2013 trip w/family - day visit

This is one that I don't believe I've stopped at, but if you're having a casual drive around to Hilo, it may be a nice stop. It's just outside of Hilo.

Landscape at Volcanoes National Park

Volcanoes National Park, Hawaii - the Big Island.

Nature at work

Landscape at Volcanoes National Park

Volcanoes National Park, Hawaii - the Big Island.

Where lava meets the road

Where lava meets the road

Volcanoes National Park, Hawaii - the Big Island.

Watch the landscape change before your very eyes at Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. Located 30 miles southwest of Hilo, this is the home of Kilauea volcano, one of the most active volcanoes on earth. The chance to witness the primal process of creation and destruction make this park one of the most Watch the landscape change before your very eyes at Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. Located 30 miles southwest of Hilo, this is the home of Kilauea volcano, one of the most active volcanoes on earth. The chance to witness the primal process of creation and destruction make this park one of the most popular visitor attraction in Hawaii and a sacred place for Native Hawaiians.… see moresee less

When you think of Hawaii, you think of many things and certainly one vision is hula dancing with a guitar or ukulele player on a beach.

As I was driving out of Hawi, an adorable little town in the north of the Big Island of Hawaii, I saw the word Ukulele out of the corner of my eye and pulled a quickWhen you think of Hawaii, you think of many things and certainly one vision is hula dancing with a guitar or ukulele player on a beach.

As I was driving out of Hawi, an adorable little town in the north of the Big Island of Hawaii, I saw the word Ukulele out of the corner of my eye and pulled a quick U-ey. I had to stop.… see moresee less

Grab dinner @ http://www.merrimanshawaii.com/

Go get ice cream at Kohala Coffee Mill in Hawi

Grab dinner @ http://www.merrimanshawaii.com/

Go get ice cream at Kohala Coffee Mill in Hawi

When you think of Hawaii, you think of many things and certainly one vision is hula dancing with a guitar or ukulele player on a beach.

As I was driving out of Hawi, an adorable little town in the north of the Big Island of Hawaii, I saw the word Ukulele out of the corner of my eye and pulled a quickWhen you think of Hawaii, you think of many things and certainly one vision is hula dancing with a guitar or ukulele player on a beach.

As I was driving out of Hawi, an adorable little town in the north of the Big Island of Hawaii, I saw the word Ukulele out of the corner of my eye and pulled a quick U-ey. I had to stop.… see moresee less

Where lava meets the road

Volcanoes National Park, Hawaii - the Big Island.

Watch the landscape change before your very eyes at Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. Located 30 miles southwest of Hilo, this is the home of Kilauea volcano, one of the most active volcanoes on earth. The chance to witness the primal process of creation and destruction make this park one of the most Watch the landscape change before your very eyes at Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. Located 30 miles southwest of Hilo, this is the home of Kilauea volcano, one of the most active volcanoes on earth. The chance to witness the primal process of creation and destruction make this park one of the most popular visitor attraction in Hawaii and a sacred place for Native Hawaiians.… see moresee less

Travel to the southern cliffs of Hawaii Island in the Kau region and gaze out at the endless Pacific Ocean. Can you believe there’s nothing but deep-blue ocean between the spot you’re standing on and Antarctica? That’s because you're at Ka Lae, also known as South Point or simply “The Point,” the Travel to the southern cliffs of Hawaii Island in the Kau region and gaze out at the endless Pacific Ocean. Can you believe there’s nothing but deep-blue ocean between the spot you’re standing on and Antarctica? That’s because you're at Ka Lae, also known as South Point or simply “The Point,” the southern most point in the United States.… see moresee less

What's the southernmost tip in the U.S.? That would be Ka Lae (on Hawaii, the Big Island)!

Vanilla pods from the Hawaiian Vanilla Co. in Paauilo (Hawaii, the Big Island).

Take a walk in the dark through Nahuku, known as the Thurston Lava Tube, a 500-year old lava cave located within Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. Lava caves like this are formed when a river of lava gradually builds solid walls and a ceiling. When the lava flow stops and the last of it passes Take a walk in the dark through Nahuku, known as the Thurston Lava Tube, a 500-year old lava cave located within Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. Lava caves like this are formed when a river of lava gradually builds solid walls and a ceiling. When the lava flow stops and the last of it passes downhill, a cave is formed. These caves can be a few feet high and only yards long, or they can stretch for miles with high ceilings. The Thurston Lava Tube is a fantastic example of a massive lava cave.… see moresee less

In the Puna District, drive beyond Pahoa Town toward the coast and you’ll find the end of the road is covered in lava. In 1990, lava from Kilauea volcano engulfed Kalapana, a historic Hawaiian fishing village and residential area, as well as the famous black sand beach at Kaimu. Pele, the volcano In the Puna District, drive beyond Pahoa Town toward the coast and you’ll find the end of the road is covered in lava. In 1990, lava from Kilauea volcano engulfed Kalapana, a historic Hawaiian fishing village and residential area, as well as the famous black sand beach at Kaimu. Pele, the volcano goddess, also destroyed Hawaii’s oldest heiau (temple), two subdivisions and several miles of public highway. No lives were lost, but 182 homes were swallowed by lava. Today there’s an entirely new coastline here with a few poignant traces of the town that once thrived here. A visit to Kalapana is a sobering reminder of the raw power of Pele.… see moresee less

Petroglyph on the path to Puako (Hawaii, the Big Island)

Fresh Hawaiian fruits!

Have you ever strolled the Hilo Farmers Market?

This is a nice stop for a little hike between Waipio Valley and Hilo, if you take the cut up to Waimea and then the North Coast around to Hilo. Watch your step, some of the rock and pathways are slippery. Beautiful sites.

At Akaka Falls State Park, located along the northeastern Hamakua Coast, you can see two gorgeous waterfalls on one short hike. The pleasant 0.4-mile uphill hike will take you through a lush rainforest filled with wild orchids, bamboo groves and draping ferns.

Watch the landscape change before your very eyes at Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. Located 30 miles southwest of Hilo, this is the home of Kilauea volcano, one of the most active volcanoes on earth. The chance to witness the primal process of creation and destruction make this park one of the most Watch the landscape change before your very eyes at Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. Located 30 miles southwest of Hilo, this is the home of Kilauea volcano, one of the most active volcanoes on earth. The chance to witness the primal process of creation and destruction make this park one of the most popular visitor attraction in Hawaii and a sacred place for Native Hawaiians.

Founded in 1916, the Park encompasses 333,000 acres from the summit of Maunaloa to the sea. Here you'll find 150 miles of hiking trails through volcanic craters, scalded deserts and rainforests as well as a museum, petroglyphs, a walk-in lava tube and two active volcanoes: Maunaloa, which last erupted in 1984 and Kilauea which has been erupting since January 3rd, 1983. The extraordinary natural diversity of the park was recognized in 1980 when it was named a World Biosphere site by UNESCO and in 1987 when the park was again honored as a World Heritage site.… see moresee less

Watch the landscape change before your very eyes at Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. Located 30 miles southwest of Hilo, this is the home of Kilauea volcano, one of the most active volcanoes on earth. The chance to witness the primal process of creation and destruction make this park one of the most Watch the landscape change before your very eyes at Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. Located 30 miles southwest of Hilo, this is the home of Kilauea volcano, one of the most active volcanoes on earth. The chance to witness the primal process of creation and destruction make this park one of the most popular visitor attraction in Hawaii and a sacred place for Native Hawaiians.… see moresee less

Just south of Kona International Airport (KOA), is Kaloko-Honokohau National Historical Park. Explore this coastal park and discover how an early Hawaiian settlement survived on the rugged Kona coast.

Located about 12-miles south of Historic Kailua Village (Kailua-Kona) in south Kona, Kealakekua Bay is a Marine Life Conservation District perfect for snorkeling, scuba diving, and kayaking. The bay's brilliant waters are filled with coral and schools of tropical fish. On occasion, you can even see Located about 12-miles south of Historic Kailua Village (Kailua-Kona) in south Kona, Kealakekua Bay is a Marine Life Conservation District perfect for snorkeling, scuba diving, and kayaking. The bay's brilliant waters are filled with coral and schools of tropical fish. On occasion, you can even see spinner dolphins swimming in the bay. If you want to stay dry, there is a picnic area to relax and enjoy this historic spot.… see moresee less

As you drive between the lava fields of the Kohala Coast and the lush surroundings of North Kohala make a stop at Lapakahi State Historical Park. Located 12.4 miles north of Kawaihae Harbor and Puukohola Heiau National Historic Site on Akoni Pule Highway (Highway 270), Lapakahi is a partially As you drive between the lava fields of the Kohala Coast and the lush surroundings of North Kohala make a stop at Lapakahi State Historical Park. Located 12.4 miles north of Kawaihae Harbor and Puukohola Heiau National Historic Site on Akoni Pule Highway (Highway 270), Lapakahi is a partially restored fishing settlement that dates back over 600 years. This rugged coastal park will give you a glimpse of what it was like to live like the Native Hawaiians of the past.… see moresee less

Located on the coast of Honaunau Bay in south Kona, Puuhonua o Honaunau immerses you in Hawaiian culture. This 180-acre national historic park was once the home of royal grounds and a place of refuge for ancient Hawaiian lawbreakers.

The majestic, stone Puukohola Heiau can be seen off the road, just north of the resorts of the Kohala Coast. This National Historic Site is home to one of the largest restored heiau (temple) in Hawaii and is part of the National Park System. Heiau were sacred places of worship for Native Hawaiians, The majestic, stone Puukohola Heiau can be seen off the road, just north of the resorts of the Kohala Coast. This National Historic Site is home to one of the largest restored heiau (temple) in Hawaii and is part of the National Park System. Heiau were sacred places of worship for Native Hawaiians, and Puukohola Heiau was a site built to fulfill a historic prophecy.… see moresee less

Off of Pahoa-Pohoiki Road, southeast of Pahoa Town and in the district of Puna is Lava Trees State Park. Take the 0.7-mile loop trail in this 17-acre State Monument to view the unusual lava molds of tree trunks. In the 1700’s, lava flow swept through the area, coating the trunks of Ohia trees, Off of Pahoa-Pohoiki Road, southeast of Pahoa Town and in the district of Puna is Lava Trees State Park. Take the 0.7-mile loop trail in this 17-acre State Monument to view the unusual lava molds of tree trunks. In the 1700’s, lava flow swept through the area, coating the trunks of Ohia trees, leaving tall lava molds of the tree trunks in their wake, frozen in time.

An easy walk, this is your chance to see and take photos of the work of Pele (the volcano goddess) and her amazing sculpture garden. Restrooms and picnic tables are available.… see moresee less

On the northeastern side of Hawaii Island, just north of Hilo, lies the Hamakua Coast. With 84 inches of rainfall a year, this area is known for the Hamakua Heritage Corridor drive, a road trip along the coastline that passes by lush tropical rainforests, waterfalls and lovely seaside views.

Travel east, inland from the volcanic Kohala Coast to discover Waimea (also called Kamuela), which is unlike any other place on Hawaii Island. Known as paniolo (Hawaiian cowboy) country this historic area full of rolling, green pastures is still home to cattle, cowboys and ranches.

The mysterious manta ray is one of the largest fishes in the ocean with wingspans of up to 20 feet or more and Hawaii Island offers your best opportunity to encounter these amazing creatures. As intimidating as these otherworldly mantas look, they are actually quite friendly. Unlike stingrays or The mysterious manta ray is one of the largest fishes in the ocean with wingspans of up to 20 feet or more and Hawaii Island offers your best opportunity to encounter these amazing creatures. As intimidating as these otherworldly mantas look, they are actually quite friendly. Unlike stingrays or eagle rays, mantas do not have stingers. They feed on microscopic plankton, which accounts for their large, gaping mouths.… see moresee less

Watch the landscape change before your very eyes at Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. Located 30 miles southwest of Hilo, this is the home of Kilauea volcano, one of the most active volcanoes on earth. The chance to witness the primal process of creation and destruction make this park one of the most Watch the landscape change before your very eyes at Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. Located 30 miles southwest of Hilo, this is the home of Kilauea volcano, one of the most active volcanoes on earth. The chance to witness the primal process of creation and destruction make this park one of the most popular visitor attraction in Hawaii and a sacred place for Native Hawaiians.

Founded in 1916, the Park encompasses 333,000 acres from the summit of Maunaloa to the sea. Here you'll find 150 miles of hiking trails through volcanic craters, scalded deserts and rainforests as well as a museum, petroglyphs, a walk-in lava tube and two active volcanoes: Maunaloa, which last erupted in 1984 and Kilauea which has been erupting since January 3rd, 1983. The extraordinary natural diversity of the park was recognized in 1980 when it was named a World Biosphere site by UNESCO and in 1987 when the park was again honored as a World Heritage site.… see moresee less