Honaunau, Big Island, Hawaii: Pu’uhonua O Honaunau National Historical Park/City of Refuge; things to do

Pu’uhonua O Honaunau National Historical Park/City of Refuge  

In Honaunau, 1 hour south of Kailua-Kona, near Captain Cook, (808) 328-2326 x1702.  7am-15 min. after sunset; visitor center, daily 8:30am-4:30pm.  $5/vehicle.  No pets. 

Centuries ago this desolate, exquisitely beautiful spot was a place of refuge for criminals and outcasts escaping punishment or persecution.  Now Pu’uhonua O Honaunau National Historical Park/City of Refuge offers the chance to learn a little history as you check out exhibits, which include a fishpond, several hale (houses), examples of traditional Hawaiian craftsmanship, and an unmortared stone wall that is 1,000-feet long, 10-feet high, and 17-feet wide.  You might also see a Hawaiian canoe builder in action or view a traditional spear-throwing contest, and do allow time for a game of konane--a checkers-like game played on a stone table that kids enjoy trying out.  Sea turtles are often seen swimming in the bay, and outrigger canoe rides are sometimes available.  

Pu’uhonua O Honaunau National Historical Park/City of Refuge in Honaunau
on Big Island, Hawaii

Pu’uhonua O Honaunau National Historical Park/City of Refuge in Honaunau
on Big Island, Hawaii

child playing konane checkers in Pu’uhonua O Honaunau National Historical Park/
City of Refuge in Honaunau on Big Island, Hawaii

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images ©2015 Carole Terwilliger Meyers

Hilo, Big Island, Hawaii: Hilo Farmer’s Market; things to do

Hilo Farmers Market  

Mamo St./Kamehameha Ave., Hilo, 808-933-1000.  W & Sat, from dawn to “gone,” or 6am-4pm; a smaller market occurs M, Tu, Thur, F, & Sun, 7am-4pm. 

You’ll find unusual fruits and vegetables here, including avocados as big as footballs, plus 20 different kinds of Japanese mochi, specialty food items, crafts items, and crates saying ”from California.”  And then there are honey and leis. 

sign at Hilo Farmers Market in Hilo, Hawaii

anthuriums at Hilo Farmer's Market in Hilo, Hawaii

raw honey at Hilo Farmer's Market in Hilo, Hawaii

fresh leis at Hilo Farmer's Market in Hilo, Hawaii

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images ©2015 Carole Terwilliger Meyers

Hilo, Big Island, Hawaii: Hawaii Tropical Botanical Garden; things to do

Hawaii Tropical Botanical Garden  

27-717 Old Mamalahoa Hwy., Papaikou, at Onomea Bay, 8.5 miles north of Hilo, (808) 964-5233.  Daily 9-5.  $15, 6-16 $5.

The spectacular 17-acre Hawaii Tropical Botanical Garden grows in a natural tropical rainforest and displays more than 2,000 species of tropical flowers and plants.  It is a living museum of tropical and sub-tropical plants, with 80 species of native plants.  Many plants in the collection are now extinct in the wild.  Though it opened in 1984, some coconut palms and mature mango trees are enormous, about 130 to 180 feet tall and more than 100 years old.  The garden is known for its collection of palms (more than 200 varieties), gingers (about 200 varieties--some big and showey, some small and fragrant), and orchids.  You’ll see exotic birds, including macaws, as well as koi.  Kids can expend some energy on paths that follow streams winding through a lush jungle filled with palms and waterfalls.  A scenic trail leads down through a valley, to the ocean, and back.  A small museum in the back of the gift shop displays local artifacts.  Bring drinking water. The water on site is from a catchment system and non-potable. 

ocean view at Hawaii Tropical Botanical Garden in Hilo, Big Island, Hawaii

red heliconia at Hawaii Tropical Botanical Garden in Hilo, Big Island, Hawaii

white bat flower at Hawaii Tropical Botanical Garden in Hilo, Big Island, Hawaii

pink quill bromeliad at Hawaii Tropical Botanical Garden
in Hilo, Big Island, Hawaii

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images ©2015 Carole Terwilliger Meyers

Hilo, Big Island, Hawaii: ‘Imiloa Astronomy Center of Hawaii; things to do

‘Imiloa Astronomy Center of Hawaii  

exterior of ‘Imiloa Astronomy Center of Hawaii in Hilo

600 ‘Imiloa Place, 1½ mi. W of downtown Hilo, (808) 969-9700.  Tu-Sun 9-5.  $17.50, seniors $15.50, 5-12 $9.50. 



Opened in February of 2006, this is the newest and largest of Hawaii’s three planetariums.  The ‘Imiloa Astronomy Center of Hawaii takes its name from “ `imiloa,” the Hawaiian word that means “explorer” or “seeker of profound truth.”  Located above the University of Hawaii-Hilo and featuring spectacular views of Hilo Bay, its dramatic titanium-clad exterior features three metallic cones piercing the exterior roof line—they are meant as an abstraction of the island’s three volcanoes (Mauna Kea, Mauna Loa, and Hualalai) but also unintentionally bring to mind Madonna’s famous bra. 

The full dome planetarium is among the most technologically advanced in the U.S., and the display hall holds nearly 100 exhibits.  The planetarium boasts a state-of-the-art digital theater system with six-channel surround sound and an interactive console at each seat.  The show, “Maunakea:  Between Earth and Sky,” is a 22- minutes talk-story film about the island’s birth.  Among the things we learn are that having observatories on Hawaii’s loftiest sacred summit is controversial, and that there are more stars in the universe than there are grains of sand on the earth’s beaches.  Simple fun is added at the conclusion with trips into a blackhole and along the surface of a mobius strip.

Visitors enter the exhibit hall through a simulated koa forest.  All displays are explained in both English and Hawaiian.  A reproduction of Mauna Kea shows the location of sacred Lake Wai’au, where some locals still make a pilgrimage to place their baby’s umbilical cord as acknowledgement of their origin.  A multimedia theater presents the Kumulipo Hawaiian Chant of Origins, which chronicles the birth of life as it emerges from the dark sea and features fish “swimming” right off the screen.  With hands-on exhibits that are both educational and intriguing and that encourage exploration of space, the main exhibit hall explains the origins of the universe. 

Among the gems in the ocean of exhibits and charts here are Astronomical Origins, which lets visitors step inside a silo to be scanned and learn the history of an atom inside their body, and Sampan Taxi, which takes you on a robot-guided tour to Pluto.  Finally, the 3-D show “Voyage Through Space” takes you back in time to the Big Bang origins of the universe; the computer simulation is based on real output from the Subaru Telescope.

Visitors can also stroll through the center’s surrounding gardens--one of the largest and most diverse collections of native Hawaiian and “canoe” plants (vegetation brought by early Polynesian navigators) found in the islands.

The bay-view Sky Garden Restaurant serves hearty artisan bread sandwiches and soups along with pizzas, salads, and hot entrées.  It also features 100-percent Hawaiian coffee, smoothies, and shakes. 

lobby floor mosaic at ‘Imiloa Astronomy Center of Hawaii in Hilo

exhibit at ‘Imiloa Astronomy Center of Hawaii in Hilo

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images ©2015 Carole Terwilliger Meyers

Honomu, Big Island, Hawaii: Palms Cliff House; hotel review

Palms Cliff House  

Palms Cliff House in Honomu, Big Island, Hawaii

28-3514 Mamalahoa Hwy. (Hwy. 19), in Honomu, 13 mi. N of downtown Hilo, (866) 963-6076, (808) 963-6076.  Hot tub. 

This secluded property is situated back from the highway on a cliff overlooking Pohakumanu Bay.  The luxury suites at Palms Cliff House were added off the owner’s Victorian Hawaiian Plantation-style house in 2001; each has an ocean view and private entrance.  A full breakfast featuring fresh fruit from the property’s orchard —perhaps fluffy pancakes flavored with diminutive apple bananas or fresh papaya stuffed with perfectly ripe star fruit--is served on a large, draped, open-air pavilion overlooking the bay.  There, pods of spinner dolphins and both humpback and pilot whales are sometimes seen, and the rare long-tailed koae’kea bird nests in the cliffs.  Alternatively a continental breakfast can be brought to the room.  The pleasant and efficient staff dress in atmospheric aloha wear and often don the artistic designs of local Sig Zane, who has a lovely ocean-view shop in Hilo (the owners present staff with a wearable Zane gift each Christmas). 

Rooms are all immaculate and spacious, with flick-on gas fireplaces framed by antique carved Italian-white-marble mantles and king-size beds made up with soft, high-thread-count cotton sheets made in Italy just for the inn.  All rooms have a private lanai, and the area is safe enough to allow keeping the sliding deck door open to the soft air and sounds of the surf even on the lower level.  Ground level rooms look out to sea over big-leafed ti plants, while those on the upper level have more unobstructed views.  The upstairs Paradise Views room is considered the best because of its spectacular view.  Décor varies.  The downstairs Orchard Suite has a tasteful tropical feel, with just a touch of whimsy in the form of a monkey clock and a floor lamp with pineapple-based lights.  Rooms on the lower level are cooled adequately by ceiling fans, while those on the upper level also have the option of air conditioning.  Each bathroom is tiled in a different type of shiny-smooth Italian marble.  Four suites have Jacuzzis big enough for two in a raised alcove in the room, also with a view. 

Honomu town--with super-casual cafes and a few boutiques--and Akaka Falls are nearby.  

breakfast at Palms Cliff House in Honomu, Big Island, Hawaii

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images ©2015 Carole Terwilliger Meyers

Visit Kona Coffee Country in Kona on the Big Island of Hawaii

When you finally tire of lazing on a perfect beach on the enchanting Big Island, doing nothing more than gazing out at the horizon or, if particularly energetic, perhaps reading a bit, perk up with a leisurely drive into the scenic Kona coffee country found along the old Mamalahoa Highway (it is sometimes referred to now as Highway 11).  Departing from the desolate moonscape seen around the airport, it begins about 10 miles south of Kailua-Kona where the terrain is green and lush and hilly.   Read more  . . . 



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image ©2014 Carole Terwilliger Meyers

Big Island, Hawaii: Hawaii Volcanoes National Park; things to do

Hawaii Volcanoes National Park  

On Hwy. 11, 30 mi. SW of Hilo, (808) 985-600. 

ceremonial offering to Pele at Hawaii Volcanoes National Park on the Big Island

The Visitor Center schedules informative ranger-led nature walks that will teach you about the legend of Pele, the beautiful fire goddess whose anger is said to cause the island’s volcanoes to erupt (you’ll also learn how to avoid the bad luck believed to be attached to volcanic rocks).  The Junior Ranger program operates here for children ages 5 through 12. 

Don’t miss the 11.3-mile Loop Drive along Crater Rim Road around the huge, otherworldly Kilauea Caldera (descriptive maps are available at the Visitor Center).  Several stops along this road are particularly worthwhile and fun with kids--Kipuka Puaulu Bird Park has a pleasant 1-mile nature trail that leads past an extensive collection of labeled native plants, and Devastation Trail offers a half-mile boardwalk path through a skeleton forest created by a prior eruption.  The Thurston Lava Tube, a naturally formed tunnel, measures an extraordinary 450 feet long and is located in a lush tropical rain forest known as the Fern Jungle.  Also within this park, the 13,680-foot-high Mauna Loa volcano, measuring 75 miles by 64 miles, is the largest mountain on Earth. 



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image ©2014 Carole Terwilliger Meyers

Hilo, Big Island, Hawaii: Big Island Candies; things to do

Big Island Candies 

585 Hinano St., a few blocks from the airport, Hilo, (800) 935-5510, (808) 935-8890. Daily 8:30–5.

You can watch workers through big windows here as they make yummy chocolates and cookies. The macadamia nut shortbread cookies dipped in milk or white chocolate are simply THE BEST. And don’t miss your chance to taste chocolate-covered cuttlefish, called “ika.” Though it is tempting to pronounce that “ick-ah,” this delicacy actually tastes quite good.





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