Hawaii - Exploring The Big Island

Akaka Falls State Park

2013-10-07T21:32:00.003-07:00

Akaka Falls is located in Honomu, Hawaii along the Hamakua Coast. The nearest city is Hilo which is approximately 13 miles south of Akaka Falls.

Akaka Falls is a self guided scenic walk through lush vegetation and two beautiful waterfalls. Akaka Falls greets you with a 442ft drop and the cascading Kahuna fall can be seen behind overgrown vegetation after a heavy rainfall.

Located north of Hilo off Highway 11 between the 14 and 15 mile marker.

Go west on Highway 220 into Honomu town.

Follow Highway 220 until the road ends into the Akaka Falls parking lot.

Got to Hawaii State Parks for more information and fees.

My last visit: October 2013 - There is now a fee to park in the parking lot AND an additional fee to walk to the waterfall. Is it worth it? That's for you to determine.

I would still recommend the drive to Akaka Falls. Honomu town offers food and shopping. There are also two fruit stands on your way to Akaka Falls - make that stop and taste some of the fruits the island has to offer. The scenic drive through old sugar cane field is also beautiful.

Mauna Kea

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Mauna Kea - Hiking at 13,000ft above sea level. This is the highest peak on the Big Island and yes, it does snow on the island. I was fortunate enough to find a few snow patches on my hike to the lake. The hike to the lake is a short 15-20 mins. The most grueling part is the hike back. Just imagine hiking UPHILL at 13,000ft above sea level. Even the most experienced hiker is put to the challenge. And I don't consider myself "experienced!"

Full moon rising over Mauna Kea. This view is from the west side of the Big Island.

The road at the base of the mountain leading up to Mauna Kea


Snow patch on Mauna Kea


Hiking the lava rocks

Lake Wai-au at 13,000 ft above sea level - COLD!

Standing on top of Mauna Kea and Maui in the background

Around Hilo

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Rainbow Falls...and then some

2013-08-24T14:02:00.001-07:00

I can't think right now so I'm just going to post my photos. I'll come back later to write more information.

Rainbow Falls

Rainbow Falls - One week later after heavy rain.

Rainbow Falls is one of the many waterfalls you'll see in Hilo. Access to the viewing area is not far from the parking lot and there are public restrooms available and a gift shop across the street. Tour buses frequent Rainbow Falls and can get busy at times. Bring bug spray as a precaution. Depending on the weather, the bugs especially mosquitoes and be annoying.

The flow of the water can easily change depending on the weather. It is not recommended to go in the waterfall. The before and after photos above is the perfect example of why you shouldn't go near the fall. Enjoy from a distance and take in its beauty.

The best time to view Rainbow Falls is early in the morning when the sun is rising behind you as you're facing the waterfall. At the right angle, you will see a rainbow in the water flow. Hence the name Rainbow Falls.

Boiling Pots

Up the road from Rainbow Falls is Boiling Pots. Below is a video of what Boiling Pots looks like after heavy rain.

Wai'ale Falls

Piihonua Bridge

Piihonua Bridge - One week later after heavy rain

Before and after shots of the bridge.

After the rain comes the sun!

Kilauea Iki Trail - Valcano National Park

2013-08-03T12:23:00.000-07:00

Kilauea Iki Trail is located inside the Volcano National Park. The hike going down into the crater is easy. Walking across the crater is a great experience. There very little vegetation on the crater floor. But if you get a chance to hike this trail, take in nature because in a few years, the crater floor will be covered with lush vegetation and eventually turn into a forest area.

Pace yourself hiking back up from the crater floor. The walls of the crater is steep and the switchback is short. The weather in the park is cooler than most parts of the island and the breeze really helps on the hike up.

View on the hike going down to Kilauea Iki Crater. The plume in the background is from an active lave flow from Halema'uma'u Crater. The best place to view this is from the Jagger Museum inside the Valocano National Park. It's a short drive from this trail.

Start of the trail at the bottom of the crater wall.

View of the trail as I'm crossing across the crater. It may look deserted now but in a few years, this too will be overgrown with plants.

Opposite view of the crater after crossing the crater wall.

Hike To A Mile-Long Lava Cave - Emesine Cave

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This was an unexpected hike. The weather was great especially after we just missed tropical storm Flossie earlier that week. The hike going in was about 3.5 miles on loose gravel. Be careful and take your time. The only shade you get is when you pass through patches of forest areas where the lava flow did not touch.

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It was clear enough to see the observatories on top of Mauna Kea that day.

Inside the cave

Plants and Flowers Around the Island

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Princess flower (Tibouchina urvilleana)

As beautiful as these flowers are, they are considered noxious weeds in Hawaii and can invade forests and displace native plants.

Gardenia

Fragrant! These flowers can grow as trees or shrubs and it's a great addition for the yard.

Helpful Items To Bring On Your Trip To Hawaii

2013-04-13T17:18:00.004-07:00

Truth is, Hawaii is expensive. Here are a few things I recommend you bring on your trip to save you the hassle of going all over town looking for the simple items on your list.

Sunscreen - This is a given. Don't ruin your trip and get a sunburn on your first day. Remember, you're on an island and it gets pretty hot. The sun can be unforgiving on some days. If you must tan, do it in 15 min increments and see how your skin reacts.

Snorkeling gear - Hawaii has lots of great snorkeling spots. It sometimes takes a few snorkeling masks to get the right fit. Availability in local stores can be scarce. Remember, even the local residents need to stock up on water gear. You can rent snorkeling gear but why worry about having to return your rental?

Water shoes - Simple and you can find them cheap at your local store. Some places on the island have young lava rocks and can be sharp. The reef is also young and a reef cut is the worst cut. Protect your feet wherever you go on the island.

Bug repellent - Mosquitoes are not picky! If your trip consists of hikes in the rainforest, be prepared to be welcomed by mosquitoes!

Panaewa Rainforest Zoo and Gardens

2013-03-18T13:49:00.000-07:00

Admission to the zoo is FREE. Local residents and tourists will enjoy the only Rainforest zoo in the United States. Lots of animals and plants to enjoy by all.

Click here for more information on zoo hours and events.

Pololu Valley Outlook

2013-03-16T16:10:00.001-07:00

Pololu Valley - View from the lookout point

Pololu Valley is located in the North Kohala area on the Big Island of Hawaii. Hike down into the valley and you're greeted by black sand beach, lush forest and a shaded park area to relax and take in the beauty of the valley.


View of the beach from the opposite side of the valley

Take your time down in the valley and play on the tire swing or simply live your island dream and relax on the green hammock (background).

Take a hike in the valley

Hawaii Photos

2010-11-20T15:36:00.000-08:00

A crab's life

Akaka Falls - Honomu, Hawaii

Rainbow Falls- Hilo, Hawaii

Richardson Ocean Center

Waterfall at KoleKole Beach Park

Antherium

KoleKole Beach Park

Coffee berries

House built on old lava flow - Kalapana, Big Island, Hawaii


Lava flowing into the ocean taken May 2010 - Big Island, Hawaii

Gardenia

Kilauea caldera located in the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park - Big Island, Hawaii

Waipio Valley

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An ABSOLUTE stunning view!

From the black sand beach in the valley, cross the river to get to the other side of the valley.

Walk along the black sand beach or...

...take the trail.

View of the black sand beach from the other side of the valley.

View of Waipio Valley

Waipio Valley offers beautiful black sandy beaches, hiking trails and horseback riding. Keep in mind, this is not your typical busy tourist spot. Most visitors get only as far as the look-out point. The steep downgrade into the valley limits the number of visitors. Simply put: "1 mile down, 10 miles up".

Enjoy the view from the look-out point or take your chance and challenge your 4-wheel drive vehicle down the steep 25% grade into the valley. I do not advise you take a regular vehicle down this steep road - there are remnants of vehicles that didn't make it.

Once you are down at the valley, drive towards the beach and take in the beautiful view. Enjoy the waves crashing on the often secluded beach. Waipio beach offers picnic tables and portable restrooms.

And if the drive down wasn't challenging enough for you, cross the river and walk towards the other end of the valley. Look up and you will see a zig-zag trail which leads up to Waimanu which is the next valley over. Camping is allowed in Waimanu Valley but requires a permit. Please check with the Division of Forestry and Wildlife in Hilo, Hawaii (808-974-4221).

Hikers, be very CAUTIOUS when hiking up to Waimanu. Going up the zig-zag trail is steep and even experienced hikers have trouble with this hike. Take breaks and enjoy the view of the valley.

I don't recommend a day hike to Waimanu. After going up that streneous zig-zag trail, the last thing you would want to do is go back down the trail. Plan it out, take your time and camp the night.