Hawaii - the Big Island

The Big Island of Hawaii is unlike any place on earth – with sun drenched beaches, rain forests, snow capped mountains, deserts, massive cattle ranches, acres of flowers, and the world’s most active volcano - Kilauea.  Adventure, relaxation, world class ocean activities, magnificent resorts, and much more – this island is well deserving of its nickname the island of adventure. 

All the other Hawaiians islands combined only make up half the Big Islands 4000 plus square miles.  This one island was made up of 5 volcanoes:  Mauna Kea, Mauna Loa, Kohala, Kilauea and Hualalai.  Mauna Kea from its base is taller than Mt Everest and is often capped with snow. Mauna Kea is also an astronomers dream & the host of the world’s largest astronomy site.

Hilo is a real live Hawaiian town.  You mingle, eat at local restaurants, slow down, smell the flowers, listen to the birds, watch the waterfalls, & meet people. 

The Volcanoes National Park - Kilauea has been erupting since 1983.  On a daily basis hundreds of thousands of cubic yards of lava of magma coming out either on the surface or moving in underground lava tube systems and traveling for miles into the ocean.  In the last 21 years Kilauea has added more than 200 acres of land to the Big Island.  This is one of the few places that you can come in the world and witness the newest land on earth being formed.  Around the corner from the visitors center is a lava tube that you can explore.  There is also a brand new island being formed under water called Loihi.  Loihi is about 3000 miles underwater. 

Helicopter Tours of the Big Island are amazing.  You can only see the true nature and beauty of the Hawaiian Islands by being up in the air – it’s like a magic carpet ride into the interior of our home!  There is more beauty per square mile than anywhere on earth.  The Big Island has an amazing contrast between barren lava fields and lush green rainforests, deeply etched valleys with lush waterfalls throughout – its probably some of the most spectacular scenery in all of the Hawaiian islands.

Kailua Kona – 60 mile sun drenched coastline on the Leeward shore - this is where King Kamehameha I was born in 1758.  In Kona you will find great hotels, shopping, restaurants, bars, & world class fishing!  The Big Island is home to the annual Hawaiian International Billfish Tournament and the Iron Man Triathalon.

Kealakekua Bay on the Kona Coast – a spectacular marine sanctuary with an abundance of colorful tropical fish & a variety of beautiful coral reefs – is the premiere snorkel and boating area in the state of Hawaii.  Kona is famous for its year round calm water, consistent 80 degree weather, and so it’s like a big lake about 100 miles long and 50 miles wide.  Water visibility on a daily basis is between 80 and well over 100 feet.

Puuhonua o Honaunau National Historical Park – Step back in time to a sanctuary of Hawaii’s past where traditional Hawaiian lifestyle is preserved. Ancient temples and ki’i (wooden images) whisper stories from the past. This place provided refuge to Hawaiians who came here. Today, the park continues as a sanctuary for visitors seeking a peaceful place and as a safe haven for all of the native wildlife living here.  Today, you may visit Puuhonua o Honaunau National Historical Park, and still fell the spirit of peace and forgiveness that continues to surround and bless this special place.  I have a blog about this place at http://angelica.hawaii-aloha.com/?p=123

Punalu’u Black Sand Beach is one of the most picturesque beaches we have, with jet black sand and tall, leaning coconut palms. There is a pond with exotic ducks, too, and a natural freshwater wading pool at the far end of the beach that is good for rinsing off after snorkeling with the turtles. The water can be a bit brisk, as this was a popular place for Hawaiians to get fresh water from the many springs that bubble up in the bay. They would swim out with their gourds, slowly turn them upside down over the fresh water to fill them, cover the hole with their finger, and swim back. The word "Punalu’u" actually means "diving spring".  One of the most thrilling sights for residents and visitors alike is spotting the endangered green sea turtle that makes its home here in Hawaii. They are calm, sweet creatures that are unafraid of humans, and who are most happy to keep munching away on the green algae growing on the lava rock around Hawaii’s shores while snorkelers or children play around them. Please don’t take any of the black sand and please don’t distress or even touch our beloved turtles!… they are endangered species and the bacteria transferred to them via our human skin can kill them as they have no immune system for it.

Kona Coffee - Genuine Kona Coffee is highly prized throughout the world for its full bodied flavor and pleasing aroma. Coffee trees thrive on the cool slopes of the Hualalai and Mauna Loa Mountains in rich volcanic soil and afternoon cloud cover. Growing in this unique environment, Kona coffee has a distinct advantage over coffees grown in other parts of the world. Coffee trees typically bloom after Kona’s dry winters and are harvested in autumn. Coffee cultivated in the North and South districts of Kona on the Big Island of Hawaii is the only coffee that can truly be called Kona Coffee.

The Kohala Coast north of Kona almost always under bright sunny skies has for years been the tropical playground of not only ancient Hawaiian royalty but contemporary vacationers from around the world.  Conde Nast readers voted the properties along the Kohala Coast among the "Top Fifty Tropical Resort Areas Worldwide."   The Kohala Coast properties have beautiful and often very extensive grounds, lovely beaches, and all the spa-ing and golfing any vacationer could want.  All offer kids’ programs; you’ll also find scuba, snorkeling, glass-bottom boats, wind-surfing, fishing, horse-riding, hiking, and whale-watching.   The Kohala coast hosts many important historical sights and is also home to one of America’s most highly rated public beaches, Hapuna Beach State Recreation Area. Hapuna’s long white sand beach, rolling surf, clear skies, and accessibility make it a popular destination for many island guests. Among the ebony lava fields that comprise the Kohala Coast landscape are several world renown championship golf courses. From the air or from a distance the green fairways that blanket this rugged terrain soften its landscape. Wild goat, donkeys and other four legged creatures roam the land freely and occasionally the Hawaiian short eared owl, the pueo, can be seen in flight.  

Connecting this forty or so mile coastline is the ancient King’s Trail which was travelled by the ruling ali`i as well as malo-clad runners who were responsible for transporting pond raised fish wrapped in ti leaves to the tables of Hawaiian royalty living down the coast in Kailua-Kona. The extensive petroglyph fields that are found all along the King’s trail hosts its most popular spot near the King’s Shops on Waikoloa Beach drive. Keep in mind that the preservation of these field depends on people staying on the trail while viewing these ancient rock carvings.

 

Hawaii is a great place to do all these things or nothing at all and just reconnect with your loved ones!

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Angelica@hawaii-aloha.com

1800-843-8771 ext. 21