About Me

Aloha! My name is Tabitha Bailar, Big Island Travel Expert and coffee addict!

As a seasoned explorer and former resident of the Big Island of Hawaii, I’m thrilled to share my wealth of knowledge and insider tips to help you plan your next tropical vacation.

While living on the Big Island for a year, I was surprised to find how many people don’t take the time to explore their own island.

There is so much to see and do on the island, even after a year I still find new things to experience whenever I go back.

With its diverse and breathtaking landscapes, rich cultural heritage, and fusioned culinary scene, the Big Island offers something for the Audacious Adventurer, the Pool Potato, and the Coffee Connoisseur.

From the lush rainforests of Hilo to the stark beauty of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park to the pristine beaches of Kona, I’ve experienced it all firsthand and fell in love with every inch of the island.

I will show you a side of the Big Island not everyone talks about, beyond the guidebook if you will. I’ll share my honest and sometimes controversial reviews so you can be better prepared.

And don’t worry! I will make sure you learn all about the awesome traditional sights and activities too. No FOMO (fear of missing out) here!

Let me show you where to stay, what to do, and where to eat to experience the Big Island not just as a tourist, but with the insight of someone who’s called this paradise home.

More About Me and My Travels

I have been helping people with travel since I was 3 years old, when I was accurately directing adults back to my house from church.

Growing up, my family often took some sort of major trip every year, whether to Disneyland in California or Yellowstone or Hawaii. So you could say that wanderlust has always been engrained in me.

When I first started traveling on my own, I had to learn how to get creative in the art of budget travel. I meticulously crafted itineraries that maximized experiences with minimal costs.

Today, while I thankfully don’t have to be a penny-pinching miser when I travel, I am always hunting for the best bang for my buck. Value is everything to me!

I learned the importance of value after spending 4 years doing my lifelong dream job as a travel agent. During that time, I helped clients plan memorable trips with value like: a men’s weekend getaway to a luxurious mountainous resort, a personalized mother/daughter Anne of Green Gables themed PEI itinerary, or a friends group 2 week privately guided tour of Portugal.

People always ask how I find the cool spots that I do. I’d like to say I’ve got a sixth sense for sniffing out the coolest, most offbeat experiences.

But it really comes down to me having this thing against following the crowd and being herded around like cattle. I’ve embraced a philosophy of independent research and exploration, digging into the nooks and crannies of the places I visit.

And I didn’t back down when it came to exploring the Big Island! Like finding sneaky ways to avoid parking fees, a coffee shop that would have lines out the door if it was better advertised, or a “secret” waterfall.

Using my culmination of travel expertise, allow me to empower you to compose your own unforgettable journeys to the Big Island so you can tailor your trip to your own unique tastes and preferences.

Or, if you would like personalized help with your Big Island trip, book a travel consult with me!