Queen Liliuokalani Gardens

Queen Liliuokalani Gardens is located next to Coconut Island off of Banyan Drive in the town of Hilo. This authentic Japanese garden was built in the early 1900's as a memorial to the immigrant Japanese workers who developed worked on local Pagoda at Queen Liliuokalani Gardenssugar plantations. It is named in honor of Hawaii's last reigning … [Read more...]

Big Island Shopping Guide

  Hawaiian Souvenirs Aren't quite sure what souvenirs to buy on your Hawaiian vacation? Check out our Hawaiian Souvenirs Guide to get more details on some great gifts and presents to buy on the Big Island. Buy something special that you can't get anywhere else. Kona Inn Shopping Village There are plentiful shops along Ali'i Drive. The … [Read more...]

Waimea (Kamuela), Hawaii

Attractions: mountain views, Parker Ranch Activities: rest stop, horseback riding, sight seeing Pastures and Hills of Waimea The interior of the Big Island comes as a surprise: pastoral meadows roll over gentle hills where once stood forests of sandalwood. This is cattle-ranching country, most of it - ten percent of the island - owned by … [Read more...]

Hawaii Cruise Information

Cruise Ship near Kailua-Kona

The Big Island of Hawaii is a popular cruise destination, serviced by the major cruise lines including Carnival, Celebrity, Holland America, Norwegian, Princess, and Royal Caribbean. Check out our latest deals on Hawaiian Cruises. Most of these cruise ships will make several port calls including Lahaina Maui, Kahului Maui, Nawiliwili Kauai, … [Read more...]

Kapoho Tide Pools

Kapoho Tide Pools, Big Island Hawaii

Attractions: tidal pools Activities: swimming, snorkeling, sunbathing, picnic In Kapoho, small tide pools dot the entire coastline. These pools are filled to the brim with sea creatures, making them an excellent place for exploration. The Kapoho tide pools boast many different types of fish and a multicolored coral bed. In Kapoho you will … [Read more...]

Pu’uhonua o Honaunau National Historic Park

    One of the most accessible, interesting, and enchanting cultural sites in the State of Hawaii is the Pu'uhonua o Honaunau National Historical Park. Translated, the "Place of Refuge at Honaunau" is the most complete restoration of an ancient Hawaiian religious sanctuary in Hawaii. On the black lava … [Read more...]

Kailua-Kona, Hawaii

  Kailua-Kona is the Big Island's waterfront tourist hub with a small-town feeling. Although abuzz with visitors, cruise passengers, and tourists from all over the world, Kailua-Kona is not thought of as a large city. In fact, you won't find the shore lined with high-rise hotels and many of the nearby beaches are still only sparsely … [Read more...]

Waipi’o Valley, Hawaii

The Beautiful Waipi'o Valley Located along the Hamakua Coast on the northeastern coast of the Big Island of Hawai'i, Waipi'o Valley is the largest and southernmost of the seven valleys on the windward side of the KohalaMountains. Waipi'o is a mile wide at the coast and almost six miles deep. At the coast there is a beautiful black sand beach … [Read more...]

Pololu Valley, Hawaii

Polulu Valley, where North Kohala's main artery, Hwy-270, comes to a dead end, is the last of the chain of inaccessible valleys, and for the moment is every bit as pristine as Waipio. The fear of tsunami, which led the Hawaiians to abandon these once densely populated valleys, is probably their best defense against the rapacity of the … [Read more...]

Hiking the Big Island of Hawaii

Deep in the Waipio Valley

Hawaii is an outdoorsman's paradise and a marvelous place to hike.  Hiking in the Hawaiian Islands offers  many opportunities to experience a unique natural environment and a variety of climate zones.  Known throughout the world for a wide variety of ecosystems, trails in Hawai`i can take you to coastal dunes, shrublands, rainforests, and high … [Read more...]