The Big Island of Hawaii, known as the Orchid Isle because of its natural beauty, is the southernmost point in the United States. It boasts up to five different volcanoes, the most of any Hawaiian Island, and its geography includes ancient lava flows, beaches with sands in a rainbow array of colors, snow-capped mountains, tropical rainforests, desolate moonscapes and verdant meadows. Each area on the Island offers something new and exciting, the problem is finding enough time to see and do it all!Kona, known as The Gold Coast because of its dry and sunny climate, is divided into northern and southern districts. Because it is higher in altitude, the climate in South Kona is cooler and the vegetation more lush. The area consists of a string of tiny villages and small coffee farms and the remnants of old cattle pens and chutes left over from the paniolo (Hawaiian cowboy) days. Kealakekua, located in between Keauhou and Captain Cook along Highway 11 near Nenue Point and Keawekaheka Bay, is home to the Kona Coffee Tour where you can visit a real working coffee farm, highlighting 100 year old coffee trees and the work involved in handpicking the coffee cherry. Their award-winning Estate Kona Coffee is some of the finest in the world. The farm has been family owned since 1873.
Another treat is Pu’uhonua o Honaunau or the Place of Refuge. Up until the early 19th century, Hawaiians who broke a kapu, one of the ancient laws against the gods, could avoid death by fleeing here, to this ‘place of refuge.’ The 182-acre park includes the pu`uhonua and a number of archeological sites including temple platforms, royal fishponds, sledding tracks, and some coastal village sites.
The Ka'u region is comprised of mountain forests, emerald green meadows, and black sand beaches. The principal towns are Na'alehu and Pahala, which are very small, but offer their own unique charm. This is also where you'll find the Green Sand Beach, Papakolea. It doesn’t have easy access, requiring some hiking over rough terrain. For the less adventurous, try the beautiful black sand beach called Punalu'u.
Located in North Kona is the town of Kailua, the hub for this part of the island. Ali'i Drive, the main street through town, will take you to quaint old shopping villages as well as a few dozen restaurants. Don’t miss the Hulihe'e Palace, built in 1838 and subsequently used from 1844 until 1914 by Hawaiian royalty as a vacation home. Today, most of the furniture and fixtures have been restored and choice artifacts and memorabilia are on display. Across the street from the palace is the Mokuaikaua Church circa 1836, the first Christian church built in Hawaii. It was constructed from the black stone of an abandoned heiau (sacred ground temple) and painted with white coral cement. It’s said that it took 4,000 men to crush the coral, make the mortar and construct the church.
If you continue down Ali'i to you’ll pass by some of the best beaches in the immediate area, many of which are popular surf spots. Kahalu'u Beach Park is a popular tourist beach and beginner snorkeling spot known for its friendly sea turtles. Over 200 species of sea life are regularly observed and easily accessible.
|
