Modern Vespa

Mahalo!
buglake will be spending 2 solid weeks at a resort in Kona at the end of Nov-beginning of December. (I have got to get away from all that nagging winter weather in San Diego.) Let me qualify this: I will be spending two SOLID weeks in Hawaii. With my mother and her red-hat-type friends. HELP ME GET AWAY!!!!


I have been reading all the threads on HI scooter rental and done some Googling, but man - my choices are
A. Out of business.
B. Slow-ass mopeds and 50cc chinese scooters.
C. The generosity and welcoming kindness of my Hawaiian forum friends. Except Judy already told me she is leaving the islands JUST to avoid seeing me! Little does she know that I have her address and several rolls of Charmin.

So, yes - sorry that this is another pleading thread for scooter rental help on the Big Island, west coast.
Um, help? You folks are all such nice people. Always so nice. And you look great in that color today.

-Gitta

Yes i'm running away from you BUG I'm hardly ever here in Nov anymore I couldn't find anything for scooters on the Big Island. If there are any you'll get them in Kailua-Kona area and they'll be 50cc POS. The big island has bad roads,high roads, more miles than the other islands so scooters aren't seen as a way to get around over there I get a jeep when i go over there. You'll need that to get up Mauna Kea to the observatory which is a must see. Go at nite and star gaze. 8) If i find any i'll give you a heads up.We usually stay in a B&B up near volcano national park. Love to have the fireplace going at nite. Madame Pele is putting on quite the lava show these days and i hope it's still going on when you get there. It goes underground sometimes Snorkeling near the city of refuge is a must also.

Snorkeling isn't a requirement, IMHO
but you totally DO have to visit around sunset!

See: http://www.nps.gov/puho/

If you come to Oahu, you can use my GT for a spin around the island.

We could likely get the group together for a Saturday morning loop. Dan and I can bring up the rear on our geezer glides.

Can't help you on the big island though.

Second on visiting Mauna Kea. It's spectacular. You will need a vehicle, preferably a Jeep or SUV; however, we didn't really think 4 wheel drive was necessary. Definitely go to the volcano. It was really awesome too. I really liked the ambiance of the little Volcano village.

If you have snorkeled in the Caribbean, then Hawaii may be disappointing. You have to go fairly deep, the water is darker and cloudier, and it's colder. I think the Caribbean has the best snorkeling in the world. The fish just come right up to you in huge schools.

Sorry I don't know anything about renting a scoot on the island. I hope you can find something.

woot! I'll start looking at this plan, too! Leaving an entire island to get away!!
My Mommy is tough-as-nails-German-cancer-surviving lady & I'm glad she is still on this planet making life hard for SOME of us. However, I simply cannot spend two solid weeks with a woman I haven't lived with since storming out of the house wearing a DK shirt was I was 15!

Between snorkling, Jeeping, scootering and being rubbed down by cabana boys.... I think I'll survive this trip.

Hmmm retirement employment idea. Do they have a school to become a cabana boy?

Two words:

liberal
application

The rest is pro bono apprenticeship!

I thought the requirements for cabana boy were "cute", "young", and "fit".

Leaves me out on all counts...

Fun, fun, fun! I'm so jealous!

Ditto I live on Oahu...not certain if I'll be over to the Big Island at that time...will let you know.

Awhile back I took a few pics while traveling between

> Hilo
> Hamakua
> South Point (the southern most point in the U.S.)
> Kohala (Hawi Commuinity nice place)
> Kona

One day:

My recommendations would include taking a ride out to Waimea / Parker Ranch. If you're into a bit of history you can take in the Parker Ranch Museum and you'll gain an appreciation for Richard Smart ...interesting individual. Was the owner (past away in 1992) and his life as the owner of one of the largest ranch in the US.

http://gohawaii.about.com/od/bigislandsights/ss/historic_homes_6.htm

From there you can have lunch at the Parker Ranch Waimea town center.

http://parkerranch.com/Parker-Ranch/214/waimea-town-center-plan

Then take the Kohala Mountain Road into Kohala...this is where you're going to wish you had your scoot!...check out the pics on this site and you'll know why...there's a hole in the wall that makes some great burritos...I'll check if I can find the name and post separately...

http://www.google.com/images?hl=en&q=kohala+mountain+road&wrapid=tlif12832977818462&um=1&ie=UTF-8&source=univ&ei=A5J9TKPMMIL_8AbSvOWfBg&sa=X&oi=image_result_group&ct=title&resnum=4&ved=0CCsQsAQwAw&biw=1420&bih=713


If you have the time or inclination you can go to the Kamehameha golf course...no it's not a resort course...it's a pitch and putt par - 3 (one par 4)...6 hole course that focus is on having something for the Jr. golfers...it's not bad just to have some fun! (see pics)

Another Day:

Get to South Point...on the way down South Point Road (on your left) you'll see a awesome B&B siting right on top of a hill...Kalaekilohana B&B. This was basically built by two guys...one an artist and one in construction with the help of family and friends.

http://www.kau-hawaii.com/

South Point is further down the road...be careful...there's not much to do when you get there...but just to say you got the to southernmost point in the US...

http://www.google.com/images?hl=en&q=south+point+hawaii&wrapid=tlif12832994999492&um=1&ie=UTF-8&source=univ&ei=u5h9TOzAKoH_8Aa7ofXLDg&sa=X&oi=image_result_group&ct=title&resnum=11&ved=0CFEQsAQwCg&biw=1420&bih=713

Then back on the road and onto Naalehu...small quaint town...you'll drive thru in less than 5 minutes. Check out the baseball field on the right...every 4th of July weekend there's a large contingent of softball teams that pariticipate in annual tournament.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Naalehu,_Hawaii

Then onto the Volcanoe National Park...take your time and check it out...

http://www.nps.gov/havo

That's about as far as you'll want to go...if you go any further you'll be on your way into Hilo town...see next Another Day...

Another Day:

Go up to Waimea and keep going until you get to the town of Honokaa...check out the pics on this site...nice small town. Make sure you go to Ted's Drive in and pick up some of their Malasadas...great snack with a cup of Kona Coffee...go down to Honokaa town and walk around...

http://www.google.com/images?hl=en&q=honokaa+hawaii&wrapid=tlif12832985414812&um=1&ie=UTF-8&source=univ&ei=95R9TNPQGoP98AaUtI3LBg&sa=X&oi=image_result_group&ct=title&resnum=5&ved=0CDcQsAQwBA&biw=1420&bih=713

Keep going towards Hilo and you'll come across some sites to see...you could stop and play a few holes at the Hamakua Country Club...$15.00 all day honor system pay (see pics)...could also stop at have a bite at the...Back the to 50's Highway Fountain Diner...check out the town of Laupahoehoe...very quaint...

http://www.tripadvisor.in/Restaurant_Review-g60594-d1089515-Reviews-50_s_Highway_Fountain_Diner-Laupahoehoe_Island_of_Hawaii_Hawaii.html

Then you'll end up in Hilo...Cafe Pesto recommended...Famers Market (check days and hours)...

http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&q=hilo+hawaii&wrapid=tlif12832991818942&um=1&ie=UTF-8&hq=&hnear=Hilo,+HI&gl=us&ei=d5d9TP3GLsK78gbJiIHiBg&sa=X&oi=geocode_result&ct=title&resnum=1&ved=0CCYQ8gEwAA

http://www.hilofarmersmarket.com/

O.K....I got a little carried away...I'm done...gotta take a nap...that should keep you busy...have fun!

Krist you crack me up. Have a great trip. See you round campus.

Well, bUG must be in Kona about now. I love the Big Island. In fact, we love it so much, we bought a house there and will be moving as soon as we work out the details. Our place is not far from Pahoa and Keauu in the Puna district. We will be taking my wife's SYM HD200, my XL883, and I may get a scooter also.

There are lots of scooters on the BI.The little ones ride on the shoulders of the main highways.The 49cc Honda Ruckas is very popular there.

jon

He? Seriously, Jon, you really need to get your glasses checked.

thats what I was wondering....now, I never had met Buglake or actually had any convo with HER, but I really think that your he is actually a SHE....
I thought about the cabana boy comment, but hey we have ALL kinds in this world.....

SDG

Aloha! Kona was wonderful!!! You can keep Hilo, though.

We did it all: snorkled, hiked, swam, drank, BBQ'd, saw the fresh lava flow that burned two houses down the week we were there, drank, shopped, ate, drank, nearly killed my Mom and her companion with a hike to the Green Sand Beach, got a speeding ticket..... drank.

So, I have one picture of a scooter and can't find it now. It was a chinese 50cc with a trike kit. I shit you not. I did not see even ONE Vespa. Not even a single one. And not one vintage bike either..... it is not the secret home of covetted Lambrettas or anything.

I have a couple of sexy swimsuit shots you boys might like - but I'll hang on to those for when I'm interviewing a replacement cabana boy for my current cabana boy.

Adoped a cat who lived in our condo for two weeks, eating like a king:


Jon - found you some more property over by Puho


It's really new property... very, very new.. hence the steam and heat trails:


The girls had a lovely time, for sure. That's my still-cancer-free Mom to the right of me. She's doing great!

Kona Beer!!! Sounds like a great trip.

My mother in law brought some of that green sand back but paid for breaking Kapu because she later mistook the sand for pepper and put it on a pork roast, serving it at a large dinner party.

Fine looking group of women! and a well taken care of kitty..

I'm glad you had a great time on the Big Island...usually quite a bit of Rukus's running around.

We will patiently await the bathing suit pics....

I bet you had a great time there. The house we bought is in Hawaiin Paradise Park (HPP) not far from Keauu and Pahoa. It's an acre. We are renting it out shortbterm for now nuntil we can get our s**t together and move. We are going over for eightbdays in early Feb. On our last trip in early Nov., we drove to Kona and back the sma ne day.That's like 5 hours of driving. We stopped at Kiser Motorcycles in Kona and checked out bikes and scooters.

Sooooo, about a week ago, I called Kiser and bought a new leftover 2009 Kymco People 150.They will deliver it to us in HPP in Feb. As I've mentioned to my wife, I won't really feel like I belong until I have a motorcycle or scooter there,and a guitar (I'm a long time rock/blues guitar hack).She rides too (a SYM HD200). Though Inwould love to have a Vespa S150, there are no Vespa dealers on the Big Island.

Anyway, I LOVE it there.We have great neighbors, and we have met some really wonderful people there.Also, my daughter lives there with her man and they made us a beautiful granddaughter last July!!

Hope you liked it there as much as we do. I can't wait to go back.

Jon in Puyallup, Wa.(for a while longer)

Looks like a great trip. Sylvie and I were there in December 2008. Loved Kona. Really did not appreciate Hilo.

Looking good buglake

Wow, that lava growth is something. thanks for posting your pictures - it looks like a fun trip. It's nice to change your perspective sometimes and experience life outside the day to day. Too bad riding a scooter there wasn't in the cards - the islands are so beautiful and it would be so nice if you could ride on one of those iconic roads like Hana, etc.

Ah, to be somewhere warm and tropical right now...

Looks like a charming trip. And you look great, as usual. Enjoy the warm breezes for all of us in a state of freeze.