When the ancient Hawaiian historical site of Pu’ukohola Heiau comes into view for the first time, it looks like a massive fortress of stacked reddish-black lava stones built atop a gently sloping hill. It slightly brings to mind the castles of Europe, with their high walls and stacked ramparts. But it’s not a castle; it’s …
Pu’ukohola Heiau National Historic Site – The Stone Castle By The Sea Read More »
Just a short walk down Hilo’s Bayfront brings Big Island locals and visitors to Waiakea Peninsula and its verdant and immaculately manicured epicenter, Liliuokalani Park and Gardens. The gardens comprise a portion of the 24-acre county park jutting out into Hilo Bay, which seems to have a little something for everyone; placid fishponds where colorful …
Liliuokalani Park and Gardens – Hilo’s Leafy, Seaside Recreation Spot Read More »
In the hills above the City of Hilo, near the approach to the inter-island highway known as “Saddle Road” which links East and West Hawaii on the Big Island, there’s a massive lava tube beside the road that goes unnoticed by most drivers. A portion of the tube’s ceiling collapsed many decades ago, creating entrances …
Roughly 30 miles north of Kona town on Big Island’s west side, along a sun-beaten highway with vast black lavafields stretching out on either side, lies the stunning white sands of Puako and its well-hidden gem of a swimming spot, Beach 69. Its official name is Waialea Beach, but hardly anyone calls it this. For …
Puako’s Beach 69: A Shady, Secluded Swimming Spot Very Different From Its Neighbors Read More »
Fifty thousands years ago, flowing underground magma from Hawai’i Island’s second most important volcano – Mauna Loa – collided with groundwater, causing an violent explosion of volcanic ash and creating what is known among today’s volcanologists as a “tuff ring”. This was a massive mound of mineral rich ash and other volcanic products which grew …
Papakolea Green Sand Beach – An Idyllic, Isolated Geological Rarity Read More »
Rainbow Falls: Two Hawaiian Natural Wonders At Once What could make the sight of an 80-foot-high waterfall cascading out of a curtain of lush green jungle into a pool of turquoise water even more eye-popping? What if there was a rainbow forming out of the mist churned up by the crashing water? To catch a …
Rainbow Falls AND Boiling Pots: Wailuku River State Park’s Best Sights: Read More »
Halemaumau Crater Overlook There are few places on planet Earth where casual visitors can come face to face with a real, active volcano. And in Hawaii, the sight of such an immensely destructive force is tempered by the realization that it’s also life-creating: not one part of this idyllic island chain cast smack dab in …
Hawaii Volcanoes National Park – A Truly Once-in-a-Lifetime Sight Read More »
A pair of massive mountains in the middle of Hawaii Island divide it into two. Rain-bearing clouds coming in from the open ocean hit the slopes of Mauna Loa and Mauna Kea and drop their payload as they climb, creating a distinct rain shadow and a dichotomy of climate. That dichotomy of climate leads to …
Hilo Farmers Market: One-stop Big Island Fruit Tour Read More »
Just offshore of Liliuokalani Park and Gardens along Hilo’s Waiakea Peninsula lies Coconut Island, arguably the best place in town to see the iconic panorama of downtown’s colorful waterfront shops and palm tree-lined boulevard. The island lies across the bay from Hilo’s main commercial center and world-famous bayfront beaches, and gives its visitors a unique …
At the edge of a lavafield along Puna District’s rocky coastline lies the tiny fishing village of Kaimu and its world-famous open-air live music venue simply known among locals as “Uncle Robert’s”. This is where the Kalapana Awa Band – a fixture of the Big Island music scene for years – plays every Wednesday evening …
Uncle Robert’s Bar and Farmers Market – The Pride of Kalapana Read More »