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Banyan Drive
93 Banyan Dr, Hawai'i Naniloa Resort, Hilo, HI 96720
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HILO. Scenic Banyan Drive, which loops around Hilo Bay's Waiakea Peninsula, is named for the 50-plus trees that line it. The ground roots of these eerie hardwood trees extend like gothic snakes across the sand, and long, spindly aerial roots dangle from overhead, giving the banyans a cage-like appearance. The trees were planted by celebrities like Amelia Earhart, F.D.R., and Fannie Hurst, and most of them date to the 1930s.
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VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK. Encompassing more than 350 square acres, this tumultuous national park is one of the most photographed locales in the Hawaiian chain. For more than 70 million years, volcanic heat and pressure from inside the earth have molded the dramatic landscape, which includes Thurston Lava Tube, still-smoldering Halemaumau Crater, and majestic Mauna Loa's highly active Pu'u O'o vent, which has been spewing lava since 1993. Visitors are free to explore the park's 50 or so miles of roadways, which wind in and out of dense tropical rain forest that surrounds Mauna Loa, but are encouraged to stay on guard since volcanic activity is commonplace. The Kilauea Visitor Center sits just inside the park's main entrance. The park was designated a World Heritage site in 1987.
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Kailua Pier
Ali`i Dr, Honokohau Harbor, Kailua-Kona, HI 96740
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KONA COAST. A great launching point for sightseeing and fishing excursions, this pier is always a-bustle. On one day, an excited crowd may gather to see the weigh-in for a lucky angler's enormous marlin. On another, folks may witness the frenzy that takes place as more than 1500 world-class competitors await the sounding of the gun for the first leg of the Ironman Triathlon. Of course, there's much more to do. Fishing tackle can be rented by landlubbers wary of getting too far from terra firma. Plus, sunsets are nothing short of spectacular – rumor has it that the end of the pier has heard more than its share of marriage proposals.
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VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK. This fascinating area of Volcanoes National Park preserves images left by people from centuries past. At the Pu'u Loa turn-off, you won't need to venture far from your car before spotting age-old images representing native people's everyday lives – boats, dancers, fishers, animals, and tools (spears, paddles, poi pounders, and fish hooks) – etched into the hard, black lava. Have care: these images have endured for thousands of years, so avoid walking across them or touching them in any way.
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VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK. Founded in 1974, VAC is dedicated to preserving – and promoting worldwide awareness of – the Hawaiian Islands' rich artistic history. The center hosts a variety of monthly exhibits and art sales that showcase paintings, wood sculptures, baskets, jewelry, and Polynesian-influenced masks. The exhibition gallery is located in the historic Volcano House Hotel, which dates to 1877.
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VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK. Before Tom Selleck, Jack Lord, Elvis, and ultra-modern resort hotels, the Big Island's top attraction was Mauna Loa, which has captivated tourists since the 19th century. In order to accommodate the often well-to-do volcano watchers, locals constructed a large grass hut near the rim of Kilauea Crater and gave guests the royal treatment, Hawaiian-style. And so was born Hawaii's first resort, the famous Volcano House, which continues to pamper guests to this day. The "town" of Volcano has grown a bit since its humble beginnings and now features a handful of restaurants, a few souvenir shops, two general stores, and a post office.
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WAIPIO. The Big Island version of the Valley of the Kings, Waipi'o has long maintained a special place in the hearts of locals. Steeped in legend, the deep, narrow valley stretches some 5-plus miles, flanked on either side by towering rock walls. The valley floor is a lush tapestry of tropical flora, and guava, red banana, and taro hide a multitude of natural treasures, like tranquil freshwater streams and waterfalls. Tourists are discouraged from taking cars into the valley. A good alternative, though, is Waipi'o Valley Shuttle (808-775-7121), which offers narrated, 4-wheel drive tours. Visitors not wanting to take the 90-minute trip can experience the valley's beauty from the overlook.
Our Sightseeing category provides a feast for the eyes. Why? Because most all of our selections are famous places that you can view and take pictures of to show everyone back home. Landmarks, sculptures, historic homes, historic districts, cemeteries, water fountains, and statues are just a hint of the sights we've selected.
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