This is a part of our 9-day Big Island Itinerary. Tuesday, December 26. It will be a long day, as we are checking out from the Grand Naniloa Hotel and driving south from Hilo, past Pahoa town, towards the ocean to what the locals call the Red Road. It runs for about 15 miles along the coast line from Kapoho Tide Pools to Kalapana. Our goal for today is to see Big Island hot springs and hot ponds in the…
For a great day trip in to nature, a family adventure, a luau or a destination wedding, Waimea Valley is a perfect spot. It is best to head out early in the day to tour the whole park (and beat the traffic). The Valley is a historical site, as well as an agricultural and spiritual one. The park, also known as Waimea Falls Park, is now run by a non-profit organization that works to promote and maintain the instruction of…
This is a part of our 9-day Big Island Itinerary. Monday, December 25. We slept longer today, because it’s Christmas and some of the places we would see otherwise will be closed. We are driving north from Hilo, along the scenic Hamakua coast. Our first stop stop is Rainbow Falls, a 10-15 minute drive from the hotel. The waterfall view is just a few steps away from the parking lot. We took a trail on the left going up the waterfall….
The Honolulu Museum of Art is Hawaii’s largest fine arts museum. It was founded in 1922 by Anna Rice Cooke and has one of the largest collections of Asian and Pacific art in the United States, as well as art pieces from all over the world including big names like Van Gogh, Monet, Gaugin, Rivera. From oil paintings to ancient clothing to sculptures, you will find a universe of intriguing art. The Museum offers guided tours, walk around tours and…
This is a part of our 9-day Big Island Itinerary. Before Arrival: Planning the Trip The Big Island is called big for a reason – it’s biger than the rest of Hawaiian islands and has two airports. After searching the internet for ideas, I decided to fly into one airport and out of the other. I found flights from Oakland to Hilo and back from Kona to Oakland and paid some extra for the rental car to be able to…
There’s more to Maui than exotic beaches and extravagant hotels. Those who want to add variety to their Maui vacation stay will find the homely Maui Sugar Museum inviting and educational. Alexander & Baldwin Sugar Museum is one of many attractions on the island that provide a peek at its plantation days and serves as a great introduction to one of the most significant periods in Maui’s agricultural history – the sugarcane era. This quiet, non-profit museum is conveniently located…
Maui Tropical Plantation, situated at the base of Waikapu Valley on Maui, has been a part of the local community for over 30 years. Open since 1984, many locals remember the plantation as more of a theme park for children or keiki. There was free admission, tram rides, animals and exhibits based around Hawaiian culture. Maui Tropical Plantation – Family Recreation These days the plantation is still free admission and has become one of the top tourist attractions on Maui. …