Hawaii — The Big Island

Attractions
from Hawaii Travel Experts
  

• Akaka Falls, north of Hilo, plunges over 420 feet in a sheer drop over a volcanic cliff.
• Black sand beaches of Kaimu and Punaluu, made up of pulverized lava, are on the south-eastern shoreline.
• Captain Cook Monument at Kealakekua Bay is a tribute to the British navigator and discoverer of the Hawaiian Islands, killed on the shoreline in 1779.
• First Christian Church at Kailua-Kona was erected by American missionaries who first landed on this coast in 1820.
• Hawaii Volcanoes National Park is one of the top scenic attractions in the Aloha State. There is an array of unique volcanic formations, forests of giant tree ferns, steaming craters, and a volcanological museum which has free color movies daily.
• Hulihee Palace in the village of Kailua-Kona was once the summer home of Hawaiian royalty and now houses a rare collection of Hawaiiana.
• Kamehameha Statue in Kohala was lost at sea during shipment to Hawaii; but later recovered after a replica had been made and erected in Honolulu.
• Kamuela Museum in Kamuela / Waimea has royal Hawaiian treasures from Iolana Palace, ancient Hawaiian artifacts, and art objects from around the world.
• Lapakahi State Historic Park, north of Kawaihae, was once an ancient Hawaiian fishing village.
• Laupahoehoe (leaf of lava) is one of the Hamakua Coast's many scenic and historic spots.
• Lava flows are marked by Warrior signs, designating flows which have surged down the mountains of Mauna Loa and Kilauea since prehistoric times.
• Lyman Mission House and Museum in the city of Hilo contains a collection of historic Hawaiian relics.
• Orchids and anthuriums grow in profusion in Hilo and surrounding areas for export to far ports of the world.
• Painted churches: St. Benedict's at Honaunau is the oldest Catholic church on the Island of Hawaii, constructed in 1875. The church has brilliantly hued murals depicting biblical scenes on the interior walls. The Star of the Sea Catholic church at Kalapana has murals painted by a priest a half century ago.
• Parker Ranch in the Waimea-Kamuela district at the foot of Mauna Kea, is the second largest cattle ranch under the American flag.
• Pololu Valley in Kohala was once the locale of a number of ancient Hawaiian heiaus (temples).
• Pu'uhonua O Honaunau (Place of Refuge), a National Historic Park, is said to have been built at the Honaunau in the 12th century to provide political and religious asylum.
• Puukohola Heiau near Kawaihae was built by Kamehameha the Great and is now a National Historic Site.
• Rainbow Falls in Hilo is one of the Big Island's loveliest waterfalls.
• Waha'ula Heiau and Visitor Center at the foot of the Chain of Craters Road is maintained by the National Park Service as part of Volcanoes National Park. Walking tours available.
• Waipo Valley, north of the town of Honokaa, was once the home of kings of old Hawaii.
• White sand beaches are found at Hapuna State Beach Park; Anaehoomaly Beach; and Magic Sands Beach, Kailua, all on the western side of the island.