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Hawaiian Vacation for Two!
From the Hamakua Coast to Kailua-Kona
By Michelle West Published: 08/09/2007
From the breathtaking rainbow waterfalls to beautiful peaceful gardens, lush fern and bamboo forests to fiery Pele's volcano, to royal palace grounds and to white sandy tropical breeze beaches, there is a diversity on the Big Island of Hawai‘i, like nowhere else on EARTH !
Akaka Falls near Honomu
Take a meditative stroll through a lush fern and bamboo forest, and find yourself gazing at the 442 feet plunging rainbow spray of Akaka Falls. To get to Akaka falls, follow highway 220 for 3.5 miles to the parking area and enjoy the serenity of this beautiful natural sanctuary.
Queen Lili‘uokalani Gardens
Queen Lili‘uokalani Gardens, here in Hilo you could find serenity wandering through 30 acres of an authentic Japanese garden of oriental and Hawaiian plantings, bridges, ponds and pagodas. The garden was built in the early 1900's as a memorial to the immigrant Japanese laborers who worked on the sugar plantations. The grace and beauty of the gardens is a gentle reminder of Queen Lili‘uokalani, named in her honor, the last reigning monarch of Hawai‘i. Rain or shine there is always a “Kodak” moment so be sure to bring your camera.
Coconut Island is reached by a footbridge across the drive from the garden. The ancient Hawaiians called the island Moku‘ola, the “healing” island. They sought cures for ailments there.
Thurston Lava Tube
The Thurston Lava Tube is one of the “must see's” at the Volcano National Park. It is a short walk from Crater Rim Drive. Part of the tube is lighted and you can see how the lava travels. Many of the lava stalactites have been removed over the years. Thurston's darker half of the tube continues for another thousand feet, at the large stairs past the gate. Bring a good flashlight if you want to venture past the lighted half of the lava tube. At the end of the tube, turn off your flashlight and feel the experience of total darkness.
Kona-Hulihe‘e Palace
Guests have been visiting Hulihe‘e Palace for over 150 Years. The Palace is located on Ali‘i Drive in the heart of the historic village of Kailua-Kona. Foreign seamen constructed the palace with koa and ‘ohi‘a timbers, native lava rock and coral lime mortar. Hulihe`e was completed in 1838 and was the principal residence of Governor John Adams Kuakini. After his death in 1844, the Palace was inherited by his adopted son, William Pitt Leleiohoku.
A few months later Leleiohoku died, leaving Hulihe‘e to his wife, Princess Ruth ‘Luka ‘Ke‘elikolani. Princess Ruth used the Palace for entertaining and housing the royal families and visitors, but she preferred sleeping in a large pili grass house that she had built on the place grounds. (This was not a small grass hut, but a considerable residence with double hung windows.)
The Palace grounds also included an historic fish pond. Princess Ruth passed away in 1883, leaving no surviving heirs, with the property passing to her cousin Princess Bernice Pauahi Bishop. Princess Bernice died the following year and the palace was purchased by King David Kalakaua and Queen Kapi‘olani. King Kalakaua remodeled the palace extensively and the lanai was widened.
The property was sold in 1914 and the contents were auctioned. Hulihe‘e was purchased by the Territory of Hawai‘i to be a museum that is now lovingly tended by the Daughters of Hawai‘i. Tours are offered daily except major holidays.
The Big Island has 23 eco-systems, the tallest mountain in the state and the largest volcano on the planet. Come and explore and find your piece of heaven on earth on the Big Island of Hawai‘i.
Locations
Big Island
Photo Gallery - From the Hamakua Coast to Kailua-Kona
Click here for Slideshow. You can also click on any of the photos to start slideshow.
