Big Island offers lava-ly adventures
From volcanoes and mantas to waterfalls and coffee, the Island of Hawaii has something for every adventurer, writes Juliette Sivertsen.
How do you pick which island in Hawaii to visit? If adventure and exploration is your vibe, head to the Island of Hawaii, also known as Big Island.
It is worth renting a vehicle so you can explore the diverse landscapes, taking you from the volcanoes to the ocean.
Don’t forget to adhere to the Pono Pledge, a commitment from visitors to the island to respect the land, the sea and nature’s forces.
Visit the most unique coffee plantation in the world
The conditions on the Kona coast of the Big Island are perfect for growing coffee beans, thanks to its rich volcanic soil, sunny mornings and afternoon clouds and rain showers.
Kona Joe Coffee is perhaps the most unique coffee plantation in the world, due to the patented process of trellising, a method used by leading winemakers, which no other coffee plantation does. This involves training coffee trees to grow along a trellis system, as vines do, to allow for perfectly even sun exposure, and maximising flavour.
Take a tour of the plantation to learn about the growing, harvesting and sorting processes, before heading to the roasting machines inside. You will be guided how to roast your own coffee beans, which you can package, seal, label and take home with you.
Don’t forget to enjoy a shot of the good stuff yourself, and take in the spectacular ocean views from the site.
See the night glow of a live volcano
There are few experiences as humbling as witnessing lava glowing in the dark under a starry night sky.
The Hawaii Volcanoes National Park is home to two of the world’s most active volcanoes – Kīlauea and Mauna Loa, creating this special Unesco World Heritage Site where visitors can see an ongoing eruption.
Kīlauea’s summit is considered wahi kapu to Hawaiians, a sacred landscape. You can see lava flows from this eruption from different locations, but will need sturdy walking shoes for the long hike, a warm jumper because of the altitude, and be prepared for long queues at night. Beat the crowds by going in the early morning instead.
The Mauna Loa summit is currently closed due to increased volcanic activity, though it is not erupting.
Visit nps.gov/havo for the latest information on where to go for the best views, safety hazards or closures.
Chase waterfalls
Parts of the Big Island have some of the highest rainfall in Hawaii. In fact, Hilo is considered the wettest city in the United States. The landscape is one filled with dense tropical rainforests and thundering waterfalls. Rainbow Falls, named after the rainbows that form in the morning mist, is free to visit, on the outskirts of Hilo, and is the most accessible of them.
’Akaka Falls State Park is home to two waterfalls, the 128-metre ’Akaka Falls and cascading Kahūnā Falls. Both are accessible via a short rainforest hike and a small park entrance fee. Umauma Falls is a tiered waterfall on private land, that you can also zipline across with Umauma Experience.
But perhaps the island’s most famous waterfall is Hiilawe Falls in Waipio Valley, at 365m tall.
Night snorkel with manta rays
See feeding manta rays on a nighttime snorkel tour from Kona. Paddle out on a traditional Hawaiian canoe with Anelakai Adventures, then drop into the ocean as night falls. Watch the friendly giants looping in front of you, mouths wide open in a feeding frenzy.
Manta rays – hahalua in Hawaiian, meaning ‘‘two breaths’’ – are considered sacred to many Hawaiian and Polynesian people, representing wisdom, grace and strength.
Learn ancient Hawaiian history
Step inside the Pu’uhonua o Hōnaunau National Historical Park to see the preserved remains of an ancient Hawaiian settlement.
Spend a day wandering around this peaceful coastal setting while learning about ancient life there. See the Hōnaunau (royal grounds), the Pu’uhonua (City of Refuge), the great wall that divided the two, and the Ki’i (wooden statues) guarding the temple of Hale o Keawe, a mausoleum holding the sacred bones of deceased chiefs.