Hawi, Hawaii

Drive north along the Akoni Pule Highway for approximately 45 miles. When you reach Lapakahi State Historical Park, turn left of of the highway and find a parking spot.  The fishing village itself consists of several volcanic rock walls along the shore. It is a great stop while exploring the nort...

Enjoy a 2 hour horseback ride on Kohala Mountain in Waimea on the north side of the Big Island! There are several ranches in the area through which you can take a guided tour - I would recommend Paniolo Adventures, but you can look up the ranches in the Waimea / Kohala Mountain area. The ranches ...

Located near the northern tip of the Big Island, Waipi'o Valley is one of the most beautiful views that you can experience in all of Hawaii. Waipi'o Valley is an hour and 30 minute drive from Kona and an hour and 10 minutes from Hilo. To access the lookout, take HI-19 west to HI-240. Make sure to...

From the parking area, walk down the narrow, crazy steep four-wheel drive road for 0.75 mile until the road levels. A few 4WD vehicles, either foolhardy (tourist) or knowledgable (local) may be inching up and down. Head to the right toward the beach for 0.45 mile and arrive on the black sand beac...

This beach is a great if you're looking for a more secluded beach in Waikoloa Village.  Rarely are there more than ten people there even during sunset when people flock to the beach.   If you aren't staying at the Hilton next door then this spot is a little harder to access. There are two beach a...

While you can drive right to the summit of Mauna Kea on the 14 mile access road, the last 7 miles are on a very bumpy dirt road, so make sure your vehicle has plenty of clearance and good tires. All wheel drive will help a lot.The drive up is amazing itself. Usually there is some fog lingering ar...

Located just south of Kailua-Kona International Airport, Wawaloli Beach is a hidden gem that many tourists miss completely on the way out of the airport.   To get there just simply turn into the Natural Energy Lab on Makako Bay Dr from Queen Ka'ahumanu Highway (HI19). About a mile down the road i...

If you are looking for something akin to true backcountry travel and scrambling in Maui, the Lau'ulu trail and the Pohaku Palaha summit on the north/north east rim of the Haleakala volcano is a great option. You will find solitude, unparalleled views of the crater, surreal high-altitude tropical ...

Just off the road to Hana before entering the town, Waianapanapa State Park is a great place to stop and explore along the drive. Wainapapa SP offers tent and cabin camping, there is a great black rock beach with access to snorkeling and other beach activities, and lots of short trails for explor...

Wai'anapanapa State Park is located at mile marker 32 on the Hana Highway. The park has limited parking, but many of the tourists are making quick stops on their journey to Hana and the turnover for parking is fast. Once parked, check in at the office to obtain your overnight permit (must be orde...

Stop first at Hal Ho'okipa, the park visitor information center. It[s about 4.1 miles south of Kona Airport. Its a neat little building where you can pick up a map and learn more about the area. From there you can take the 0.5 mile Ala Hele Ike Hawai'i trail that leads to the coastal trail (Ala H...

If you're headed up to Haleakala to catch the sunrise or sunset at the summit, leave a few hours before or after to do a quick hike into the crater on the Sliding Sands Trail.This is not an easy hike (high elevation and therefore lower concentration of oxygen, altitude sickness concerns and steep...

Head to Haleakala's summit for amazing views of the island and your choice of a stunning sunrise or sunset. Keep in mind that you are 10,000 feet up once you're at the summit, so be prepared with warmer layers. If you're planning to get there early for the sunrise, make sure to bring a little foo...

Haleakala means "House of the rising sun" and is a wonderful description of the mountain. Haleakala is a large dormant volcano that makes up ~75% of the island of Maui. On the slopes of Halekala are rain forests, pastures, endemic birds, the endangered but beautiful silversword, and a summit that...

Day 1, the trailhead begins just off the highway at 7,990 feet elevation and takes you to the north and east to an opening in the ridgeline. After 1.1 miles, you will begin your 2.6 mile descent from the crater ridge south, into the heart of the wilderness area and where you will arrive at Holua ...