#kiholo park

[petri808]

[tripstipsandtees]

A Week in Kona: Exploring the Big Island of Hawaii

Snorkeling, hiking, and beach relaxation—our week on the Big Island was full of unforgettable moments! Check out our adventure and get inspired for your own Hawaiian getaway! 🏖️🌞

Our adventure on the Big Island of Hawaii began with a late arrival at Kona International Airport, where we landed at around 7:30 PM. After a quick stop at Walmart to pick up some essentials and grabbing a pizza for a late dinner, we made our way to our Kona Bali Kai condo. This Kailua-Kona vacation rental was the perfect home base for exploring the Big Island. Sea Turtle at Ho’okena Beach State…

[konafatbikes]

Embark on an eco-friendly adventure through Kona's Turtle Havens with an electric bike. Discover picturesque spots like Kiholo Bay and Anaehoomalu Bay, teeming with majestic turtles. Ride through scenic routes to Kaloko-Honokohau National Park and Kahalu'u Beach Park for unforgettable encounters with these magnificent creatures.

[hunty627]

Coming up soon on Little Einsteins: New Missions, there was gonna be another great sky race. It’s a whole new race course for the flying machines. The starting line is at the airport. When the race begins, the competitors will fly over Portland in Oregon, over Mount St. Helens and the Seattle Space Needle in Washington, over the Canadian Rockies, over Totem Pole Forest and Polar Bear Mountain in Alaska, over Kiholo Bay in Hawaii, over Orchestra Ocean, over Mount Fuji and Tokyo Tower in Japan, over Komodo Island in Indonesia, over Uluru the Sydney Opera House in Australia, over the Great Wall of China, over the Taj Mahal and the monkey palace in India, over Trafalgar Square, Tower Bridge, Big Ben and Buckingham Palace in the United Kingdom, over the Island of Sodor, over Prague in the Czech Republic, over Venice the Leaning Tower of Pisa in Italy, over Hagia Sophia in Istanbul, over the Swiss Alps in Switzerland, over the Parthenon in Greece, over the Petronas Towers in Malaysia, over Lapland in Finland, over Serengeti National Park in Tanzania, over Zobooland in Madagascar, over False Bay in South Africa, over Punto Tombo in Argentina, over the Amazon Rainforest, over Mexico City, over Chesapeake Bay, over the Lincoln Center, the Empire State Building and the United Nations in New York City, over the Kennedy Center in Washington, DC, over the Musical Tree of Many Colors in Vermont, over the Everglades in Florida, over Monument Valley in Arizona, over Salt Lake City and past Newspaper Rock in Utah, over the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco, California and back to the airport. The starting line is also the finish line. Rocket was determined to win his prize, the bouncy castle trophy. But Big Jet wasn’t gonna give up the race without a fight. Will Rocket defend his title as champion or will the former champion, Big Jet cheat his way to win? Find out in this upcoming episode of Little Einsteins: New Missions, The Ultimate Great Sky Race! Featuring the art “A shower below the summit” by Katsushika Hokusai and the music “Flight of the bumblebee” by Nikolay Rimsky-Korsakov.

[digitalczech]

Went exploring in lava fields and found out these rocks can be sharp as razor blades 🤬 (at Kiholo State Park Preserve) https://www.instagram.com/p/Cb4Y5yEOHraz35rAy9I2ujeUBnrWYZ6Rh_V2Hg0/?utm_medium=tumblr

[huakaicampers-blog]

Rent a camper van in Hawaii with Huakai Campers and enjoy your vacation

Camping big island Hawaii is possibly not the first thing that comes to mind when you think about how you will be spending your nights on the Big Island. Sleeping out-of-doors adds a constituent of adventure or else romance to your holiday. It lets you be closer to nature and will demonstrate you an element of the Big Island few other visitors will knowledge

 There are quite some places on the Big Island where you are allowed to camp and rent a camper van in Hawaii, but camping permits are obligatory for most of these. Rules and facilities at the campsites fluctuate on a case-by-case basis, so ensure to check the resources below to see if you need a permit to camp.

 The key to having a fine time camping in Hawaii is to come prepared. Do your researches before you even leave your home? What services, if any, do they provide? Do they necessitate permits? What sort of gear do you need? It’s one thing to show up at a hotel with nothing but the clothes on your back, but that’s not actually a fun time when you are roughing it!

 The island of Hawaii has a number of probabilities for campers. There are camping alternatives in Hawaii State Parks, including Kalopa State Recreation Area, Kiholo State Park Reserve, as well as Manuka State Wayside beginning at $12 or $18 per night. There are shelters that can be rented at Hapuna Beach State Recreation Area, as well as Kalopa State Recreation Area.

  Who wants to go on a camping trip to Hawaii?

 Are you interested in camping in paradise? It seems like a beautiful survival, doesn’t it! Visit Huakai Campers and book a camper rental now!  

[707tothe808-blog]

at Kiholo State Park Preserve

[elctart]

Honu'ea from Kiholo Bay . . #757cbaa #757CBAA #OVartshow2019 #ellesartstudio #ellesartgallery #757artistshowcase #artistsshowcase (at Ocean View Beach Park) https://www.instagram.com/p/B3h4dRHhrLj/?igshid=1ua4vw1cwfo2g

[vivianbates]

Kaumana Caves in Hilo

The Big Island of Hawai‘i is the type of dynamic land where you can find a lava tube on the edge of the island’s main city. An 1881 lava flow from Mauna Loa stopped just short of Hilo. Venture up and down a lava tube created by that flow. Enter through a collapsed skylight at Kaumana Caves Park and start exploring. While the entire tube may measure over twenty miles long, visitors can expect to see somewhere under two miles from the Kaumana Caves entrances.

Start from a parking area along Kaumana Drive, about 4 miles from downtown Hilo. Cross the road to immediately find the access point for the Kaumana Caves. A concrete staircase with a yellow, metal railing descends into an open area where the roof of the cave collapsed. A sign beside the staircase reads:

Warning – enter at your own risk. Cave exploration is inherently dangerous. The danger is increased in a seismically active and flood prone area. There are unseen dangers in this cave, which may cause risk of death or serious injury.

A confusing aspect of the Kaumana Caves lava tube is that some areas are preserved as a park, while other parts of the lava tube are privately owned (below private property). Visitors are granted entry into the public area of the caves, but it is not fully apparent what sections of the lava tube are off limits.

There are no boundary markings showing the boundary for the park. Kaumana Cave System traverses onto private property when you are not permitted to enter without permission.

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Based on the nuances of Kaumana Cave and the risks of exploring deep into cave systems, it is probably best to just turn back after venturing a satisfying distance into each side of the lava tube.

The staircase leads down into a collapsed area that splits the lava tube. This skylight cradles a miniature rainforest where ferns and philodendron drape down the sides of the cave. To the left and right of the bottom of the stairs are two openings into the lava tube.

The staircase down into the collapsed entrance to the lava tube

North of the entrance for Kaumana Caves

Turning right at the bottom of the staircase leads to the larger of the two entrances. Walk down stone steps to a tall opening in the tube. Sunlight illuminates the front of a sizable room in the lava tube. While much is visible at first, you will quickly need to rely on flashlights to see inside the cave.

Exploring Kaumana Caves

Step onto the floor of the lava tube, which has the ropy and smooth characteristics of pahoehole lava. Pahoehoe is the smoother type of lava that looks like hardened batter (instead of jagged rocks of an ‘a‘a flow). Do watch your step though, as the floor contains jagged breakdown areas where lava rock has collapsed.

Move toward the back of the large room in the lava tube. Climb up a breakdown and check out the roots hanging from the ceiling of the cave. Examine the different colors of growth on the dark walls of the cave. After about 100 yards, the room shrinks to a narrow passage below a cave breakdown. Beyond this point, the cave opens up again before another breakdown that makes passage difficult.

Explore what you wish, or simply enjoy the first large long room on the north side of the Kaumana Caves lava tube. Make your way back up and out into the open air by the staircase.

The large room by the northern cave entrance

South of the entrance for Kaumana Caves

Turning left at the bottom of the stairs leads to the smaller of the two entrances. This cave opening is about a quarter the size of the other one and more difficult to access. Make your way down a makeshift staircase over chunky boulders from the cave breakdown that exposed the lava tube.

Once you get inside the cave and are standing firmly on the cave floor, notice a new obstacle ahead. A shelf of lava rock sits right across the middle of the cave, dividing it off into upper and lower areas. At first, it might look like there’s no where to go. Duck under the shelf and scooch your way to the other side. Beyond the barrier, you’ll be able to stand easily again inside a long, relatively narrow lava tube.

A shelf blocking the rest of the lava tube

After the early challenges, the walking becomes unobstructed. It is possible to travel for quite a long distance up the lava tube (or at least until the invisible boundary where the cave leaves county land for private property). As you travel into the cave, examine all the different shapes in the lava where it has cooled on the ceiling, walls, and floor. Molten lava does some fascinating things when it cools!

Bat-like features in the ceiling of the lava tube

Once you have gone as far back into the cave as you’d like, or spent as much time in the dark as you care to, make your way back out of the cave and take the staircase back to the surface near the parking area.

How are lava tubes created?

Lava tubes channel eruptions of fluid basaltic lava (pahoehoe). When Mauna Loa erupted in 1881, the surface of the lava flow cooled first, while the lava below the crust remained molten. Like plumbing for the eruption, this tube formed below the surface and channeled lava downhill. The hardened walls of the tube insulate the lava so that it did not cool until it spilled out of the end of the tube. When the eruption stopped, and new lava was no longer entering the tube, the molten lava already in the tube continued its downhill flow, leaving behind an empty cavity.

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As the lava tube hollowed out, the 1881 lava flow halted about a mile from downtown Hilo (about 37 miles from the summit of Mauna Loa). Princess Ruth Keʻelikōlani of the Kamehameha dynasty is credited with saving Hilo from destruction. She camped in front of the lava flow and prayed to the great Hawaiian deity Pele, the creator of the Hawaiian Islands and the goddess of fire and volcanoes.

In subsequent years, an area above part of the lava tube collapsed and the caves were revealed. Even when the roof of a lava tube doesn’t completely collapse to create a skylight, sections of the roof can fall, called breakdowns, which leave jagged rocks on the floor of the cave to traverse.

Looking up the lava tube in Kaumana Caves

What to bring to Kaumana Caves Lava Tube

Sturdy footwear is recommended. Lava tubes are very dark. Bring multiple bright lights (flashlights) per person if possible. Unlike lava caves that you might encounter in the Pacific Northwest, the Kaumana Caves are warm and humid like the surface above. Pack one extra layer for safety. Kaumana Caves is managed by the Department of Parks and Recreation for the County of Hawaii. No fee is required to park at the trailhead and enter the cave, so get out and enjoy!

To get to the trailhead: Take Hawaii 19 (Hawaii Belt Road) to the center of Hilo and head inland on Waiamuenue Avenue. Drive 1 mile and bear left through a split onto Kaumana Drive (don’t turn right toward Rainbow Falls). Take Kaumana Drive for 3 miles. On the outside of a major bend to the right, turn left into the parking area for the caves. A sign by the entrance of Kaumana Caves is visible on the right just before the parking area. Park and walk across the road, being cautious to avoid the traffic.

Trailhead address: Kaumana Drive, Hilo, HI 96720 Trailhead coordinates: 19.6866, -155.1309 (19° 41′ 11.8″N 155° 07′ 51.2″W)

Use this map to view the trail and get directions:

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View Hilo trails in a larger map Or view a regional map of surrounding Hawaii trails.

Photos

Nearby Trails

Similar Trails

More Info

Photos

These photos were taken in October of 2018. Click to enlarge.

Nearby Trails

Rainbow Falls This 0.2-mile hike around Rainbow Falls Lookout explores a viewpoint facing a lovely waterfall and also ventures up to the top of the falls.

‘Akaka Falls This short loop slips through a tropical valley to bold views of a 442-foot single-drop waterfall.

Waipi‘o Beach & Muliwai Trail Overlook This 4.88-mile hike plunges into fantastically-wild Waipi‘o Valley, crosses a remote black sand beach (framed by cliffs and waterfalls), and climbs to a stellar view overlooking the ocean, beach, and valley.

Kalahuipua‘a Trail and Fishponds Loop This action-packed 1.7-mile hike explores a lava field with a lava tube shelter and impressive fishponds along a gorgeous coastline.

Malama Trail This 0.2 to 1.2-mile hike visits rare rock carvings in Puakō Petroglyph Archeological District on the west coast of the Big Island of Hawai’i.

Kiholo Bay & Wainanali‘i Lagoon This 2-mile coastal hike in Kiholo State Park Reserve has non-stop ocean views, crossing tide pools and beaches on the way to a turquoise lagoon.

Similar Trails

Ape Cave in Mount Saint Helens National Volcanic Monument (Washington) This adventurous underground hike travels through one of the longest lava tubes in the world.

Trail of Two Forests in Mount Saint Helens National Volcanic Monument (Washington) This short nature trail tours a landscaped that was transformed by a molten lava flow. For extra fun, crawl through a 50-foot long lava tube beneath the trail.

Guler Ice Cave in Gifford Pinchot National Forest (Washington) This short hike goes underground to explore an old lava tube with frozen stalactites and stalagmites, plus other interesting cave features.

Lava River Cave in Newberry National Volcanic Monument (Oregon) This underground hike explores a lava tube south of Bend that is filled with fascinating volcanic features.

Lava Tube in Mojave National Preserve (California) This short 0.6-mile hike drops below the desert surface into an old lava tube with a spectacular skylight.

Caves Trail in Crates of the Moon National Monument (Idaho) This 1.6 mile travels above and below the surface, exploring lava tubes in the Great Rift Lava Flow.

Kalahuipua’a Trail and Fishponds Loop (Hawaii) This action-packed 1.7-mile hike explores a lava field with a lava tube shelter and impressive fishponds along a gorgeous coastline.

More Info

Kaumana Caves in Hawaii Trails: Walks, Strolls, and Treks on the Big Island by Kathey Morey

Kaumana Caves on hawaii-guide.com

Kaumana Caves on atlasobscura.com

Kaumana Caves on explore-the-big-island.com

Kaumana Caves on inspiredimperfection.com

Kaumana Caves on outdoorproject.com

Kaumana Caves on bigislandhikes.com

from hikespeak.com https://www.hikespeak.com/trails/kaumana-caves-lava-tube-hilo-hawaii/

[punalavaflow]

Popular lava tube entry north of Kona airport becoming traffic concern

KAILUA-KONA — Worth a look?

Sure, but at what cost?

State transportation officials are assessing safety concerns at a popular West Hawaii lava tube — Huehue — that sits just off Queen Kaahumanu Highway in North Kona.

The lava tube, created during the 1801 Huehue flow from Hualalai’s northwest flank, is located about 2 miles north of Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport at Keahole, and attracts visitors and residents alike curious as to what is within.

And that’s kind of the problem at play.

Sitting on the mauka side of the highway, visitors pull off and park alongside both sides of the road to check the site out, with those stopping on the makai side crossing the highway, creating a seemingly unsafe environment as cars whiz through the 55 mph zone.

“It’s a safety hazard,” said Kona resident David Baldwin. “I’ve had children walking across the highway; people doing U-turns. They just walk across the street like it’s a park, and I just can’t believe it.”

Promotion for the lave tube is easily found online and in travel books, and it’s more than visible from the roadway.

And, in recent months, especially with the closure of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park and thus Nahuku or Thurston Lava Tube, the site has become increasingly busier. Depending on the time of day, the number of vehicles at the site can reach several dozen. In some instances, food vendors have been spotted serving visitors at the site.

“It’s getting progressively worse in a rapid period of time,” said resident and commuter Dolena Brand. “In a couple of months, it went from a couple cars to 30-40-50, and just it keeps climbing.”

Seeing the entry alongside Queen Kaahumanu Highway was how Sarah Savet, visiting the island with her three sons from Washington, D.C., came across Huehue lava tube. She came back to the site after inquiring about it at her hotel.

“It’s very cool,” she said while taking photos of her youngsters standing in front of the tube’s opening.

But, she also recognized the dangers associated with the pull-off spot, frequently reminding her children to be careful because they were along a state highway.

“It’s kind of not so safe for the younger kids,” she said before the group headed north on the highway to their next destination.

A dangerous situation

During several 20-minute visits to the site during the past few weeks, there were at least two dozen vehicles — including commercial tour vans and taxis — parked and more than a dozen people who crossed the highway between passing vehicles.

Some pedestrians forced vehicles to slow down, and in one case, a vehicle with a line of cars behind it came to stop to allow a family of five to cross. Those who crossed declined to comment on the record, but some said it wasn’t a problem as there was a large enough break in traffic for them to cross.

Brand said she had a close call herself when a vehicle parked on the mauka side of the highway pulled a U-turn in front of her.

“I had to slam on my brakes at 55 to zero and honked and they just stayed in front of me going crazy slow,” she said. “Didn’t look at all. It would have killed me.”

Resident Patti Kaminski knows the area well, having seen people run across the highway and cars suddenly pull U-turns “like no one else is on the road” to check out the site, among other dangerous moves.

“I’ve seen people literally walking across the highway like they’re in a crosswalk on their phones paying no attention to the traffic. I’ve seen people just stop and cars have had to screech and jet over and stop,” she said. “I’ve seen everything.”

She added, “I would hate for anybody to have their vacation turn into a tragedy.”

Many also take offense to the cairns created by stacking rocks at Huehue, noting the “fad” now seems to be occurring at other sacred spots, like Pololu Valley.

“The rock stacking drives me crazy,” said Kaminski. “To me, it’s so disrespectful.”

State now looking into issue

Though residents have a lot to say about the area, including online in Facebook group posts, the state Department of Transportation said it was unaware of a possible safety issue at the lava tube entry site until contacted in July by West Hawaii Today.

“Our preliminary crash data and complaint logs did not show this area of the highway as a safety concern, but we will coordinate with HPD and investigate your report of illegal U-turns and unsafe stopping and parking in our jurisdiction,” said Shelly Kunishige, a DOT spokeswoman said in response to a detailed list of questions submitted in early July.

She continued, “Should our investigation determine the activities of those stopping and parking along the mauka and makai sides of Queen Kaahumanu at mile marker 91 present a danger to those using the highway, we will consider signage prohibiting those activities in line with Hawaii Revised Statute §291C-111.”

HRS 291C-111 covers noncompliance with stopping, standing, or parking on a highway.

The state did not address any particular questions posed by West Hawaii Today regarding liability, people entering caves/lava tubes and parking along the highway in violation of state law and if there’s ever been talk of creating a safe means for stopping at the site, such as can be found at the scenic lookout at Kiholo Bay.

What could be done?

Simply making it illegal to stop or park isn’t necessarily the solution, according to input from a variety of people who sounded off to the newspaper as well as in online postings.

“It’s an interesting attraction, a lava tube is obviously a very special attraction but unless they build a turn out or fix the road someway it’s going to be really dangerous,” said Baldwin, who noted one of the first things that must be fixed is the drop-off in the pavement.

Kaminski, like others, agreed a safe pull-off lane would be a plausible solution, but a parking lot should not be added, like the overlook at Kiholo. An easy answer could simply be informing visitors upon arrival that, yes, this site is here, but it can be dangerous, she said.

“It is a big problem you want the people to come here for a vacation to be safe and not have their vacation ruined,” she said. “I think awareness is the biggest thing.”

Legislators representing the district in which the lava tube entry falls said their offices had not been contacted regarding a possible safety situation near Huehue.

However, House Rep. Nicole Lowen (D-North Kona); Sen. Lorraine Inouye (D-Hilo, Hamakua, Kohala, Waimea, Waikoloa, Kona) and Hawaii County Councilwoman Karen Eoff (North Kona) each expressed their concerns and said they were eager to look into the issue.

“It’s definitely time to start having a conversation about this and what we should do about it going forward,” Lowen said.

Said Eoff, “We need to be proactive before an accident happens because public safety is our No. 1 concern.”

Email Chelsea Jensen at cjensen@westhawaiitoday.com.

The post Popular lava tube entry north of Kona airport becoming traffic concern appeared first on Hawaii Tribune-Herald.

from Hawaii News – Hawaii Tribune-Herald https://ift.tt/2Cewq6t

[petri808]

[bigislandexplorers]

Hiking Kiholo Bay

If you are looking for a fun hike along the coast head to Kiholo Bay anf drive all the way down to the campsite parking lot.

As you are facing the beach head south through the lava rock trail until you hit Mano Point.

There are some small tide pools great for swimming if the tide is low. If you love to find seashells this is a great place to loom for them.

If you want to head farther south you can walk to the northern edge of the Hualalai Resort.

Take plenty of water and sunscreen as the sun can be very forgiven. You will be able to hike this is sturdy close toed shoes. The lava rock is not so forgiving.

[sjworldtour]

12/01/20 Exploring the Kohala Coast

Packed up our tent and said goodbye to the beach and to Jen, who thinks she saw a monk seal. 

First stop was Makalawena beach, hidden several km down a terrifying unsealed road through a gorgeous pahoehoe lava field. We hiked along the beach, past a huge and incredibly rare Hawaii monk seal who had come up on the beach to moult. Walked across a dramatic black lava field and white fluffy sand dunes, past a crystal clear saline lake. It was drizzly on the way out but had turned to full on rain on the way back. We walked past a couple with a full on picnic table sized umbrella. We took a small detail on the way back to see another monk seal who was chilling on the beach for the day. Chatted to a marine life person for a bit - this seal is 3 years old and not tagged, exciting to find there's one more than they knew about.

We drove back up the scary bumpy road, miraculously not making a single mark on the hire car. Drove round to Kiholo bay, again was very unclear how to access it, parked in a layby (falling off a big step down from the road with an unnerving crunch). Walked down through scrubby trees, loads of aa lava and olivine sand on the path. Got down to the sea and within moments Sam spotted a turtle in the shallows. Pausing to peer out to sea we could see loooads of turtes, waving and popping up for air and being buffeted around in the small swell. Further along the beach was a lava tube flooded with crystal clear water, and a mongoose ran past us on the path. 

We carried on up the Kohala coast and stopped at Polulu Valley lookout. It was a super dramatic spot, we had lunch in the car looking out over the misty, rainy cliffs of the Puú O Umi natural area reserve. After lunch we climbed down the slippery zigzag path to a black sand beach at the bottom, and played on a rope swing at the mouth of a picturesque river.

We made it over Kohala mountain road just in time to get views over to the snowy summit of Mauna Kea before it got dark. The pass was very Lord-of-the-rings-y and we listened to the soundtrack and felt dramatic. We found cheap(ish) dinner in a pub in Hanoka’a village where a group of locals were singing very loud and silly karaoke. On to the windiest campsite ever at Laupahoehoe point, we took forever to decide where to pitch up in the dark, windy hurricane. In the end we went for a random bit of grass far enough away from palm trees so as not to be killed by coconuts, and carefully angling the car to act as much as possible as a wind break. Dodge cinema and beer was the only reasonable way to spend the evening. 

[adventoursofwifesquared]

  When my wife told me to pack for a quick trip, I didn’t think a 6 hour flight from Phoenix  to the Big Island would start our 36 hours on Kailua. Honestly, it was one of the best trips we have had. We started out in the Kona airport area, but the island is small enough that you can easily adjust what attraction/site to do first if you start your drive on the Hilo side.

Day 1

We flew out of Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport with one carry on bag each on a direct flight at 10:45 am heading to the Kailua-Kona airport. Arriving at 2:20 pm makes for a perfect time for most travelers, since you can grab your rental car and head to normal check-in hours like we did.

If you choose to fly into the Kona airport, then it is wise to have a hotel close to this destination. A few places we recommend are The Mauna Lani Bay Hotel & Bungalows, The Fairmont Orchid, The Waikoloa Beach Marriott Resort & Spa, or The Royal Kona Resort. All of these are a short drive from the airport and have some great views.

If you decide to go the luxury route, then the Fairmont Orchid is one of our favorites and offers some of the best options for a short time. From the airport, after getting a rental car, it will take you about 30 mins (22.4 miles) to drive to the hotel. This will have you arrive at the required check in time.

View from the Fairmont Orchid pool at sunset

After check-in, head to the Hale Kai Restaurant where you can grab a bite to eat, a drink and enjoy the view of the ocean. Afterwards, is a perfect time to relax in by the pool or cuddle in a hot tub. It’s always nice to sit back and enjoy the views that this island has to offer.

Day 2

Start your day by grabbing some snorkel gear from the hotel or get yours out. Check with your hotel, sometimes it is included in the resort fee. The Fairmont Orchid has a wonderful private area of beach in the Pauoa Bay for snorkeling. Within 5 mins of snorkeling, we had some Green Sea Turtle (Chelonia Mydas) swimming right under us. This area is great for seeing some wildlife within a short amount of time.

Green Sea Turtle

Some other areas to see some marine wildlife and green sea turtles is at Kahaluu Beach Park , Honaunau Bay , Kiholo Bay , and Punaluu Black Sand Beach.

Next, shower and get dressed to head to Puako Petroglyph Park where it is free and easy to see some the islands past history. Here is a good site for info on hiking the park.

This next part is where your rental car comes in handy. Next, its time to start driving and head back to the Queen Ka’ahumanu Hwy 19. This hwy will take you past other parks and places that could easily be part of your schedule or substituted for another activity.

Continue on hwy 19 and stop by the W.M. Keck Observatory. If you really want to see the top of the 14,000 foot summit, then a 4×4 vehicle is needed and is something that needs to be planned in advanced. Otherwise you can visit the Mauna Kea Visitor Information Center at an elevation of 9,200 feet.

Temperatures can change from one side of the island to the other. The Kona side is hot/dry, the middle mountain areas are colder, and the Hilo side is more of a rainforest ecosystem. Bring appropriate clothing for the weather.

Continue the drive along the Mamalahoa Hwy 19 towards the Akaka Falls State Park. It will cost you $5 per car. The trail is only a 0.4 mile loop, where you will have views of the Akaka Falls (422 feet high) and the Kahuna Falls. The trail is paved with some steps.

Another place to stop by is the Wailuku River State Park where they have two attractions to see: Rainbow Falls and Boiling Pot. If your in the area around 10 a.m. and it’s a sunny day then look out for the rainbow that is formed in the mist of the 80 foot waterfall. Unfortunately for us it was a cloudy on this side of the island when we were visiting.

Rainbow Falls at Wailuku River State Park

Wailuku River State Park

Since May 2018, the Kīlauea volcano has had activity where most of the Volcanoes National Park had to be closed. It has since reopened as of September 22 of 2018. The Kīlauea Visitor Center will have up to date information on road closures or any other current conditions, as well as exhibits on the formation of the island and its history. Make sure to vista their site before making your drive, it can always change at a moments notice. Some parts of the park are sometimes closed.

Kilauea Caldera at Hawaii Volcanoes National Park

The entrance fee for a car is $25, while a individual will cost $12. These passes will last you 7 days, so if you have more time, then try to spend it hiking and exploring this park. The park is open 24 hours, but the visitor center closes around 5 p.m. so plan to visit it first. If you only have a short time, then it is possible to see some of the sites in this park, before leaving to do the 2 hour drive back to the Kona Internation Airport for the 10 p.m. flight back.

Beware that it could take longer to drive to your desire destination, due to traffic or road conditions.

  This guide is based off of having only 36 hours on the island. If you have more time then try to spend a few days working your way around the island. Here are some other points of interest: Kula Kai Caverns , Hawaiian Vanilla Company , Tropical Botanical Gardens , or one of the many Eco Tours are great things to try to see or do.

How To Spend 36 Hours On The Big Island Guide When my wife told me to pack for a quick trip, I didn't think a 6 hour flight from Phoenix  to the Big Island would start our 36 hours on Kailua.

[tinynomad]

Places I want see:

 Iceland

Cayman Islands

Seattle, Washington

Acadia, Maine

Superior National Forest

London, England

Athens, Greece

Rome, Italy

Black Canyon, Colorado

Zion National Park

Portland, Oregon

Olympia National Park

Bamboo forest, Japan

Edinburgh, Scotland

Grand Canyon

Yosemite National Park

Meteora, Greece

Greek Islands

Paris, France

Capri, Italy

Bryce Canyon

Preikestolen, Norway

Phi Phi Islands

Big Sur, Cali

Nice, France

San Francisco, Cali

Zion National Park

Sequoia national forest

Lencois Maranhenses

Cathedral Cove

Cummins falls, TN

Fall Creek Falls, TN

Triple Falls, Montana

Paradise Falls, Washington

New York City

Calabria, Italy

Twin Falls, Idaho

Hippie Hole, South Dakota

Milos, Greece

Hidden Lake, Montana

Devil’s Island, Wisconsin

Fiji

Kiholo Bay, Hawaii

Lover’s beach, Mexico

Havasu Falls, Arizona

Miami, Florida

Bahamas

Fairy Pools, Scotland

Cave in Algarve

Boston, Mass

Charleston, SC

Chattanooga, TN

Hocking Hills, OH

[mswellness]

Birthday Honu #2. This was found Ann and sang her a birthday song (channeled by John and me) and granted her 3 wishes. #birthdayturtle #beachbirthday (at Kiholo State Park Preserve)