What are the features that draw people back to the Big Island of Hawaii year after year? Is it the call of the mountains, the rain forest and the waterfalls? Is it the charm of small villages or the open spaces of highland haciendas and coffee plantations? Maybe it’s just the gorgeous beaches and 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, whose lava flows still shape the island. The truth is that there are many reasons to return to the Big Island as there are returning visitors.
However, if you’re about to begin your first visit to the Big Island of Hawaii, you’re 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 start your stay on the island in Kona. If you do, you’ll have the opportunity to get your bearings, sunbathe on the beaches of the Big Island, and enjoy some of Hawaii’s underwater wonders by snorkeling the coral reef in Kealakekuea Bay. If you prefer to enjoy the water from above, rent a kayak and paddle along the paths of the spinner dolphins on your way to the Captain Cook monument.
You can’t leave the Big Island without visiting a Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. Kilauea volcano has been spewing lava for the last quarter century and is just one of five active volcanoes on the Big Island. The Mauna Loa volcano last erupted in 1984, but geologists expect it to erupt again at any time. Hawaii Volcanoes National Park has over 140 miles of trails, and you really need to camp there if you’re going to take advantage of your exploration opportunities. However, even if your time is limited, you should make sure you drive through the entire park.
The massive amounts of rain that cascade over the city of Hilo each year have earned it the title of the rainiest city in America. However, don’t let that stop you from visiting, as this historic and charming little town will offer perfect photo opportunities with its 20-acre Nani Mau gardens and legendary Naha and Pinao stones. They are told that the Pinao Stone was once an entrance pillar to an ancient temple on the Wailuku River. Kamehameha the Great, the founder of Hawaii, is said to have had 2 1/2 tons of Naha stone when he was still a teenager.
The town of Puako, just outside the Hapuna Beach State Recreation Area, is known for its massive tide pools, which are home to numerous sea creatures, including live coral. However, Puako is not on the main tourist routes, so there are few facilities there.
If you think any scenery looks better when viewed from the back of a horse, head over to King’s Trail Rides O’Kona. Your two-hour excursion will take you to the Capain. Cook’s Monument in Kalakekua Bay, where you can enjoy a little snorkeling before remounting and stable again. For a full day in the saddle, drive to the five-hour hidden waterfall adventure offered at Waipi’o Ridge Stables. You’ll ride along the edge of the Waipi’o Valley and have time to cool off 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 shoreline dotted with several waterfalls. If you find the trail 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 Canal, once used to transport water to 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’ll see more than you can take in in one visit. So why not assume that your first visit to the Big Island will be just one of many, many more?