Unique Places in Hawaii (Big Island)

Green Sand Beach has to be seen up close to be appreciated. There are tons of green olivine crystals in the sand, which is pretty cool to see. You've got to hike to get there, unless you have a 4-wheel drive. The hike is easy, though. It's over uneven terrain, but it's basically flat, about 4 or 5 miles roundtrip from South Point. Just drive to the end of the road, past a few houses to the little bay where they launch boats, and park there. When you're facing the ocean there's a rough dirt road to the left (east) - that's the "trail".

By the way, when we went there was a sign on one of the houses saying you had to pay $5 to proceed any further. We ignored this, since we had read that it was a scam, and we had no problems at all.

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Pololu Valley is at the start of a series of seacliffs at the northwest part of the island on the Kohala Peninsula, past the town of Hawi. It only takes about 20 minutes to hike down the trail to the black sand beach in the valley below, and for those who can't hike there's a gorgeous viewpoint up top. If you keep walking through to the other side of the valley another trail goes back up 600 ft. and over the next ridge, down into Hono Kane Nui Valley. There are staggering views at several points along the way, and although there were a handful of people down in the first (Pololu) valley, we were the only ones on the trail up and over the next ridge to Hono Kane Nui.

At the end of November, 2007, the trail down into Hono Kane Nui was wiped out about 1/3 to 1/2 way down by a rockslide. However, the views are well worth going that far.

Part of the trail are exposed to wonderful ocean breezes, and other parts are dank and muggy, but the views are worth it. Wear bug spray.

Pahoa is a little town that got stuck in the 60's. It still has wooden sidewalks and small wooden shops. The food is good, the shopkeepers are very friendly, and you can come as you are. There is also a very good natural food store there. Our favorite restaurant was Papa's. He served veggie Indian dishes. We stopped for lunch most everyday and he always had homemade cookies still warm from the oven. There was an outdoor patio great for people watching.
I am sad to hear that he is no longer there.

This ohia tree rain forest was engulfed in lava in 1790. Although the trees themselves burned away, the molds of lava formed around the tree trunks and they are there today. There is an interesting 20 minute loop trail .
In front of the park the beautiful stretch of road is called the tree tunnel because of the arched monkey pod trees that arch overhead.
At night when you pass by there is a loud choir of tree frogs.

The Mauna Loa Macadamia Nut Visitors center is 2 1/2 miles off the highway. You see macadamia trees on both sides of the road on the way. There you can walk down the outside walkway and see how the nuts are shelled, roasted, and packed. Across the road is a small gift shop and snack bar.
Not any real bargains here and no samples.

You can't get any farther south in the USA than South Point.
South Point has a rocky coast line and winds so strong that I could barely stand still.
You will see some trees almost horizontal from the wind blowing them.
There isn't alot here but some beautiful ocean
shots can be taken.

Lava Tree State Monument preserves the site where a lava flow burned through an ohia forest in 1790. The lava, flowing quickly from Kilauea's east rift zone, surrounded the trees and cooled forming molds of the burned tree trunks.
It's very interesting to walk around and see the old lava. An easy 0.7 mile loop guides you around. If you would like to walk further, a hiking trail leads through and around 17 acres of the preserved forest.

Plan a day at Mauna Kea! We drove the Saddle Road, a BIG no-no. The rental companies won't allow you to drive it. If you get in an accident, you aren't covered. So why take the road? Well it is a LONG, windy (twisty), very scenic road and your only way to Mauna Kea. Now don't think you are going skiing. You're going to observe! As you drive up the road to the observatory, you first reach the 9,000 elevation mark at the Onizuka visitors center. We only rented a car, so we had to stop there anyway. ONLY 4 wheel drives are permitted to drive the last STEEP, 1/2 hour climb to the 13,000+ mark up to the observatory. I was not prepared for the cold. I was still in shorts, as we had just left 90 degree weather down below. We stayed until dark so we could look through the huge telescopes. Saw the Milky Way, Saturn, Mars, and many stars. It was fantastic. The road is a little intimidating- straight down. But you've got to do this. I wish I had taken pictures, but all you could see is clouds and lots of lava rock. Friends of mine did drive up to the observatory. Enjoyed it very much. I highly recommend you drive to Mauna Kea.