Why You Should Visit Hawaii - The Big Island

When asked what is my favorite island – it really is hard for me to say as each island is unique and has its own charm. However, I think the Big Island (Hawaii) is an island that offers more diversity, adventure, and romance than most.

This island is NOT built up – except on the Kohala Coast, where you will find some of the most gorgeous resorts in all of Hawaii. The adventures on the Big Island vary from seeing up close and personal the world’s most active volcano Kilauea, to snorkeling at night with manta rays.

Hawaii is still growing due to Kilauea’s constant activity over the last 30 years. Hawaii is where you will find the world’s tallest mountain (33,000 feet when measured from its base), the world’s most massive mountain Mauna Loa (in fact it depresses the sea floor below by 4 miles due to its weight), the largest park in all of Hawaii – Volcanoes National Park, and incredibly this island has all but two of the world’s climate zones.

Hawaii is where King Kamehameha was born and raised. On Hawaii you can visit The City of Refuge or Puuhonua o Honaunau National Historical Park to see how the Hawaiians once lived. And if interested in Hawaiian culture you can visit the massive war heiau, the last to be constructed by King Kamehameha, also the birthplace of King Kamehameha and the original statue (the one in Waikiki is not the original) of King Kamehameha.

Hilo is the total opposite of Kona – it stands for “old” Hawaii – even though it is the second largest city in Hawaii. Here traditions live on and you can view historic art deco buildings that withstood the floodwaters of the tsunamis that have ravaged this side of the island. You can walk along Banyan Tree Drive, visit Coconut Island and stroll the grounds of a beautiful Japanese park. Within the confines of Hilo town are Rainbow Falls and Boiling Pots – two beautiful waterfalls that you can drive up to see.

Along the famed Hamakua coast you can easily access a myriad of waterfalls – most you can drive up to see, but for those who want to hike and get off the beaten path you can do this easily as well. You have the World Botanical Gardens that has my favorite tree – the Cannon Ball tree. At the end of the Hamakua coast is Waipio Valley, which offers amazing hiking, horseback riding, zip lining, and ATV adventures. When I traveled to this island years ago – in fact Kilauea was not erupting at this time that’s how long ago it was, anyways when I hiked down Waipio Valley people were actually living deep in the valley up river. Families still live in the valley but it is not a hippie culture as it was when I visited.

In fact, for those who love Kauai and are familiar with the Na Pali coastline, Hawaii has a coastline that is similar. On the southern most side of this coastline you have Waipio Valley, known as the valley of kings, and on the northern most side you have Pololu Valley Lookout. Again both of these areas are known for fabulous hiking opportunities with gorgeous vistas. In fact on a clear day you can easily see Maui in the distance, approx. 20 miles away.

And it really goes without saying – you MUST visit Kilauea if traveling to the Big Island. This is the world’s most active volcano and if it is flowing lava and if you are adventurous then traveling on boat to see lava is the only way to go. All around the Puna district you can find hidden gems of places to visit: natural hot springs, clear warm water ocean snorkeling, tidal pools, black sand beaches, lava flows, old growth forests at higher elevations which make for ideal bird watching.

On the Big Island you have black, red, white and green sand beaches. The Big Island’s southern most point has the purest air in the country too. Kona coffee, the world’s most expensive coffee, is grown exclusively on the northern and southern slopes of Mauna Loa – there are over 600 plantations in this small area with average size of farm being 1 – 5 acres large.

The largest privately owned cattle ranch in the United States is Parker Ranch. This little town is home to Hawaii’s cowboys – paniolo’s and where you can have a fabulous meal at Merrimen’s in Waimea (reservations a must).

So with so much to see and do can you expect to experience all Hawaii has to offer in just a few days? Well of course not, but not everyone can take several weeks off of work. At minimum try and spend 5 nights – ideal would be a ten night stay in order to visit the top sites:

Volcanoes National Park – full day adventure + if you are going on a lava ocean adventure.
Historic Kailua Village – can be viewed in a few hours
Hawaii’s Scenic Byways – all day depending on how long you spend meandering’
Akaka Falls – a few hours if you take the hike to the second fall
Hilo – at least one day to view the gardens, take the historical walking tour, and visit the waterfalls
Puuhonua O Honaunau National Historical Park – ½; day if you include snorkeling just outside of the park (terrific for swimming with spinner dolphins and green sea turtles)
Hamakua Heritage Corridor – at minimum ½; day if you don’t do any adventures in Waipio Valley (which has the longest and highest zip course in Hawaii).
Waimea – a few hours, and do make time to eat at Merrimen’s.
Coffee Plantations – ½; day if you visit a plantation, sample coffee and have lunch
Mauna Kea and stargazing – a solid 7 hour tour
Pololu Lookout – at minimum 2 hours if you do not hike at all

Hope this helps clear up any misconceptions about how much time to spend on the Big Island – and remember to account for travel time, time to relax and do nothing!

Aloha for now,
Joyce Craddock
Incredible Journey
jc@incrediblejourney.net