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. )

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.

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.