Big Island (Kona), HI

Nearby areas in Big Island (Kona), HI

Hilo

Hilo, one of the state's largest settlements, is a busy seaport located on Hilo Bay and is the Big Island's tourist center. Constant rain keeps this beautiful east coast region blooming year-round. Two favorites flowering spots are the Nani Mau Gardens, and Liliuokalani Gardens Park. At the Hilo Public Library you'll see the historic Naha stone, which King Kamehameha the Great legendarily moved in fulfillment of a prophecy about "moving a mountain." In the distance, the snow-topped dormant volcano Mauna Kea looms through the tropical surroundings. Hilo is also home to the Panaewa Rainforest Zoo and the Lyman Mission House and Museum. South of here is the renowned Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, with its two active volcanoes, Mauna Loa and Kilauea. Of course, Hilo has plenty of restaurants and plenty of shopping, too. For some of the island's best catches, head to the Suisan Fish Market. There are several good beaches and lots of great hiking trails.

Wailuku River State Park

This nature reserve offers fascinating geologic and scenic attractions. The Wailuku River, with excellent vistas all the way down to the ocean, leads to the Rainbow Falls. Aptly named, these cascades hit the water below and the resulting mists create colorful rainbows. Also within the park are the natural "jacuzzis" of the Boiling Pots, a succession of warm pools of bubbling water located near the area's other waterfalls, the gorgeous Peepee Falls. The reserve also loops through a lush, tropical rain forest.

Hawaii Volcanoes National Park

Located in southern region, this park contains two of the world's most active volcanoes. If measured from its base on the ocean floor, 13,677-foot Mauna Loa is the second tallest mountain on the earth. Projecting out of Mauna Loa's southeastern slope, Kilauea is the world's most active volcanic crater. Since its latest eruption cycle began in 1983, Kilauea's lava flow has added more than 600 acres of new land to the Big Island's coast. The remainder of the park's varied landscape includes the Kau Desert on Kilauea's leeward side, with a luxuriant forest on the mountain's windward slope. The park is also home to the Hawaii Volcano Observatory, established on the rim of Kilauea Crater.

Kona (Kohala Coast)

On the west side of the island, this region is known for its sunny, dry climate, hence its nickname "The Gold Coast." North Kona is home to some of the island's best beaches, and the best resorts. This is also the home of the International Billfish Tournament, as well as the location of the only US coffee plantations, where you can find the superb Kona coffee bean. Kailua-Kona is the main town on this side of the Big Island, with great shopping and most of the tourist activity on the west coast.

For more information about Big Island (Kona), HI

Hawaii Visitors and Convention Bureau

Royal Hawaiian Shopping Center, 2201 Kalakaua Avenue, Suite A401A, Honolulu, HI 96815, Phone 808-924-0266.

Big Island Visitors Bureau

250 Keawe Street, Hilo, HI 96720, Phone 808-961-5797; Fax 808-961-2126; Email gapplegate@hvcb.org.