Away From It All on the Big Island

Sightseeing: Scenery on the Big Island from lush tropical growth to desert-like terrain. Recommended visits: the bay south of Kailua-Kona, where Capt. James Cook met his Waterloo and the orchid farms at Hilo.

Kona Arts Center, P.O. Box 272, Holualoa, Kona, Hawaii 96725, (808) 322-2307.

Tours of the Waipio Valley are available through Waipio Valley Shuttle & Tours, P.O. Box 5128, Kukuihaele, Hawaii 96727, (808) 775-7121.

For information on volcanoes, contact Volcanoes National Park, Box 52, Hawaii National Park, Hawaii 96718, (808) 967-7311.

For additional details, contact the Hawaii Visitors Bureau, 180 Kinoole St., Hilo, Hawaii 96720, (808) 961-5797. In California, contact the HVB, 3440 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 502, Los Angeles 90010, (213) 385-5301.

Little Hotels and B&Bs;: Holualoa Inn, P.O. Box 222, Holualoa, Hawaii 96725, (808) 324-1121. Possibly the finest B&B; in Hawaii. Four rooms, a swimming pool, fireplace, billiards room. Rates: $60/$125 with a 15% discount for guests remaining a week.

Kona Hotel, P.O. Box 342, Holualoa, Hawaii 96725, (808) 324-1155. Eleven rooms, shared baths. A bit ramshackle but plenty of old Hawaii atmosphere. Rates: $15 single, $23 double.

Manago Hotel, P.O. Box 145, Captain Cook, Hawaii 96704, (808) 323-2642. Forty-two rooms, an informal restaurant with tasty, inexpensive fare. Rates: $18/$32 single, $21/$35 double. Japanese style: $46 single, $49 double.

Jacqueline Horne’s Waipio Wayside Inn, P.O. 840, Honokaa, Hawaii 96727, (808) 775-0275. Four rooms (one with private bath). Rates: $45/$65. Call (800) 833-8849.

Waipio Hotel, Waipio Valley, Hawaii. Contact Tom Araki, 25 Malama Place, Hilo, Hawaii 96720 (no telephone). Five rooms. Rates: $15 per night.

Linda Beech’s Tree House, P.O. Box 5086, Honokaa, Hawaii 96727, (808) 775-9518. Rates: $125.