Archive for the ‘Sites to See’ Category

When friends or family come to visit me on the Big Island of Hawaii I always take the time to be a tourist with them and enjoy all the things the Big Island has to offer.

Just recently one of my friends came and was eager to do everything and especially see the volcano.  We left Waikoloa Beach Resort at about 10 am and went along the north part of the island.  We stopped at Akaka Falls to enjoy the waterfalls there.  We got to Volcano National Part at about 2 pm and hiked around for a while.  I had been there before so it was not anything special to me.  Around 4 pm we left Volcano National Park and headed to the area where you can walk in and see the lava flowing into the ocean.  We took about a hour hike in across lava rocks and reached an area where it was roped off and a lot of people were watching the lava flow into the ocean from the distance.  We decided we would take our chances and hike in down by the ocean.  Once we hiked about 15 minutes further and got down by the water I was pleasently surprised to see a beautiful black sand beach down there.  We were probably about 25 feet from the lava and the ocean water was a warm.  As we decided to come out we found dozens of people coming to see the beautiful site.

Since then they have predicted that some of the land around their may break off soon so I would not recommend getting too far in or reasearch it first.  I would also recommend taking water, pants, hiking boots, and a flash light.

Pololu Valley is my favorite of all the valleys on the north coast of the Big Island of Hawaii.  As you reach the outlook you will see a beautiful black sand beach down below and a stretch of dense tropical sea cliffs.  Although you can get some great pictures from the outlook, I would recommend hiking down into the valley to get the full experience.

There is a rocky trail that winds down the side of one of the cliffs that takes about 15 minutes to get down into the valley.  Taking a couple of bottles of water would not be a bad idea.  While walking down the trail you will come across a couple of spots that some of the most beautiful pictures of Pololu Valley are taken at.

Once you reach Pololu Valley, there is a beautiful black sand beach and a stream that runs back into the valley.  The left side of the beach is really sandy as far out as you can go, but the right side is rocky.  Pololu Valley is a great surf spot so typically you will see a lot of surfers.

After you spend time on the beach adventure out into the valley.  You will find several trails that travel through the lush landscaping and back into the valley.  You can get some amazing pictures of the valley along these trails.  Throughout the trails you will see lots of wildlife, man made swings, and much more.

Make sure to wait until later in the afternoon or when the clouds to come out to treck your way out of the valley.  The hike out is much tougher than the hike in.

Waipio Valley is the most well known of the seven valleys on the north side of the Big Island of Hawaii.  Down in the valley is a beautiful black sand beach and some of the best surf on the island.  You can spend a day walking along the stream that flows through the valley and checking out the lush tropical setting.  You will also see a lot of roaming wildlife such as mules.

The view from the lookout is breathtaking enough, but if you are the anventurous type you may want to go down into the valley.  There is a narrow steep, windy paved road down into the valley which can be used by four wheel drive vehicles.  Although you can go in with a four wheel drive, it is not recommended.  You can also hike down into the valley along the same road.  Although it is a tiring hike, it is worth it.

Akaka Falls is the best known waterfall on the Big Island of Hawaii.  Akaka Falls is a 442 foot tall waterfall that plunges down into a deep gorge.  When you enter Akaka Falls State Park there is a circular trail through a tropical setting that will give you views of Akaka falls, streams, and also Kahuna Falls.  One good thing to note is that you will want to go through the from the right as you enter.  The right side of the trail is steeper and has a lot of stairs.  If you are not able to make the full hike, you can go to the left and see Akaka Falls and then turn around and come back the same way.  Kahuna Falls is really just a smaller version of Akaka Falls so you would not be missing much.