Highlights of the Hamakua Coast

Description

Be sure to read the Special Notes further down this page for important requirements and restriction.

What you will visit:

Laupahoehoe Point
A twisty jungle road leads to this natural point surrounded by both the ocean's beauty and a reminder of the power of the sea. Once the location of Laupahoehoe Village, the tsunami of 1946 decimated the area, tragically killing 21 children and three adults. A monument stands to honor those who perished.

Akaka Falls State Park
A paved footpath meanders through Akaka Falls State Park, located along the northeastern Hilo coast. An uphill climb through rainforest scenery, bamboo groves and shading ferns brings you to Akaka Falls, the island of Hawaii's most famous waterfall, a dramatic 442-foot plunge over volcanic cliffs.

Rainbow Falls
Follow the Wailuku River to Rainbow Falls, an iconic waterfall featuring an 80-foot-tall cascade surrounded by tropical flora. Look for the rainbow effect produced by the spray that gives the waterfall its name.

What you will see along the way:
Journey along the Hamakua Coast, for a taste of "old Hawaii." Sparsely populated, the area is home to magnificent waterfalls, stunning valleys, and charming towns. You'll travel through Waipi'o Valley, where taro farmers have tilled the soil for a thousand years. From an overpass, look down and glimpse the wild horses that roam the valley floor. Turning off the highway, descend into Laupahoehoe Point and enjoy the lush interior landscapes of rainforest vegetation and colorful floral blooms as you approach Akaka Falls State Park.

Photo Opportunity:
King Kamehameha Statue
Erected to commemorate one of Hawaii's most beloved heroes, King Kamehameha, who conquered and unified the Hawaiian Islands and established them as a royal kingdom in 1810, the statue stands proudly in Hilo's Wailoa River State Park.

Lunch:
Begin with a stop at Tex Drive-In, for an option to purchase their famous for made-to-order malasadas. These fried Portuguese sweet treats were originally brought to Hawaii by immigrants who worked in the cattle industry and have been a local favorite ever since. Watch the treats being made through the window and snag a fresh one with a cup of coffee.
Work up an appetite swimming in a cool mountain stream under a secluded waterfall, then tuck into a Hawaiian style barbeque lunch complete with complimentary beer and champagne.

Shopping:
Complete the day with a shopping stop with Hawaiian macadamia nut samples, Hawaii Island crafts, local products, Kona coffee and more.

Special Notes:

Minimum age is 3 years and maximum weight is 275 lbs. This tour is not for passengers with heart, neck or back problems or pregnant women.