Big Island Adventures
By LENA KATZ
Hawaii's Hidden Treasures
Mention Hawaii and most people instantly think beach resorts, umbrella drinks and honeymooners, oh my. However, cyclists, divers, surfers and anyone who's ever hung out with a local can testify that there's a whole different side to Hawaii -- and to the Big Island in particular. Beyond the luxury hotels and golf courses, you'll discover volcanoes, rainforests, ranches and hidden beaches. Nature tailor-made this island for adventure seekers -- all you have to do is choose which one you want. We've come up with a few ideas to get you started.
Take a Hum-V to a Hidden Swimming Hole
Hummer Safari Tours runs trips to the Kohala mountain rainforest area, inland of the Gold Coast on the northwest corner of the island. The tour visits an area that's totally inaccessible to the public. The owner/operators have exclusive rights to a trail that starts at 200 feet above sea level and goes to 2000 feet. In fact the trail is barred by a gate, and they're the only ones who have a key. The trail passes a couple waterfalls and stops at a small, private pond where everyone can relax, go swimming and have a snack. The total duration of the trip is three hours. Tours leave twice a day, Monday through Saturday. The morning tour leaves at 8:30; the afternoon leaves at 12:30. There are two Hummers available and each holds eight passengers.
Sometime in 2007, the plan is to add another stop at a lighthouse in Kohala. This will add an additional half-hour to an hour to the total time of the tour.
Mention Hawaii and most people instantly think beach resorts, umbrella drinks and honeymooners, oh my. However, cyclists, divers, surfers and anyone who's ever hung out with a local can testify that there's a whole different side to Hawaii -- and to the Big Island in particular. Beyond the luxury hotels and golf courses, you'll discover volcanoes, rainforests, ranches and hidden beaches. Nature tailor-made this island for adventure seekers -- all you have to do is choose which one you want. We've come up with a few ideas to get you started.
Take a Hum-V to a Hidden Swimming Hole
Hummer Safari Tours runs trips to the Kohala mountain rainforest area, inland of the Gold Coast on the northwest corner of the island. The tour visits an area that's totally inaccessible to the public. The owner/operators have exclusive rights to a trail that starts at 200 feet above sea level and goes to 2000 feet. In fact the trail is barred by a gate, and they're the only ones who have a key. The trail passes a couple waterfalls and stops at a small, private pond where everyone can relax, go swimming and have a snack. The total duration of the trip is three hours. Tours leave twice a day, Monday through Saturday. The morning tour leaves at 8:30; the afternoon leaves at 12:30. There are two Hummers available and each holds eight passengers.
Sometime in 2007, the plan is to add another stop at a lighthouse in Kohala. This will add an additional half-hour to an hour to the total time of the tour.
Great Deals to Hawaii
Stop and Smell the Heliconia
There are, roughly speaking, a zillion tropical gardens in Hawaii. What differentiates Hawaii Tropical Botanical Gardens from the rest is its oceanfront location? The 17-acre garden is mostly nestled within into a tropical rainforest, but part of the main trail goes right along the ocean. It's not a tough hike: about a mile and a quarter of trails that takes from an hour up to 90 minutes to complete. On the way, you'll see stunning Onomea Falls, as well as Heliconia Trail, Banyan Canyon, an open-air orchid garden and nearly 200 palm species, the highlight of which is the Palm Jungle Trail.
"A lot of people say the orchid garden is a photographer and nature-lover's' paradise," the Botanical Garden staff tells us. So bring extra batteries for the camera. You may want to leave the picnic lunches at home, though. There are picnic tables, but it's not typical for visitors to picnic. If you want a light bite, a few snacks are for sale in the gift shop.
Swim With Mantas
Kona Honu Divers visits a lot of sites, but the Manta Ray Night Dive is the standout. At only 30 feet, it's a shallow dive and suitable for any level of diver. "I've had divers get certified that morning after classes, go out and do the manta ray dive that night," says Rich, one of the dive guides.
Stop and Smell the Heliconia
There are, roughly speaking, a zillion tropical gardens in Hawaii. What differentiates Hawaii Tropical Botanical Gardens from the rest is its oceanfront location? The 17-acre garden is mostly nestled within into a tropical rainforest, but part of the main trail goes right along the ocean. It's not a tough hike: about a mile and a quarter of trails that takes from an hour up to 90 minutes to complete. On the way, you'll see stunning Onomea Falls, as well as Heliconia Trail, Banyan Canyon, an open-air orchid garden and nearly 200 palm species, the highlight of which is the Palm Jungle Trail.
"A lot of people say the orchid garden is a photographer and nature-lover's' paradise," the Botanical Garden staff tells us. So bring extra batteries for the camera. You may want to leave the picnic lunches at home, though. There are picnic tables, but it's not typical for visitors to picnic. If you want a light bite, a few snacks are for sale in the gift shop.
Swim With Mantas
Kona Honu Divers visits a lot of sites, but the Manta Ray Night Dive is the standout. At only 30 feet, it's a shallow dive and suitable for any level of diver. "I've had divers get certified that morning after classes, go out and do the manta ray dive that night," says Rich, one of the dive guides.
What's more, snorkelers can also be a part of this adventure. The divers take lights down with them, while the snorkelers on the surface of the water shine their lights downward. This creates a column of light that attracts plankton, which mantas know as "dinner." Attracted by the plankton, the rays often stay to spend quality time with their human visitors, doing belly rolls, gliding past, and sometimes going all the way to the surface and doing loops with the snorkelers, right over the divers' heads.
Picture all of this in a light tunnel filled with bubbles and a miniature tornado made of tiny fish.
"It's been described as Close Encounters of the Third Kind," says Rich. Sans scary aliens, of course.
Great Deals to Hawaii
Be an Ironman for a Day
Big Island cycling enthusiasts challenge visiting cyclists to ride the Kona-Kohala coastal trail, the sight of the anual Ironman competition. It goes through Kona coffee country, along the Kona Coast, then along the Gold Coast and up the sloaps of Mauna Kea to Waimea Town. If you don't want to go it alone, Cycle Kona offers a seven-day Kona Coast guided tour. The schedule is pretty relaxed, and there's a modified itinerary for people who want to take it even easier. This locally recommended tour guide also offers a variety of other cycling tours, from easy 4-hour downhills to a challenging 4-day circle island ride.
Picture all of this in a light tunnel filled with bubbles and a miniature tornado made of tiny fish.
"It's been described as Close Encounters of the Third Kind," says Rich. Sans scary aliens, of course.
Great Deals to Hawaii
Be an Ironman for a Day
Big Island cycling enthusiasts challenge visiting cyclists to ride the Kona-Kohala coastal trail, the sight of the anual Ironman competition. It goes through Kona coffee country, along the Kona Coast, then along the Gold Coast and up the sloaps of Mauna Kea to Waimea Town. If you don't want to go it alone, Cycle Kona offers a seven-day Kona Coast guided tour. The schedule is pretty relaxed, and there's a modified itinerary for people who want to take it even easier. This locally recommended tour guide also offers a variety of other cycling tours, from easy 4-hour downhills to a challenging 4-day circle island ride.
Ride 'em Cowboy
Few people are aware how important ranching is to the Big Island, but cattle rank right up there with coffee and cane sugar. The regions of Hualalai and Kohala are still primarily cowboy country, with Hawaiian cowboys (known as paniolo) looking after thousands of head of cattle. Not all working cattle ranches are open to the public, but the 11,000-acre Ponoholo Ranch welcomes guests. They do guided horseback rides for all levels of rider, and encourage participants to dress up in traditional paniolo garb.
E-mail the author at lena@lenakatz.com
Few people are aware how important ranching is to the Big Island, but cattle rank right up there with coffee and cane sugar. The regions of Hualalai and Kohala are still primarily cowboy country, with Hawaiian cowboys (known as paniolo) looking after thousands of head of cattle. Not all working cattle ranches are open to the public, but the 11,000-acre Ponoholo Ranch welcomes guests. They do guided horseback rides for all levels of rider, and encourage participants to dress up in traditional paniolo garb.
E-mail the author at lena@lenakatz.com