Big Island of Hawaii Must See and Do
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The stroll to reach Akaka Falls is almost as beautiful as the falls itself. After a taking a short set of stairs turn left and you will be led on a paved pathway through amazing greenery and small waterfalls flowing into babbling streams. Everywhere you look you are surrounded by giant Ti plants, bird of paradise, torch ginger, bamboo, and split...
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One of several falls along the path of the Wailuku River in Hilo, Rainbow Falls is a gorgeous waterfall to visit early in the morning. Its name originated from the fact that on some early mornings a rainbow can be seen arching across the falls. Waianuenue Falls is its Hawaiian name which means "rainbow seen in water." Like all waterfalls, Rainbow...
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Originally founded in 1916, Hawaii Volcanoes National Park (HVNP) is a living, breathing testament to the awesome power of Mother Nature. HVNP is located 30 miles southwest of Hilo and 96 miles southeast of Kona. It's open year-round, 24 hours a day. HVNP is home to Kilauea Volcano, the most continuously active volcano in the world, and the park...
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Located along the Hamakua Coast on the northeastern coast of the Big Island of Hawai'i, Waipi'o Valley is the largest and southernmost of the seven valleys on the windward side of the Kohala Mountains. Time and nature's elements have carved an unimaginably massive valley filled with deep green-encrusted cliffs cut by plunging waterfalls. Its floor...
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The turnoff for South Point Road is between the 69 and 70 mile markers with a large green sign pointing makai. The traditional Hawaiian name for South Point is Ka Lae meaning "the point." The two-lane paved road cuts through macadamia nut groves, pasture land and a Mauna Loa lava flow. About five miles into the 12 mile trip to Ka Lae the road...
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Located in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, Thurston Lava Tube is one of the main attractions for visitors as they explore the park . Like veins leading from the central 'heart' of the volcano, lava tubes direct molten earth toward the ocean. As the lava flows the outer crust begins to harden while the inner lava continues to flow. Once the flow...
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As you pass the 28 mile marker on Highway 270 past Hawi, the coast will open up and you will suddenly be treated to a breathtaking view of our next stop, Pololu Valley. On a sunny day you will see the vibrant blue and green ocean crashing into the rugged sea cliffs and the deep green carpet of vegetation lining the sides of the valley. A short...
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Halfway between mile markers 8 and 7 on the Hawaii Belt road you will see a rather large sign that says "Scenic Drive." The Scenic Drive actually begins right after mile marker 11 and runs parallel to the Hawaii Belt Road until it reconnects between mile markers 8 and 7. We have chosen to take you onto the Scenic Drive at this point because most...
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Crater Rim Drive is an 11-mile road that skirts the edge of the Kilauea Caldera in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park and contains several scenic views and hiking opportunities. If you had to choose only one thing to do in HVNP (may that never occur!) this drive would be it. The Park entrance station is just off Hwy 11, 95 miles south-east of Kona and...
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About 1.5 miles down Onomea Scenic Drive the parking lot for the gardens will be on the mauka side of the road. Admission is a bit steep ($15 for adults, $5 for children) but it is money well spent for the vast natural beauty of the Hawaii Tropical Botanical Garden. This garden was a gift to the people of the world from Dan J. Lutkenhouse, a...
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Chain of Craters Road may be one of the most unique experiences you have on the Big Island. Stretching 18 miles and going from 4,000 ft. elevation to sea level, this scenic drive along the East Rift Zone of the volcano in HVNP is pock marked with craters of varying shapes and sizes, lava flows, petroglyphs, and, possibly, active lava. Along this...
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Pu'uhonua o Honaunau (poo-oo-ho-noo-ah o hoe-now-now), formerly known as Place of Refuge at Honaunau, is an incredibly beautiful and educational experience that no trip to the Big Island should be without. After you pay your $5 per vehicle fee and walk past the educational displays, you round a corner and are transplanted into the world of the...
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As you approach the junction of Highway 19 and 270 heading north, look makai and you should see a majestic stone structure atop a hill. This is Pu'ukohola Heiau. When you reach the junction with 270 you will go left. This heiau, a sacred place of worship, has a particularly interesting history. Built between 1790-91, Pu'ukohola was the project of...
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If you were to have visited this overlook in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park (HVNP) in the 19th century, you would understand how it earned the name "firepit." During this time a swirling, fiery lake of lava filled the crater. The parking lot is about half way around the 11-mile Crater Rim Drive on the left and a short 10-minute walk down to the...
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A kipuka is an area of land which was once lava but has been surrounded on all sides by more recent flows. If left undisturbed for a long time, an ecosystem, such as that a Kipuka Puaulu, forms. Puaulu, also called Bird Park, is an old ohia tree and fern forest which is home to many of the feathered residents of the Big Island. A 30-minute stroll...
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Near mile marker 16 turn mauka onto Leopolino Road, there will be large sign marking the World Botanical Gardens. In a few more years this will be a truly spectacular garden, but now it is still too young to offer the same variety of mature plants that other gardens have to offer. Admission is a steep $11, but it does include an exclusive view of...
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The parking lot for the Kilauea Caldera Overlook is on the left side of Crater Rim Drive about .7 miles past the Steam Vents. From this vantage point you can truly appreciate the magnitude of the Kilauea Caldera which spans two miles and drops 400 feet. Imagine this vast space oozing with molten rock. A frightening and awe-inspiring thought for...
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Half a mile past Thurston Lava Tube on the left on Crater Rim Drive. in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park is the parking the lot for Kilauea Iki Crater which is home to one of the most amazing lava eruptions in the park's history. In November 1959 Kilauea Iki began gushing streams of incandescent orange lava. The glowing fountains of molten earth...
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Kona Coast or Kekaha Kai State Park is 1,600 acres of beautiful sand and pristine blue waters. There are actually several beaches in the park which is accessed via a partially paved 1.5 mile road (caution: driving on unpaved roads may be in violation of your car rental agreement) located between the 91 and 90 mile markers on Highway 19 north of...
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The sand comes in many colors in Ka'u - black, green and white. Punalu'u, the most easily accessible black sand beach on the island is a little gem tucked just off highway 11 near mile marker 55. The thick, coarse grains of volcanic black sand, created by the crashing of waves against lava, encrust the waters of this bay. Graceful coconut palms...
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This black sand beach which separates the beautiful Pololu Valley from the ocean is a lovely stretch of fine black sand rimmed with black lava rock and shockingly emerald green beach ground cover. However, rough surf and the occasional appearance of Portuguese Man-o-wars make it not the ideal beach for swimming.
Awini Trail leads down to the...
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If you take the time to drive all the way to Pololu Valley at the end of Highway 270, don't settle for the view from the overlook! Take the time to explore.
The trail, sometimes referred to as Awini Trail, that leads down to the black sand beach (Pololu Valley Beach) takes approximately half an hour to hike. The dirt and root trail can be steep...
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As you stand at the Kilauea Iki overlook you can see a lightly-etched trail stretching across the crater floor. From your 400 ft high vantage point you might be able to see little specks walking the path: those are people. The views of Pu'u Puai (gushing hill), a cinder cone that formed during the 1959 eruption at Kilauea Iki Crater, are also...
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