Playing Tourist on the Big Island

 Big Island Trip

March 18-20

(stories are in no particular order)

Since I was running the Hilo Marathon, I decided to do the tourist things. Here are some of the most popular sites in Hilo.

Coconut Island - March 18, 2016

Coconut Island seemed to be a place where people would go. Its a tiny island and who doesn't want to go to a tiny island?

I got a bomb ass plate at Puka Puka Kitchen, Ahi Don with the best salad. Fresh veggies, Big Island grown. From Puka Puka was a 5 minute drive to Coconut Island. I took a bunch of shit to carry with me; camera, fanny pack, lunch, and drink. 

I was stunned by its beauty. Waves hitting the rocks and water flying in the air. Little tide pools to swim in. There is also a bathroom and a huge field to play on. 

To my surprise, no tourist where there. Its funny because it is by all the hotels. There were a lot of local families fishing and playing in the small tide pools.

I ate my lunch in peace and tranquility. There are a number of picnic benches. I chose the one that was empty, of course. This is how it's done I thought to myself. I was so hungry that I couldn't enjoy my Ahi Don. I scarfed the food down like no tomorrow. Other than the breaded fish being so tender, the salad was the best. The oriental dressing was good. But you wouldn't believe what was in this thing - sprouts, carrots, celery, lettuce, tomatoes. It packed a lot on the two side portions part of the plate. I was satisfied.

After eating, I went to take pictures. I can't say enough. This place was so awesome. Next time I go to the Big Island, I'm going to visit this place again.

the walkway to coconut island

this is where I sat to eat my Ahi Don

amazing, isn't it

waves hitting the rocks

Kaumana Caves - March 18, 2016

After Rainbow Falls, 10 minutes up the road is the Kaumana Caves. It's a huge lava tube that extends deep into the Earth. The parking lot is on the right.

I walked across the street to descend down a steep metal staircase. I didn't bring my flashlight so I didn't explore too much inside the cave, but I did have my tripod to take a nice picture.

On the Go-Hawaii website, a nice picture shows a good representation of the cave, making anyone who likes this kind of thing want to go.

I set up my tripod and took a few pictures. I tried to get the lighting right and did a decent job. Wish I had a sharper lens to make the image more define. Two tourist left, so I had the caves to myself. On the other side of the main cave is another cave, not as deep as the Kaumana Cave. The staircase ruins the picture, but there is no other way to get enter the cave.

trailhead

inside cave

Naha Stone - March 18, 2016

According to legend, at the age of 14, King Kamehameha was able to lift this stone. Prophecy said that anyone who was able to lift this stone would rule the Hawaiian Islands. The prophecy was correct. However, although Kamehameha was a big guy, I doubt that at age 14 he was able to lift a 5,000 lbs. pohaku.

While teaching in the classroom a few years ago, I got interested in the Kamehameha story about him becoming the ruler of Hawaii. A big part of the myth of Kamehameha was him lifting up the Naha Stone. The story went on to mention that the stone was at the Hilo Public Library. 

So I told myself if I was ever in Hilo, I would go there and see it. No doubt. 

After the Kaumana Caves, I was completely lost and with my GPS crapping out. I ended up on Waianuenue Avenue. The great part of this story was my somewhat amazing observation and connection as I was driving. I saw Hilo High School and Hilo Intermediate. I then saw an Elementary School. I was like hey, if there is a bunch of schools here, there must be a library nearby. Low and behold, there it was.

I parked at the library which was busy at the time. I tried to take a picture, but it didn't fit in my frame. I ran across the street by this ice cream shop to take a nice picture. I didn't touch it or anything since it is sacred.

Naha Stone, Hilo Library

Here is the ice cream place when I crossed the street. Someone drew a boto on the side of the store. 

Rainbow Falls & Boiling Pots - March 18, 2016

Rainbow Falls appears to be the most photographed waterfall on the Big Island, more so than Akaka Falls. With good reason, its really close to Hilo. Its about 5-10 minutes out of Hilo Town.

With my gps on my phone crapping out, I missed the turn to get there. After backtracking, I got to my destination.

Last time I was in Hilo around 2003, I didn't get to see Rainbow Falls and the reason is beyond me. I loved waterfalls at that time. 

The falls is huge, over 200 feet in height and two tiers. The volume of water is heavy and during flash floods, I've seen it roar. I tried to take silk, but the image was overexposed. I'll have to do post-processing when I get back. You are also suppose to see a Rainbow reflecting from the water. I did, but it didn't come out in my pictures. Too bad, because it would have looked awesome. As soon as I was done, a load of tourist in buses came. Lucky thing.

I got into the Mustang and went to look for the Kaimana Caves which was further up the road. As I was driving I seen a sign that said Boiling Pots. I had to go, right!!! I was the only one in the parking lot. It's called Boiling Pots because when the water converges at a certain point it, the water appears to boil. From the lookout, it was a way down, so I couldn't see anything boiling. Further upstream from the vantage point, you could see another big time waterfall spilling from a ledge.

I was proud of myself for not being lazy and going on a side trip to boiling pots. Off to the Kaimana Caves.

Rainbow Falls in 2017

silk

Mustang

Boiling Pots

Another big time waterfall in the back

Queen Liliuokalanai Gardens - March 19 & 20, 2016

Not to be confused with the Queen Liliuokalani Botanical Gardens in Kalihi. This place is like a huge park that is similar to Kapiolani Park on Oahu. Its much better though. 

I seen this place twice on my trip 1) after visiting Coconut Island (actually connected somewhat to Coconut Island) 2) It is part of the Hilo Marathon route. 

It doesn't look any Hawaiian which is what you'd come to expect with anything associated with the Queen. Native plants, statues, etc. It's seemed like an Asian inspired garden with its Japanese arches, besides, and landscape. It was well thought out and crafted with its different levels and plethora of plants, some native.

I was already really tired and took quick pictures. I was more into relaxing in the Mustang. This place would also be a good place to run. There are a lot of huge Banyan trees making it shady.

Big ass Banyan Tree

tranquilic place

Wailoa River State Park - March 18, 2016

Literally across from Hilo Bay is Wailoa State Park. Its nestled in between all the city stuff. Getting to it is pretty hard. Although you can visually see it from the Kamehameha Avenue, its on a side street. 

I mixed this park up with the Queen Liliuokalani Gardens. The one cool feature are these roller coaster bridges. I just had to try it. Nothing that my imagination couldn't handle. The river drains into these huge ponds or they may have blocked off the river to create these ponds. It is a huge vast area. There is also a tsunami memorial near the bridges and a wellness center.

The only other attraction and it is a major attraction is the huge Kamehameha Statue. This thing was like 20 feet tall, much bigger and taller than others one on Oahu. You can see it from the road, and it was easy to get to. However, it is somewhat not really connected to the park, so you'd have to find that side street to get to the park. For some reason, it is a sight to behold.

I can say now that I've seen all 3 statues, like it matters or anything. The other two is on Oahu and the State Capitol in Washington DC.

roller coaster bridge

Huge Kamehameha Statue