Insiders Tips:
Big Island Day Trips
DAY TRIPS: North, East, South
UP IN THE KOHALAS
Town of Hawi: quaint, peaceful and cool – check it out for lunch, coffee or ice cream. It’s a dreamy little place. Bamboos is my favorite lunch spot – there is also a great little local coffee shop.
Polulu Valley: the first of the valley chain, and the birth place of King Kamehameha. The hike down isn’t bad – but very muddy - Absolutely worth it! Note there are no facilities in the valley.
Waimea town (Kamuela): my home town. Local favorites:
Waimea Coffee & Company: great local’s coffee haunt
Kamuela Inn: very inexpensive, sleepy diner
Hawaiian Style Café: awesome locals breakfast spot, get some Portuguese sausage –your arteries will be mad at you, but you won’t regret it
Anna’s Ranch: on the left side of the highway as you first get into town. You’ll see the large lawn and a sprawling white home with blue accents. Stop in for a tour and walk the grounds.
Parker Ranch visitor center and Richard Smart House/museum
HAMAKUA COAST
Take the highway from Waimea heading east to Hilo side. Do the drive during the day – it can be a little dangerous at night if you don’t know the road well.
Waipio Valley: don’t miss it. The hike in is a butt-kicker, but the lookout at the top is breathtaking. There will be signs off the highway, and they will take you through the town of Honokaa – which is quite cute.
Tex Drive-In: a few miles away from Waipio just off the highway – get a malasada (Portuguese doughnut) and guava juice – best malasadas on the island!
HILO AREA
Botanical Gardens – gorgeous and quick
Akaka Falls – easy drive up and nice, easy paved loop trail – amazing plants and flowers to see along the trail and a gorgeous view of the waterfall. Will likely be misty and warm, like a true rainforest.
Hilo town: the only real city on the island, on the “wet side” will most likely be wet/rainy most days, but warm -- Don’t miss:
Farmers Market – on the water front
If you’re staying in Hilo – the hotels on the water front are quite affordable and lovely
Rainbow Falls –easy to access and very pretty
Liliuokalani Gardens – in downtown Hilo – very peaceful
VOLCANO: Hawaii Volcanoes National Park - worth the drive.
Stay at the Volcano House Lodge
Check out the art galleries in the park – amazing
Halemaumau Crater – it actually looks like you’re on the moon – amazing
Visitor center – very educational and worth it
Thurston lava tube – in 20 minutes you can walk through a giant (well lit) lava tube – very cool
At this point, you’re in for a 3 hour drive around the south point of the island to get back to Kona. Check out Green Sands Beach on the way around South Point!