanoes - National Park Service
6. Set up (car) camp at Whittington Beach
-easy to get permit last minute
- not a ton of people, but few to feel safe
-showers
- sunrise
- cool rocks
Whittington Beach Park (2025) - All You Need to ... - Tripadvisor
7. 5 min drive to well known black sand beach
- NO ONE around 7:30-8am
- STUNNING
Punaluʻu Black Sand Beach - Hawaii
8. Drove back to National Park to explore in daylight
- didn’t have to pay before 9am!!!
- Kīlauea Overlook
- Steam Vents
Kīlauea - Volcano Updates | U.S. Geological Survey - USGS.gov
9. Crater Rim Trail
- parked in overflow
- walked 0.5 miles to Lava Tube
- 0.4 mile loop for Tube
- 1.2 miles down to Crated floor, can keep going for 4 mile loop, but we turned around and went back up to save time
Kīlauea Iki & Crater Rim Trail - Hawaii - AllTrails
10. Stopped for breakfast and coffee
- CUTEST CAFE
- delicious breakfast sandwich
- yummy coffee
13. Onomea Trail
- took scenic route from Hilo to Honomu
- lowkey fav part of day
- easy walk
- BEAUTIFUL and unexpected
Onomea Trail, Hawaii, Hawaii - 532 Reviews, Map | AllTrails
14. Akana Falls
- easy 0.5 mile loop
- also crazy crowded but must see
Akaka Falls Trail - Hawaii - AllTrails
15. Annie Lou’s Western Boutique
- CUTEST STUFF OMGOMGOMG I was obsessed
- locally owned small biz
- works with others around island
- costal cowboy vibes
Annie Lou's Boutique & Western Store (@annieloushawaii)
16. Carlsmith Beach (aka 4 miles)
- crystal blue water
- almost felt like a hot tub with all the railings
- aesthetic pics
Carlsmith Beach Park
17. SUBWAY
- plan was to bring sandwiches to Mauna Kea to watch sunset butttttt… check next rec for tips
Home | Subway®
18. (Didn’t happen) Mauna Kea Sunset
- need 4WD to reach summit
- must sit at visitor center for 30 mins to avoid altitude sickness
- chance you may not get above all clouds
Mauna Kea Summit Adventures | The Original Sunset ...
19. Honl’s Beach for Sunset
- drove back to Kona to be by airport
- brought dinner and watched GORGEOUS sunset
- easy parking, might have to walk a little
Honl's Beach - Big Island Guide
20. Went for a drink at Laverne’s!
- fun atmosphere
- older crowd
- live music
Laverne's Sports Bar
21. Needed to waste time so TARGET RUN
- didn’t know where we were sleeping yet
- wanted to wait as late as possible to park
- CUTIE SWIMSUITS
- love the wild fable jeans too
Target
22. (Should be after Akana Falls)
- found a goat farm!!!!
- got to cuddle and pet for free, $1 treat box available
- they run off of donations:)
