JUST A 15 MINUTE DRIVE FROM CONDO           
Hapuna beach On the Big Island’s spectacular Kohala coast, Hapuna’s white sands have earned it a reputation as one of Hawaii’s finest beaches, being consistently rated on the numerous international Top Ten lists. The largest of our island’s white sand beaches, it offers consistently good conditions for swimming, body-boarding, sunbathing, strolling and snorkeling. Located adjacent to the Hapuna Beach Prince Hotel, there is ample parking, along with food vendors, picnic areas, restrooms and showers.



                                                                                                                    JUST A 17 MINUTE DRIVE FROM CONDO

Mauna Kea beach is located just north of Hapuna beach and shares many of Hapunas characteristics. Many consider Mauna Kea to be one of the Big Island's best beaches. The gently sloping beach offers excellent swimming as well as snorkeling on the two rocky flanks of the beach. Parking is very limited. You can park at the hotel or slightly further up at Mauumae beach and walk a pleasant trail to Mauna Kea..

                                       
                                  
                                                                                        
 
Ho'okena Beach (turn off Highway 11 near mile marker 102): Brilliant snorkeling, decent boogie boarding, passable shell collecting and wonderful camping-it's a wonder the large and warm stretch of sand at Ho'okena Beach is not more popular with visitors. Frequented by dolphin, stuffed full of pelagic and reef fish and turtles and boasting crystal clear, warm and calm waters, Ho'okena is a must-visit beach for avid snorkelers.

    
   

    


Mauna kea
The ancient Hawaiians named it Mauna kea, which means White Mountain for the snow that covered its barren slopes nearly 2,000 years ago.  The summit of Mauna Kea rises 13,796 feet above sea level.  At its summit, temperatures are frigid, but the view is magnificent!  The ancient Hawaiians thought of the top of Mauna Kea as heaven - or at least where the Gods and Goddesses lived.  Today, the summit of Mauna Kea houses the world's largest telescopes.  These telescopes have the most un-obscured view of the skies than any other telescopes in the northern hemisphere.  At this altitude and location, they are located above 40% of the earth's atmosphere; above the clouds and undisturbed by city lights, these telescopes are the window into the Universe.

http://www.ifa.hawaii.edu/mko

                                                   


                                                  

 
 
                                                                               

Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park


     Thurston Lava Tube
Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park

 

Thurston Lava Tube, also called Nahuku, is located in the rain forest ecological zone. The abundant rainfall contributes to the lush growth of the forest canopy trees and the understorey vegetation.

The visit here consists of a short walk down a paved trail as it descends into a pit crater (the sides of which are hard to distinguish because they are covered with vegetation).  The trail then goes through a short section of a lava tube.  Finally, the trail loops back to the starting point.

You'll see the general structure of a Hawaiian rain forest here and become reminded of the evolutionary importance of the underground ecosystems.

 

 

 

Waipi'o Valley, Hawaii

Located along the Hamakua Coast on the northeastern coast of the Big Island of Hawai'i, Waipi'o Valley is the largest and southernmost of the seven valleys on the windward side of the Kohala Mountains. Waipi'o is a mile wide at the coast and almost six miles deep. At the coast there is a beautiful black sand beach constantly pounded by the Pacific Ocean waves. On either side of the valley are cliffs reaching almost 2000 feet in elevation with numerous cascading waterfalls.  Hiking in the Waipio Valley is amazing.

http://www.letsgo-hawaii.com/waipio

Waipi'o Valley, Hawaii








Pu?uhonua O Honaunau, formerly known as the City of Refuge Park, was set aside as a national historical park by Congress on July 1, 1961. Utilizing many local artists and artisans with authentic and traditional tools, the National Park Service has worked very hard to restore the site to its appearance in the late 1700's.

The park, located on the Big Island of Hawaii, is of major cultural and historical significance. It is situated on 180 acres, but is easy traversed on foot. A brochure and map for a self-guided tour is available at the Visitors Center.

The park has two major sections, the Palace Grounds and the Pu?uhonua O Honaunau, the Place of Refuge. Separating the two areas of the park is the Great Wall.

Your walk through the park begins at the Palace Grounds, the home of the ruling chief. It is surrounded by a beautiful coconut palm grove overlooking Honaunau Bay. The nearby beach was strictly reserved for the royalty.

You can see samples of canoes carved from koa wood with lashings of coconut fibers. All of their construction was done with the materials native to the land. Along your path you see models of the different types of houses and storage sheds which sat on the palace grounds.

http://www.nps.gov/puho






                             Waikoloa Vacation Condo Rental