|
Hilo and East
Hawaii
 
Quiet
Coconut Island in Hilo Bay. |
On your trek to Hilo, take a right on Kamehameha Highway
at the Intersection of Pau'ahi and Kamehameha Highway.
If you look to the right just passed the Chevron gas
station on the corner of Pau'ahi and Kamehameha Highway
you will see a statue of KAMEHAMEHA THE GREAT. Nestled
amongst royal palms and behind the statue is Wailoa
with its winding waterways and a fishing pond. If Kamehameha’s
birthplace is Kohala, then why is there a Statue in
Hilo? With Kamehameha statues in Honolulu, Washington
D.C., and one in Kohala to mark his birthplace only
a few people know that this statue in Hilo stands on
his father’s land.
When you talk about the old Hawaii, at least the one
that hasn't been touched as much today by the long arms
of commercialization and development, you cannot help
but mention the East Coast on the Big Island. At the
center of all this is old town Hilo. Hawaii's second
largest city is seeing a revitalization of spirit thanks
to the effort of the Downtown Hilo Organization who
is busy restoring and preserving the storefronts of
this yesterday town. Aiding this effort are the wealth
of new businesses occupying Hilo's old buildings.
Adding to this old Hawaii feeling is the Hilo Farmer's
Market which is held every Wednesday and Saturday in
Downtown Hilo. It's fun while walking around to think
about what the city was actually like around the early
1900's.
Rainbow
Falls. |
An easy to find waterfall is Rainbow Falls which is
located inland along the Wailuku River at the north
end of town. Follow the road running alongside the river
to the Park where you won't have to walk far to see
one of the area's most frequented sights. If you're
lucky you will catch sight of a rainbow at the falls.
After leaving Hilo you don't want to miss the drive
north to Waipio Valley which takes you over scenic gorges
that were once crossed by cane hauling trains in the
heyday of sugar cane production. The plummeting waterfalls
and river mouths under the extensive bridge systems
leading north up the Hilo Coast are definitely an awesome
sight. On this drive north is Onomea Bay located along
a 4 mile coastal scenic route. The lush ravines and
botanical gardens are brilliantly picturesque along
this coastal road and are well worth the detour.
Akaka Falls State Park and the village of Honomu can
be reached by taking Hwy. 220 off of the main route,
Hwy. 19 north. Once you reach the Park a short paved
hike will take you past a network of smaller waterfalls
and colorful tropical foliage to the plummeting Akaka
Falls. Its accessibility and grand size make Akaka Falls
a popular stop along this eastern coast. The historic
town of Honomu boasts many old storefronts from the
days when sugar was king. The drive and hike to Akaka
Falls will only take you out of the way for an hour
but you might just find yourself passing more time over
an ice cream and a pleasant cool breeze in the quiet
town of Honomu.
Hilo Palace Theater.
|
Merrie Monarch dancers.
|
Japanese gardens/park
on Hilo Bay. |
Hilo church. |
|
Previous