| I will never forget the smell of plumerias after going | | | | done there is fresh water spring at the far end of |
| to the Big Island! As soon as you get off the plane, | | | | the beach. The water is cold! |
| you are engulfed by the lovely smell. The warm rays | | | | South Point |
| caressed my face while the gentle trade winds blew. | | | | Continuing on toward South Point, you will pass a little |
| At that moment I knew I had found paradise. | | | | town called Na'alehu. You have to stop at two places |
| My mom is originally from Oahu, but moved to the | | | | here. First is the Punalu'u Bakery. They have amazing |
| Big Island in 1996. I have been visiting her regularly | | | | pastries, including Malasadas, a traditional Hawaiian |
| for the passed thirteen years. In that time I have | | | | doughnut that is to die for. Across the street (near |
| learned a lot about the Big Island. I know where to | | | | the field, public toilets and basketball court) is the |
| look for lava, where to look for black sand beaches, | | | | Na'alehu Lunch Shop. They have ono grinds (good |
| where to find turtles, and how to find magical green | | | | food), especially the fish burger if it is available. After |
| sand. In this article I will be outlining the best features | | | | you have filled up on lunch continue around 5 miles |
| that the Big Island has to offer. | | | | down the highway and turn off at the sign that |
| Getting There | | | | marks South Point (12 miles off highway). Drive down |
| The best way to travel to the Big Island is by plane. | | | | about 12 miles and take an unmarked right turn as |
| There are people who sail, cruise and even swim to | | | | soon as the road flattens out and follow that to the |
| the Big Island, but I recommend arriving by plane | | | | end. This is the furthest point south in the U.S. It |
| either to Hilo or Kona. There are a few airlines that I | | | | really is a magical place there. To be standing at the |
| recommend when flying to Hawaii and two, in | | | | edge of America and literally be able to jump off it. I |
| particular, I would stay away from at all costs. | | | | do when I go there. It's about a 30ft. jump into the |
| Hawaiian Airlines was established in 1929 and is the | | | | ocean. It looks somewhat shallow, but I assure you |
| longest running airline that flies to and from Hawaii. | | | | its not. Probably about 30 feet deep. I don't |
| They rely on their flight history, reputation, and loyal | | | | recommend doing this unless there are other people |
| customers to stay in business. Hawaiian Airlines is | | | | jumping as the ladder up is very old and may no |
| generally on time and they provide sufficient | | | | longer be functional when you get there. After you |
| customer service. Alaska Airlines has always treated | | | | get your thrills from cliff jumping return to the road |
| me very well. They fly directly to Kona and Hilo from | | | | you turned off and take a right. Between one and |
| a number of cities on the west coast of the U.S., | | | | two miles down the road is another pull out |
| have noticeably more leg room, and best of all they | | | | (unmarked as well - get used to this) where you can |
| provide a complimentary glass of wine, beer, or Mai | | | | park. This is the entrance to the trail that leads to |
| Tai before landing, something that has become rare | | | | the magical green sand beach. If you have a four |
| in domestic flights. If you are flying from Australia or | | | | wheel drive, you can continue driving. If not, this is |
| New Zealand, Quantas and Air New Zealand are both | | | | the end of the road for the car and you must walk. |
| reputable. If you are on a tight budget, look into | | | | Continue toward the ocean. Right as you get to the |
| Jetstar. Keep in mind that Jetstar is a pay as you go | | | | shore, turn left onto a very, very rough road. |
| airline. The flights are very cheap because anything | | | | Continue on here for about two miles until you arrive |
| extra you have to pay for (i.e. blanket, soft drinks, | | | | at the top of a very steep embankment. Park here |
| head phones, pillows, food, and basically anything but | | | | and walk down to the beach. Note: For the walkers, |
| the lavatory.) If you cannot fly directly to Hilo or | | | | make sure to bring lots of sunscreen, water, and |
| Kona, then you will most likely fly into Honolulu and | | | | sunglasses. This beach is great to swim and snorkel |
| must transfer to an inter-island flight. When getting | | | | at. Enjoy! |
| off your plane you will have to follow signs to the | | | | Kailua-Kona |
| inter-island terminal (Use the wiki wiki bus! It will save | | | | On the way to Kona you will see plenty of lava. |
| you from a twenty minute walk in 80% humidity | | | | There are few places worth seeing on the way. At |
| which you will not be used to yet.) The airline that I | | | | Kealakekua Bay, there is a monument for Captain |
| recommend for inter-island travel is Mokulele. They | | | | Cook. This is the location where the Hawaiians |
| have impeccable customer service, their flights are | | | | decided Captain Cook was not welcome and they |
| always on time, and they still provide complimentary | | | | murdered him. I highly recommend renting Kayaks |
| juice on the short flights. | | | | and paddling across this bay. On the far side, where |
| IMPORTANT: When you book your initial flight, make | | | | the monument is located, the snorkeling is |
| sure you never fly United. For inter-island flights, | | | | extraordinary! If you are lucky, the Nia (dolphins) will |
| never fly Aloha Air. These two companies have given | | | | be playing in the bay and you will get to see them |
| me the most trouble out of any airline that I have | | | | show off! |
| flown in the entire world. The customer service is | | | | Another great snorkeling spot before you get to |
| atrocious, the flights are regularly late or canceled, | | | | Kona is Honaunau National Park. There is a fee to get |
| and both charge for checked bags. DON'T FLY | | | | into this park so have cash with you. |
| THESE TWO AIRLINES! | | | | Kailua-Kona is the tourist town on the Big Island. If |
| Accommodation | | | | you are after night life, this is the town you will want |
| There are plenty of hotels stay at around Kona and | | | | to go to. Actually, it would be Honolulu, but because |
| Hilo, but I recommend looking up homestays and | | | | that is on another island, Kona will do. This is a good |
| vacation rentals online. These are usually private | | | | place to stop and eat, go shopping, use the |
| listings from locals who want to rent out their home | | | | bathroom, etc. I would park a few streets up Alii Dr., |
| for certain parts of the year. They tend to cost less | | | | then walk there as parking is hard to come by |
| than hotels and you can save by cooking at home. If | | | | without paying. |
| you are backpacking, there are hostels in Hilo, Kona | | | | Hapuna State Park |
| and Volcano. The Holo Holo Inn is the best for your | | | | Hapuna State Park is a beautiful white sand beach |
| money in Volcano. Dorm beds start at $17. Anyway, | | | | that is located about 30 miles north of Kona. If you |
| lets get to what there is to see on the Big Island! | | | | and the family want a nice beach to spend the day |
| Volcano National Park | | | | at, this would be it. The only downside would be the |
| Volcano National Park is located 30 miles west of Hilo | | | | crowds. It is a tourist beach and is often very |
| on Highway 11. This is one of few places in the world | | | | crowded (for the Big Island). Bring sun screen and |
| you can see an erupting volcano. In 1983 Kilauea | | | | water. There are rentals shops that rent boogie |
| Volcano started erupting and has not stopped since. | | | | boards, towels, and snorkel gear. This place is not |
| That is 16 years of continuous lava flow! In the park | | | | very good for boogie boarding or snorkeling so I |
| you can see a more recent surge at Halemaumau | | | | don't recommend renting here. The snorkeling will |
| crater. Plumes of sulfur smoke rise up to 1000 feet in | | | | seem dull compared to Honaunau and Kealakekua |
| the air and the glow of lava can be seen from the | | | | Bay. |
| famous Jagger Museum. Visitors can also drive down | | | | Waipio Valley |
| the Chain Of Craters, through historic lava from | | | | I saved Waipio Valley for last. This place is amazing! |
| previous eruptions, down to where the lava meets | | | | From Hapuna State Park, it is about a thirty minute |
| the ocean. On the way visitors can walk through the | | | | drive to Waipio through the town of Waimea and |
| Thurston Lava Tube, a 100m tunnel left behind by | | | | Honoka'a. Most people don't get to see what Waipio |
| lava traveling under ground. Note: Sometimes the lava | | | | Valley has to offer because two-wheel drive vehicles |
| flow changes direction, creating an extremely long | | | | are forbidden to drive down the road. It is about a |
| hike to see the flow into the ocean from the park. If | | | | two mile walk which is not so bad, but the walk out |
| this is the case, then ask a park ranger for direction | | | | is tiring to say the least. As you approach the |
| to the Kalapana flow which is back down the road | | | | bottom of the hill on your way in, turn right and |
| toward Hilo. | | | | continue until you hit the ocean. Waipio is the sight |
| Punalu'u | | | | where the 1995 film Waterworld ended. The valley |
| 30 miles further down the road from Volcano National | | | | itself has steep cliffs carved out by millions of years |
| Park is a black sand beach called Punalu'u (there are | | | | of erosion. In the back of the valley a waterfall |
| signs that lead you off the highway 1 mile). I | | | | plummets toward the Taro fields. The river meanders |
| absolutely love this beach! I don't really recommend it | | | | through the valley running directly into the ocean. The |
| for swimming or snorkeling, it's just beautiful. When | | | | black sand beach is about a mile and has horses |
| you get there, park your car take your shoes off | | | | grazing up and down the beach. Most of the land in |
| and walk to the other end of the beach. Bring your | | | | the valley is private and due to the geography of the |
| slippers (sandals or flip flops) as the black sand can | | | | land, the horses can roam freely. You should not |
| get very hot depending on the time of day. On your | | | | feed the horses! And be careful because they are |
| right you will see local kids playing in the water and | | | | known to buck. Waipio is known to be a great |
| waves breaking on the reef. To your left, there is a | | | | camping and surfing spot as well. |
| small merchant stand that sells water, snacks and | | | | There is more to be seen on the Big Island than |
| souvenirs. Make sure to walk all the way to the end | | | | what I described. These are just some of the |
| of the beach! This is where the Honu (turtles) rest. | | | | highlights on the Big Island. One of my favorite things |
| Note: They are more likely to be there in the morning | | | | to do is explore the island. I encourage anyone |
| hours. If you feel like taking a dip, watch out for | | | | spending time there to explore and see what the |
| rocks as the beach is not all sand in the water. If you | | | | island reveals to you. You will be amazed at what |
| have young children, keep an eye on them for there | | | | you will find. Safe Travels. |
| is a moderate undertow. To rinse off when you are | | | | |