Big Island Vacation Guide 2009 - (Page 5) Akatsuka Orchid Gardens Laupahoehoe Train Museum ¯ This museum honors the old Hilo Railroad that hauled goods and passengers up and down the Hama kua 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 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 and Sunday, the Center leads a tour of the summit. A four-wheel drive vehicle is required to participate. Daily: 9 a.m. to 10 p.m., 961-2180, www.ifa.hawaii.edu/info/vis 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: 7 a.m. to 4 p.m., Sat: 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., 866-982-5551 or 968-1333, www.hilocoffeemill.com Day 7 Hilo Lili‘uokalani Gardens Park and Banyan Drive Stroll past ponds and pagodas and enjoy views of Hilo Bay and Coconut Island at the gardens named for Hawai‘i’s Queen Lili‘uokalani. Continue down the mile- long Banyan Drive, lined with over 50 banyan trees bearing the names of their famous planters. World Botanical Gardens 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.wbgi.com ‘Akaka Falls State Park Perhaps the most famous of the island’s waterfalls, ‘Akaka Falls is easy to reach. Witness the water plunge 442 feet from the cliffs above. www.bigisland.org/parks/223/akaka-fallsstate-park Day 6 Downtown Hilo Hilo Farmers Market Check out the Hilo Farmers Market located at the corner of Mamo Street and Kamehameha Avenue. Explore Hawai‘imade 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. 933-1000, www.hilofarmersmarket.com ‘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. View interactive exhibits and planetarium shows. Tue-Sun: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., 969-9700, www.imiloahawaii.org 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 Pana‘ewa Rainforest Zoo This is the only tropical rain forest zoo in the United States. Check out their collection of exotic animals, including Namaste, a white Bengal tiger. Daily: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., 959-9233, www.hilozoo.com 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. 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/education/center.html Day 5 Puna Take a break in your island tour with a stop at one of Pahoa’s quaint restaurants. ¯ A scenic drive along the coast will take you to Ahalanui Thermal Springs Park. Stop by Lava Tree State Park. 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 Hawai‘i’s famous honu (turtles). 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 Mauna Loa Macadamia Nut Factory Watch demonstrations at the factory’s nut and chocolate processing plant. Enjoy free samples at the Mauna Loa Gift Shop. Daily: 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., 888-628-6256 or 966-8618 Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park View the lava from Kı lauea or walk through ¯ native forests. Stop at the Kı lauea Visitor ¯ Center for updates on weather, driving conditions and volcanic activity. Daily: 7:45 a.m. to 5 p.m. (Kı lauea 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 Hilo Hattie Have fun discovering unique made-inHawai‘i products. Located in Prince Kuhio ¯¯ Plaza, Hilo Hattie offers a large selection of Hawaiian fashions, gifts, souvenirs, T-shirts, food and jewelry. Daily: 9 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., 961-3077, www.hilohattie.com 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 Art Center 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 Big Island Candies After being greeted with complimentary Kona coffee, chocolate and cookie samples, you can take a tour of the factory. Don’t leave without some goodies from the Gift Shop. Daily: 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. (Gift Shop), 8:30 a.m. to 3:45 p.m. (Factory), 800-935-5510 or 935-8890, www.bigislandcandies.com 800-648-2441 5 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., 877-967-7772 or 967-7772, www.volcanowinery.com Onizuka Center for International Astronomy On the way to the summit of Mauna Kea, you’ll find this Visitor Information Station at the 9,300-foot elevation. On Saturday http://www.ifa.hawaii.edu/info/vis http://www.akatsukaorchid.com http://www.thetrainmuseum.com http://www.hilocoffeemill.com http://www.wbgi.com http://www.bigisland.org/parks/223/akaka-falls-state-park http://www.bigisland.org/parks/223/akaka-falls-state-park http://www.imiloahawaii.org http://www.hilofarmersmarket.com http://www.htbg.com http://www.hilozoo.com http://www.hawaiireef.noaa.gov/education/center.html http://www.hawaiireef.noaa.gov/education/center.html http://www.tsunami.org http://www.ehcc.org http://www.nps.gov/havo http://www.hilohattie.com http://www.volcanoartcenter.org http://www.lymanmuseum.org http://www.volcanowinery.com http://www.bigislandcandies.com
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