Big Island Vacation Guide 2008 - (Page 30) Waipi‘o Bay KIRK AEDER Parker Ranch Store, Waimea could easily be known as waterfall alley. Be sure to bring your camera; there are lots of memories to preserve. The Hawai‘i Tropical Botanical Garden is located on the four-mile scenic route at Onomea Bay, approximately eight miles north of Hilo. The garden’s rain forest trails pass streams and waterfalls, allowing you to view more than 2,000 species of rare and exotic plants. The Hamakua Coast was sugarcane ¯¯ country for years. Once a center of the bustling industry, the historic little town of Honomu now caters to visitors on their ¯ way to ‘Akaka Falls State Park. Located about 10 miles north of Hilo, its tiny main street is lined with shops featuring local woodworks, arts and crafts as well as ice cream and baked goods. ‘Akaka Falls is arguably the most famous of the Big Island’s countless waterfalls. The falls are easily accessed by a well-maintained circular trail through a tropical rain forest. Along the way you’ll pass giant ferns, vibrant heliconia, bamboo groves and fragrant ginger blossoms. ‘Akaka Falls plunges 420 feet in one steady stream from the cliffs above. There’s a monument at Laupahoehoe ¯ Point to commemorate those who lost their lives in the tsunami of 1946 that destroyed the railroad and swept away the original town. The view of the powerful Pacific pounding against the sea cliffs is worth the one-mile side trip. Nearby, there’s another must-see waterfall, the multi-tiered Umauma Falls, part of the World Botanical Gardens. Guided and Opelo Rd Hö Lin kü ÿu l aR d ÿImiola Church, 1857 Rd Keck Observatory C Hawai‘i Opelo Preparatory Plaza Academy Waimea Park Comm Ctr Anuenue To Häwï, Park Kawaihae, Kawaiha e Rd Kohala Coast Parker Ranch d Ka piÿ ola ni w Ro rch hu Cook’s Corner Kamuela Bus Ctr To Waipiÿo Valley, Hilo Police Waimea Ctr Parker School B iÿi wa Ha elt Rd Civic Ctr Lucy Henriques Med Ctr N. Hawaiÿi Comm. Hospital Fire Square Lanakila Park Ulu Laÿau Waimea Nature Park Mauna loa Str Waiko Kea Ctr Post Office library Castle Waimea Country Lodge Parker Ranch Museum & Visitor Center Pu Kahilu Theatre ka lan i Rd Parker Ranch Stables To Parker Ranch Historical Homes and Gardens & Pu‘u‘öpelu Art Exhibit (M äm al ah oa y) Hw Waimea School self-guided tours are available at World Botanical Gardens, located 16 miles north of Hilo. View over 200 acres filled with exotic plant species from around the world. Travel up the road to stretch your legs at Kalo ¯ State Recreation Area. The 100¯pa acre native rain forest is great for hiking and picnics and also offers camping facilities. There’s a short nature loop through an ‘ohi‘a forest, or you can hike the longer ¯ trails into the natural tropical wilderness. Quaint Honoka‘a is a former sugar town that now sports galleries and shops offering souvenirs, gifts, antiques, arts, crafts and collectibles. Stop here for a quiet stroll and a souvenir of your day. One of the highlights of the Hamakua ¯¯ Coast, and some would say of the Big Island, is Waipi‘o Valley. Formerly a center of ancient Hawaiian political and religious life, and home to thousands, it is now a serene valley with less than 100 residents. Your first glimpse will be from the Waipi‘o Valley Overlook at the end of the main road. The black sand beach at the mouth gives the valley its name, “Curving Water.” It’s 1,000 feet down to the valley floor. There is a road into Waipi‘o Valley accessible by four-wheel drive or you can hike it. It will take about a half hour to walk down. There’s also a shuttle and tour available. The valley itself is a mile across and over five miles deep, ending at the Big Island’s tallest waterfall, Hi‘ilawe Falls. The falls cascade 1,300 feet to feed the taro farms at the back of the valley. Parker Ranch & Camp Tarawa Monument Parker Ranch Historical Houses Rd Parker Ranch Headquarters To Waimea Airport, Saddle Rd ds R ey Waimea lu ma mä Ka Rd NORTH The northernmost section of the island of Hawai‘i marks the spot where King Kamehameha was born. Reminders of the great ruler are found all over the area. This is also paniolo (Hawaiian cowboy) country, a great place to saddle up for a ride. Whether by horseback or hiking boots, the beauty of the North Side is worth every step. Until recently, Waimea was a company town and that company was the Parker Ranch. John Palmer Parker, a Massachusetts seaman whose fortuitous 0 0 .25 mi .50 km WAIMEA 30 www.bigisland.org http://www.bigisland.org
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