| What are the features which draw people to return | | | | America's rainiest city. Do not let that prevent you |
| to Hawaii's Big Island year after year? Is it the call of | | | | from visiting, however, because this historic and |
| the mountain's, the rain forest, and the waterfalls? Is | | | | charming little town will offer perfect picture taking |
| it the charm of the small villages, or the open spaces | | | | opportunities with its 20 acre Nani Mau Gardens, and |
| of the upland ranches and coffee plantations? Maybe | | | | the legendary Naha and Pinao Stones. The Pinao |
| it is just the magnificent beaches, and the world-class | | | | Stone is said to them once been an entrance pillar to |
| restaurants and hotels. Perhaps it is the magical | | | | an ancient temple on the Wailuku River. Kamehameha |
| secret garden known as the Valley of the Kings. | | | | the Great, the founder of Hawaii, is said to have 2 1 |
| It could be the fascinating Kilauea Volcano, the lava | | | | 2 ton Naha Stone while still a teenager. |
| flows of which are still shaping the island. The truth is | | | | The town of Puako, just outside the Hapuna Beach |
| that there is many reasons to return to the big Island | | | | State Recreation Area, is known for its enormous |
| as there are visitors who return to it. | | | | tide pools, which shelter numerous sea creatures |
| If you are about to embark on your first visit to | | | | including live corals. Puako, however, is not on the |
| Hawaii's Big Island, however, you are in for the most | | | | major tourist routes, so there are few facilities there. |
| magical vacation of your life. The Big Island is a study | | | | If you think any scenery looks better when viewed |
| in contrasts where vast areas of pristine land border | | | | from the back of a horse, head for King's Trail Rides |
| dynamic cities like Kona. If you are like most tourists, | | | | O'Kona. Their two-hour excursion will take you to the |
| in fact, you will begin your stay on the island in Kona. | | | | Capain. Cook monument at Kalakekua Bay, where |
| Doing so will give you a chance to get your bearings, | | | | you can enjoy a bit of snorkeling before remounting |
| to soak up some sun on the Big Island's beaches, and | | | | and returning to be stable. For a full day in the saddle, |
| enjoy some of Hawaii's underwater marvels by | | | | driving five-hour hidden waterfall adventure offered |
| snorkeling through the coral reef in Kealakekuea Bay. | | | | at the Waipi'o Ridge Stables. You will circle the rim of |
| If you prefer to enjoy the water from above, | | | | the Waipi'o Valley and be given time to refresh |
| rented kayak and paddle through the paths of | | | | yourself with a dip in the waterfall. |
| spinner dolphins on your way to Captain Cook's | | | | A rugged trail winds through the lush green spaces of |
| monument. | | | | the Pololu Valley, descending to Polulo Beach and a |
| You cannot leave the big Island without having visited | | | | jagged coastline complete with a number of |
| a Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. The Kilauea Volcano | | | | waterfalls. If you find the trail to challenging on foot, |
| has been spewing lava for the past quarter century | | | | you can hire a sure-footed mule. The valleys beyond |
| and is only one of the Big Island's five live volcanoes. | | | | the Pololu Valley are the source of water for the big |
| The Mauna Loa volcano last erupted in 1984, but | | | | Island's Kohala Ditch, once used to transport water |
| geologists expect that it will erupt again at any time. | | | | to the local sugar plantations. Kayak cruises are |
| Hawaii Volcanoes National Park has more than 140 | | | | available through the ditch, if you are interested in |
| miles of trails, and you really need to camp there if | | | | learning more about the history of the sugar |
| you are going to take advantage of your | | | | plantations. |
| opportunities for exploration. Even if your time is | | | | No matter where you go on the Big Island, you will |
| limited, however, you should make a point of driving | | | | see more than you can fully appreciate in a single |
| through the entire park. | | | | visit. So why not take it for granted that your first |
| The enormous amounts of rainfall which cascade on | | | | visit to the Big Island will be only one of many, many |
| the city of Hilo each year have earned it the title of | | | | more! |