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Over
the years here at the Aloha Guest House Bed and Breakfast, we've
heard a lot of questions from guests and potential guests. Please
feel
free
to
contact
us if you have any regarding our accomodations or the beautiful
island we live on. But here are a few of our more common Frequently
Asked Questions. ( If you're curious about some of our local restaurants,
our favorite beaches or events on the island, please visit the " Things
to Do" webpage. )
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What
is the weather like? That
usually depends where you happen to be on the Big Island. The
island of Hawaii has 11 of the 13 climatic zones in the world.
If you wish, you can experience a 60 to 70F degree temperature
change as well as pouring rain and desert dry in one day. We keep
sweatshirts, rain gear, snorkel gear, towels and swimsuits in
our cars.
Here
at the Aloha Guest House Bed and Breakfast in South Kona Hawaii,
our typical daytime temperature is 72 to 78F ( winter vs summer
)
and a very
mild
60 to 65F at
night.
Cool enough so you enjoy cuddling under the comforter on your
bed or a night time soak in our outdoor hot tub. Our 1500 foot
elevation above the coast provides us with a spectacular panoramic
view as well as ideal placement for tropical breezes in the morning
from the coast and the cool evening mist coming down from the
summit of Mauna Loa. The house follows traditional local design
so there are screens and adjustable louvers on the guest room
windows to take full advantage of a very relaxing climate. Unlike
many parts of the Big Island, we enjoy the quiet of the night
forest without the whirr of the AC unit outside. ( We have small
room fans available to provide background noise if you need it
to sleep. )
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What
sort of car should I get? If
you are interested in activities like driving down into Waipio
Valley or up to the observatories on Mauna Kea, you will need
a 4 Wheel Drive vehicle as well as being comfortable with their
operation. You will also find it handy to explore many of the
secluded places such as Green Sand Beach. High clearance cars
like SUVs and 4 wheel drive offer a level of comfort and versatility
that is not available in the standard , lower clearance 2 wheel
drive vehicles when exploring Hawaii's more remote wonders.
We also
live at the end of a one mile long, private, semi-paved farm road
and are dependent on our neighbors to maintain the section of
the common road adjacent to their properties. Most do a good job
but the quality varies. The road is typical for the area and we
have all of the usual services such as UPS, FEDEX and local deliveries
ranging from eggs to cement. We see a mix of guest vehicles ranging
from Hummers to convertible sports cars and all have travelled
our road with no problems. But if you rent a standard 2WD vehicle
and are mostly an urban driver, take a slow pace and enjoy the
scenery. You will pass through ancient stone walls from the days
when the Hawaiians grew taro here, old coffee farms and macadamia
nut orchards. Wild turkeys, chickens and pheasants wander the
various properties. But if you are uncertain about driving our
rural roads, please consider a higher clearance vehicle such as
an SUV or 4WD.
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How
far is the volcano from the Guest House? Will I see any lava?
What will I need to bring? The
Volcanoes National Park Headquarters is about 1 1/2 hours
drive from here going south on Highway 11. But there is a
lot of scenery between here and there to enjoy. We usually
add a bit more time to the trip for a hike out to visit the
Green Sand Beach at South Point or a nice lunch at the theatre
in Na'alehu.
Whether
or not you will be able to get close to flowing lava depends
greatly on the disposition of Pele, your hiking ability, the
weather and a few other things. But the current eruption has
been active for 23 years now so it is likely that you will see
something you don't usually back home. You will be able to check
the daily eruption report and the Park weather here before driving
over. The Park Headquarters is located at 4000 feet by the highway
and it can be cool and rainy. The flow area is down on the coast
about 15 miles away and can be warm and dry. Dressing in layers
works well.
The
flow areas are made up of very new, very sharp, uneven rock
with unexpected changes in terrain and textures. The rangers
place reflective markers on the rock as a guide but you get
to connect the dots. For your suitcase planning, at a bare minimum,
please bring a pair of sturdy , comfortable closed toe shoes
with good
traction and long pants. My favorite accessories include binoculars,
a headlamp and a sturdy hiking pole. We have flashlights available
if you are planning a night hike and you
can buy supplies
like
bottled
water and snacks on the way.
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