Big Island Vacation Guide 2009 - (Page 35) Kamuela Museum, Waimea. Kirk Lee Aeder Museums of the Big Island A great way to experience the past is to explore the artifacts housed in the island’s many museums. In addition to learning about the island’s history and legends, you’ll get the opportunity to view worldclass collections and exhibits of art, artifacts and other prized treasures. Be sure to set aside some time to tour some of these spectacular places. You’ll take a trip back in time when you visit museums on the island of Hawai‘i. Lyman Museum & Mission House The museum’s exhibitions showcase the natural and cultural history of Hawai‘i. The Mission House features the furniture and items used by early missionary families. Mon-Sat: 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., 935-5021, www.lymanmuseum.org Hawai‘i Island National Parks The four National Parks on the island of Hawai‘i were established to preserve the island’s unique history and awesome natural wonders. They are excellent sites for exploring and learning about the island’s past. Mokupapapa ¯ The Discovery Center for Hawai‘i’s Remote Coral Reefs offers educational and interactive exhibits, including a 2,500-gallon aquarium. Tue-Sat: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., 933-8195, www.hawaiireef.noaa.gov/education/ center.html Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park This park is the most popular attraction on the island. Here, you’ll get the opportunity to get close to Kı ¯lauea, one of the world’s few active volcanoes. Daily: 7:45 a.m. to 5 p.m. (Kı ¯lauea Visitor Center), 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. (Ranger Station, Chain of Craters Road), 985-6000, www.nps.gov/havo Hamakua Coast ¯¯ Laupahoehoe Train Museum ¯ Restored from the old stationmaster’s home, this museum commemorates the Hilo Railroad (1899-1946) that hauled sugar, provisions and people up and down the rugged coast. Mon-Fri: 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Sat-Sun: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., 962-6300, www.thetrainmuseum.com Pacific Tsunami Museum The museum provides education about tsunamis and serves as a living memorial to those who lost their lives in past tsunamis. Mon-Sat: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., 935-0926, www.tsunami.org Pu‘uhonua o Honaunau National ¯ Historical Park Pu‘uhonua, or “Place of Refuge,” is the site where defeated warriors came during times of battle. Hawaiians who broke a kapu (law) also fled here to avoid punishment. The park was established in 1961 and contains numerous archaeological sites, from temple platforms and royal fishponds to the Hale o Keawe, a reconstructed temple. Daily: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. (Visitor Center), 328-2288, www.nps.gov/puho Kona Coast Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park Jaggar Museum Dedicated to the volcanologist, Thomas A. Jaggar, this museum offers cultural and geological displays along with photographs and videos about Hawaiian volcanoes. Daily: 8:30 a.m. to 8 p.m., 985-6000, www.nps.gov/havo/planyourvisit/crater rimtour_jaggar.htm Astronaut Ellison S. Onizuka Space Center Located in the Kona International Airport, this facility is dedicated to the memory of Hawai‘i’s first astronaut who died during the Challenger Mission in 1986. There are spacerelated exhibits and interactive displays. Daily: 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (closed holidays), 329-3441 The H.N. Greenwell Store Operated by the Kona Historical Society, this museum is housed in the historic Greenwell Family Store built in 1875. Mon-Fri: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., 323-3222, www.konahistorical.org/tours-store.html Kaloko-Honokohau National ¯ Historical Park This park is the site of an ancient Hawaiian settlement. It contains portions of four different ahupua‘a (traditional ocean to mountain land divisions). The 1,160-acre park was established in 1978 to preserve the ancient ki‘i pohaku (petroglyphs), kahua ¯ (housing platforms), holua (stone slide) and ¯ heiau (place of worship). Daily: 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. (Hale Ho‘okipa Visitor Center), 326-9057, www.nps.gov/kaho Kı lauea Visitor Center ¯ The center has a display of volcano-related photographs and artifacts. “Born of Fire… Born of the Sea,” a colorful 25-minute film about Kı ¯lauea is shown on the hour. Daily: 7:45 a.m. to 5 p.m., 985-6000, www.nps.gov/havo/planyourvisit/hours.htm Hulihe‘e Palace Formerly a vacation residence for Hawaiian royalty, the museum displays a collection of Hawaiian artifacts and personal memorabilia of Hawaiian royalty. Closed for repairs, Hulihe‘e Palace is scheduled to reopen in January 2009. Daily: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., 329-9555, www.daughtersofhawaii.org/huliheepalace/ Hilo ‘Imiloa Astronomy Center of Hawai‘i Located on a nine-acre campus above the University of Hawai‘i at Hilo, the center explores the connections between Hawaiian cultural traditions and the science of astronomy. ‘Imiloa features interactive exhibits, planetarium shows, group tours, a gift shop, café and plenty of events throughout the year. Tue-Sun: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., 969-9700, www.imiloahawaii.org Pu‘ukohola Heiau National ¯ Historical Park With the help of both chiefs and commoners, Kamehameha I built this place of worship sometime around 1790. Kamehameha I dedicated the site to the war god Kuka‘ilimoku before setting out to conquer ¯¯ the neighbor islands. It worked, as the monarchy he created lasted until 1893. Daily: 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. (Visitor Center), 882-7218 x 2, www.nps.gov/puhe Waimea Parker Ranch Historic Homes & Private Art Gallery Tour the two Historic Homes filled with fine art to learn more about John Parker and his Hawai‘i cattle kingdom. Mon-Sat: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., 885-5433, www.parkerranch.com 800-648-2441 35 http://www.lymanmuseum.org http://www.hawaiireef.noaa.gov/education/center.html http://www.hawaiireef.noaa.gov/education/center.html http://www.nps.gov/havo http://www.tsunami.org http://www.thetrainmuseum.com http://www.nps.gov/puho http://www.nps.gov/havo/planyourvisit/craterrimtour_jaggar.htm http://www.nps.gov/havo/planyourvisit/craterrimtour_jaggar.htm http://www.konahistorical.org/tours-store.html http://www.nps.gov/havo/planyourvisit/hours.htm http://www.nps.gov/kaho http://www.daughtersofhawaii.org/huliheepalace/ http://www.nps.gov/puhe http://www.imiloahawaii.org http://www.parkerranch.com
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