To “see” the Big Island of Hawai‘i is to explore its magnificent history and culture, dramatic volcanoes, lush pasture lands and gardens, and fabulous beachfront resorts. Don’t miss these points of interest! From sea to mountain, discover some of the Orchid Island’s roads less traveled. Information and times listed below are approximate and may change without notice.

KONA REGION

HUMPBACK WHALE-WATCHING
While whale-watching tours are memorable, you may not realize that these gentle behemoths can often be seen at play from the shore, even without binoculars. Look for them between December and April, when they’re most active.
Where: Walk the shore between Kona International Airport and Keahole National Energy Lab for prime viewing.

FARMER’S MARKETS
A Big Island tradition, offering the freshest fare from the island’s rural communities. You can wander through these lively markets for free.
Where: Kailua Village across from Hale Halawai

SADIE SEYMOUR BOTANICAL GARDENS
Eleven sloping terraces exhibit trees and plants that are commonly grown in Hawai’i and are native to eleven different regions of the world. Tours are self-guided or docent assisted.
Where: Kona Outdoor Circle Education Center, just south of Kailua-Kona on Hwy 11 at the junction with Kuakini Highway.
Hours: 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. daily
Info: (808) 933-0416

SPORTFISHING VIEWING
When it comes to big-game fishing, the waters off Honokohau Bay are some of the richest in the world. Perch yourself on the bleachers and watch as 1,000-pound Pacific blue marlin, 200-pound yellowfin tuna and other prize catches are strung up and weighed. March through October is prime fishing season.
Where: Honokohau Harbor Fuel Dock, Kona Coast, northwest of Kailua-Kona off Highway 19
Hours: 4-5 p.m. daily

ONIZUKA SPACE CENTER
Interactive space museum named after Hawai‘i astronaut Ellison S. Onizuka, who perished in the Challenger explosion in January 1986.
Where: Kona’s Keahole Airport, One Keahole St., Kailua-Kona
Hours: 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. daily
Cost: Adults, $3; children 12 and under, $1
Info: (808) 329-3441

CAPTAIN COOK MONUMENT
The monument is a tribute to Captain James Cook, the British navigator considered by many to be the first European to arrive in the Hawaiian Islands.
Where: Kealakekua Bay (Near the town of Captain Cook)

KEALAKEKUA BAY
Monument at the site of Captain James Cook’s death. Featuring a marine preserve with spectacular snorkeling.
Where: South of Captain Cook
Info: (808) 885-4724

THE GREEN FLASH
On a clear evening, just as the sun sinks completely out of sight, watch for a green flash that seems to jump out of the water and light up the horizon. It only works if you have a clear line of sight to the sunset and an unbroken horizon. And don’t look until the top of the sun is just about to sink, otherwise you’ll see a “fool’s flash” from the sun’s after-image and risk damaging your retina.
Where: Prime viewing spots include the seawall on Ali‘i Drive in downtown Kailua-Kona; Kona Coast State Park; the side of the road on Manalahoa Highway in upcountry Holualoa; or under the coconut trees at Pu‘uhonua O Honaunau National Historic Park.

ROYAL KONA MUSEUM & COFFEE MILL
Free samples of Kona coffee!
Where: 83-5427 Mamalahoa Highway, Captain Cook

PU’UHONUA O HONAUNAU NATIONAL HISTORICAL PARK
Called the “place of refuge,” this restored site and heiau (temple/place of worship) offers an in-depth look at ancient Hawaiian life and royalty.
Where: South of Captain Cook
Hours: Visitor’s Center, 8-4:30 p.m. daily; park grounds (palace & picnic areas), 8 a.m.-8 p.m.
Cost: $2; 16 and under, no charge.
Info: (808) 328-2288

KONA COAST MAC NUT & CANDY FACTORY
Factory outlet for macadamia nuts and candies, plus assorted gifts.
Where: Just past the 106 mile marker going south on Highway 11
Hours: 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Friday;
8 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday
Info: (808) 328-8141 or write PO Box 226, Honaunau, HI

KA’U REGION

GREEN SANDS OF PAPAKOLEA BEACH
It’s not easy to get here. A 12-mile ride up an unpaved road is followed by an hour-long hike down a steep cliff. The reward is one of the most unique sights in the world. The green color of the sand comes from crushed olivine, a semi-precious mineral often found in volcanic rocks and meteorites. Where: Southern tip of the island; just a few miles from Ka Lae, the southernmost point in the United States

NA‘ALEHU
The southernmost town in the United States. Features shops, eateries and memorabilia.
PUNALU’U BAKE SHOP AND VISITOR CENTER
Featuring a bakery that produces the Big Island’s famous sweetbread; snack bar and gift shop.
Where: Mamalahoa Highway, Na’alehu
Hours: 9 a.m.-5 p.m. daily
Info: (808) 929-7343

HAWAI‘I VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK
If conditions permit, you can see dramatic lava flows from Kilauea, one of the most active volcanoes on earth. Rising above is 13,679-foot-high volcano Mauna Loa. The park also offers rainforest and lava-tube hikes.
Where: Southeast end of the Big Island
Hours: Entry booth open 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. daily
Cost: $10 per car
Info: (808) 985-6000

VOLCANO ART CENTER
Visual, literary and performing arts programs. Fine arts gallery.
Where: Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park (East Hawai‘i)
Hours: 9 a.m.-5 p.m. daily
Cost: Admission free for the gallery; $10 per car to enter Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park
Info: (808) 967-8222 or write PO Box 104, Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, HI

AKATSUKA ORCHID GARDENS
Garden featuring a greenhouse and up to 2,000 blooming pots of orchids year-round.
Where: Volcano district, between the 23- and 22-mile markers on Highway 11
Hours: 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. daily, except federal holidays
Info: (808) 967-8234

VOLCANO FARMER’S MARKET
Produce, flowers and baked goods.
Where: Cooper Center, Volcano
Hours: 8:30-11 a.m. Sunday
Info: (808) 967-7209

HILO / HAMAKUA REGION

NANI MAU GARDENS
20 acres of tropical flowers and trees, pools and waterfalls. Great place for weddings and community events.
Where: 421 Makalika St, Hilo
Hours: 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. daily
Cost: Adults, $10; children 5-12, $5
Info: (808) 959-3541

PANA‘EWA RAINFOREST ZOO
The only zoo in the United States located in a tropical rainforest. Features exotic birds and animals, including a white Bengal tiger and pygmy hippos. Gift shop.
Where: Hilo
Hours: 9 a.m.-4 p.m., daily (closed Christmas and New Year’s Day)
Info: (808) 959-7224

MAUNA LOA MACADAMIA NUT VISITOR’S CENTER
Macadamia nut farming education center and gift shop. Experience the macadamia nut production process firsthand during the harvesting season (August through February).
Where: One Macadamia Road, Hilo
Hours: 8:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. daily
Info: (808) 982-6562

PACIFIC TSUNAMI MUSEUM
Tsunami (seismic sea wave) education center. A tsunami destroyed downtown Hilo in 1946 and again in 1960.
Where: 130 Kamehameha Ave., Hilo
Hours: 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday-Saturday
Cost: Adults, $5; seniors, $4; students and children, $2; children under 5, no charge.
Info: (808) 935-0926

LYMAN MISSION HOUSE MUSEUM
Features a collection of historic Hawaiian relics and a missionary home dating to 1839.
Where: 276 Haili Street, Hilo
Hours: 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Monday-Saturday
Cost: Adults, $7; seniors, $5; students, $3; children 5-17, $2.50. Residents: adults, $5; seniors, $3; students and children age 5-17, $2.50. Children 4 and under admitted free.
Info: (808) 935-5021

HILO FARMER’S MARKET
Local produce, flowers, plants, baked goods and box lunches.
Where: Corner of Kamehameha and Mamo streets, Hilo
Hours: 5:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Wednesday and Saturday
Info: (808) 969-9114

HAWAI‘I TROPICAL BOTANICAL GARDENS
More than 2,000 species of rare and exotic plants in a 40-acre valley.
Where: On Onomea Bay, north of Hilo on Route 19
Hours: 9 a.m.-4 p.m. daily
Cost: Adults, $15; children 6-16, $5
Info: (808) 964-5233 or write PO Box 80, Papaikou, HI

AKAKA FALLS
When the light hits this 442-foot waterfall just right you’ll understand why Hawai‘i is called the Rainbow State, as bands of color leap from the mist of the crashing falls.
Where: North of Hilo on Route 19; in Akaka Falls State Park

WAIPI‘O VALLEY
Lush, cliff-enclosed valley features taro farming and a black-sand beach. Roads can be difficult; four-wheel-drive recommended.
Where: North Shore
Info: (808) 959-7224
KOHALA REGION

PARKER RANCH VISITOR CENTER
Museum highlights the history of the Parker family, which operates Hawai‘i’s largest cattle ranch.
Where: In the Parker Ranch Shopping Center, Kamuela
Hours: 9 a.m.-5 p.m. daily
Cost: Adults $5, children 4-11, $2.50. Admission package (including Visitor Center and Parker Ranch Historic Homes), adults, $10; children, $7.50.
Info: (808) 885-7655 or write PO Box 458, Kamuela, HI

MAUNA KEA SUMMIT & VISITORS CENTER
Hawai‘i’s tallest volcano (13,796 feet) is home to astronomical observatories of many countries. Summit accessible by four-wheel-drive only. Traveling concerns include low temperatures, snow and severe weather in winter months, and altitude sickness.
Where: The Visitors Center is at the end of the paved road (9,300 feet). Can be accessed by two-wheel-drive.
Hours: 9 a.m.-noon and 1-5 p.m. Monday through Friday; 6-10 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Star-gazing programs are from 6 to 10 p.m. every evening.
Info: Some travel restrictions apply. Call for weather and road conditions: (808) 969-3218. Visitors Center: (808) 961-2180

DOLPHIN QUEST
Swim with dolphins at the hotel’s special dolphin pool.
Where: Hilton Waikoloa Hotel, Kohala Coast
Info: (808) 886-1234

PU‘UKOHOLA HEIAU
NATIONAL HISTORICAL PARK
Temple site built by Kamehameha the Great. Tour the temple ruins and visitor center.
Where: North of Kailua-Kona at the end of Queen Ka‘ahumanu Hwy
Hours: 7:30 a.m.-4 p.m. daily
Info: (808) 882-7218

PUAKO PETROGLYPH ARCHEOLOGICAL DISTRICT
More than 3,000 petroglyphs (ancient Hawaiian stone carvings) can be found in this 233-acre field. Canoe paddlers, turtles, marchers, dancers, family groups. Go early in the morning or late in the afternoon, when it’s not so hot, and follow either the Malama Trail from the Mauna Lani resort or the path that starts at the end of Puako Road.
Where: Puako Road, Puako; near the Mauna Lani Resort on the Kona Coast
Info: (808) 886-1655 (Hawaii Visitors Bureau)