Hawaiʻi Island attracts adventurous travelers and outdoor enthusiasts with its incredibly diverse terrain. Across the island, you’ll find a range of trails that put its unique beauty on display. From walking through a volcanic crater to making the journey to a green-colored beach, these are the best hiking trails on the Big Island that you’ll […]
At least we weren’t the only ones. Like many of you, we had been captivated by the fountains of lava from Kīlauea, shooting up over 1,000 feet above Halemaʻumaʻu crater. The recent eruption—now exiting its Episode 16—has lured volcano enthusiasts from around the world to Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park to witness this extraordinary sight. It
From witnessing the fiery eruption at Kīlauea to hiking through tropical forests, nature lovers have plenty to do on the east side of Hawaiʻi Island. And the charming town of Hilo is the perfect home base for them and other adventurous travelers. Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park is just a 45-minute drive south of Hilo International
Passing by a series of subterranean geological features named cave chocolate, cave bacon and cave popcorn, I start to wonder if Oompa-Loompas might also be found in Kula Kai Caverns, part of a vast underworld beneath the southwestern slopes of Mauna Loa. While I don’t end up nibbling the scenery like the kids in “Charlie
I’ve never found anything plain about vanilla. As a kid, I favored the richness of Baskin-Robbins’ French vanilla over gaudier rivals like Pink Bubblegum and Oregon Blackberry. And that small flat bottle of vanilla extract I’d use to make chocolate chip cookies was more than just an ingredient—it was something to savor. I’d inhale the
Getting to Hawaiʻi is expensive—then traveling to Hawaiʻi Island just adds to that. And that’s just the airfare. There are hotel and car rental costs—especially if you’re on the Big Island, where there’s no public transportation. So here are some free things you can do to cut costs and still enjoy your Hawaiʻi vacation. 1.
It was the sign along ‘Akaka Falls Road that got me. It read: “Free Goat Therapy.” The visit I had planned to ‘Akaka Falls State Park, less than 3 more miles up the road, was going to have to wait. Honomū Goat Dairy wasn’t here the last time I drove along this stretch of road
Hikers agree: Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park has some of the most unique trails anywhere in Hawaiʻi. You can walk across a hardened lava lake from a 1959 eruption or venture through a 500-year old lava tube. The 333,308-acre national park on Hawaiʻi Island has dozens of trails for every level, from the well-paved Devastation Trail
Hana Hou Hilo bustles with energy. Once an antiques and collectibles store focused on Hawaiiana and Oceania art and accessories, the boutique in sleepy Hilo town now sells an assortment of locally made goods, curated jewelry and apparel, as well as zero-waste, sustainably made products. And it all started with a wahine (woman) and her
The light rain, the cozy gray mornings, the old buildings and shops that haven’t changed in decades. Everything in Hilo is a little slower, a little quieter, a little more relaxed. The sleepy town on Hawai‘i Island’s east side isn’t on the top of most travel itineraries, with visitors only flying in for the hourlong
During my exciting three days attending the opening weekend of the Kona Coffee Cultural Festival (KCCF) on Hawai‘i Island, it was finally time to drive out for a farm tour or two. With the purchase of a $5 festival button, KCCF offers free tours for attendees at multiple coffee farms around the island, so attendees
‘Tis the season to shop local and fill gift bags and boxes with handmade gifts for your loved ones. Of course handmade gifts made by the folks in our own communities are the best, and Hawai‘i Island offers up craft fairs all over the island where residents and visitors can find unique, handmade items. Events
