Stop At: South Point Heiau, Hawaii 96772
The southernmost point of the Big Island of Hawaii and of the 50 United States. Registered as a National Historic Landmark District under the name South Point Complex, Ka Lae is known for its strong ocean currents and winds, as well as being the site of a wind farm.
The area is a popular fishing spot due to a confluence of ocean currents just offshore, making red snapper and ulua plentiful.
You will often find cliff jumpers braving the 40 foot high cliffs. There is an old fishing ladder to climb back out of the ocean.
The area is notable for its archaeological significance, being one of the earliest Hawaiian settlements with a long archaeological record. It is believed to be the point of first landfall for Polynesians due to its proximity to Tahiti. Ruins of an ancient Hawaiian temple (heiau) and a fishing shrine, as well as holes drilled in rock ledges for mooring canoes, can be found here.
Duration: 30 minutes
Stop At: Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, Volcano National Park, Hawaii
Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park encompasses two of the world's most active volcanoes: Kīlauea and Mauna Loa. The park provides visitors with access to dramatic volcanic landscapes and insights into traditional Hawaiian culture connected to these landscapes.
Established on August 1, 1916, it covers an area of 344,812 acres and welcomed 1,620,294 visitors in 2023.
The park includes a diverse range of environments, from sea level to the summit of Mauna Loa, the Earth's most massive active volcano, at 13,679 feet. The climates within the park range from lush tropical rainforests to the arid and barren Kaʻū Desert.
Eruptive activity, ground collapses, and explosions in the park ceased in early August 2018, with a lull in activity until an eruption on December 20, 2020, at the Halemaʻumaʻu crater. The park's main entrance is from the Hawaii Belt Road, and the Chain of Craters Road leads to the coast, passing several craters from historic eruptions.
Park Entrance Fee is $30.00
Duration: 3 hours
Stop At: Rainbow Falls, Waianuenue Avenue, Hilo, Hawaii 96720
Rainbow Falls, known in Hawaiian as Waiānuenue Falls, is a picturesque waterfall located in Hilo, Hawaii. It stands 80 feet (24 meters) tall and spans almost 100 feet (30 meters) in diameter. The falls are a part of the Hawai'i State Parks system and can be visited without an entrance fee.
The waterfall is fed by the Wailuku River, which plunges into a large, turquoise-colored pool below. The surrounding gorge is lush with dense, nonnative tropical rainforest, adding to the falls' beauty. Notably, the area around the falls is rich with nonnative wild ginger and monstera plants.
Rainbow Falls gets its name from the stunning rainbows that can often be seen in the waterfall's mist on sunny mornings around 10 am. The falls flow over a natural lava cave, which is said to be the mythological home of Hina, an ancient Hawaiian goddess, adding a layer of cultural significance to the natural beauty of the site.
Duration: 30 minutes
Stop At: Mauna Kea Observatories, Mauna Kea Access Rd, Hilo, Hawaii 96720
The Mauna Kea Visitor Information Station (VIS) is located at an elevation of 9,200 feet on Mauna Kea, the highest mountain in Hawaii. It serves as a base for those visiting the Mauna Kea Observatories and the summit of Mauna Kea.
The VIS offers educational programs, stargazing opportunities, and information about the cultural and natural significance of Mauna Kea. It's an essential stop for tourists and researchers alike, providing insights into the astronomical research conducted at the observatories and the unique environment of Mauna Kea. The center also plays a crucial role in promoting safe and respectful visitation practices for one of the world's premier astronomical observation sites.
The Mauna Kea Observatories, located near the summit, are part of a complex of independent astronomical research facilities and large telescope observatories that benefit from Mauna Kea's clear skies, low humidity, and minimal light pollution.
Duration: 30 minutes
