What an overload for the senses. There are trails of all lengths and difficulty so plan well. Bring…read morelots of water, closed toed shoes and pack food if you plan to make a day of it. The view of the active volcano is spectacular and the rangers are helpful with answering any questions. The parking is sufficient although you may have to drive around for a moment if it's busy. We did the long hike and it was rigorous, but not impossible as long as you do not have mobility issues. There are stairs and steps at the beginning and the end, but walking across the lava field is amazing. Follow the rock formations for your directions. At the end, we wanted to wash our hands, but the only place for a sink is in the volcano house. All other areas are just out houses so plan accordingly. Every purchase in the gift shops supports the Rangers and the park so be kind and pick up an item or two and even feel free to give an additional donation when you check out. There are not many gas stations on the road to the volcano coming from the south around the bottom of the island. However, gas is cheaper when you do find it then you may find in Kona.

Amazing Must hike…read morethe volcano crater One of the few places you can hike on a real volcano crater Do not miss on the Big island

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.

Didn't have high expectations for this spot, knowing in advance it was a tourist trap. I was…read morepleasantly surprised by how peaceful the garden space was and the staff was super sweet/thoughtful. The Mac nut products were definitely pricey but worth while because they were all tasty. Ice cream was decent here and had a good selection, no other food is served here as suggested by past reviews.

Its A-OK. We came on a non-factory day; you can still walk up to the windows and peer inside,…read morealong with signage telling you about the process and history. Plenty of parking. We were offered free samples. a brochure that included a QR code for a discount; I didnt read the fine print that the discount only applies once you get back to the mainland, I made a purchase at local Longs and found out the hard way. The garden is lovely, some stuff, as usual, was blooming. Several plants had signs with the names. T shirts, plenty of nutty stuff to buy inside. I didnt find the pricing better than Longs/KTA so i didnt buy. Something to do while in Hilo....once.

Ha'akulamanu known as "Sulphur Banks" is a tourist spot that's part inside the Volcano Park…read more Fascinating and mysterious - that's how I describe this day hike trail. How could you not love this spot? - it's an easy hike that young & adults can easily do - 1.2 miles (2km) round trip from Kilauea Visitor Center - wheelchair accessible from the steam vents parking lot - steam will warm you at some point when temperature gets drop On the other side, since sulphur is typically not good to inhale especially amongst kids, I suggest not to stay the place for a long time as once breathing in sulphur dust it can irritate the airways or cause coughing. In fact when we were here my eyes are so watery and I'm having cough all of a sudden. My facial skin becomes itchy that I keep scratching them and becomes irritated. Other than that, t'was a fun learning experience for me and I highly recommended anyone to visit the sulphur banks trail.

Hawaii's miniature version of Yellowstone National Park's Sulphur Springs…read more My wife is a retired industrial hygienist with a PhD in toxicology, and so is always interested in poisonous gases, many of which are emitted by Kilauea. She wanted to see this site, although I was lukewarm to the idea. Guess who wears the pants in the house? We park our car in the far end of the visitor's center and follow a paved asphalt path through the rainforest for 0.3 miles. Encounter a sign essentially saying volcanoes are hazardous to your health, and warn of the dangers of inhaling the sulfur fumes. Looks like they plagiarized the wording from the sides of cigarette packs. Small children advised not to come, due to the fumes, and potential for running off the boardwalk. One couple speaking in Cantonese brings their child in a folding baby carriage, oblivious to the warnings. Now they have a long boardwalk, with warnings not to stray off the trail, as one wrong step, and you could fall through the surface into 202 degree steam. I copied the following from a park display board: Escaping gases encrust the rocks with sulfur crystals varying in color from yellow to green yellow. Dissolved silica are carried by water vapor and deposit a white residue of opal on the rocks. Minerals in basalt are chemically heated to form red brown hematite and white gypsum. My wife's words exactly! Not too bad a smell, the sulfur fumes are no worse than the bathroom after my wife has an extended stay on the toilet. The boardwalk is far enough away that you can't touch the yellow and white crystals forming on the rocks and walls nearby. The boardwalk goes over several dried out areas, and eventually leaves the Sulfur Banks trail, and goes over a series of steam vents in grassland. Believe it or not, the sulfur springs were accessible by cars driven up the road right there . In 2005, the road was removed and the place reforested to its original beauty. Wish they could reforest the drought stricken grass in my back yard.

There a lot to see at the Center, the history of Honokaa is so well organized and displayed that…read moreyou can learn a lot in 30 minutes, or spend the afternoon studying photos, and looking at all the interesting artifacts. The many ethnic groups that were so important to the plantations are well represented. You will always find an knowledgable docent to answer your questions. We have been there several times, its one of our favorite places to take visitors.

From the owner: Come learn the history and culture of Honokaʻa and the Hāmākua Coast. read more

This is easily one of the best things we did on the Big Island. Luckily we saw a couple of You Tube…read morevideos that told us to bring a good flash light. We went by WalMart and picked up a decent power Flash light. Don't think you can do this with you cell phone light. The caves are not modified with railings and walkways and colorful lights. This is raw spelunking. At first it feels a little creepy but once you get in and start exploring the anxiety of being underground goes away. The floor is uneven and jagged. Don't come in flip flops. Bri g some sturdy sneakers or hiking boots. Water is constantly dripping from the roof but none of that matters cause you are so enthralled by the experience. You go through giant tubes carved out by lava you also enter giant cavernous rooms formed by the intense molten flow. Breathtaking is the best way to describe it. I wouldn't recommend little kids under eight. It is very hard to traverse some of these rocks. But go! Please go. You will thank me. Definitely Recommended.

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.

The first lava cave I've ever gone through was in New Zealand, Rangitoto Island. It was a bit more…read morechallenging than this little lava tube. This was the second lava tube I've ever gone through, and it was quite easy and short. Easy that families and kids walk through it like nothin'! Inside, the trail is pretty flat and wide in some parts. The ceiling height isn't very high, but also wasn't too low that you'd have to duck down all the time. We came here on a rainy day, so there were a few small puddles we had to go around. The trail was lit up with lights along the path as well. So you won't really get lost. But I still ended up turning on my cell phone light just for safety. Walking through it was just basically making a big U shape from one end to the other. There wasn't a lot of people walking with us, compared to what others have reviewed. I guess we came at the right time. From the parking lot to the entrance (starting right), the paved trail headed downward to the lava tube was very green and very tropical. I was excited just being surrounded by all the plants and nature in general. After the lava tube walk, the greenery was a bit more open and woodsy as we looped back to the parking lot. We finished this walk in about 15 minutes. And although short, we all found it enjoyable from start to finish.

We explored the Thurston Lava Tube, a short 0.4-mile loop that took around half an hour. We had an…read moreelderly person with us, and while the approach to the tunnel is on the steep side, it was manageable with support. Inside the tube it was darker than expected, but you could still navigate without a flashlight. The trail through the forest has mini placards about native plants that offered both interesting info and natural rest spots. A great, memorable experience for anyone with limited mobility who still wants a taste of adventure.

Perfect hike for relaxing vacation. Mostly flat and only up & down to get to the walk on the crater…read moreitself. 3.3 miles around the rim (include walking across the crater). Lots of great views around the crater from all angles. And it was fun to be in the crater itself. You have to follow a path of stacked rocks else you won't find the place to exit the crater. It's a very doable hike for beginners; unless it's hot. Then it might be more challenging. There are several parking areas, but I didn't know that, so ended up parking on the edge of a closed street and 'finding' my own trail to get to the main trail. haha.

This awesome 4 mile looped hike takes you to the bottom of a crater and provides beautiful views…read morewhile it takes you through changing scenery and varying temperatures. You can start this hike in a counter-clockwise direction at Kilauea Iki overlook, number 4 on your map. You'll find more available parking here during peak times. You can start your hike clockwise from Nahuku, number 3 on your map, which is also the same location as the Thurston Lava Tube. Due to the popularity of the Lava Tube, parking here can be difficult. The distance between the two parking lots is .5 miles. We started our hike at Nahuku around noon in December. This moderate level trail started with a chilly walk through a forest of ferns down stairs and over roots with muddy spots throughout. Once you reach the bottom, you can walk across the crater and over lava rocks. The weather at this point was windy. Once we reached the end of the crater and climbed our way back up to the trail, we took a break and had some lunch overlooking the crater. From this point. It was a 2 mile hike up to the top. The weather changed once again, and my jacket was no longer needed. Make sure you bring or wear the following: -Layered clothing to adapt to the varying temps -Hiking shoes with good traction -Hat -Water -Snacks or lunch -Sunscreen Restrooms are available at both starting points, but the overlook location are porta potties. I suggest using the restrooms at the lava tube. We left the location around 2pm and it was pretty crowded. Best to arrive by noon to avoid crowds. -

Located in Captain Cook, the Royal Kona Coffee Company is a quaint roadside stop that, while not a…read moremust-see, was mildly engaging. First off, there is plenty of parking and there are also several clean bathrooms. As you meander up the ramp into the Reddish wooden building, you can see the ocean. As you walk further up into the building, there is a coffee sample station with many coffees and teas to try. 100% Kona Dark-Medium roast is delish. There's a small gift shop and coffee museum as well. The gift shop was underwhelming and the museum is small but informative. The folks working here are pleasant. The coolest part of this stop is the Lava Tube that you can walk through. You just need to walk down the stairs from the visitor center and follow the signs for the Lava Tube. It's a little bit of a hilly walk, so be prepared. The tube itself is short, but it is neat to see. There is no cost to visit this place which is a plus. So, if you're in the area, definitely stop by, but I wouldn't make a long trip or go out of your way to visit this place. Mahalo.

Great place to visit, has a museum and you can see the roasting factory behind it. Catch cold brew…read morewhen there...

Total five star! The best we've ever had. We've used her for years. We pray she never retires!!!read more

Brenda has helped me numerous times with car rentals, condo rentals, and she also found my new home…read morein Hilo! She is very caring, knows the Island like the back of her hand and goes the extra mile to help clients.