Hawaii Travel: Top Five Places/Things to See and Do When in Hawaii (Big Island)

Hawaii has a lot to offer visitors, from active volcanoes, to vast Kona coffee plantations, art galleries, farmers markets, and even exclusive black sand beaches formed by eroded magma from underground volcanoes. If you find yourself on your way to the Big Island, perhaps this top five list of places to see and things to do will better help you to decide how to spend your time when in this truly exceptional tropical paradise in the pacific.

Waipio Valley: At the tip of the northern Hamakua Coast you will find this plush, serene and relatively untouched valley that is truly a spectacle for the eyes. This amazing valley was the home to the famed Hawaiian King Kamehameha during his youth, appropriately dubbed “The Valley of the Kings.” This one mile wide and five mile deep valley features amazing cliffs that rise nearly 2,000 feet into the sky, many with natural waterfalls cascading down them, including the largest waterfall on the Big Island, Hiilawe Falls, which drops an impressive 1,300 feet.

Puuhonua O Hanaunau National Historical Park: This 180-acre national historic park features the lush, tropical landscape that has made this state famous and boasts hundreds of scared historical sites. History and legend has it that this place was where lawbreakers sought refuge during the ancient times. Notable landmarks to visit include the ancient Great Wall, Fierce kii, and the Hale o Keawe Heiau (a temple that holds the remains of the most famous Hawaiian chieftains).

Hilo Art Galleries: Some of the world’s best known living artists live in Hawaii on the Big Island and display and sell their art in the many galleries in Hilo. Notable locations to see when you travel to Hawaii include: Chase Gallery (glass art), Grove Gallery (localized arts, crafts and paintings), and the many other galleries that span Grove Gallery in Hilo Bay.

Hilo Farmer’s Market: Fashioned after the Great Markets of ancient civilizations, this is one of the largest markets in Hawaii. With more than 200 different vendors selling wares from t-shirts and produce to etched glass and arts and crafts, there is something here for everybody; especially great for bringing back keepsakes and gifts for friends and family members.

King Kemehameha and his 4 Statues: King Kamehameha was a warrior king responsible for unifying the islands during the early 1800s. Dozens of local legends and folklore surround the tales of this king, whose four statues are scattered amongst Hawaii’s islands to watch over them.

For more free information on Hawaii travel, and for a complete top ten list of things to see and do please visit: www.hawaiivacationtravelsguide.com

Characteristics of a Good Hawaii Vacation Guide

The things that go into making a Hawaii vacation guide are the same things that go into making any good guidebook. The difference is the tropical sweep and scope of America’s paradise in the Central Pacific. The region encompassed by the seven islands of the State of Hawaii is large, and each island is a little different in color and makeup. Good Hawaii vacation guides recognize this, and have common attributes.

Any good Hawaii vacation guide tends to look at each island in the chain, and especially the four main tourist destinations, as separate and unique in their individual way. This is smart, because all four of them are diverse examples of the wider Hawaiian native culture. Honolulu, on the island of Oahu, is the largest city by far in the state. And most of the population of Hawaii resides on this island.

The Big Island – more formally known as the island of Hawaii – has at least three different climates, and even a bit of snow, found on the peaks of the Mauna Loa and Mauna Kea dormant volcanoes. Kilauea, an active volcano, also sits on Hawaii. Kauai has some of the rainiest terrain, in spots, in the world. And Maui stands as a picturesque example of a classic tropical environment with an easy-going attitude.

And this is why the best guides break down the places to see and do on each of the islands. This is simply because the things that can be seen or done are so diverse. Good guides will also pay close attention to teaching the visitor to Hawaii a bit of the native tongue. All of the best prefer this activity to just being large discount coupon books, even though many will include such things in one chapter or another.

So, the characteristics of a good Hawaii vacation guide aren’t hard to recite or pick out in a good guidebook. Each will try to teach a bit about the diverse nature of the islands that make up the state, for starters. And then each will try to immerse the tourist in a bit of the native culture which makes the islands of Hawaii such a treat to visit.