This video is closed-captioned.
The state of Hawaii is made up of multiple volcanic islands in the middle of the Pacific
Ocean.
The biggest island - Hawai'i, has a lot to offer.
The diverse landscape has rainforest, beaches, and black charred lava fields, and if you
time it right, you can watch new landmass being formed right in front of your eyes.
Join us as we take you through ten unique things to do while you stay on the Big Island
of Hawaii.
Number ten.
Night snorkel with Manta Rays.
For a magical experience that few will ever experience, sign up for a night dive or snorkel
with Manta Rays.
You'll get up close and personal if you have a valid open-water dive certification, but
you can still glimpse these gentle giants from above with snorkel gear.
Other tropical locations have manta ray experiences, but Hawaii is unique because the mantas you
see will be feeding rather than grooming.
It's far more exciting to see these graceful creatures dance through the water, collecting
their plankton meals.
Number nine.
Papakolea Green Sand Beach.
White sand beaches usually come to mind when thinking of a tropical paradise.
But what about a green sand beach?
No, it's not something out of a Dr. Seuss book; it's a natural phenomenon you can see
at Papakolea Green Sand Beach.
It's one of only two in the United States.
It's difficult to access, and the beach is carved into a cinder cone from the Mauna Loa
volcano.
The cinder cone contains green crystals that give the beach its name.
Get ready for a hike to get to this beach - driving the last 2.5 miles from South Point
to the beach is illegal, as there is delicate flora that would be destroyed by vehicular
traffic.
And when you climb down, head to the lava cliff on the west side of the bay.
Number eight.
Pu'uhonua O Honaunau National Historical Park.
This historical park is one of the best ways to experience traditional Hawaiian culture.
You can easily spend a few hours exploring the grounds, but a quick self-guided tour
along with a park map covers most of the basics.
The Royal Grounds are worth checking out, and you're greeted by a royal coconut grove
that honors past chiefs.
The Royal Grounds also have a canoe house, fish ponds, and a large temple guarded by
wood carvings symbolizing the Hawaiian gods.
If you were a criminal, you might have sought refuge at the Pu'uhonua, or "Place of Refuge."
Hawaiians dealt with criminals spiritually rather than through punishment or jail.
Number seven.
Punalu'u Black Sand Beach.
On the southeastern Ka'u coast, you'll find one of the Hawaiian islands' most famous black
sand beaches.
The Punalu'u black sand beach beckons visitors with picture-perfect landscapes and exciting
geology and ecology.
The black sand is formed as basaltic lava rapidly cools after hitting the ocean water.
It then shatters into tiny fragments and continues breaking down under the force of the waves.
The black sand glitters like a dark jewel.
This particular beach is also home to some endangered species, making it extra special.
Green Sea Turtles and Hawksbill Turtles like to lounge on the black sand, as it warms their
cold-blooded bodies more efficiently than white sand.
You might also spot the endangered Hawaiian monk seal or the Hawaiian hawks that make
their home along or on this beach.
Number six.
Onomea Bay Trail.
There's plenty of hard-core hiking available in Hawaii, but you don't always have to put
in a lot of effort to reap the rewards of a fantastic view.
With a round trip mileage of just 1.2 miles, the Onomea Bay Trail leads hikers to a knife-edge
outcropping overlooking Onomea Bay.
It's an easy hike, but always remember to pack a rain jacket when you're out and about
in Hawaii - it rains just about every day, so always expect a bit of weather.
You'll also want some bug spray and a leash if you're planning on taking a dog with you.
Number five.
Akaka Falls.
There are a seemingly endless number of waterfalls to see across Hawaii's islands.
But the Akaka falls holds a special place on this list because it's easily accessible
for most travelers.
Akaka Falls has a 422-foot drop and is the namesake of the Akaka falls state park, where
it resides in.
The park is close to Hilo and can easily be incorporated into day trips.
A short .4-mile hike will take you to a lookout point where you can clearly see Akaka falls.
A second waterfall, Kahuna falls, is more challenging to see, but a second lookout point
a few hundred feet beyond Akaka will garner the best view.
Check this spot out after a good rainfall, when the falls will be most visible.
Number four.
Hawaii Volcanoes National Park.
Located within this park is the Kilauea volcano - the most active in Hawaii Volcanoes National
Park and one of the most active in the world.
Each year, millions of tourists check out this bubbling, living landscape.
If you can spend more than one day in this park, Volcano Village offers accommodations
just minutes away from the park's entrance.
Overlook points along the Halema'uma'u crater display the eerie red glow cast by the lava
lake that lies below the crater's surface.
It's a stark reminder of the power - and danger - that Hawaiians live with daily.
And if that still isn't close enough to the action, explore the Thurston lava tube, where
molten lava once flowed freely.
There are plenty of other hiking opportunities throughout the park, as well as an 11-mile
scenic drive that brings you to the Mauna Loa lookout point, where you can get a more
aerial view at 6,662 feet above sea level.
Number three.
Waipi'o Valley.
This entry on our list has recently been impacted by geological studies indicating that the
valley is at risk of rockfall.
As a result, some of the tourism capabilities of the valley have been suspended until solutions
can be put in place.
But it's still a gorgeous spot worthy of a visit.
This valley served as the home for old Hawaiian kings and is named for the river that runs
through the valley's floor.
Today, the valley is used primarily for agricultural endeavors.
Taro fields abound, and a few dozen people call the valley home.
The road into the valley is closed to all but residents and those with business needs,
but you can still view this magnificent valley from the lookout point.
You'll see most of the valley and the sea cliffs at the end of the valley from the viewpoint,
and the overlook is well supplied with bathrooms and a picnic area.
Number two.
Pepeekeo Scenic Drive.
Hiking is great, but sometimes you just want to get in the car and drive.
Of course, you can't get very far on an island, but you won't want to leave after going on
the Pepeekeo Scenic Drive.
Just four miles long, this road follows the coast before moving through dense forests,
past thundering waterfalls, and overlooking an ocean bay.
It will feel like you're entering another world when you drive through the natural gate
of exposed root 'walls' that frame the tropical jungle section of this drive.
A hundred-year-old bridge will help you cross a stream strewn with massive boulders.
If you want more after your drive, consider visiting the adjacent Hawaii Tropical Bioreserve
and Garden for a deep dive into local plant life.
Number one.
Mauna Kea.
At more than 9,000 feet above sea level, Mauna Kea provides outstanding opportunities for
stargazers and amateur astronomers.
The sacred mountain offers a perfect base for some of the world's best telescopes.
So it's only natural to want to get in on the fun.
Although free public stargazing tours organized by the observatory have been temporarily suspended
due to COVID, there is a multitude of stargazing tours that can turn your dreams into reality.
These permitted tour operators provide their own telescopes and have demonstrated that
they share accurate information during their tours.
There are other tours and stargazing locations throughout Hawaii to visit, and they all have
pros and cons depending on what you're hoping to see.
Do some research before you head out so you can scope out the locations or tours that
work best for your goals.
So, what did you think of our list?
Did we miss anything?
Let us know what your favorite spot on the Big Island is down below in the comments.
And if you think one of the other islands deserves some love...let us know which one
and why!
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Until next time!