Having immersed ourselves in Hawaii’s volcanoes for a couple of days, we left Hilo on the east of the island and drove up and around the coast, taking the well known ‘four mile scenic route’.
“The trail itself, even in the rain, was very impressive as we were engulfed by lush green draping ferns and bamboo groves.”
The weather for our road trip was overcast but it didn’t dampen our spirits as we stopped at the roadside to take in the stunning coastal views!
Our first official stop was the Akaka Falls State Park, home to Hawaii’s most famous waterfall. In the carpark we donned our raincoats and walked up the half mile trail, through lush rainforest, to the beautiful Akaka Falls.
The trail itself, even in the rain, was very impressive as we were engulfed by lush green draping ferns and bamboo groves. After a pleasant half hour walk we turned round a bend and took in the breathtaking view of water gushing down the four hundred and forty two foot waterfall into the gorge below.
From the Akaka Falls State Park we continued up and around the coastal road to Laupahoehoe Point.
With the weather turning a bit brighter we had spectacular views up the coast to a black sand beach. With the brilliant blue ocean, whispy white waves and gorgeous green palm trees already creating a stunning view, the bold black beach was the cherry on this very impressive cake!
The next stop along our coastal drive was Pololu Valley Lookout, with more breathtaking views back along the coastline we had driven across.
“The drive down the coast towards Kona was one of my favourite drives on our travels so far.”
This was closely followed by a quick stop at the nine tonne bronze statue of King Kamehameha in Kapaʻau, built in honour of King Kamehameha, founder and first ruler of the Kingdom of Hawaii and Keokea beach park.
As we reached Upolu Point at the northernmost tip of Hawaii’s Big Island, the day was coming to a close as we journeyed south with the sunsetting on our right hand side.
The drive down the coast towards Kona was one of my favourite drives on our travels so far, with the orange glow of the setting sun peaking beneath the cloud line and shimmering across the sea below. As we drove further south, the sun lowered and we got to see a spectacular sunset across the palm trees looking out to sea.
When we arrived at our hostel in Kona, on the western side of Hawaii, we didn’t stay long and headed straight back out to go stargazing at the Maunakea Visitor Information Station for International Astronomy.
At two thousand and eight hundred metres above sea level, by the time we reached the visitor centre we were ready to watch the sunset again before using their world class telescopes to search the skies.
The telescopes are free to use and with expert guides there to set the telescopes up, it meant we were able to get views of the planet Venus while we were there. Admittedly it just looked like a shiny dot piercing through the blackness but it was still a sight to behold!
Stargazing in Hawaii was superb to say the least but it was very cold on the mountainside and after a long day of sightseeing for us we were ready for a good nights sleep back at our hostel.
Lambs on the loose 