ThePacificaInn.com is a PERFECT place to stay near the Hawaii National Park. Five min. from the…read morepark and one mile from town. Beautiful rooms with HUGE rooms looking out into the jungle. Peaceful! Perfect private natural getaway. This place is amazing!!

Way cool stop after our guided tour of the caldera rim and a short hike from the rim. Drinks are…read moreavailable and JUST what I needed. I'm not used to the altitude or using this much energy at this altitude. The gift shop has a good variety for what you will likely need. There are park rangers to answer your questions. I fond just standing back and listening in, there is a lot to learn!

I already reviewed this business but will again. Love, love, loved it! Our guide was amazing,…read moreknowledgeable & friendly cool guy who has actually lived In valley & build some homes there. He knew all about history, agriculture, you name it! Awesome! Thanks again for allowing me to review!

The Mauna Kea Visitor Information Station, located at an elevation of 9,200 ft above sea level, is…read moremanaged and operated by the University of Hawai'i. Currently, the University of Hawai'i Institute for Astronomy also co-manages Mauna Kea Observatories. Mauna Kea Observatories is a group of ten independent astronomical research institutions. These non-profit institutions from various nations operate telescopes atop Mauna Kea on the Big Island of Hawai'i. ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ASTRO DAY 2026 Presented by Mauna Kea Observatories 10am-4pm on Saturday, May 2, 2026 At Prince Kuhio Plaza I seriously became immersed with interest and curiosity for over 2+ hours, visiting nine of many participants spread throughout the plaza. I started at 9:40am and ended well past noon. Interacting, watching demonstrations, speaking to passionate and knowledgeable individuals. To actual professionals of the industry, with students and volunteers as well. In full awe and amazement, learning as an adult alongside kids who were with their parents. I couldn't have asked for a better Saturday. ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ W.M. Keck Observatory explained how infrared astronomy allows their telescopes to see through cosmic dust and gas found in galaxies. I watched as infrared radiation or heat was shown on their tablet through a demonstration. I selected a galaxy print that was carved out from a calendar as it was quickly transformed into a button by members of the Mauna Kea Visitor Information Station. Personalizing a bookmark from the International Gemini Observatory, the meaning of this educational material was shared to myself and others with astronomical and Hawai'i values combined. Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park had me view ash and Pele's hair through a magniscope, residue from an actual volcanic eruption on our island. I also saw a camera which got too close to the heat of magma and melted. Shared surface = shared energy by the University of Hawai'i Department of Physics & Astronomy. A cool and effective demonstration with metronomes. I was told Snoopy went onboard the NASA ARTEMIS I mission, and was given a NASA Solar System activity pack from the Onizuka Center for International Astronomy. I remember vividly the visit to my school by Hawai'i astronaut, Ellison Onizuka. ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ I spoke to a Hilo High School student about their robotics team and how they build, code and operate robots for official competitions. I watched a robot controlled + in-action by those who built it. A student at the Hawai'i Science Tech Museum table explained to me the difference between VEX IQ, VRC and VEX V5 robotics material systems used for different age groups. Similar to BattleBots on TV, I cheered with the crowd as two grade school students went into robotics combat. From various sponsors including Imiloa Astronomy Center, I received a commemorative Mauna Kea coin featuring a winning design by a Pāhoa student. Before leaving, Thelma Parker Memorial Public Library from Kamuela offered me a NASA@My Library packet. It brought me joy to see our community in a purposeful gathering, united by a goal to build relationships and exchange knowledge. Connecting expertise of all levels, a diverse group of participants and attendees of all ages fostering a collaborative environment. ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ As a supporter of astronomy in Hawai'i, I have a deep appreciation for Mauna Kea Observatories. As a current resident who was born and raised on the Big Island, there's also respect for the rich culture of Hawai'i and for Mauna Kea. A dormant volcano and sacred mountain that has meaning to many, standing 13,796 ft above sea level. I believe balance is possible, a compromise moving forward. For the cultural significance of Mauna Kea connecting with science and technology. Respectfully, in harmony. To an industry that has a huge economic impact to this island, to our State. Positive and empowering. Giving back, inspiring and educating the community in more ways than ASTRO DAY 2026.

This was my 2nd time to the Big Island and 3rd attempt to see the stars. (Too much fog) The night…read morebefore we attempted to see the sunset but we missed it by 2 cars. The line was very backed up to get up to the summit because they had closed the road before, so make sure to give yourself plenty of time to make it up to the summit. It was our last night on the Big Island and we rented a 4x wheel drive car just for this adventure for the day. So we woke up very early the next morning and saw the sunrise. It was beautiful! We were up at the visitor center at 4:15am and saw so many stars!!! The drive up to the summit isn't too bad, just make sure your body can handle the extreme elevation.

After visiting the green sand beach, we headed to the Volcano National Park. We had heard there was…read moresome recent activity and ultimately saw some lava from a hiking trail we took! The lava tube was so unique and such a quick, fun experience! I'm not sure what I expected but it was so interesting to see what the lava had once created. Definitely a must see while visiting the Big Island!

Another one of the things in Hawaii that we did wrong simply because we had a lot of crap packed…read moreinto our schedule over a very large area of the island, so things had to get cut or modified and this was one of them. We made two visits at night, which I highly recommend. Why? No $30 entrance fee - amazing views of the night sky - superb vent glow We had, like everybody, hoped to see an eruption. Kilauea was building up for episode 53 and we missed that by hours. That episode started while we were on the tarmac in Kona getting ready to depart. So, what did we see? Visit #1 - The most amazing clear night sky. Not a cloud out there and the difference in temperature compared to Hilo was fantastic. There was also a good bit of smoke and vent glow and while there were some people out along the Crater Rim West trail, it wasn't crazy for 8pm on a Friday. Visit #2 - Very cold and blustery and completely clouded over. Pitch black darkness along the roads and trails and very spooky taking the drive over to the overlook on Crater Rim Drive East since nobody else was there. Who would have thought episode 53 would start the next day? The amount of smoke and glow from three days prior was remarkably less. If there is ever a next time, I'll make it a priority to be here during the day for all of the traditional things like the Visitors Center, Steam Vents and more of the trails and lookouts. Either way - five stars - easily

Totally go for the sunset or sunrise! It was amazing! Not sure how we haven't heard about it…read morebefore. Pictures don't do it justice. Make sure you go early or you want get a spot on the summit, pack some food and be prepared to wait. It's also cold! We had light jackets which weren't really enough with the wind.

In the Summit District, the 11.7 mile point-to-point Sliding Sands to Halemau'u Thru Hike is…read moreincredible--plan ahead to have someone pick you up on the other side. For the first 2/3, it's all downhill and makes for a great trail run. The way up is strenuous, but manageably short and most definitely worth it. Incredible views and you literally get to be above the clouds. Would highly recommend this hike when visiting this area of the park.

Mini afternoon excursion in Hilo and it was fun! The road leading up is Macadamia Nut Road- and…read moreit's cool to see the orchards of macadamia nut trees. Ample free parking. Upon entering, we were happily greeted with samples! It had four flavors in a cup- chocolate, honey, sea salt and garlic. There's a sample table with more varieties to try- and they were very generous and let me sample as many as I asked for. They also had free coffee samples from a local Hilo roaster. I ended up getting a few gifts for friends. The nature walk outside is pretty- I had no clue some of the fruits that grew looked like that. You can even see the macadamia nuts on the trees before they're harvested and roasted. Overall- great experience!

Trekked all the way over from Kona and was disappointed with the experience…read more If you have a Costco Membership save yourself the time and buy your Mauna Loa nut products there, much cheaper. If not, venture on over to the visitor center. There's free parking and clean bathrooms, plus if you have children you could kill a couple of hours in the outside self guided tour. They also sell some simple lunches and ice cream with an outdoor seating area where you can watch an informational video. There's an employee giving out free samples of multiple types of the Mac nuts. I did learn that the Hawaiian Host brand is their sister company.

Must see near Hilo! Super inconspicuous from the road, but very cool spot where you can walk…read morethrough two caves. The entry point is a very steep staircase and the terrain is rugged inside the caves so best to wear closed toe shoes with traction. I'd budget 20-30 minutes to spend here as you can't walk too far into the caves.

Very cool experience to walk through 2 caves…read more Bring a flashlight / headlamp. Your phone flashlight won't be as strong but can work if you have no options. Ideal shoes would be hiking boots but gym shoes will work. There are steep steps going down and then uneven rocks until the cave. The cave is uneven as well. Parking: maybe room for 10 cars, so parking could be difficult. When we went around 1pm on a Saturday, we didn't have a problem. Park and walk across the street to enter. Bathrooms: I did see some. Didn't use them though.

A hidden gem rich in Hawaiian history, wildlife, and outstanding staff!…read more ​If you want to experience authentic Hawaiian history away from the crowded resort beaches, Kaloko-Honokōhau is a must-visit in Kona. ​Walking along the coastal trails gives you an incredible look at ancient Hawaiian engineering. The Kaloko Fishpond (loko iʻa) and massive stone seawalls built without mortar are mind-blowing to see up close. Along the paths, you can also spot ancient petroglyphs carved into the lava rock and historic heiau (temple) sites. ​Highlights of our visit: ​Honu (Green Sea Turtles): We saw multiple sea turtles resting on the shoreline at ʻAiʻōpio Beach near the harbor. Remember to give them plenty of space! (20ft to be exact) ​Cultural History: The park does a fantastic job preserving the spirit of how native Hawaiians lived and farmed aquaculture centuries ago. ​Exceptional Staff (Special shoutout to Ranger K. Cartee!) Park Ranger K. Cartee made our visit extra special. She was so polite, knowledgeable about the land and wildlife, and had absolute wonderful energy while answering all of our questions. When I asked about the walk to the beach, she explained it was about a mile each way from the main lot, but took the extra time to give us a game-changing tip: driving down to the boat yard road leads to a short, easy 10-minute walk instead. That suggestion was a lifesaver for my 70-year-old mother and allowed our whole family to enjoy the trip comfortably! Mahalo K. Cartee for truly carrying an awesome Aloha Spirit! :)

This is a NPS managed site that protects the ancient fish traps and fish catch ponds. centuries old…read more, all by hand to catch fish that come in on the tides to feed. One Way traps. A marvel to imagine

Wow. This view was breathtaking!…read more I visited in April and we definitely got lucky. I hear that all the tour busses come by and parking is often difficult to find. There is a slight hike so if you aren't physically able, this might be inaccessible for you. Tourists used to be able to access the property below the valley but that has changed since the pandemic (unfortunately). Still, nonetheless it doesn't cost a penny and it's a stunning view.

This was such an epic view. The lookout is a short but steep walk from the parking lot and had…read morebathroom facilities. This is definitely worth a stop if on the big island. The day we went, was right after rain and there was a waterfall falling onto a black sand beach. Where else in the world can you see that?

We loved loved this tour! Book quickly bc the tour books fast due to weight restrictions for the…read moremules. We booked the 2:30, but was told it was sold out, then by the time I called (an hour later) for the 12:30 that was sold out too. Thankfully our weights allowed for us to join the 2:30 tour after all. If your coming from Kona it's about a 2 hour drive. About an hour from the Kohala resorts... They run the tours rain or shine (unless it's a major downpour). It was drizzly on our trip but it was still great! It's one of only 3 tours that tour the valley floor. All others only do the rim, which is beautiful as well. The tour runs exactly as described on their website. The stable keeper, who gave us the tour was great! On the 4x4 van ride down (as in a 25% grade!) it was BEAUTIFUL and the scenery was amazing. She gave us a detailed history of Waipio Valley and the area. She has lived in the valley for 15 years and worked in the valley for 20! Once we arrived the stables we were greeted by their horses and the mules were hooked up and ready to go. There are beautiful waterfalls directly above the stables, these made for great photo ops. The valley and surrounding area are lush and wet soooo BRING BUG SPRAY. (Mosquitos love me and I was prized with 4 big welts for my souvenir despite continuous spraying.) We loaded the covered wagon and distributed our weight as directed. Each seat has handles and you'll need them to hold on during the bumpy ride. Our 4 year old did fine, but if your kiddo isn't a good listener and decides to stand up or move around, they will fall. We toured the valley floor, crossed water ways 4 times and saw more waterfalls and beautiful views and were introduced to all of the flora in the area as well as many wild horses! So cool! We returned back to the stables, fed the horses there and travelled back out of the valley in the van, and back to our car at the Last Chance store. We would return for the tour again if we had friends or family in town and wanted to take them. I highly recommend the tour for anyone that would like to see the Waipio Valley up close and personal. Active folks love to hike down and hike in the valley which is an awesome way to see the valley but if you're with small kiddos or if you don't have 4 hours minimum to commit, this is a lovely and unique way to see the valley and learn some history. A hui hou!

There isn't anything more to say that Dave G. hasn't covered. So I will break my learnings down in…read morebullet points: *Fascinating history of Hawaii and why Waipio Valley went from the Valley of the Kings with a population of 3,000 to the sparsely populated land where only 50-75 Hawaiians reside today. *If you have back problems or are prone to back problems and pinched nerves, you may want to skip this tour. It's bumpy, the road down the valley is steep enough to make an atheist start getting religious. *Spray lots of OFF on your exposed body parts. There are many, many critters all too eager to feast on fresh blood, haole and otherwise. So either wear long pants or douse yourself in OFF. *It's windy at the lookout so dress in layers, light jacket or windbreaker will do. *Bathroom outside the Neptune Garden/Last Chance store is clean but bring your own toilet seat cover. *Minor detail but the website lists the meeting point address as 48-5300 Kuikuihaele Road, Honokaa, HI. We entered it in our GPS and couldn't find it because it's actually 48-5300 Kukuihaele Road, Honokaa, HI. Bonus points if you can spot the error. *Mules are smarter than horses and can pull heavier loads. Being called an ass, not so bad. *Taro is hard to grow and harvest. Appreciate your poi and taro chips for they are lovingly grown by earnest Hawaiians, one of whom is our tour guide Li'a. *Tip Bob and Li'a. These two guides are doing their part to keep the old Hawaiian spirit and culture alive so help these brah's out. *The tour lasts about 1 1/2 hours and the drive from either side of the island can take 1-2 hours one way. Grab some malasadas from Tex Drive-In on your way into the valley and stop by Jolene's for local food and Hamakua Fudge for dessert to end your day. *Lastly, show respect and pay reverence to the old Hawaii that you won't see in these Disneyfied resorts or urbanized enclaves of Hilo Hatties and ABC stores.