Hawaii Official Visitors' Guide 2008

Kohala THE BEST WAY TO GLIMPSE HAWAI‘I’S Big Island is in small pieces. Each area has its own character, and often a distinct climate. Let’s go for a drive and see what the island has to offer. We’ll begin in the island’s capital city of Hilo. Hilo has one stately foot rooted in its plantation past and the other in the present. The rains here have the courtesy to wait mostly for evening and are responsible for the rich greenery that colors everything. Check out the many museums and galleries in Historic Downtown Hilo and the Farmers Market on Wednesdays and Saturdays. The Hamakua Coast starts north of ¯¯ Hilo. Vertical cliffs adorned with wispy waterfalls are broken by a series of deep valleys. At the end of the Hamakua Coast ¯¯ corridor is Waipi‘o, accessible by fourwheel drive or hike in. The beauty is worth every step. From Waipi‘o, drive upland to the cool, country town of Waimea. You’ll find Parker Ranch, one of the larger cattle ranches in the country. As you might expect, there’s a cowboy feel to the town complete with a Fourth of July Rodeo. Approach Maunakea from Waimea or 50 HAWAI‘I - THE ISLANDS OF ALOHA® 1-800-GoHawaii Hilo via the Saddle Road. At 13,796 feet, you’ll be on top of the world and probably very cold unless you brought warm clothing. Maunakea means “white mountain” for the snow that often paints the summit in the winter months. Here an array of powerful observatories dot the horizon. Down the hill from Waimea is the Kohala Coast, the Big Island’s sumptuous playground. This shore, always sunny, boasts numerous white sand beaches perfect for sunbathing, swimming and snorkeling. Lush, green golf courses carved from black lava present a beautiful, unearthly contrast. Down the coast is the lively harbor town of Kailua-Kona with its labyrinth of shops, restaurants, hotels and condominiums. Leave from here on deepsea fishing charters or stroll along the shore and watch the action. In October, Kailua-Kona welcomes world-class athletes for the Ironman Triathlon World Championships. Keauhou, south of Kailua-Kona, is a significant site in Hawaiian history. You can explore the area’s historical attractions, some of which share their grounds with resorts. Keauhou Bay marks the birthplace of Kamehameha III. You’ll also find a variety of accommodations and activities in Keauhou, including cruises, snorkeling, shopping and championship golf. Drive south from Keauhou and you’ll be in coffee country where small plantations produce the world’s best coffee beans. Many growers host visitor centers and offer samples of the delicious brew. Stop in at the Kona Historical Society headquarters in Kealakekua to learn more about the region’s history. Kealakekua Bay was the site of Captain Cook’s death in 1779. Today, the bay is a marine preserve and one of the better snorkeling sites on this part of the island. One of the Big Island’s most sacred sites is preserved at Pu‘uhonua o Honaunau National Historical ¯ Park, where you can walk among the heiau that served as a place of refuge for Hawaiians. Continuing south to the Ka‘u district is ¯ Ka Lae, or South Point. This is likely the spot where the voyaging Polynesians first landed in Hawai‘i about 1,500 years ago. Indeed, it’s the southernmost point in the United States. Gaze out at the Pacific’s

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Hawaii Official Visitors' Guide 2008 Contents Kaua'i O'ahu Moloka'i Lāna'i Maui Hawai'i Statewide Listings Kaua'i Listings O'ahu Listings Moloka'i Listings Lana'i Listings Maui Listings Hawai'i's Big Island Listings Hawai'i Tourism Marketing Directory Index of Advertisers

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