BIG ISLAND HAWAII - SOME OF MY FAVORITE PLACES AND THINGS TO DO - LISTED THE BEST FIRST! ENJOY!

Mauna Kea - a birthplace and spiritual temple to many Hawaiians

• Hawaii Tropical Botanical Garden on the hillside of Onomea Bay!

Hello Everyone! I wish I could show you all the wonderful places of Big Island. It is a place to visit often, explore and find the full experience of nature, oahu and paradise. I hope these ideas are some which you will put on your bucket list! Aloha, Darcy K. Butcher, @fieldsofgold

So, I wrote this post for friends who are visiting Big Island and with a strict deadline. It isn't polished and in more of a rough draft product AND I wanted to get this done for a reference. I wish I had more of a window on Steemit to come back and make content edit as well as HTML upgrades that would sharpen this up a bit. Thanks you for allowing me to contribute my ideas and photographs and I hope your stay is wonderful!

I LOVE THIS GARDEN!!!
This "Garden in a Valley on the Ocean" is located off of Highway 19 on the lush Hamakua Coast's 4 Mile Scenic Drive, 8 1/2 miles north of Hilo on the Big Island of Hawaii. (click here for map, admissions and hours).

The Hawaii Tropical Botanical Garden is a museum of living plants that attracts photographers, gardeners, botanists, scientists, and nature lovers from around the world. The Garden's collection of tropical plants is international in scope. Over 2,000 species, representing more than 125 families and 750 genera, are found in this one-of-a-kind garden.

The 40-acre valley is a natural greenhouse, protected from buffeting tradewinds and blessed with fertile volcanic soil. Throughout this garden valley, nature trails meander through a true tropical rainforest, crossing bubbling streams, passing several beautiful waterfalls and the exciting ocean vistas along the rugged Pacific coast.

The Hawaii Tropical Botanical Garden is a 501(c)(3) Scientific and Educational non-profit, whose mission is to serve as a nature preserve and sanctuary, a living seed bank, and a study center for trees and plants of the tropical world. The Garden is dedicated to the collection and display of the world's tropical plants,and to the education of both children and adults about the plight of the world's rainforests. At a time when rainforest plants are disappearing at an alarming rate, the Garden is working to preserve as many species as possible for the benefit of future generations.

See the complete garden info here: http://www.htbg.com
Hawaii Tropical Botanical Garden, a 501 (c)(3) Scientific and Educational Non-Profit
27-717 Old Mamalahoa Highway P.O. Box 80, Papaikou, HI 96781
Phone: 808-964-5233 FAX: 808-964-1338

There are two wonderful waterfalls close to the garden that you could include if you have time.
Akaka Falls is stunning and the most easily accessed.

Down towards Hilo there is a smaller waterfall called Rainbow Falls.

Read more on waterfalls here: https://www.lovebigisland.com/waterfalls/

• POLOLU VALLEY LOOKOUT AND HIKE to GORGEOUS BLACK SAND BEACH
  -Not a swimming beach
  If you take the time to drive all the way to Pololu Valley at the end of Highway 270, don't settle for the view from the overlook! Take the time to explore. The trail, sometimes referred to as Awini Trail, that leads down to the black sand beach (Pololu Valley Beach) takes approximately half an hour to hike.

• PLACE OF REFUGE AND TWO-STEP SWIM

The Puuhonua (Sacred Site)
In old Hawai'i, if you had broken a law, the penalty was death. Perhaps you had entered into an area that was reserved for only the chiefs, or had eaten forbidden foods. Laws, or kapu, governed every aspect of Hawaiian society. The penalty for breaking these laws was certain death. Your only option for survival is to elude your pursuers and reach the nearest pu'uhonua, or place of refuge.

As you enter, the great wall rises up before you marking the boundaries between the royal grounds and the sanctuary. Many ki'i (carved wooden images) surround the Hale o Keawe temple, housing the bones of the chiefs that infuse the area with their power or mana. If you reached this sacred place, you would be saved.

Today, you may visit Pu'uhonua o Hōnaunau National Historical Park, and still feel the spirit of peace and forgiveness that continues to surround and bless this special place.

The Pu'uhonua is still considered a sacred site. Therefore the following restrictions are in effect. No commercial filming, nudity, beach chairs, towels, mats, beach umbrellas, coolers, picnicking, pets, weddings or wedding photos, smoking and recreational activities such as frisbee throwing, football tossing, etc. are not permitted. Please help to preserve the Pu'uhonua as in the ancient times.

See more here: https://www.nps.gov/puho/index.htm

TWO-STEP
http://www.tropicalsnorkeling.com/snorkeling-two-steps.html
From this blog article:
But what is it really called? The Pu’uhonua O Honaunau National Historical Park is on the left side of the bay. This is why people call it Honaunau. The translation of the park name is Place of Refuge, so people call it that too. And most people who snorkel here just call it Two Steps. We like the name Two Steps because it describes the natural rock steps that most people use to get access into the water for some of the most fantastic snorkeling around.

This spot is very popular. The word has gotten around that snorkeling Two Steps is wonderful, and the access is fairly easy. There are also small raft-type boat tours that bring snorkelers here. It is a fairly protected bay and seems to have good snorkeling conditions most of the time, but if the waves are big, please come back another time.

TWO-STEP is Magical! My experience is to swim here early. You can park just before the entrance to Place of Refuge then walk down to the bay. Afterwards walk over to see the sacred site. When I swam past the tourists I had a 30 minutes swim with a pod of dolphins which makes this my most favorite places in the islands. -Darcy

• WAIPIO OVERLOOK AND HIKE (NORTH)
  48-5561A Waipio Valley Rd, Honokaa, HI 96727

EXCELLENT LOOK OUT VIEW - It is worth the drive to see this.
LONGER HIKE

Waipio Valley Lookout

See the write up here: https://www.gohawaii.com/islands/hawaii-big-island/regions/hamakua-coast/waipio-valley-lookout

What: Overlook showcasing a breathtaking and historic valley
Where: At the end of the Hamakua Heritage Corridor drive

"Located on the Hamakua Coast, the sacred Waipio Valley was the boyhood home of King Kamehameha I, and an important center for political and religious life in Hawaii. Not only is "The Valley of the Kings" an important site for Hawaiian history and culture, it's also a place of dramatic tropical beauty.

This fertile valley is about one mile across and over five-miles deep, and surrounded by cliffs up to 2000-feet high. Waipio Valley was once the home of thousands of Native Hawaiians. Today, there are less than 100 residents living amongst the waterfalls, taro fields and rivers permeating the valley. The island of Hawaii's tallest waterfall, Hiilawe Falls cascades down 1,300 feet in the back of Waipio.

You can view the valley from the coastal Waipio Valley Overlook at the end of the Hamakua Heritage Corridor drive."

• HAWAII VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK
  My most favorite is the hike around the crater, then the lava tube and the petroglyphs. This park is a distance from many areas that people stay at on the Big Island. Be sure to calculate the travel time back and forth and realize coming from Kona it is a winding, two way road that can get really congested at commute times. It is a slower road. VOLCANO is so surreal and is a spiritual place for me. - Darcy

BE SURE TO see the wonderful information here (Must see):
https://www.lovebigisland.com/hawaii-volcanoes-national-park/

• Hapuna Or Mauna Kea Beach for Swimming
  You can get a pass to the beach at the resort entrance gate (also true of the gated communities). Most tourists don't know you can ask for access (to swim) at the beach. Kua Bay is a little more south AND the surf can be really rough and pulls people under and slams them. That being said it is nice to be in the water at Kua as the sun sets.

• THE SHOPS AT MAUNA LANI (North of Kona)
  JUICE 101
  They have great fresh juice. This is my favorite place to get Kava in the islands.
  FOODLAND -this is a great place to pick up a few groceries, some sushi or mochi. Same center at Juice 101.
  UNDER THE BODHI TREE - wonderful food! The vegetarian Rueben on Rye was fantastic. Great Kombucha too!
  http://www.shopsatmaunalani.com/portfolio-items/under-the-bodhi-tree/?portfolioCats=24

Near Mauna Lani is a s short trail to
The Puako Petroglyphs
See one write up here: https://www.365kona.com/for-families/family-adventure-on-the-kohala-coast/

• SWIMMING WITH MANTA RAYS (South of Kona)
  Many tour companies offer this event.
  There are a couple dozen tour boats that take swimmers out to swim with the rays after it gets dark. I have heard raving reviews (the best experience of a lifetime) versus "we only saw one and it was cold and too crowded." While I haven't done this yet Big Island is famous for this one activity and in fact it is one thing that is on many peoples bucket list. I tend to stay away from anything that has a "Tourist" feel anymore. -Darcy

• ONO GRINDS!

Broke da Mouth
Fantastic Hawaiian Food!
https://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g60872-d3473252-Reviews-Broke_da_Mouth_Grindz-Kailua_Kona_Island_of_Hawaii_Hawaii.html

Awesome Burgers at Annies
http://www.anniesislandfreshburgers.com/menu.html

POKE
Umeke's Poke Bowls And Local Style Lunch Plates
Poke bowls & Hawaiian-inspired entrees round out the menu at this modest, deli-style restaurant.
Address: 75-143 Hualalai Rd #105, Kailua-Kona, HI 96740
Opens 10AM
Menu: places.singleplatform.com
Order: seamless.com, grubhub.com, eat24hrs.com
Phone: (808) 329-3050

Poke is super fresh on the Big Island. Many tourists go out to go deep sea fishing. When the boats come back in they sell the fresh fish in town. You will even find a few "butcher"shops with many fresh fish. One local and busy place is in Hilo.

Many great shaved ice places on all the islands! Get ice-cream in the bottom and/or condensed milk on top!

LOCAL FAVORITE: L&L Barbeque

WHEN you see 7/11 stop and pick up a musubi! I like ones with salmon AND the local favorite is made with spam. Really, try it! #ono #grinds #musubi

• Places to stay

Many Airbnb places to chose from.
I've stayed here and love the location. Up the road and up the volcano is a little self serve fruit stand and artist community. This is really close to Costco and when Lychee is on a woman sales it on the road below Costco. They have clean equipment you can use at no extra cost: Boogie boards, snorkel gear, guide books, brochures and snacks. Newer build home (which is great in Hawaii) and a wonderful garden to relax in and watch sunsets. Many fruit and tropical flowers on the property trail. The owners can give you ideas of what to do for sightseeing. Quiet, secluded and above Kona.

https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/19827171?location=Kona%2C%20HI%2C%20United%20States&adults=1&children=0&infants=0&s=pWRfzcZC

I have stayed at the Marriott North of the Kona Airport. Wonderful Jacuzzi out in one of the pools. Being in the pools at sunset is surreal and there are ancestral fishing ponds with a pathway and bridges just before the beach area. Marriott rents out gear for the beach play or lounge which ever you prefer. This part of the island is like another planet to me because there are so many lava flows with the majority of the landscape being black. When I see trees I am amazed they are doing so well. This area can be hot and when the volcano is going strong the vog drifts over and can make it difficult for people with asthma or other health conditions. Kona is the dry side and Hilo is the wet. Big Island is VERY diverse and has 7 climate zones. Mauna Kea is the largest mountain in the world (from the sea floor to the top). Very powerful energies her on Big Island. Marriott was fun the first few times I was on Big Island and filled a need well. Now that I am more local I like the Airbnb's more so. Talking story is good! I have stayed many times AND I don't like all the noise (every time I have been there lots of kids or loud guests), an extra $25 a night to park. That being said there are great packages that can be booked with Hawaiian Airlines (usually includes flight + rental care + hotel). Costco will sometimes run the hotels north of the airport with their travel deals.

BONUS: You can walk the loop trail at the OLD KONA AIRPORT. Many locals claim part of the trail and plant fantastic gardens. This is also close to the Hawaiian Spirulina factory (you can do a tour) and the bay that has sea turtles that nap in the late afternoon.

SPIRULINA: https://www.cyanotech.com

AIRPORT WALKING PATH: https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g60872-d7626454-Reviews-Maka_eo_Walking_Path-Kailua_Kona_Island_of_Hawaii_Hawaii.html

TURTLES: Kaloko-Honokōhau National Historical Park is a great place to see big honus (Hawaiian green sea turtles) on the Big Island. They, as well as monk seals are protected and while resting should not be disturbed. Protected also includes not touching, handling or crowding the them when swimming.

Fit this in or visit again if you can:

• Big Island also has one of two green sand beaches and is the southern most part of the United States.
• Mauna Kea and some of the hikes on Saddle Road.
• Waimea, a country town with lots of heart.
• The Red Road & Kalani Retreat Resort (the best organic food and clean air ever).
• A popular nude beach with black sand close to Kalani. Swim naked if you dare! :)
• If you are in to golfing there are some great resorts near Kona.
• A helicopter tour is a great view of the island (my favorite is doors off and on KAUAI island though).

Kalani Retreat

The Red Road

#bi #bigisland #hawaii #tropicalgarden #kona #hilo #pololu #placeofrefuge #seaturtles #greensand #beach #photo-feed #steemit #steem #travel #darcykbutcher

Darcy K. Butcher, MA
Steemit: @fieldsofgold
Pacific Rim International | Global News
Writer | Editor | Photographer.
I am a blockchain consultant and I advocate its
technology, community, education and adoption.

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