Places
to See on the Big Island
(Click the
underlined links below to see photos. Please be patient
while the photos are loading). Mahalo.
Ahalanui Hot Ponds is one of the few safe and wonderfully warm swimming spots on the Puna Coast. Just 2 miles from Kapoho. Ahalanui Beach Park is just off Highway 137, a mile north of Isaac Hale Beach Park. The main attraction here is that it is the location of a lovely thermal spring-fed pond set in lava rock. It's about 60 feet wide and deep enough for swimming. The water temperatures average about 90 degrees F, and the pond has an inlet to the ocean so the water stays clean. Be sure to visit here when you stay at one of our vacation rental homes in Kapoho. Click the link above to see breathtaking photos of this place.
South Point is the southernmost spot in the United States. In addition to the beautiful, crystal clear azure blue water, South Point has rocky coastal cliffs and a turbulent ocean. The early Hawaiian settlers landed here from the Polynesian islands. The winds are strong here as evidenced by the trees that really do lean sideways. Some are bent almost horizontal with their branches trailing along the ground. South Point is 11 miles south of Highway 11, at the end of a paved, one-land road. Enjoy this place for the adventure and the views. Also, the tour buses can't go here, so if you have rented a car, you'll delight in the pristine environment sans a lot of tourists.
Akaka Falls State Park draws so many visitors to the Big Island because of its impressive, easy-to-view waterfall. You shouldn't miss this place when you visit here. To get to the waterfall lookout point you enjoy a delightful half-mile rain forest loop trail that takes about 20 minutes to walk. The trail is paved and you will pass through dense and varied vegetation, including huge philodrendron vines, frangrant ginger, hanging heliconia, hillsides of beautiful impatiens and cool bamboo groves. If you look up while walking you will notice orchids growing wild in the trees. Akaka Falls drops 442 feet down a fern-draped cliff. You'll soon come to know that its mood depends on the weather, and sometimes it rushes with a mighty roar, and at other times, it appears like a gentle cascade.
Chicken Man -- You'll have to follow this link to find out about this tasty attraction that you shouldn't skip if you come here to visit. Yum!
Pahoa Town is a quaint little town that at first might scare you or intimidate you. Why? Because it reminds you of a throw-back to the 60s. (You'll have to visit here to really understand.) The raised wooden sidewalks, cowboy architecture and untamed-edge residents that reflect the timelessness that's evident here. The Akebono Theater, built in 1917 is one of the oldest theatres in Hawaii and at one time featured Saturday matinee movies that your grandparents could tell you about. Wild orchids grow like weeds along the roadsides in Pahoa. But don't let this town's quaintness keep you away. There are more excellent restaurants there than you would believe. In fact, residents travel there from Hilo or Kona just to sample the wonderful cuisines. Be sure to visit Luquin's Mexican restaurant with its Mango and Lilikoi margaritas. Or, if you like Italian food, be sure to dine at Paolo's Bistro. Yum. If you want fresh bakery or a family-style meal, try The Bakery or Mom's Diner. Or, for another super restaurant, try Godmother's. You'll love their specials.