Akaka Falls State Park

Akaka Falls is located in Honomu, Hawaii along the Hamakua Coast. The nearest city is Hilo which is approximately 13 miles south of Akaka Falls.

Akaka Falls is a self guided scenic walk through lush vegetation and two beautiful waterfalls. Akaka Falls greets you with a 442ft drop and the cascading Kahuna fall can be seen behind overgrown vegetation after a heavy rainfall.

Located north of Hilo off Highway 11 between the 14 and 15 mile marker. 

Go west on Highway 220 into Honomu town.

Follow Highway 220 until the road ends into the Akaka Falls parking lot.

Got to Hawaii State Parks for more information and fees.

My last visit: October 2013 - There is now a fee to park in the parking lot AND an additional fee to walk to the waterfall. Is it worth it? That's for you to determine.

I would still recommend the drive to Akaka Falls. Honomu town offers food and shopping. There are also two fruit stands on your way to Akaka Falls - make that stop and taste some of the fruits the island has to offer.  The scenic drive through old sugar cane field is also beautiful.

Mauna Kea

Mauna Kea - Hiking at 13,000ft above sea level. This is the highest peak on the Big Island and yes, it does snow on the island. I was fortunate enough to find a few snow patches on my hike to the lake. The hike to the lake is a short 15-20 mins. The most grueling part is the hike back. Just imagine hiking UPHILL at 13,000ft above sea level. Even the most experienced hiker is put to the challenge. And I don't consider myself "experienced!"

 

Full moon rising over Mauna Kea. This view is from the west side of the Big Island.

 

The road at the base of the mountain leading up to Mauna Kea

Snow patch on Mauna Kea

Hiking the lava rocks

Lake Wai-au at 13,000 ft above sea level - COLD!

Standing on top of Mauna Kea and Maui in the background

Kilauea Iki Trail - Valcano National Park

Kilauea Iki Trail is located inside the Volcano National Park. The hike going down into the crater is easy. Walking across the crater is a great experience. There very little vegetation on the crater floor. But if you get a chance to hike this trail, take in nature because in a few years, the crater floor will be covered with lush vegetation and eventually turn into a forest area.

Pace yourself hiking back up from the crater floor. The walls of the crater is steep and the switchback is short. The weather in the park is cooler than most parts of the island and the breeze really helps on the hike up.

 View on the hike going down to Kilauea Iki Crater. The plume in the background is from an active lave flow from Halema'uma'u Crater. The best place to view this is from the Jagger Museum inside the Valocano National Park. It's a short drive from this trail. 

 Start of the trail at the bottom of the crater wall.

 View of the trail as I'm crossing across the crater. It may look deserted now but in a few years, this too will be overgrown with plants.

Opposite view of the crater after crossing the crater wall.

Hike To A Mile-Long Lava Cave - Emesine Cave

This was an unexpected hike. The weather was great especially after we just missed tropical storm Flossie earlier that week. The hike going in was about 3.5 miles on loose gravel. Be careful and take your time. The only shade you get is when you pass through patches of forest areas where the lava flow did not touch.


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It was clear enough to see the observatories on top of Mauna Kea that day.

 Inside the cave

Pololu Valley Outlook

Pololu Valley - View from the lookout point

Pololu Valley is located in the North Kohala area on the Big Island of Hawaii. Hike down into the valley and you're greeted by black sand beach, lush forest and a shaded park area to relax and take in the beauty of the valley.

View of the beach from the opposite side of the valley

Take your time down in the valley and play on the tire swing or simply live your island dream and relax on the green hammock (background).

Take a hike in the valley

Waipio Valley

 
An ABSOLUTE stunning view! 

From the black sand beach in the valley, cross the river to get to the other side of the valley.

Walk along the black sand beach or...

...take the trail.

View of the black sand beach from the other side of the valley.

View of Waipio Valley

Waipio Valley offers beautiful black sandy beaches, hiking trails and horseback riding. Keep in mind, this is not your typical busy tourist spot. Most visitors get only as far as the look-out point. The steep downgrade into the valley limits the number of visitors. Simply put:  "1 mile down, 10 miles up".

Enjoy the view from the look-out point or take your chance and challenge your 4-wheel drive vehicle down the steep 25% grade into the valley. I do not advise you take a regular vehicle down this steep road - there are remnants of vehicles that didn't make it.

Once you are down at the valley, drive towards the beach and take in the beautiful view. Enjoy the waves crashing on the often secluded beach. Waipio beach offers picnic tables and portable restrooms.

And if the drive down wasn't challenging enough for you, cross the river and walk towards the other end of the valley. Look up and you will see a zig-zag trail which leads up to Waimanu which is the next valley over. Camping is allowed in Waimanu Valley but requires a permit. Please check with the Division of Forestry and Wildlife in Hilo, Hawaii (808-974-4221).

Hikers, be very CAUTIOUS when hiking up to Waimanu. Going up the zig-zag trail is steep and even experienced hikers have trouble with this hike. Take breaks and enjoy the view of the valley.

I don't recommend a day hike to Waimanu. After going up that streneous zig-zag trail, the last thing you would want to do is go back down the trail. Plan it out, take your time and camp the night.