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Big Island of Hawaii Sights
Location: North Hamakua Coast
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 of the beautiful scenery is at this end.
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 of the beautiful scenery is at this end.
Location: North Hamakua Coast
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 businessman from San Francisco.
Currently, over 2,000 species of plants, including a large variety of orchids, heliconia, gingers, bromeliads, and palms, spread throughout the garden mixed with several natural waterfalls and a view of Onomea Bay. With the aid of the map provided by the garden, you will easily spend several hours ambling through the various sections of the garden. Every twist and turn leads to a new plant or tree.
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 businessman from San Francisco.
Currently, over 2,000 species of plants, including a large variety of orchids, heliconia, gingers, bromeliads, and palms, spread throughout the garden mixed with several natural waterfalls and a view of Onomea Bay. With the aid of the map provided by the garden, you will easily spend several hours ambling through the various sections of the garden. Every twist and turn leads to a new plant or tree.
Location: Hilo Town
One of the most gorgeous views of Hilo Bay is from the edge of the gardens. The sun glistens on the calm bay waters while palm trees gently sway in a warm breeze, and in the distance you can see clouds banking on the slopes of Mauna Loa. Lili'uokalani Park was named in honor of Hawaii’s last queen and features a meticulously manicured Japanese landscape ringed by sprawling banyan trees.
One of the most gorgeous views of Hilo Bay is from the edge of the gardens. The sun glistens on the calm bay waters while palm trees gently sway in a warm breeze, and in the distance you can see clouds banking on the slopes of Mauna Loa. Lili'uokalani Park was named in honor of Hawaii’s last queen and features a meticulously manicured Japanese landscape ringed by sprawling banyan trees.
Location: Hilo Town
Just outside of downtown Hilo, 16-acre Wailuku River State Park is home to several of the most striking waterfalls in the area.
Among the several falls which occur along the Wailuku River are 80-foot Rainbow Falls which takes its name from a rainbow formed by the mists and sunlight, Pe'epe'e Falls (upper right) and Boiling Pots, a series of large pools whose water appears to be boiling as it rolls over many rocks en route to the ocean. The depressions are caused by swirling rocks.
Just outside of downtown Hilo, 16-acre Wailuku River State Park is home to several of the most striking waterfalls in the area.
Among the several falls which occur along the Wailuku River are 80-foot Rainbow Falls which takes its name from a rainbow formed by the mists and sunlight, Pe'epe'e Falls (upper right) and Boiling Pots, a series of large pools whose water appears to be boiling as it rolls over many rocks en route to the ocean. The depressions are caused by swirling rocks.
Location: Kohala
If you are eager to explore this waterfall, you're going to have to pay the piper with some sweat and hard physical labour (tough hiking may be an understatement here). Or, you could just take a helicopter tour of the Kohala coast. We'll let you pick.
But if you're a hard core hiker, here's the scoop. Wai`ilikahi Falls is located in Waimanu Valley, accessible via the Muliwai Trail (Z-Trail) that begins on the far side of Waipio Valley. This trail is not for the novice hiker. Once you reach the top of the ridge, it is another eight miles of hiking through gorges and over hills to reach Waimanu Valley. Do not attempt to do this hike in a single day. You will have to cross 13 streams along the way, so it is not advised during the rainy season where unbelievable amounts of mud and swollen streams will make the trek dangerous and significantly less enjoyable. The descent into Waimanu can be tricky. Once you reach the end of the switch backs, cross the stream to the campsites on the other side. Do not drink the water straight from the stream. It must be purified to be suitable for drinking. If you are one of the adventurous to make the trip, you will likely have the valley to yourself. Waimanu has all the charm and beauty of Waipio without the people. At one time several hundred people lived in Waimanu until a tsunami made them leave for good in 1946. You may encounter some of the ruins on your exploration. Waimanu is bursting with waterfalls, including the one you've come to see - the spectacular Wai'ilikahi Falls.
If you are eager to explore this waterfall, you're going to have to pay the piper with some sweat and hard physical labour (tough hiking may be an understatement here). Or, you could just take a helicopter tour of the Kohala coast. We'll let you pick.
But if you're a hard core hiker, here's the scoop. Wai`ilikahi Falls is located in Waimanu Valley, accessible via the Muliwai Trail (Z-Trail) that begins on the far side of Waipio Valley. This trail is not for the novice hiker. Once you reach the top of the ridge, it is another eight miles of hiking through gorges and over hills to reach Waimanu Valley. Do not attempt to do this hike in a single day. You will have to cross 13 streams along the way, so it is not advised during the rainy season where unbelievable amounts of mud and swollen streams will make the trek dangerous and significantly less enjoyable. The descent into Waimanu can be tricky. Once you reach the end of the switch backs, cross the stream to the campsites on the other side. Do not drink the water straight from the stream. It must be purified to be suitable for drinking. If you are one of the adventurous to make the trip, you will likely have the valley to yourself. Waimanu has all the charm and beauty of Waipio without the people. At one time several hundred people lived in Waimanu until a tsunami made them leave for good in 1946. You may encounter some of the ruins on your exploration. Waimanu is bursting with waterfalls, including the one you've come to see - the spectacular Wai'ilikahi Falls.
Location: North Hamakua Coast
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 the triple-tiered Uma Uma Falls.
The drive to the falls begins across the street from the ticket booth and is a bit bumpy as it passes through marked native trees. You will reach a small parking lot and the lookout for Uma Uma Falls. The three levels which Uma Uma Falls flows down resemble great lava stone steps with recesses that create tranquil little pools surrounded by tropical plants and trees.
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 the triple-tiered Uma Uma Falls.
The drive to the falls begins across the street from the ticket booth and is a bit bumpy as it passes through marked native trees. You will reach a small parking lot and the lookout for Uma Uma Falls. The three levels which Uma Uma Falls flows down resemble great lava stone steps with recesses that create tranquil little pools surrounded by tropical plants and trees.
Location: Kona
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 ancient Hawaiians. You are walking on the grounds were generations of ali'i (ruling class) Hawaiians lived and worked.
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 ancient Hawaiians. You are walking on the grounds were generations of ali'i (ruling class) Hawaiians lived and worked.
Location: North Hamakua Coast
Onomea Falls is located inside of the Hawaii Tropical Botanical Garden (Admission required). Onomea Falls is set amidst the natural forest of palms and ferns and is located along the pathway inside the garden. Exotic mosses grow on the surrounding rocks, trees and the small bridge in front of the falls allows for an even better view of the falls and stream, plus it makes for a great photo opportunity.
According to the HTBG website, the falls was discovered far by Dan Lutkenhouse, years after work on the lower Hawaii Tropical Botanical Garden began. One day he decided to hack his way through the jungle alongside the stream, and much to his delight he found the magnificent waterfall.
Onomea Falls is located inside of the Hawaii Tropical Botanical Garden (Admission required). Onomea Falls is set amidst the natural forest of palms and ferns and is located along the pathway inside the garden. Exotic mosses grow on the surrounding rocks, trees and the small bridge in front of the falls allows for an even better view of the falls and stream, plus it makes for a great photo opportunity.
According to the HTBG website, the falls was discovered far by Dan Lutkenhouse, years after work on the lower Hawaii Tropical Botanical Garden began. One day he decided to hack his way through the jungle alongside the stream, and much to his delight he found the magnificent waterfall.
Location: Puna District
Sometimes it is very easy to forget amid the vast beauty of the Big Island that deep below the surface a primal force is at work. A force so powerful that it can create new land and new life while simultaneously destroying what humans have so carefully built. Unfortunately for the residents of Kalapana and its neighboring villages in the Puna district, this was a very painful realization. In 1990, Pu’u O’o began sending rivers of molten earth their way until eventually the area was buried in 50-75 feet of lava, leaving only small pockets of land “kipukas” untouched. What used to be neighborhoods, schools, businesses and sacred places are now just a sea of jagged black lava.
Sometimes it is very easy to forget amid the vast beauty of the Big Island that deep below the surface a primal force is at work. A force so powerful that it can create new land and new life while simultaneously destroying what humans have so carefully built. Unfortunately for the residents of Kalapana and its neighboring villages in the Puna district, this was a very painful realization. In 1990, Pu’u O’o began sending rivers of molten earth their way until eventually the area was buried in 50-75 feet of lava, leaving only small pockets of land “kipukas” untouched. What used to be neighborhoods, schools, businesses and sacred places are now just a sea of jagged black lava.
Location: Puna District
If you would like to explore the easternmost point of Hawaii, continue on the dirt road portion of Highway 132 in Puna for approximately two miles. Built in 1934 this is not a picturesque lighthouse. The 125-foot steal beacon is a reminder of the fickle nature of Pele and her lava flows. One night in 1960 the town of Kapoho was completely smothered in a lava flow. As if by design, the flow split and encircled the beacon, sparing it from destruction.
If you would like to explore the easternmost point of Hawaii, continue on the dirt road portion of Highway 132 in Puna for approximately two miles. Built in 1934 this is not a picturesque lighthouse. The 125-foot steal beacon is a reminder of the fickle nature of Pele and her lava flows. One night in 1960 the town of Kapoho was completely smothered in a lava flow. As if by design, the flow split and encircled the beacon, sparing it from destruction.
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