My second to last day on the island was spent checking off one final box on my list. While I had driven and explored the entire circumference of the island along the roughly 200 miles of highway that circumnavigate the island, I had failed to drive the 50 miles of...
Pu’Ukohola Heiau National Historic Site was the final feature I visited on the island and the 4th (and final) National Park on the big island. The site preserves the ruins of the last major Ancient Hawaiian temple, and other historic sites. The Temple on the Hill of the Whale was...
Pololū is the Northernmost series of erosional valleys forming the east coast of Kohala Mountain on the big island. The valley forms a deep cut in the side of Kohala Mountain where Pololū stream makes it’s way to the ocean. It also happens to be the a-typical scenery of Hawaii...
Lapakahi State Historical Park is a large area of ruins from an Ancient Hawaiian fishing village, added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1973. Not much remains but for a reconstructed hut, a few stone walls, and a trail that lead you to the ocean and back. Coming...
The 442 foot plunge of Akaka Falls is likely the biggest natural attraction on the island, and matched with the smallest parking lot it was a pain in the ass to see. Add to it the $5 “parking fee”, which of course you have to pay even if you do...
The Hawaii Tropical Botanical Garden is a nonprofit botanical garden and nature preserve located just North of Hilo on the East side of the big island. The garden is located in a scenic valley opening out to Onomea Bay, and features streams, waterfalls and a boardwalk along the ocean. It ...
It is rare that the Hilo side of the Big Island gives a sunny day, but this morning was one of those days. Perfect weather to stroll the local zoo and snap a few photos of animals and plants (plants are th perfect models if you ask me). While the...
Before leaving the Hilo side of the Island I had to visit to super-easy-to-visit Rainbow Falls State park which features… well, Rainbow Falls which has an 80-foot drop and is known for the rainbows that are formed in the surrounding mist (not for me this day). It is easily within...
The Kipukapuaulu Trail is an easy 1.2 mile hike through the “Bird Park” portion of Volcanoes National Park. It is an area of older vegetation surrounded by more recent lava flows from Mauna Loa. I was surprised at the trailhead signage stating that 2-3 hours were required to hike this...
After four days camping, hiking, and exploring I was desperately in need of a shower, so the Wild Ginger Hostel in Hilo became my second ever hostel visited in my life. The original plan was to simply pay for a shower and camp at a beach not far out of...
