Hula Planet:What To Do In Hawaii

What are the features which draw people to return to Hawaii’s Big Island year after year? Is it the call of the mountain’s, the rain forest, and the waterfalls? Is it the charm of the small villages, or the open spaces of the upland ranches and coffee plantations? Maybe it is just the magnificent beaches, and the world-class restaurants and hotels. Perhaps it is the magical secret garden known as the Valley of the Kings.

It could be the fascinating Kilauea Volcano, the lava flows of which are still shaping the island. The truth is that there is many reasons to return to the big Island as there are visitors who return to it.

If you are about to embark on your first visit to Hawaii’s Big Island, however, you are in for the most magical vacation of your life. The Big Island is a study in contrasts where vast areas of pristine land border dynamic cities like Kona. If you are like most tourists, in fact, you will begin your stay on the island in Kona. Doing so will give you a chance to get your bearings, to soak up some sun on the Big Island’s beaches, and enjoy some of Hawaii’s underwater marvels by snorkeling through the coral reef in Kealakekuea Bay.  If you prefer to enjoy the water from above, rented kayak and paddle through the paths of spinner dolphins on your way to Captain Cook’s monument.

You cannot leave the big Island without having visited a Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. The Kilauea Volcano has been spewing lava for the past quarter century and is only one of the Big Island’s five live volcanoes. The Mauna Loa volcano last erupted in 1984, but geologists expect that it will erupt again at any time.  Hawaii Volcanoes National Park has more than 140 miles of trails, and you really need to camp there if you are going to take advantage of your opportunities for exploration. Even if your time is limited, however, you should make a point of driving through the entire park.

The enormous amounts of rainfall which cascade on the city of Hilo each year have earned it the title of America’s rainiest city. Do not let that prevent you from visiting, however, because this historic and charming little town will offer perfect picture taking opportunities with its 20 acre Nani Mau Gardens, and the legendary Naha and Pinao Stones. The Pinao Stone is said to them once been an entrance pillar to an ancient temple on the Wailuku River. Kamehameha the Great, the founder of Hawaii, is said to have 2 1/2 ton Naha Stone while still a teenager.

The town of Puako, just outside the Hapuna Beach State Recreation Area, is known for its enormous tide pools, which shelter numerous sea creatures including live corals.  Puako, however, is not on the major tourist routes, so there are few facilities there.

If you think any scenery looks better when viewed from the back of a horse, head for King’s Trail Rides O’Kona.  Their two-hour excursion will take you to the Capain. Cook monument at Kalakekua Bay, where you can enjoy a bit of snorkeling before remounting and returning to be stable. For a full day in the saddle, driving five-hour hidden waterfall adventure offered at the Waipi’o Ridge Stables.  You will circle the rim of the Waipi’o Valley and be given time to refresh yourself with a dip in the waterfall.

A rugged trail winds through the lush green spaces of the Pololu Valley, descending to Polulo Beach and a jagged coastline complete with a number of waterfalls. If you find the trail to challenging on foot, you can hire a sure-footed mule. The valleys beyond the Pololu Valley are the source of water for the big Island’s Kohala Ditch, once used to transport water to the local sugar plantations. Kayak cruises are available through the ditch, if you are interested in learning more about the history of the sugar plantations.

No matter where you go on the Big Island, you will see more than you can fully appreciate in a single visit. So why not take it for granted that your first visit to the Big Island will be only one of many, many more!

Related posts:

1. The Big Island Hawaii – More to Offer Than Just Sun and Sand Let me start with the Big Island, Hawaii.  Rolled into one pretty package, this island takes the best aspects of all the Hawaiian Islands, where only here you can go from the beach to a volcano and to the rain forest, all in one day.   It’s hard to top an island that offers all [...]...
2. The Island Of Lana’I – Hawaii’S Smallest Island Wonder If your idea of the perfect Hawaiian getaway is to find an island where the days pass in slow motion, and you will return home relaxed instead of exhausted, then Lana’ i should be your island of choice.  Although Lanai resembles the Australian outback more closely than it does the tropical paradise you will find [...]...
3. Hawaii Vacation–Part 3–Big Island The third in our four-part series of Hawaii vacations covers the “Big Island”, as the island of Hawaii is most often referred to. As the natives (and longtime residents) like to say, there are only two seasons on the Big Island Hawaii: “summer,” between May and October, and “winter,” from October to April. The weather varies [...]...
4. Tour the Best of the Hawaii 9 days $2289 Escorted Tours - Honolulu to Maui 9 days from $2289 pp, do Promo Code:GLWS See the famous sights of Hawaii during this incredible island getaway. Your Hawaii vacation begins with a warm aloha greeting and lei of fresh flowers. Enjoy three nights in Honolulu, where a sightseeing tour includes Pearl Harbor, Chinatown, and the royal 'Iolani Palace. Then travel to Kona on the Big Island, Hawaii’s largest island. In Kona, enjoy a tour of the Kona Coffee Living History Farm, a visit to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, and a lavish Hawaiian luau. Next, fly to Maui and enjoy spectacular natural...
5. The Island Of Maui – Hawaii At Its Best Vacationing on the Hawaiian island of Maui is actually vacationing in two distinct biospheres.  The western part of Maui contains a mountainous area including 5788-foot high Pu’u Kuku, deep canyons where rainbows seem to grow like wild vines, and the highly developed leeward beaches skirting the town of Lahaina.   Maui’s much larger eastern area, known as [...]...
6. Best of the Hawaiian Islands 8 nights $2289 Hawaiian Island Escorted Tour 8 nights from $2289 pp,do Promo Code:GLWS See the famous sights of Hawaii during this incredible island getaway. Your Hawaii vacation begins with a warm aloha greeting and lei of fresh flowers. Enjoy three nights in Honolulu, where a sightseeing tour includes Pearl Harbor, Chinatown, and the royal 'Iolani Palace. Then travel to Kona on the Big Island, Hawaii’s largest island. In Kona, enjoy a tour of the Kona Coffee Living History Farm, a visit to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, and a lavish Hawaiian luau. Next, fly to Maui and enjoy spectacular natural sights such as...
7. 5 Reasons Why You Should First Research Hawaii Activities And Attractions Have you recently decided that you would like to have a Hawaii vacation? If you have, you may want to get started with your planning and the making of your reservations right away. While this is more than doable, you may also want to take the time to first examine Hawaii activities and attractions. As important [...]...
8. Fields of Hawaii: Steam Fields This field is smokin' hot! Our Fields of Hawaii Series gets hot and steamy today with a look at Hawaii’s fields of steam. You’ll find these surprising landscape of steam vents at Hawaii Volcanoes National Park on the Big Island. (See my tips for visiting Hawaii Volcanoes National Park .) You’ll see them dotted throughout the park. The steam vents shown in these photos are just east of the visitor’s center off Crater Rim Drive. The steam comes from cracks in the rock and ground of the Kilauea Caldera. Rainwater seeps through the ground and is heated by rocks...