Visit Hawaii (The Big Island), Hawaii

Add to My List Check Off

Hawaii Island is the youngest while the largest island in the Hawaiian chain and it’s still growing. Hawaii Island is home of one of the world’s most active volcanoes, Kilauea, the tallest sea mountain in the world, Mauna Kea, and the largest, by volume, mountain in the world, Mauna Loa. Hawaii Volcanoes National Park stretches from the summit of Mauna Loa to the ocean, containing over 150 miles of hiking trails (around and through the craters of ancient volcanoes) along with rainforests, desert landscapes, petroglyphs, a walk-in lava tube and a museum. It’s the constant lava flow from Kilauea that continues to add land mass to Hawaii Island. Perhaps to lessen confusion and with a nod toward its massive size, Hawaii Island is generally referred to as “The Big Island”. The island supports all but two of the world’s climactic zones with snow-capped mountains, thick rain forests, desert landscapes and black sand beaches harmoniously co-existing. The Big Island has a number of regions that are worthy of exploration. One of the most popular is the Kohala Coast, about a 20 minute drive from the Kona International Airport. The Kohala Coast is where some of the finest resorts on Hawaii Island are found among rugged black and red lava fields and the green oases of world class golf courses. The Kohala Coast boasts the driest climate on the island insuring plenty of opportunities for sun worshippers to enjoy the expansive beaches found in the region like Hapuna Beach State Park and Holoholokai Beach. Cultural treasures are evident at the Anaehoomalu Petroglyph fields near Waikaloa and Puako Petroglyph Archaeological Preserve featuring more than a thousand petroglyphs, or kii pohaku, lava rock carvings that were etched into stone centuries ago by Native Hawaiians. It is generally thought these carvings are records of births and other significant events in the lives of the native people who lived on Hawaii Island. Some of the best dining options found on the Big Island are located on the Kohala Coast often within the confines of the upscale resorts. Traveling north past the resorts, golf courses and lava landscapes of the Kohala Coast the lush, the undeveloped pastoral lands of North Kohala begin to appear. This region is home to some of the most historically significant sites on Hawaii Island from Puukohola Heiau (the largest restored heiau (temple) in Hawaii) to King Kamehameha’s birthplace. The North Kohala upcountry area is Hawaiian Cowboy (paniolo) country, full of green pastures and panoramic views. Visitors enjoy the Kahua Ranch to take a horseback riding tour or and ATV ride to explore the landscape while learning about Hawaii’s ranching past. On the northeastern side of Hawaii Island, just north of Hilo, lies the Hamakua Coast region. With 84 inches of rainfall a year, this region is the location of the Hamakua Heritage Corridor drive along the coast that passes by lush tropical rainforests, waterfalls and expansive ocean views with deep water-carved gulches and valleys with thick tropical vegetation. The drive along the scenic coast passes by gardens full of exotic plants and orchids such as the Hawaii Tropical Botanical Garden and World Botanical Gardens, home to unforgettable Umauma Falls. This area is also home to Akaka Falls, one the Hawaii Island’s most famous waterfalls. The amazing Waipio Valley Lookout provides a panoramic reward at the northern end of a journey along the Hamakua Coast. The town of Hilo, home to Hilo International Airport, is a bustling town, the site of great museums, art galleries, unique shops and favorite stops for tourists like the Hilo Farmers Market. Hilo’s Imiloa Astronomy Center is housed beneath three prominent titanium cones representing the three landmark mountains on the Big Island with interactive exhibits and an IMAX-style movie presentation that makes viewers feel like they’re flying through space. This windward side of the island has significantly more precipitation than the Kona side as the terrain goes from black with dry brown patches to open fields occupied by grazing horses and donkeys to lush tropical vegetation and rainforest. South of Hilo is the Puna district and its most famous destination, Kalapana, a community that is partially covered by lava. In 1990 lava from Kilauea engulfed this historic town and the black sand beach at Kaimu. A viewing area allows visitors to watch lava meet the ocean. A scenic 12-mile string of beach parks and camp sites along the coast are also worth exploring: MacKenzie State Park (a heiau and an ironwood forest), Isaac Hale Beach Park, Ahalanui Park (a large seaside pond warmed by the volcano) and Waiopae Tidepools Marine Life Conservation District (some great snorkeling among connecting tide pools). Kehena Beach is a secluded black sand beach hidden from view of the roadway. The Cape Kumukahi area offers scenic hiking, some of the world’s freshest air and the Cape Kumukahi Lighthouse, which was spared from lava flow in 1960. Nearby Kapoho Bay is the location of another coastal pool heated by the Kilauea volcano. The southernmost place in the USA is found at Ka Lae, sometimes called South Point, in the Kau region of the Big Island. The Kau region is also home to most of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park and Punaluu Black Sand Beach, one of the world’s best known black sand beaches where swaying coconut palms frame the beach and large honu, or Hawaiian Green Sea turtles, often are found basking on the sand. Nahuku, also known as the Thurston Lava Tube, is located at Hawaii Volcanoes National Park and is another attraction for visitors. The Thurston Lava Tube is a fantastic example of a massive lava cave and can be toured independently or with a guide. The sunny Kona District stretches for about 60 miles from Kona International Airport to beyond Kealakekua Bay on Hawaii Island’s lava-lined western coast. Everything from coffee farms to historic Hawaiian landmarks is found in this region of the Big Island. Hawaii’s much-loved King Kamehameha spent his final years in Kailua-Kona. Historic Kailua Village is a busy commercial zone in the heart of the district. Kealakekua Bay at the south end of the district is where Captain James Cook first set foot on the island in 1778 and the place where he was subsequently killed. Nearby is Puuhonua o Honaunau National Historical Park, a well-restored Hawaiian “place of refuge.” North of Kailua-Kona is the Kaloko-Honokohau National Historic Park, a 1160-acre park that holds early heiau, fishponds and petroglyphs. Kona’s calm and clear waters are known for excellent snorkeling and diving and spotting dolphins and honu . One of Kona’s most memorable experiences is going on a manta ray excursion to scuba or snorkel with the gentle, graceful sea creatures. Kona is also highly regarded for deep-sea fishing, hosting an International Billfish Tournament every year. The famous Ironman Triathlon World Championship is held on the Kona Coast each October. Two major airports service the Big Island, Kona International Airport and Hilo International Airport on opposite sides of the island. There are a few non-stop flights from the mainland, mostly from California and Seattle, but it is more common to arrive via Honolulu, Oahu or Kahului, Maui. Renting a car is almost a necessity on the Big Island since it is so expansive.

4.6 out of 5 Write a Review

No Ratings Yet

Flag as inappropriate ›