Hawaii: The Big Island
- Kaitlen Daigle
- Oct 4, 2024
- 5 min read
HILO
We arrived in Hilo and almost immediately got on a tour bus to visit Volcanoes National Park. This tour was amazing because it made so many cool stops along the way. The driver started by driving us through the Liliʻuokalani Gardens and explaining the significance of the banyan trees in the area. We were driving along Banyan Drive, also known as the "Hilo Walk of Fame" because of all the banyan trees planted by celebrities.
We continued the drive to a black sand beach. We arrived at Richardson Ocean Park, which was absolutely beautiful. It was crazy to see black sand, which I'd never seen before. After walking around that area, we headed to see Rainbow Falls at the Wailiki River State Park. It was pretty overcast when we got to that area, so no rainbow but just seeing the waterfall and all the vegetation was gorgeous.
The next stop on the docket was to pick up some food. We stopped at the iconic Cafe 100. Cafe 100 has a rich history dating back to 1948 when Richard Miyashiro founded it. Originally a small drive-in, Cafe 100 became famous for its local-style plate lunches and the introduction of the Loco Moco, a beloved Hawaiian dish consisting of rice topped with a hamburger patty, a fried egg, and brown gravy. So obviously we had to get the Loco Moco! My mom got the original Loco Moco but I decided to get the Spam Moco and I'm so glad I did. The original Loco Moco was yummy but the Spam, in my opinion, took it up a notch. I became obsessed with Spam in Hawaii and now I'm looking to make some dishes with Spam in them,
After grabbing our food, we began the drive to Volcanoes National Park. We explored the caldera and some steam vents at the top of the volcano. Next, we stopped at a lava tube that you can walk through. Don't worry, there's no active lava there. Walking through the lava tube was one of the coolest things I've ever done. This wasn't even on my bucket list but it should've been. You walk down this path of ferns and lush green vegetation to what looks like a cave entrance. As you are walking through, it feels like you are in a cave but it makes it so much cooler to know it was, at some point in time, a lava tube that lava flowed through.
After the lava tube, we worked our way back to the cruise port. We stopped at Big Island Candies and I bought so many cookies and candy. Then we headed back to the ship to travel on to Kona.
KONA
When we arrived in Kona, my brother and I went to check out a farmers’ market. We walked around and looked at a bunch of stuff but ultimately didn’t buy anything. After we continued walking, we found a little patch of beach, so I sat in the sand and watched the waves roll in for a little bit. We ventured to find another beach so we continued walking but the beach I found on the map ended up being a private beach for a hotel so we headed back the way we came. We stopped at a coffee shop called Kona Heaven Coffee and I ordered some Kona coffee ice cream and my brother got an affogato. Both were very good. Then we kept walking back to meet with the rest of the group and look through some shops.
After browsing we returned to the dock where we boarded a glass-bottom boat. The boat took us over coral reefs and we could spot different fish. It was a unique way to see the reefs. Once we were back on dry land we searched for the best Hawaiian shaved ice and found it. We stopped in at Ululani's Hawaiian Shaved Ice, which was, in fact, the best shaved ice. The shaved ice wasn't super filling so we looked for a spot to eat lunch. We walked across the street to Big Kahuna Beach Grill, where I had the best poke bowl of my life. After eating, we headed back to the ship.
If you want to visit the Big Island, here's a list of possible things to see and do:
Volcanoes National Park: Explore this UNESCO World Heritage Site featuring Kīlauea and Mauna Loa, two of the world's most active volcanoes. Highlights include the Kīlauea Caldera, Thurston Lava Tube, and the Chain of Craters Road.
Mauna Kea Summit: Visit the summit of Mauna Kea, Hawaii's tallest peak (when measured from its base on the ocean floor). Experience sunset or stargazing tours from the Mauna Kea Visitor Information Station or join an organized stargazing tour.
Snorkeling at Kealakekua Bay: Discover the vibrant underwater world at Kealakekua Bay, a marine sanctuary known for its crystal-clear waters, coral reefs, and abundant marine life. You can kayak or take a boat tour to the bay.
Akaka Falls State Park: Hike through lush rainforest to see Akaka Falls, a stunning 442-foot waterfall cascading into a deep gorge. The park also features Kahuna Falls and scenic viewpoints overlooking the Hamakua Coast.
Hawaiian Cultural Experiences: Learn about Hawaiian history and culture at Pu'uhonua o Honaunau National Historical Park, where you can explore ancient temples, royal grounds, and cultural demonstrations.
Visit Hilo: Explore the charming town of Hilo, known for its laid-back vibe, historic buildings, farmers markets, and the scenic Rainbow Falls. Don't miss the 'Imiloa Astronomy Center for insights into Hawaiian astronomy and culture.
Coffee Farms of Kona: Take a tour of the coffee farms in the Kona region, known for producing some of the world's finest coffee. Learn about the coffee-making process and sample freshly roasted Kona coffee.
Punalu'u Black Sand Beach: Visit this iconic black sand beach on the southern coast of the Big Island. It's famous for its black volcanic sand and green sea turtles (honu) that often come ashore to bask in the sun.
Waipi'o Valley: Explore the "Valley of the Kings" on the Hamakua Coast. You can hike or take a guided tour into this lush valley, surrounded by steep cliffs and home to taro farms, waterfalls, and stunning vistas.
Lava Viewing (if active): If lava is flowing into the ocean (check current conditions), take a boat or helicopter tour to witness this spectacular natural phenomenon. Lava viewing opportunities can vary based on volcanic activity.
If you want more suggestions on what to do on the Big Island, I suggest you check out the Hawaii tourism website.
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