Top 15. Best Tourist Attractions in Hilo, Hawaii
Top 15. Best Tourist Attractions in Hilo, Hawaii (Island of Hawaii):
Akaka Falls State Park, Maunakea Visitor Information Station, Liliuokalani Park and Gardens, Queen Liliuokalani Gardens, Rainbow Falls, Richardson Beach Park, Coconut Island, Pepeekeo Scenic Drive, Pacific Tsunami Museum, Hilo Tropical Gardens, Kaumana Caves Park, Panaewa Rainforest Zoo and Gardens, Imiloa Astronomy Center, Lyman Museum, Mokupapapa Discovery Center
The Big Island of Hawaii
The Big Island is the youngest Island of Hawaii, twice the size of all the other major Islands combined, covering over 4,000 square miles.
There are Twelve distinct climate zones, ranging from East Hawaii’s tropical rain forests to Mauna Kea’s frozen tundra
The Kona Coast lies immediately next to a huge ocean drop-off which descends thousands of feet to the ocean bottom. Kona is the home of the Hawaiian International Billfish Tournament. Wether fishing from charter boats or piers, Kona gets fishermen hooked.
The Big Island, with her Crystal clear blue waters reveals a plethora of fish, sea turtles, dolphins and manta rays. Many snorkeling and scuba expeditions are open to every level of expertise. A unique experience for the advanced scuba diver is to swim into underwater lava tubes where eels, octopus and lobsters may be discovered.
The coffee plant was brought to Kona in 1828 by Samuel Ruggles. Today Kona coffee is one of the most expensive and prized coffees in the world.
Volcano is a subtropical highland community bordering Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. It is near the active volcano Kilauea.
Kilauea Caldera is the longest continuously erupting volcano in the world, its present eruptive phase dates back to 1983
Driving over the new saddle highway between the Mauna Loa and The Mauna Kea is impressive. The Mauna Kea is the tallest sea-mountain in the world and, if measured from the ocean bottom, is 4000 feet taller than Mt. Everest
Cafe Pesto first opened in Kawaihae harbor in 1988 and their popular pizzas caught on and they opened their second restaurant in Hilo in 1992.
Hilo is a peaceful city with an airport, orchid farms and the recently renovated Double Tree Grand Naniloa Hotel. It was also where, in 1946 a 56-foot tsunami swept into Hilo Bay and caused 159 deaths and tore apart downtown Hilo.
Hilo had a second devastating tsunami 14 years later which destroyed downtown again.
The Pacific Tsunami Museum has exhibits which show how tsunamis have actually shaped the appearance and development of Hilo.
Nearby is the Mokupapapa Discovery Museum which explains the region’s coral reef ecosystem. A stunning 2500 gallon sea water aquarium shows some of the local reef fish.
Hawi in North Kohala is known as the bicycle turnaround point for the Ironman Triathlon each October. But it is also know for Bamboo - a Restaurant, bar and store. One of the island’s oldest restaurants, the Pacific Rim menu with fresh island fish and organic local produce is ono (delicious). The store has Hawaiian handicrafts and one of the largest selections of Aloha shirts from Torrie Richards and Avanti on the island.
King Kamehameha, believed to have been born in the North Kohala area, conquered most of the Hawaiian Islands unifying them into the Kingdom of Hawaii.
Today the Big Island is more like the Kingdom of Golf. With 22 golf courses, the region has some of the top rated courses in the world. At the Mauna Kea Beach Hotel Golf Course, is a new addition for getting around the course called golfboards. You can surf the course on a GolfBoard which is a core workout attuned to snowboarding or surfing. It also speeds up the pace of play making an average round of 18 holes on the GolfBoard in only 2 hours and 37 minutes.
The Mauna Lani Resort features two championship courses, the Francis H. I’i Brown North and South Courses. There are some unique features on Mauna Lani’s courses Including the Hawaiian Goose or Nēnē which is a species of goose endemic to the Hawaiian Islands. It is the official state bird of Hawaii
There are also goats, dozens of them which help keep the brush and grasses down. They are nature’s natural lawnmower. Most of the putting greens are Bermuda grass and balls tend to roll faster towards the ocean.
Cats are king at the Mauna Kea Beach Hotel, where ferrel kitties roam the sprawling property for treats and to help keep the rodent population at bay. The Mauna Kea was the brainchild of Laurence Rockefeller and was the most expensive hotel ever built in 1966 when it opened. The Kaunaoa beach is considered one of the most beautiful beaches in Hawaii and in the winter offers exciting opportunities for boogie boarders and surfers.
Lava Lava also has some cottages that can be rented for those who want a spot where you can roll right from the bed to the beach.
Big Island - Touring Hilo Beaches
The perfect day, Come to Hilo
This video embodies many of the wonderful things that Hilo has to offer. You should come to the Big Island of Hawai'i for the waterfalls, the unique beaches, the glorious water life, and the lava. If you have an adventurous spirit and a curious mind Hilo is a must see. Hilo town has many museums that will teach about this beautiful world. Imiloa Astronomy Center of Hawaii is one such attraction. This new planetarium and science center will attract and delight people of ALL ages. I know a 2 year old that absolutely loves it. I paddle Hilo bay with a 70 year old Kupuna that positively adores it.
Oh, and don't forget to enjoy a sunrise and a sunset in Hilo Bay.
Hilo is a great place, pleace come for a vacation in Hilo
Imiloa Astronomy Center - Best Science & Culture Center - Hawaii 2013
'Imiloa is a place of life‐long learning where the power of Hawai'i's cultural traditions, its legacy of exploration, and the wonders of astronomy come together to provide inspiration and hope for generations.
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