ATV Adventures www.waipioonhorseback.com/ATV_ranch_ride.htm
808-775-7291
Flum'in Da Ditch -- Off Highway 250, near Hawi, on the Kohala Coast; 877-449-6922, 808-889-6922
Has Closed until next year..... No date has been set for there re-opening..... We will keep you posted
Farmers Markets
Hilo’s Farmer’s Market Wed. Sat.
Corner of Kamehameha Avenue and Mamo St
6 a.m. to 4 p.m. 808-933-1000
Maku’u Farmer’s Market Sundays Only
Highway 130, between Keaau and Pahoa
8 a.m. to 2 p.m. 808-217-2307
Astronomy
Volcano
Museums
Area Information
Hawaii’s biggest small town lies at the feet of three volcanoes, Mauna Kea, the world’s tallest;
Mauna Loa, the world’s most voluminous; and Kilauea, the world’s most active volcano.
Hawaii's biggest visitor attraction is due south in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park.
Hilo’s centuries-old wooden storefronts house surprisingly sophisticated galleries, shops,
restaurants and cultural sites — all of which you can explore on foot. This sleepy town looks
out towards beautiful Hilo Bay and is filled with a genuine aloha spirit.
Excerpt from http://www.gohawaii.com/big_island/learn/hilo
Top places to visit in Hilo:
- Hilo Farmer’s Market: Discover fresh fruit, flowers, and local crafts.
- Hilo Art Galleries: Find unique local art by Hilo’s finest artisans.
- Palace Theater: Built in 1925, this is a neo-classical jewel.
- Pacific Tsunami Museum: Learn about Hilo’s harrowing Tsunami encounters.
- East Hawaii Cultural Center: This is the central hub of Hilo’s arts scene.
- Lyman Museum and House: Built in 1839, this museum honors Hawaii’s heritage.
Palace Theater: Hawai'iana Live at the Palace Theater Every Wednesday 11 am. Now in its second year,
"Hawai‘iana Live" is a 45 minute cultural tourism program hosted by Leilehua Yuen. It features live on stage
presentations that share the history and traditions of the Hawaiian culture through storytelling, film, music,
oli and hula.
Mokupapapa Discovery Center: The center was constructed to interpret the natural science, culture, and
history of the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands and surrounding marine environment. Interactive displays,
engaging three-dimensional models, and immersive theater allow the visitor to experience the wonder and
majesty of this special ocean region. A 2,500-gallon salt-water aquarium provides a habitat for some of the
fishes from the NWHI reefs. Next to the aquarium, in a small alcove is a mock-up of Hawai`i Undersea
Research Laboratory's Pisces V submersible. Using working robot arms visitors can experience what it
might be like as a researcher descending into the dark depths of the ocean. This exhibit is a major hit with
the kids, as well as adults.
Merrie Monarch Festival: Begun forty-five years ago by the Hawaii Island Chamber of Commerce and
continued by the private Merrie Monarch Festival community organization, the major purpose of the festival
is the perpetuation, preservation, and promotion of the art of hula and the Hawaiian culture through education.
The festival is considered the world's premier forum for people of all ages to display their skills and knowledge
of the art of ancient and modern hula.
Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park: A true geological hot spot, this national park contains two of the world’s most active volcanoes. Measured from the seafloor, broad Mauna Loa is the tallest mountain on Earth, and Kilauea continues to spew and spit, constantly reforming the landscape around it. Magma vents on the seafloor send lava shooting to the surface, erupting into molten streams that flow straight into the Pacific, forming new land as they cool. Visitors can hike on lava trails and see firsthand the forest regeneration that takes place constantly here. Scenic drives also wind through the Ka`u Desert and a rain forest, home to a rich concentration of Hawaiian birds and other wildlife.
'Imiloa Astronomy Center of Hawai'i: The 'Imiloa Astronomy Center of Hawai'i tells dual stories of the renowned Maunakea volcano, with its world-famous astronomy and rich traditions of Hawaiian culture. 'Imiloa, which means "exploring new knowledge," reflects both the Hawaiian voyages of discovery and the explorations of astronomy.
Hawaii Tropical Botanical Gardens: The Hawaii Tropical Botanical Garden is a spectacular Garden in a Valley on the Ocean - acclaimed as one of the most beautiful areas in all Hawaii. The Garden is located on the Big Island of Hawaii, 8 1/2 miles north of Hilo on the four-mile Scenic Route at Onomea Bay.
East Hawai'i Cultural Center: The East Hawai'i Cultural Center is operated by the East Hawai'i Cultural Council, a coaliton of organizations and individuals dedicated to preserving cultural, creative and traditional arts in Hawai'i, to foster community involvement with culture and the arts; and to coordinate activities and resources among East Hawai'i arts and cultural community. The Council was founded in 1967 with six charter organizations reflecting Hilo's multi-ethnic heritage.
Excerpt from http://www.downtownhilo.com
Downtown Hilo: When you visit the Hilo area, you will glimpse the Hawaii of old. From the quaint
downtown to the outlying areas you will find the true spirit of aloha. Here there are no strangers
but rather one big ohana (family). Should you experience trouble, someone will come forward to
help. The local people willingly take time to answer questions and "talk story." When driving you
will seldom have to wait to enter traffic, as someone will certainly stop and wave you into line.
Visit Hilo, and you will begin to learn the true meaning of aloha."
Lili'uokalani Park and Gardens: The Lili'uokalani
Park and Gardens was named in honor of Hawaii’s
last queen and features a meticulously manicured
Japanese landscape ringed by sprawling banyan
trees.Stroll across arched stone bridges and
pause in pagodas that overlook the bay.One of the
most gorgeous views of Hilo Bay is from the edge
of the gardens. The sun glistens on the calm bay
waters while palm trees gently sway in a warm
breeze, and in the distance you can see clouds
banking on the slopes of Mauna Loa.
The Pacific Tsunami Museum: The main goal of the museum is to promote public tsunami awareness
and education for the people of Hawai`i and the Pacific Region. The Pacific Tsunami Museum strives
to preserve the social and cultural history of Hawai`i as it relates to tsunami devastation and to serve
as a testament to the perseverance of the communities in rebuilding their lives. Thus, the Pacific
Tsunami Museum Archives is a repository for materials that promote and understanding of and
appreciation for tsunamis.
The Lyman Mission House and Museum: The nationally accredited Lyman Museum showcases the
natural and cultural history of Hawai`i in its exhibit halls and its 1839 historic missionary home.
Featherwork of Hawai`i, a display of Hawaiian feather creations with live demonstrations by local artists,
Lei Hulu of Hilo, will be featured at the Lyman Museum from May 1 through July 12, 2008. For the past
three years Aunty Doreen Henderson and her students, collectively known as Lei Hulu of Hilo, have
provided the Lyman Museum with a display of feather masterpieces such as lei hulu (feather lei).
Rainbow Falls & Boiling Pots: Rainbow Falls is an 80 foot tall waterfall that drops over an ancient cave
said to be the home of Hina, the mother of the demigod Maui. In the early morning sun, rainbows are
easily seen in the mist that rises as the water hits the pool below. A couple of miles upriver you'll find
Peepee Falls and Boiling Pots. This is a particularly rough area of the river. Water falls over Pe'epe'e Falls
and then enters an area of rapids known as Boiling Pots where the water rushes through old lava rocks
and lava tubes and appears to bubble up or boil as it makes it way downstream.
Hilo Farmers Market: The Hilo Farmers Market is No Ka Oi (one of the best around!). There are papayas 5 for $1, bunches of orchids and anthuriums for around $5, blooming orchids for around $6, lychee, rambutan and longan (in season), mangoes, white pineapples (da kine!), fresh fish, hot bread, bento lunches and all sorts of "ono" produce. As an added bonus the people there are full of island friendliness and kokua.
Pana`ewa Rainforest Zoo & Gardens: Located on the "Big Island" of Hawaii, this 12 acre zoo is the only tropical rainforest zoo in the United States. It is home to more than 80 animal species including the endangered Nene (Hawaii State Bird) and Namaste', a white Bengal Tiger.
Green Sand Beach: Located in the Kau District. A good pair of hiking shoes are needed for this walk, or a four-wheel-drive vehicle (you need to get a permit). This is a awesome site. One of the only green sand beachs in the 52 states. The beach is at the base of Pu'u o Mahana, a cinder cone formed after an eruption of Mauna Loa. The greenish tint is olivine crystals that formed in the volcanic eruption. Swimming is not recommended due to ripe currents and it is usually very windy. Follow the trail about 2-1/2 miles. It is remote, and there are no facilities. Always take water with you for good hydration. To obtain a four-wheel-drive permit, call Hawaiian Homelands at 808-974-4250. There may be a deposit required.
