Hilo

We’ll begin our tour in Hilo Town. Although this town may be small, there’s plenty to see and do.

King Kamehameha Statue

Our tour begins at the King Kamehameha Statue in Hilo. Learn the fascinating backstory of this 14-foot bronze sculpture of Hawaii's first king and how it ended up in Hilo.

Coconut Island

Coconut Island is a small beach park in Hilo accessed by a small bridge. This island is also called Moku Ola, which means 'healing island' or 'island of life', and it used to be the home of an ancient temple that was dedicated to healing. Legend has it that swimming around the island three times would heal any ailments or ill feelings.

Liliuokalani Gardens is one of the gems of Hilo Town. This park is known as the biggest edo-style garden outside of Japan! In this serene park you’ll find majestic red bridges over Koi ponds, statues, and pagodas, along with stone lanterns lining the pathways.

Rainbow Falls

Located just a short drive from Downtown Hilo is Rainbow Falls. On sunny days, rainbows appear amid the 80-foot falls, making for some pretty magical views. The broad waterfall - nearly 100 feet in diameter - plunges over a natural lava cave into the river below.

Boiling Pots

A few minutes down the road, you’ll find Boiling Pots, a chain of overflowing waterfalls that looks like boiling pots of water after it rains.

Kaumana Caves Park

Kaumana Caves is a massive cave part of a 25-mile-long lava tube created by the Mauna Loa lava flow of 1880. The public part of the cave stretches about 2 miles and quickly goes pitch black as soon as you enter.

Naha Stone

Pull over in front of the Hilo Public Library, and take a look at the Naha Stone on the grass outside. In ancient times the Naha Stone was believed to have spiritual powers and that whoever could move or overturn this 5,000-pound rock would then be granted the power to unite the islands. Legend has it that at the age of 30, Kamehameha successfully overturned the stone. He later united the islands of Hawai'i and became its first king.

Onomea Trail is an easy hike that runs along a breathtaking section of coastline with 180-degree views of Onomea Bay. The trail to the bay is short, less than a mile roundtrip, but it’s worth it for the photo opportunities alone! You can also take the fork in the trail to explore Onomea stream where it opens to the ocean.

Stroll through a manicured garden with over 2,500 plant species, then we recommend a visit the nearby Hawai'i Tropical Botanical Garden. The garden protects the unique and endangered plants of the rainforests and features miles of trails under a canopy of trees. The place is magical!

Akaka Falls State Park

Arguably one of the most famous waterfalls on the Big Island, you can take a half-mile stroll on a paved path through a lush rainforest filled with wild orchids, bamboo groves, and draping ferns to get a glimpse of this iconic natural wonder.

Ready for another waterfall? Follow the signs for the Umauma Experience and take their self-guided driving tour to see this stunning three-tier waterfall. Stop by the visitor center first to register and grab a map. Then enjoy a scenic drive through a beautiful tropical garden before heading to the spectacular Umauma Falls viewpoint.

Laupahoehoe Train Museum

When you take this tour, we’ll tell you all about the history of sugarcane in Hawai'i. This industry once flourished on the islands, and railways were a key mode of transportation for this vital export. This museum celebrates the history of the Hamakua Coast and the railroads that connected this Big Island’s sugarcane industry to the rest of Hawai'i and the world.

In 1946, there was a devastating tsunami in this area that killed over 150 people. Many of them were school children. During the tour, you’ll hear the story of this tragic day and learn about a few brave survivors.

Waipi'o Valley

Waipi'o Valley is one of the most beautiful and storied valleys in Hawai'i. According to legends, the gods lived in Waipi'o in ancient days. The sacred valley was also the royal center for many ancient rulers on the Big Island and was the boyhood home of Kamehameha the Great.

Well, do we have a treat for you! On our way out of Honoka'a, we’ll guide you to TEX Drive In -- a local spot with hearty plate lunches that will keep you fueled and ready to go for the rest of your journey.

Waimea

Waimea Town is an artsy farm town known for its quaint bed and breakfasts and cowboy history. Waimea also has lots of amazing restaurants, a theatre, art exhibits, and historic ranches.

Waimea Nature Park (ula La'au)

The name of this park is Ulu La’au which means "circle of trees" in Hawaiian. It’s a great place for a stroll or a picnic to relax next to a flowing stream.

This quaint plantation-style shopping center features several unique stores including: The Gallery of Great Things, a collection of Hawaiian, Polynesian and Asian art; Waimea Coffee Company; and Waimea General Store, offering local gift items and island-inspired souvenirs.

Take a step back in time to the days of the Hawaiian cowboy! Learn about the history of the paniolo and learn why they are such an important part of Hawai'i ranching history. The museum is free and open to the public. Visit their website for details.

Anna Ranch Heritage Center

The Anna Ranch is a national historic site that harks back to the Big Island’s plantation days. The white, wooden walls contain a lot of stories; it’s been in the same ranching family for five generations and was home to Anna Lindsey Perry-Fiske, aka the first lady of ranching.

Parker Ranch

Here you’ll find two historic houses built in the 1800s. The houses serve as the Parker Ranch headquarters. Explore the grounds and historic homes on one of their self-guided tours. It's a great way to experience what life was like on this iconic ranch throughout the years.

Book a horseback riding adventure at Kahua Ranch Na'alapa Stables and experience the spectacular panoramic views of Waimea's rolling hills. Led by experienced paniolos. Visit their website for details.

After Waimea Town, you’ll embark on your drive across Saddle Road, officially named the Daniel K. Inouye Highway. This is the main thoroughfare on the Big Island that connects Kona in the west with Hilo in the east. Along this 50-minute drive, we'll keep you entertained with more history, geology, and music. We'll also share the inspiring story of the highway's namesake--Daniel K. Inouye.

Maunakea Visitor Information Station

The summit of Mount Everest is higher above sea level than the summit of any other mountain, but Mauna Kea is the tallest when measured from its base on the ocean floor to its summit. Astronomers from around the world explore the universe from its peak, and Hawaiians have many ancient spiritual connections to this special site. For visitors, it is one of the clearest places on the planet for viewing the night sky and offers a rare opportunity to experience the polar tundra in Hawai'i.

Hilo

After our visit to Mauna Kea, we'll guide you back to Hilo. If you are staying in Hilo, we recommend checking out the highlights in the app for recommendations of other places to see here in Hilo Town.

Mauna Kea Observatories

Take the whole family to one of the clearest places on the planet for viewing the night sky!