Big Island, Hawaii

The Island of Hawaiʻi (called the Big Island) is located in the Pacific Ocean and is one of the eight main islands that comprise the U.S. state of Hawaiʻi. It is larger than all of the other Hawaiian Islands combined, main attractions are its volcanoes and Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, witch is home of the largest mountain in the world in volume (Mauna Loa) and the tallest mountain in the world as measured from its base on the sea floor to its peak (Mauna Kea).

There are two airports if you are flying to the Big Island, Kona International Airport and Hilo International Airport. There are some direct flights, mostly from California, but it is more common to arrive via Honolulu or Kahului. You should try to get a flight direct from the mainland to Kona to save time waiting at the Honolulu airport. Although several cruise ship lines operate in Hawaii, there is currently no dedicated inter-island boat service. Hawaii Superferry, a private company supported by the Hawaii state government, proposes to implement high-capacity catamaran ferry services. Renting a car is the best way to see the island. Getting around by local bus, or on foot work well if you’re staying in one area. Many budget travelers are unpleasantly surprised by the lack of public transport on the Big Island. Although there are limited bus services from Hilo to destinations like Volcano or the Kona side, they require reservations.

There are a lot of places to visit in Hawaii, and the main attractions are:

Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park 30 miles SW of Hilo on Hawaii 11, (808) 985-6000 (fax (808) 985-6004). Kilauea Visitor Center open every day 7:45 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Here in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park you can find both of the world’s largest volcano, Mauna Loa (13,677 feet high), and the world’s most active volcano, Kilauea (continuously erupting since 1983). Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park is established in 1916, displays the results of hundreds of thousands of years of volcanism, migration, and evolution—processes that thrust a bare land from the sea and clothed it with complex and unique ecosystems and a distinct human culture. The park includes 505 mi² (1348 km²) of land. Over half of the park is designated wilderness and provides unusual hiking and camping opportunities. In recognition of its outstanding natural values, Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park has been designated as an International Biosphere Reserve and a World Heritage Site.

Mauna Kea is a dormant volcano in the Hawaiian Islands, 28 miles W of Hilo on Hawaii 20, then N on the access road to the Onizuka Center for International Astronomy, (808) 961-2180. OCIA, named in memory of U.S. astronaut Ellison Onizuka, open daily 9AM - 10PM. Mauna Kea (13,796 feet), is the largest mountain in the world (measured from its base) is a volcano which has become an international center for astronomy. Several astronomical observatories are located here. The elevation is high, so there are few tourist support facilities so hiking and exploring are discouraged. Also keep an eye out for the nene, also known as the Hawaiian goose. The nene is the state bird and an endangered species.
Four wheel drive vehicles are strongly recommended above the OCIA. Several tour companies offer tours to the summit and observatories of Mauna Kea for a fee. Observatory facilities are normally closed to the public. Most rental car companies prohibit travel on Hawaii 20 (Saddle Road)

Akaka Falls State Park is a state park in Hawai‘i, located 11 miles north from Hilo (at the end of Highway 220) on the Big Island. It includes ‘Akaka Falls, a 442 ft. tall waterfall. ‘Akaka is the Hawaiian name for this feature. “‘Akaka” means "A rent, split, chink, separation; to crack, split, scale". The accessible portion of the park lies high on the right shoulder of the deep gorge into which the waterfall plunges, and the falls can be viewed from several points along a loop trail through the park. Also visible from this trail is Kahūnā Falls.

Local folklore describes a stone located here called Pōhaku a Pele that, when struck by a branch of lehua ‘āpane, will call the sky to darken and rain to fall (Pukui, Elbert, & Mookini, 1974). Lehua ‘āpane or ‘ōhi‘a ‘āpane is an ‘ōhi‘a tree (Metrosideros polymorpha) with dark red blossoms.

‘Akaka Falls is located on Kolekole Stream. A large stone in the stream about 70 ft upstream of the falls is called Pōhaku o Kāloa (Pukui, Elbert, & Mookini, 1974).

The Hawaii Tropical Botanical Garden (17 acres) is a beautiful botanical garden and nature preserve located off Route 19 at 27-717 Old Mamalahoa Highway, Pāpa'ikou, Big Island. It is open daily; an admission fee is charged.

The garden is located in a scenic valley opening out to Onomea Bay, and features streams, waterfalls and a boardwalk near the ocean. It was created by Dan J. Lutkenhouse, who purchased the property in 1977 and began to develop it as a natural botanical garden. It opened to the public in 1984, and was donated by the Lutkenhouses to a nonprofit trust in 1995.

Today the garden contains over 2,000 plant species, representing more than 125 families and 750 genera, with good collections of palms (nearly 200 species), heliconias (more than 80 species), and bromeliads (more than 80 species). Some of the Garden's mango and coconut palm trees are over 100 years old.

The garden combines water and flora: A three-tiered waterfall (Onomea Falls) provides one of several water views which include Boulder Creek and the lava tubes on Onomea Bay. This is the only tropical botanical garden in the US on an ocean.

Kapoho Tide Pools on the southern Puna coast are not to be missed. This is some of the calmest snorkeling you will ever see, and the fish will come right up to you. The pools are spring-fed, and many of them are volcanically heated. There are no dive shops anywhere near here, so bring your gear if you are coming here. Go during the week if you can. Marine scientists frequent this spot, and are usually happy to share their knowledge to make your visit to the tide pools more fulfilling.

As we said Kona has some great diving opportunities during the day, but the real thing to see here is the Manta Rays. All the dive operators in town do a night dive to see the giant mantas, and this is the best and most reliable place in the world to see them. The manta rays of Kona can be up to 16 feet wide and weigh almost 2000 lbs! On any given night there are 1-20 rays feeding at the dive site, and by bringing lights in the water, plankton (their food) is attracted to feed them. Divers sit in sand on the bottom about 30 feet deep and watch these huge but harmless fishes swim inches from their faces. Though it’s at night, there is so much light in the water and it’s so shallow that this is an easy dive for novice divers, as well as a very rewarding dive for even the most seasoned divers. Snorkelers can also get a great up close view of the mantas at the same time. All you have to do is float on the water and hold a light, it’s very easy.

Black sand beaches formed by volcanic sand. There are two well-known and many less known black sand beaches. The former are Kehena Beach in the Puna district, and Punalu`u Beach in Ka`u district.

Puuhonua O Honaunau National Historic Park, S of Kailua-Kona on Hawaii 11, then W on Hawaii 160 at Honaunau Post Office. (808) 328-2326. Open MTWTh 6AM - 8PM, FSaSu 6AM-11PM. Visitor center open daily 8AM - 5:30PM. Puuhonua o Honaunau is a great place to visit if you’re interested in learning about Hawaiian history. Breakers of kapu (taboos) who could make it to this place and performed a series of rituals were granted sanctuary. Tours, traditional craft demos, and other activities can be seen here. Honu (turtles) can frequently be observed swimming in the royal fishpond. May be crowded with other tourists.

Waipi`o Valley, a large, verdant valley in the North of the islands. This valley was inhabited for a millennium, until a tsunami washed away all dwellings. Left for good by the native population, it then became the beautiful place of counterculture types.

Ho’okena Beach Park south of Honaunau should be wisited, getting in and out of the water is incredibly easy: just walk. The enter at the left side of the beach for the best snorkeling. Go during the week, if you can (save the weekends for the locals).

These are the most visited and most popular places on Big Island, so have fun and aloha!!!!