The Big Island of Hawaii is one of the most scenic destinations you will ever encounter. It is comprised of 7 of Earth's 8 biomes, lacking only sahara-like deserts. It is home to the only ACTIVE Volcano as well as the largest privately-owned cattle ranch in the United States. Whether white sand beaches are your passion, or snow skiing Mauna Kea, you will find everything you desire on the Big Island of Hawaii.

Beautiful Waimea (also known as Kamuela) lies in the broad valley between Mauna Kea and the Kohala Mountains. There are two "sides" to Kamuela, the "wet side", facing East, toward the prevailing tradewinds, and the "dry side" which faces West, (leeward) and is sheltered from the rain. This mountain valley, located at 3500 to 4000 feet elevation, is refreshingly cool, with the scent of wood smoke often in the air at evening time.

Don't be surprised if you see Hawaiian Cowboys (Paniolos) strolling around town in chaps and cowboy boots, sporting flower leis around the brims of their hats. Waimea is the Home of Parker Ranch, still the largest privately owned cattle ranch in the United States. Whether you are attending a horse race at the Parker Ranch Rodeo Grounds, a concert at the Kahilu Theatre, catching a flight at the (tiny) Kamuela Airport, Shopping at Parker Ranch Center or enjoying a delicious meal in one of Waimea's many fine restaurants, you will find the people as warm and cheerful as the climate is cool. Wherever you turn to look in Waimea, the views will astound you! The rolling pasturelands with grazing horses, cattle and sheep, sweep down to the azure sea in the distance. The clouds cling to the peaks of the surrounding mountains, and occasionally drift down to create a special misty quality to the view, and in the distance stand majestic Mauna Kea, Mauna Loa, and Hualalai.

Just 20 minutes East by automobile, lies Waipio Valley, a beautiful, pristine place, literally untouched by modern man. A marvelous day trip for those inclined to hike and "get away from it all". To the West, a 20 minute drive will bring you to white sand beaches, world class golf courses and resorts, more fine restaurants and hotels.

Historic Hilo Town, the Seat of Government for Hawaii County, faces the windward trades,
which creates a climate that is tropical, vegetation that is green and lush, with an abundance of flowers, waterfalls and of course, rain.

Nestled on a natural bay, the town of Hilo is noted for it's quaint architecture and the charm of it's people. You will often see them gathered at the edge of Hilo Bay on a Saturday, cheering on their favorite canoe club's team in the canoe races, and celebrating victory, or defeat, with equal enthusiasm.

In 1964, Hilo was struck by a devastating tidal wave that wiped out a large section of the old town. The area, now designated as a tidal wave buffer zone, is called Waiakea Park and is used only for athletic and family activities. Resting at the base of both Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa, and with the best deep draft harbor on the Big Island of Hawaii, Hilo is also
center for commerce and shipping, as well as a weekly stop for several cruise ship lines.

North of Hilo is the Hamakua Coast, a splendor of scenic beauty all the way to Waimea. Some of the sights to see there are breathtaking Akaka Falls, Kole Kole State Park (a great place to picnic!) and the scenic drive north to the sleepy plantation town of Honokaa.

Kilauea Volcano & Puna, one of the most varied and exciting regions of the Big Island. Much of this area is encompassed by the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, and Kilauea has often been called "The World's Only Drive-In Volcano". In the areas where the volcano is NOT erupting, the beauty of the rainforest environment is unsurpassable. Here grows the Hapu'u Fern and the Ohi'a Lehu'a tree, which exist nowhere else on Earth.

A cherished experience will be having dinner at the Volcano House Inn Restaurant, overlooking the firepit of Halema'uma'u, or browsing through the collection at the Volcano Art Center (housed in the original Volcano House) consisting, for the most part, of work produced by Artists living and working in the Volcano area. While driving down into the eruptive areas of the National Park, along the Chain of Craters Road, the vistas and views seen are an experience never to be forgotten. Witnessing the awesome power of Nature at her most spectacular imbues the entire environment with a magical quality that is both unique and exhiliarating.

Just outside the national park, (its quaint buildings often seen peeking through the cool mists of 3700 feet elevation) tiny Volcano Village offers lodging, wonderful restaurants, art galleries and a unique charm all it's own. Volcano Village is a small and closely-knit community of Park Rangers and other park employees, geologists and scientists, Artists, Hilo business people, and those other intrepid souls who fancy living next door to a live volcano. If you asked them, they would say they wouldn't live anyplace else in the world!

Highway 11 continues North from Volcano, toward Hilo, passing through the Puna District, which is mostly deep rainforest, lightly inhabited. The drive down from Volcano is tree-lined and scenic, through what once was mostly sugar cane land, and is now privately held farmland. The "country flavor" of this area is evident in the small stores, hamlets and farms along the highway.

Kau and South Point (the Southernmost point in the United States) is an area of stark contrasts, between lush rainforests and lava deserts. From Volcano, the first stop is the Punaluu where a beautiful and private resort complex rests on a black sand beach. The highway winds on then, through Naalehu and Waiohinu, quaint and sleepy little towns, isolated by distance from the hubbub of tourism found on the Kona-Kohala region. Na'alehu is picturesque, with old style plantation architecture, and it's most famous house, the "Mark Twain" house, was actually inhabited by the famous writer while he was visiting the "Sandwich Islands" in the late 1800's.

Rounding South Point, a glimpse of pink sunset is seen, and turning then northwest, the road begins to climb up toward the South Kona coast. The long, sinuous highway intermittently crosses barren lava flows, and passes through orchards of Macadamia Nut trees which eventually give way to coffee and banana farms, covering acres of rolling land sloping toward the sea.

South Kona, Keauhou and Kailua-Kona - South Kona encompasses the tiny towns of Honaunau, Kealakekua with Kealakekua Bay, (where Captain Cook met his unfortunate end at the hands of the Hawaiians. A monument dedicated to his memory stands there today). This bay is also famous for snorkeling and diving and is a well-known habitat of the Pacific "spinner" dolphin. Many of Kona's commercial diveboat tours use Kealakekua Bay as a staging area for accompanied scuba-dives and snorkeling expeditions, displaying the colorful and exotic ocean fauna for visitors. The climate here is much the same as Kailua-Kona, but the shoreline tends toward rocky lava outcroppings, and pebbled beaches.

Keauhou, a resort community where the warm sun and soft breezes are only surpassed by the sunset views. The Keauhou area boasts some of the finest and most exclusive hotels and resorts as well as exciting ocean sports to be found on the Big Island. Keauhou is also home to many private, gated residential communities, as well as shopping and fine dining just minutes away at the Keauhou Shopping Center or Kailua-Kona proper.

Kailua-Kona, famed for it's International Billfish Tournament every Summer, the Ironman Triathlon in the Fall, and it's sunny beaches and warm, clear waters all the year around, is uniquely Hawaiian, steeped in a rich history and tradition from Monarchy and Whaling Days to today. It's mild climate and laid-back pace of living is a joy to experience. At the same time, the town of Kailua-Kona offers much in the way of entertainment. Whether you go in for athletics, luaus or floor shows, you will find it all here in Kona.

• Visit the Hulihe'e Palace while strolling along Alii Drive, and see how the Hawaiian Royalty lived. Wander through the myriad stores and shops and find treasures and trinkets galore, from art to nuts.
• Take a fishing trip out to troll for Marlin or Ahi (yellow fin tuna) and taste the melt-in-your-mouth goodness of the freshest delicacies the Pacific has to offer. Or snorkel and scuba dive among the most beautiful and exotic creatures of the deep.
• Dine and Dance the balmy night away at 4-star hotels like the Royal Kona Resort. Relax at restaurants and coffee bars serving the most delectable of Big Island Grown Coffees, while you listen to the waves crashing onto the rocky shore. And then come aboard a sunset cruise and watch the sun go down in a blaze of gorgeous colors from the gentle rocking of the ocean swells.

The Kohala Coast is a place of strong contrasts. The bright green of World Class Golf Courses abuts the barren lava flows, and palm trees stand between black rock and white sand beaches. Like islands in a sea of lava, the pale shapes of architect-designed condominiums and exclusive resorts rise from the broad wastes.

As you near the Waikoloa Resorts, you see broad throughfares lined with statuesque palms, leading toward the sea, and like a kingdom unto itself, you will find everything necessary for your comfort and enjoyment here, from shopping to beaches and pools, galleries and fine restaurants. Whether you are staying in a bed&breakfast, or a vacation rental condominium in Waikoloa Resort, everything you will need is supplied in abundance. Kohala's selection of fine resorts offers a great variety of atmospheres, for dining and dancing, or if you want to "get away from it all" just relaxing and enjoying the sunny beach.

Each day in Kohala is one of new discoveries and excitement...

• Play a round of golf,
• go kayaking and sailboarding,
• try swimming with the dolphins,
• or take a snorkeling and scubadiving adventure.
• Learn to Hula, or weave Hawaiian mats

...above all, take your time, for here you have all the time in the world!

In the evening, enjoy the International Cuisines of the many fine restaurants at Waikoloa Resort, where world-class chefs prepare delicious repasts that will leave your tastebuds tingling with pleasure! After dinner, take a quiet stroll through the King's Shops, to visit Art Galleries and exclusive stores, or an equally quiet and peaceful walk in the moonlight, barefoot along sands white as powdered sugar before turning in for a restful night's sleep.

Hawi - Beyond Waikoloa there is the tiny town of Hawi, birthplace of Kamehameha the Great in the North. Driving along the coastline, sheer cliffs to seaward and rolling hills to landward, one passes ancient temples of the Hawaiian Religion, (Heiau) restored to their pre-monarchy states. In Hawi, visit quaint shops and art galleries, or enjoy a quiet romantic luncheon - there are many bed and breakfast inns in this area to enjoy, as well!