Big Island Vacation Guide 2008 - (Page 6) LEFT TO RIGHT: Kapa (tapa). Courtesy of HTJ. Ki‘i at Pu‘uhonua o Honaunau National Historical Park. Red lehua blossoms. ¯ ‘Akaka Falls. Hiking adventure. Photo by Kirk Aeder. Kona coffee cherries. Photo by Kirk Aeder. Manuka State Wayside Park ¯ A two-mile loop trail will take you through the park’s arboretum. galleries. If it’s Saturday morning, pick up some local produce and fresh flowers at the farmers market. Akatsuka Orchid Gardens Akatsuka Orchid Gardens has one of the larger orchid collections in Hawai‘i. Tour the showroom and buy orchids and tropical flowers directly from the gardens. Daily: 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., 888-967-6669, www.akatsukaorchid.com Laupahoehoe Train Museum ¯ This museum honors the old Hilo Railroad that hauled goods and passengers up and down the Hama Coast. ¯ ¯kua Mon-Fri: 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Sat-Sun: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., 962-6300, www.thetrainmuseum.com Ka Lae (South Point) As the southernmost point of land in the United States, the views here seem endless. World Botanical Gardens Hilo Coffee Mill The Hilo Coffee Mill provides educational tours that showcase the entire coffee production process. There’s also a retail shop where you can sample and purchase East Hawai‘i coffee. Mon-Fri: 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Sat: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., 866-982-5551, www.hilocoffeemill.com KOHALA Pu‘ukohola Heiau National Historical Park ¯ This “Place of Worship” was built by King Kamehameha the Great as an offering to the gods to ask for success in his campaign to unite the Hawaiian Islands. Daily: 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. (Visitor Center), 882-7218 x 2, www.nps.gov/puhe There are more than 5,000 species of plants here. A short walk through the garden’s rain forest will lead you to Umauma Falls, the famous triple falls. Daily: 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., 963-5427, www.worldbotanicalgardens.com ‘Akaka Falls State Park Perhaps the most famous of the Big Island’s waterfalls, ‘Akaka Falls is easy to reach. Witness the water plunge 420 feet from the cliffs above. www.hawaii.gov/dlnr/dsp/hawaii.html Hamakua Macadamia Nut Factory ¯¯ Tour the Hamakua Macadamia Nut Factory and ¯¯ check out their retail shop full of coffee, nuts, cookies and more. Daily: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., 888-643-6688 or 882-1116, www.hawnnut.com DOWNTOWN HILO Hilo Farmers Market Check out the Hilo Farmers Market located at the corner of Mamo Street and Kamehameha Avenue. Explore Hawai‘i-made crafts and pick up some fresh farm products. The market is open every Wednesday and Saturday, “from dawn ‘til it’s gone.” Arrive early for the best selection. www.hilofarmersmarket.com Hawai‘i Tropical Botanical Garden The garden is a photographer’s dream, with over 2,000 species of rare and exotic tropical plants. Daily: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., 964-5233, www.htbg.com Lapakahi State Historical Park Take a self-guided tour of this ancient fishing settlement, located about 12 miles north of Kawaihae. Rainbow Falls Just a short drive from Hilo, Rainbow Falls is named for the rainbows that often color the waterfall’s early morning mist. Bring a camera. North Kohala Tour Art galleries and charming restaurants welcome visitors to this area. See the historic sites of North Kohala, including the original King Kamehameha statue in Kapa‘au. Mokupapapa ¯ Visit the Discovery Center for Hawai‘i’s Remote Coral Reefs to experience educational and interactive exhibits.The Center also features a 2,500-gallon aquarium. Tue-Sat: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., 933-8195, www.hawaiireef.noaa.gov/center ¯ VOLCANO & KA‘U Punalu‘u Black Sand Beach Swim, snorkel or have a picnic at this famous beach. A short walk will take you to Kane‘ele‘ele Heiau, a favorite spot for honu (Hawaiian sea turtles). Pololu Valley ¯ A lookout at the end of Hwy 270 provides spectacular views of the northeastern coastline and the valley below. Pacific Tsunami Museum View displays of photographs, documents, videos, scientific instrumentation and art that detail the history of tsunamis in the Pacific region. Hear personal accounts by tsunami survivors. Mon-Sat: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., 935-0926, www.tsunami.org Waimea Town Visit some of the historic structures and unique restaurants in and around Waimea. And be sure to explore the Visitor Center and other attractions at the famous Parker Ranch. Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park View the lava from Kılauea. Stop at the Kılauea ¯ ¯ Visitor Center for updates on weather, driving conditions and volcanic activity. Daily: 7:45 a.m. to 5 p.m. (Kılauea Visitor Center), ¯ 985-6000, www.nps.gov/havo East Hawai‘i Cultural Center View the art exhibits at one of the center’s three public galleries. Mon-Sat: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., 961-5711, www.ehcc.org Volcano Art Center ¯¯ HAMAKUA HERITAGE CORRIDOR Waipi‘o Valley Drive to the end of Highway 240 to reach the Waipi‘o Valley Overlook. Along with exhibits and demonstrations, the gallery features works by more than 300 artists. Daily: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., 967-8222, www.volcanoartcenter.org Lyman Museum & Mission House Explore the artifacts, fine art and exhibitions of early missionary life at this museum. Step into the Mission House and see how missionary families lived 150 years ago. Mon-Sat: 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., 935-5021, www.lymanmuseum.org Volcano Winery Stop here to purchase local wines and gifts, and enjoy a free wine tasting. Daily: 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., 967-7772, www.volcanowinery.com Honoka‘a Town Located on the Ha ¯kua Coast, this former sugar ¯ma town has an interesting collection of shops and 6 www.bigisland.org http://www.akatsukaorchid.com http://www.thetrainmuseum.com http://www.worldbotanicalgardens.com http://www.hilocoffeemill.com http://www.nps.gov/puhe http://www.hawaii.gov/dlnr/dsp/hawaii.html http://www.htbg.com http://www.hawnnut.com http://www.hilofarmersmarket.com http://www.hawaiireef.noaa.gov/center http://www.tsunami.org http://www.nps.gov/havo http://www.ehcc.org http://www.volcanoartcenter.org http://www.volcanowinery.com http://www.lymanmuseum.org http://www.bigisland.org
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