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Hawaii – The Aloha State

BIG ISLAND

MAUI

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General

Big Island – Kona, the West Side

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Hawaii, the islands of Aloha, is the only state of the USA located in the Pacific Ocean. It is a paradise, a land where mother nature is seen at its greatest. This is the only state made up of islands. The state mesmerizes with its various wonderful landscapes. It has everything, an active volcano to a lush green rainforest, beaches to deserts, waterfalls to craters, tropical gardens to chilly mountains, and the list goes on. A must visit place!

Yellow hibiscus, also known as Pua Aloalo or Ma`o-hau-hele
Hawaii State Flower

Big Island, as the name suggests, is the largest island among all Hawaiian islands. Big Island is attractive for its diverse landscape and weather. The island can be smoothly divided into two halves: KONA, the West Side and HILO, the East Side. The west side is more dry, sunny, and has more attractive beaches. Hilo, the east side, is more humid and has lush rainforests, valleys, and waterfalls.

These photos are from our four nights stay at Big Island from an 8 day trip to Hawaii during the first week of October, 2016. I could not stop adding photos as the island is paradise with stunning landscapes.

KONA – the West Side

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Quick Facts and Tips

  • Best time to visit
    • Weather and good deals: Apr to May, Sep to Oct. Dec to Mar is better, but could be expensive
  • Fly Into
    • Kona International Airport
    • Hilo International Airport
    • Honolulu International Airport, then taking a short, 35-40 minute flight to Kona or Hilo
  • Clothing
    • Weather is warm, so pack lightweight casual t-shirts, shorts, sundresses, tank tops, capris, skirts, swimsuits, rain gears and a light jacket for the cool evenings
  • Be sure to check Big Island Dept of Transportation website for the traffic alerts and current road closures before heading out
  • Best things to do
    • Papakōlea Green Sand Beach: This is a spectacular beach with green sand and cliffs, turquoise color crystal clear water and surrounded by beautiful landscape. Papakolea Beach also known as Mahana Beach is located at Puu o Mahana on the island’s southern tip. Green Sand Beach is one of the only four green sand beaches on earth. It gets its name from the green glassy crystals (Olivine) that make up most of the sand on this beach. Driving all the way to Green Sand beach is illegal. Shared rides/ATVs are available, not sure about legality. 2 and 1/2 mile one way walk, very easy to get lost, windy and hot, bring water.
    • Hapuna Beach: One of the best and largest family beaches on Big Island with an amazing ocean color and beautiful white sand. The beach has many facilities like shelter, paved parking lots, picnic pavilions, restrooms, showers, and paved walkways to the beach. Hapuna also offers good conditions for swimming, bodyboarding, sunbathing and snorkeling.
    • Manini’owali Beach: Amazing ocean color, crystal clear water, soft white sand, great cove with black lava rocks make this beach even more gorgeous. The beach has facilities like  paved parking lots, paved walkways, picnic tables, restrooms, and showers.
    • Lapakahi State Historical Park: It’s a large area of ruined ancient Hawaiian fishing villages. This 1 mile easy trail offers beautiful views of the ocean, the archaeology, and history.
    • Pu’ukohola Heiau National Historic Site: This park is known as the “Temple on the Hill of the Whale.” It shares the history of the early stages of the Hawaiian Kingdom and preserves the National Historic Landmark ruins of the last major Ancient Hawaiian temple and other historic sites. The trail winds through a ruined stone temple, built by King Kamehameha in 1719, along the shoreline and offers beautiful ocean and hill views. There is a small museum, a gift shop, and restrooms. No entry fee.
    • South Point Cliff: South Point is the southernmost point of the island and is a great spot for cliff jumping. It is about 50 miles from Kona, take extra caution while driving as roads are narrow. Awesome place to get away from the crowd and enjoy the power and beauty of the ocean, even if you choose not to go for the thrill of cliff jumping.
    • Mouna Kea
      • Free nightly stargazing at visitor station, Tue-Fri, 6 pm – 10 pm. It gets cold here, dress accordingly
      • Visiting the Summit: Not an easy drive, 4WD is a must, Check Visitor station for more information
Categories
General

Big Island – Hilo, the East Side

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Hawaii, the islands of Aloha, is the only state of the USA located in the Pacific Ocean. It is a paradise, a land where mother nature is seen at its greatest. This is the only state made up of islands. The state mesmerizes with its various wonderful landscapes. It has everything, an active volcano to a lush green rainforest, beaches to deserts, waterfalls to craters, tropical gardens to chilly mountains and the list goes on. A must visit place!

“We Arise Again” slogan and Hawaiian royalty pictured on the lava, Kaimu Black Sand Beach

Big Island, as the name suggests, is the largest island among all Hawaiian islands. Big Island is attractive for its diverse landscape and weather. The island can be smoothly divided into two halves: Kona, the West Side and Hilo, the East Side. The west side is more dry, sunny and has more attractive beaches. Hilo, the east side is more humid and has lush rainforests, valleys, and waterfalls.

These photos are from our four nights stay at Big Island from an 8 day trip to Hawaii during the first week of October, 2016. I could not stop adding photos as the island is paradise with stunning landscapes.

Hilo – the East Side

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Quick Facts and Tips

  • Best time to visit
    • Weather and good deals: Apr to May, Sep to Oct. Dec to Mar is better, but could be expensive
  • Fly Into
    • Kona International Airport
    • Hilo International Airport
    • Honolulu International Airport, then taking a short, 35-40 minute flight Kona or Hilo
  • Clothing
    • Weather is warm, so pack lightweight casual t-shirts, shorts, sundresses, tank tops, capris, skirts, swimsuits, rain gears and a light jacket for the cool evenings
  • Be sure to check Big Island Dept of Transportation website for traffic alerts and current road closure before heading out
  • Best things to do
    • Polalu Valley: Polalu Valley at the head of the Kohala coast offers magnificent deep lush green valleys with picturesque beaches. Though the overlook at the end of the Highway 270 showcases the beauty of the rugged coastline and wild valleys, the hiking down offers better photo vantage.  The hike is a 0.7 mile steep descent, but the uphill return can be challenging. The hike ends with a beautiful Black sand beach and deep green valleys. The hike alone takes about 45 minutes round trip. The Overlook has a small parking area that fills up quickly.  Note that there is no service at all, so plan accordingly.
    • Waipio Valley Lookout: Gorgeous lookout offers expansive views of the ocean, steep cliffs, waterfalls and lush green valleys. You can enjoy the lush green valleys, waterfalls and black sand beaches by hiking a 2 mile trail one-way from lookout, but climbing back up can be challenging. You can drive down to the valley, only if you have a 4 wheel drive. The easiest way to get down the valley is to take any tours – horseback, mule drawn wagon or van/shuttle. There are restrooms, picnic tables and information boards at the Lookout.
    • Laupāhoehoe Beach Park: It is a nice spot with less crowd, covered with coconut and palm trees, grass and black lava rocks on the shoreline. It is a hidden gem with stunning views of the ocean and offers spectacular splashes of waves against the lava rocks. The park has restrooms, picnic tables and plenty of parking spots
    • Umauma Falls: This picture perfect fall is accessible only through the Umauma Experience tour company that runs zip lining and other activities like ATV tours, water rappelling, kayaking and horseback riding. Umauma Falls is a stunningly attractive multi-tiered waterfall tumbling over 300ft. There will be an entry fee to view falls which is good for both the Falls and Botanical garden. Stop at the visitor center to get a map of the garden and river walk. There are snack bars, a gift shop, and restrooms available.
    • Akaka Falls State Park: The park features two beautiful waterfalls through the lush tropical vegetation. This  self-guided .4 mile loop hike is a pleasant, well maintained trail and offers scenic vista points overlooking the cascading Kahuna Falls and the free-falling 442 feet high Akaka Falls into a stream gorge. There is a $5 entrance fee per car or $1 per person for pedestrians. Restrooms are available.
    • Rainbow Falls: Just a mile and a half from downtown Hilo. The 80 feet Rainbow falls gets its name from the rainbow formed from its mist on sunny mornings. It’s a short and nice trail with a large parking lot and no entrance fee.
    • Lava Tree State Monument: Public state park that features unusual lava tree molds. Easy and short half mile paved trail opens up to tall lava molds of the Ohia tree trunks. Entrance is free and restrooms are available.
    • Kaimū Black Sand Beach Park: This newly formed black sand beach park is located in the Pahoa area on the southeast side of Hawaii’s Big Island. The lava flow from the 1990 volcano eruption wiped out many towns and the old Kaimu Black Sand Beach. You can see the sprouted coconut trees that locals have planted in an effort to restore the beach. Short and easy hike over the lava fields and red rocks to get to the beach. Shores are slippery and swimming is not advisable.
    • Mouna Kea
      • Free nightly stargazing at visitor station, Tue-Fri, 6 pm – 10 pm. It gets cold here, dress accordingly.
      • Visiting the Summit: Not an easy drive, 4WD is a must, Check Visitor station for more information.
Categories
National Parks

Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park

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Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park is one of the most popular attractions on Hawaii Island (the Big Island). The Park has diverse nature that ranges from sea level to the summit of the world’s largest volcano. The park offers unique destinations to witness live lava flows, lava tubes, glowing craters, and the best volcano viewing areas in the world.

These photos are from our 8 day trip to Hawaii during the first week of October, 2016.

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Quick Facts and Tips

  • Best time to visit
    • Weather and good deals: Apr to May, Sep to Oct. Dec to Mar is better, but could be expensive
  • Fly Into
    • Kona International Airport
    • Hilo International Airport
    • Honolulu International Airport, then take a short, 35-40 minute flight to Kona or Hilo
  • Clothing
    • Weather is warm, so pack lightweight casual t-shirts, shorts, sundresses, tank tops, capris, skirts, swimsuits, rain gears and a light jacket for the cool evenings
  • Be sure to check the park’s official website for the current trail conditions and road closures before heading out
  • Volcanic activity can change at any time, so be prepared
  • Stay on marked trails and use only open trails and roads
  • It is recommended to hike with at least one other person
  • Avoid going close to steam vents, cracks and cliffs
  • Carry enough water and wear sunscreen, sturdy shoes, hats, and sunglasses when hiking on the no-shade lave fields
  • Best things to do
  • Other Attractions
Categories
National Parks

Haleakalā National Park, Maui

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Haleakalā National Park is on the Maui Island of Hawaii, named after Haleakalā (“House of the Sun”), a dormant volcano. It is one of the most popular attractions of Maui. The summit area and the coastal Kipahulu area are two distinct sections of the park. The road leading to the summit is winding with many hairpin turns, but well maintained. The summit area includes the Haleakala Crater, an observatory, and the summit of the volcano. The winding coastal road leads to the Kipahulu section which is entirely different from the Summit area. This section has more than two dozen sacred pools, waterfalls, a bamboo forest, and of course, the coastal beaches.

These photos are from our 8 day trip to Hawaii during the first week of October, 2016.

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Quick Facts and Tips

  • Best time to visit
    • Weather and good deals: Apr to May, Sep to Oct. Dec to Mar is better, but could be expensive
  • Fly into
    • Kahului Airport is the main airport and has direct flights from the U.S. mainland
    • Kapalua Airport (west side) and Hana Airport(east side) are other smaller commuter airports
    • Honolulu International Airport, then take a short, 35-40 minute flight to Kahului or Kapalua Maui Airports
  • Clothing
    • Weather is warm, so pack lightweight casual t-shirts, shorts, sundresses, tank tops, capris, skirts, swimsuits, sunscreen, sturdy shoes, rain gears and a light jacket for the cool evenings
    • Bring warm clothes as the Summit area is cooler than the sea level and it gets colder in the mornings and evenings
    • On the contrast Kīpahulu District is hot and humid, so wear accordingly
  • Be sure to check the Park official website for the current trail conditions and road closures before heading out
  • No gas stations on Haleakala Highway and within the park, have the gas tank filled before you hit the road
  • There will be an entry fee and it is good for both parts of the park – the Summit District and Kīpahulu District
  • No food stations inside the park, so bring food and water
  • Roads are narrow, drive slowly and park only in parking lots
  • Prepare yourself if you have motion sickness
  • Best things to do in the Summit District
    • Enjoy Sunrise and Sunset at the Summit. Since 2017 it is required to get a reservation in advance for sunrise view at the Summit, but no reservation is necessary for viewing sunset at this time. You can make reservations of your sunrise visit online up to 60 days in advance here
    • Although the first glimpse of the Leleiwi Overlook trail might not look impressive, do the full trail to relish the panoramic view of the vast crater of Haleakala
    • Enjoy the picture perfect volcanic panoramic views at Kalahaku Lookout
    • Take the rugged trails with lava flows and cinder cones near Pu’u’ula’ula Summit area
  • Best things to do in the Kīpahulu District
    • Hike a short and easy Kūloa Point Trail for the stunning views of ‘Ohe’o Gulch(Seven Sacred Pools) and the beautiful ocean vistas
    • Take a 4-mile round trip Pīpīwai Trail through a lush green diverse forest, a freshwater stream, a bamboo forest with views of gorgeous waterfalls
  • Other Attractions
Categories
Gallery

Flowers of the Ohelo

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Flowers of the Ohelo known as Hawaiian Blueberry or Hawaiian Cranberry, growing in the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park!

Location: Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, Big Island, Hawaii, USA.

Date and Time: October 6, 2016, around 2pm.