Table of Contents
1 Experience Big Island 6
17 Ultimate Experiences 8
What's Where 16
Big Island Today 18
Best Big Island Beaches 20
Best Natural Wonders on the Big Island 22
What to Eat and Drink in Hawaii 24
Flora and Fauna in Hawaii 26
What to Buy in Hawaii 28
Kids and Families 30
The History of Hawaii 32
Weddings and Honeymoons 42
Big Island's Best Farmers' Markets 44
Top 5 Big Island Outdoor Adventures 45
What to Read and Watch 46
2 Travel Smart 47
Know Before You Go 48
Getting Here and Around 50
Essentials 56
Contacts 65
Hawaiian Vocabulary 66
Great Itineraries 70
Best Tours 76
On the Calendar 78
3 Kailua-Kona and the Kona Coast 79
Welcome to Kailua-Kona and the Kona Coast 80
Planning 83
Kailua-Kona 85
South Kona 105
North Kona 114
4 The Kohala Coast and Waimea 119
Welcome to The Kohala Coast and Waimea 120
Planning 123
Waikoloa 124
Mauna Lani 133
Mauna Kea and Hapuna 136
Kawaihae 139
Hawi and Kapaau 142
Waimea 146
5 The Hamakua Coast 153
Welcome to The Hamakua Coast 154
Planning 157
Waipio Valley 159
Honokaa 161
Laupahoehoe 163
Honomu 164
Maunakea 166
6 Hilo 171
Welcome to Hilo 172
Planning 175
Downtown 176
Liliuokalani Gardens and Reeds Bay 183
Greater Hilo 187
7 Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, Puna, and Kau 193
Welcome to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, Puna, and Kau 194
Planning 197
Volcano Village 200
Summit Area 210
Greater Park Area 214
Puna 215
Kau 219
8 Activities and Tours 223
Aerial Tours 225
ATV Tours 227
Biking 228
Bodyboarding and Bodysurfing 230
Caving 231
Deep-Sea Fishing 231
Golf 233
Hiking 237
Horseback Riding 240
Kayaking 240
Running 242
Sailing 243
Scuba Diving 243
Snorkeling 246
Stand-Up Paddleboarding 253
Submarine Tours 253
Surfing 254
Tennis 255
Whale- and Dolphin-Watching 256
Zipline Tours 258
Index 259
About Our Writers 272
Hawaiian Cultural Traditions 33
Hawaii Volcanoes National Park 202
Snorkeling in Hawaii 247
Maps
Kailua-Kona 86-87
South Kona 108
North Kona 115
The Kohala Coast 126-127
Waimea 147
Hamakua Coast 160
Downtown Hilo 178
Liliuokalani Gardens and Reeds Bay 186
Greater Hilo 188
Volcano Village 201
Hawaii Volcanoes National Park 212-213
Puna and Kau 217