Page 76 - Pacific Paradises 2019

— Hawaii —— Hawaii —
— Hawaii —

ISLAND OF HAWAII

The Island of Hawaii is the mountains and sea to Waipi`o Valley royalty. Once home to Hawaiian royalty,
youngest, the most diverse and Waimea through kilometres of fields Kailua-Kona is now a vibrant resort and
and the grandest of all the where sugarcane once grew. Hidden shopping precinct with a rich cultural
Hawaiian islands. amongst the mountains are a multitude heritage. It is also a great base from
of waterfalls including the impressive which to explore Kona coffee country
Aptly nicknamed “The Big Island” it Akaka Falls. and the unique Painted Church where
is larger than all the other islands put A must is a visit to the Hawaii Tropical columns form the trunks of painted
together. It’s a land of amazing contrasts Botanical Garden where you can see palm trees.
with lush rainforests, monolithic more than 2000 species of tropical The Island of Hawaii produces 39 percent
cliffs, spectacular ocean vistas, white, black plants. Across the island, near Kawaihae, of the world’s macadamia nuts and
and even green sand beaches, plunging is Heiau, built by King Kamehameha, Kona is the only place in the US where
waterfalls, deserts, plains and active which is now an historical site. gourmet coffee is grown commercially.
volcanoes. It also has the world’s largest anthurium
In Waimea, the Parker Ranch’s historic
First discovered more than a millennium and orchid flower industries. There are
ago, the Island of Hawaii is where homes house a magnificent collection 20 golf courses on the Big Island, many
Polynesian mythology says Madame Pele, of Italian and French period pieces and with green fairways carved from ancient
goddess of fire, dwells. She is said to live more than a hundred original paintings lava fields. Activities include fishing for
in the firepot of Halemaumau in Kilauea by masters such as Renoir and Degas. marlin, a helicopter or small plane ride
crater on the slopes of Mauna Loa, from In this region you can learn about a over red flowing lava and diving at night
where she actively pours new lava almost different side of Hawaii that is also with giant manta rays.
daily. home to paniolos, or Hawaiian cowboys.
Lapakahi State Historical Park, north of Getting around the Island of Hawaii is
Hilo is the seat of government and near it Kawaihae, was once an ancient Hawaiian convenient and easy. The most popular
are rainforests and black lava rocks hugging fishing village. A short drive from the mode of transport for international
a serrated shoreline that is expanding park is King Kamehameha’s birthplace visitors is to hire a car and explore the
thanks to Kilauea Volcano, the world’s and Mookini Luakini Heiau believed to island at leisure. There are also bus tours,
most active volcano. have been constructed about 480 AD. shuttles and taxis.

Volcanoes National Park is best accessed The Kohala Coast is home to There are plenty of options when it
from Hilo. You can safely explore lava tubes magnificent resorts with breathtaking comes to accommodation on the Island
and hiking trails around this amazing views of lava flows. Anaehoomalu of Hawaii. From charming bed and
site. Nearby is Punaluu Beach Park with Bay, with its picture postcard beach, breakfasts to hotels, condominiums, lodges
picturesque black sand beaches. North curves between the shallow bay and an and five-star resorts, there’s something to
of Hilo the highway snakes between ancient Hawaiian fishpond once used by suit every traveller and budget.

www.paradises.com – 74 –