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» www.gohawaii.com

Go Hawaii offers family fun and outdoor activities in Hawaii for visitors of the Islands of Aloha.

» www.kohalavillageinn.com

The Kohala Village Inn is located in Hawi, Hawaii and is a great place to stay while visiting and training on the our facilities. They're affordable and located just a stroll away from many shops and restaurants in the area.

» www.parkerranch.com

Perfect for an afternoon visit. Parker Ranch, Hawaii’s largest private cattle ranch, highlights the paniolo (Hawaiian cowboy) and Parker family history, at two historic homes for touring, Puuopelu and Mana Hale. The story of Parker Ranch, spreading over 200,000 acres, starts in 1809, a generation after Captain James Cook first arrived, when John Parker, 19, jumped ship and met King Kamehameha I, the monarch who fought to unite the islands in a single kingdom. John Palmer Parker befriended King Kamehameha, married a Hawaiian Princess and built Hawaii's cattle kingdom. On Highway 190, outside of Waimea. (808) 885-7655

» www.hawaiiweb.com

Kalahikiola Church. This famous church was built in 1855 by Rev. Elias Bond. He was known for bringing religion, schooling, and medicine to this remote part of the islands. A great tourist stop.

» Artists find the Big Island seductive. The islands beauty inspires the artistic mind’s eye in all of us.

Inspiration is everywhere to paint, sculpt, sketch and Watch the continuously-changing lights and shadows, the contrasts -- exuberant forests, desolate lava fields, world renounded beaches, the palette of flamboyant flowers.

» a partial list of other activities on the Big island

» golf There are 20 magnificent courses on Hawaii’s Big Island (and more are being developed). These courses are carved out of ancient lava flows, nestled among historical Hawaiian landmarks, and fronting some of the most beautiful coastline of the Pacific. The striking contrasts of lush green fairways, pure white bunkers, jet-black lava flows, and turquoise blue Pacific waters make for some of the most scenic holes anywhere.

Ellison S. Onizuka Space Center Established to honor U.S. Air Force Colonel Ellison S. Onizuka, who perished along with six other astronauts aboard the Space Shuttle Challenger on Jan. 28 1986, the Center is dedicated to furthering understanding of science and space. 1 Keahole Street. (808) 329-3441

The Green Flash On clear evenings, as the sun slips out of sight, a green flash sometimes seems to jump out of the water to light the horizon. Visibility occurs only with a clear line of sight to the sunset and an unbroken horizon. Prime viewing spots include the seawall on Ali’I Drive in downtown Kailua-Kona, Kona Coast State Park, the side of the road on Manalahoa Highway in upcountry Holualoa, or under the coconut trees at Pu’uhonua O Honaunau National Historic Park.

Green Sands of Papakolea Beach Not easily accessible, the sand’s green hue is from crushed ovaline, a semi-precious mineral found in volcanic rock. A 12-mile stretch of unpaved road and a hike down a steep slope leads to the beach. Southern tip of the island.

Hapuna Beach State Recreation Area Beach activities here include swimming during calm seas, bodysurfing, sunbathing and picnics. Lifeguards are stationed here and rip currents prevail during periods of high surf. Highway 19, 2.3 miles south of Kawaihae.

Hawaii Tropical Botanical Garden, A spectacular garden in a valley along the ocean, is 8.5 miles north of Hilo on the four-mile Scenic Route at Onomea Bay. Nature trails meander through a tropical rainforest, crossing streams, passing several waterfalls and the ocean vistas along the rugged Pacific coast. Palms, heliconias, gingers, bromeliads, and hundreds of other rare and exotic plants from all parts of the tropical world are among an ever growing collection. This non-profit nature preserve provides a study center and a living seed bank to perpetuate the environment of Onomea Bay. 27-217 Old Mamalahoa Highway. (808) 964-5233

Hilo Tropical Gardens Established in 1948 on land owned by the estate of one of Hawaii’s last princesses, Hilo Tropical Gardens is one of the island’s oldest visitor gardens and is within walking distance of beaches. Orchids, anthuriums, the giant hala tree and other exotics star here, along with Hilo Homemade Ice Cream, filled with native fruit. 477 Kalanianaole Avenue. (808) 969-9873

Honokohau Harbor With white sand beaches and excellent snorkeling, this is part of Kaloko-Honokohau National Historical Park.
Kailua-Kona.

Hulihe’e Palace One of three royal palaces in the state, the Victorian-style structure was used by Hawaiian monarchs until 1916. Memorabilia centers on items owned and used by the royal families. A gift shop, filled with items from local crafters, is a stroll from the Palace, overlooking the ocean on Kailua Bay. Kailua-Kona Highway. (808) 329-1877

Humpback Whale Watching Whale-watching tours are memorable, yet these gentle giants often can be seen at play from shore between December and April, even without binoculars. Along the shore between Kona International Airport and Keahole National Energy Lab.

Kailua Bay Beach This white sand beach is ideal for children and snorkelers. Kailua Bay near the King Kamehameha Kona Beach Hotel.

Lava Tree State Monument Stands to preserve the site where a lava flow burned through an ohia forest in 1790. The lava, flowing quickly, surrounded the trees and cooled forming molds of burned tree trunks. Picnic facilities, restrooms and a hiking trail are at this site, although drinking water is not available. Off Highway 132, 2.7 miles southeast of Pahoa.

Lyman Mission House Museum Historic Hawaiian relics are at this missionary home dating to 1839. As one of only four accredited museums in the state, the Lyman Museum began as the Lyman Mission House, built for New England missionaries David and Sarah Lyman. In 1931, the Museum was established by their descendants. The Mission House has been fully restored, and is on both the State and National Registers of Historic Places. Daily guided tours start frequently. The Lyman Museum building next door to the Mission House houses artifacts, fine art, and natural history specimens, as well as archives and library, special exhibitions and a gift shop. Visitors can see life as it was 150 years ago, as well as new exhibits on Hawaiian natural history and culture.
276 Haili Street, Hilo. (808) 935-5021

Mauna Kea Summit & Visitors Center Hawaii’s tallest volcano (13,796 feet) hosts the Mauna Kea Science Reserve, University of Hawaii Observatory and an international astronomical observatory complex. Low temperatures, snow and severe weather occur in winter, and the summit is accessible only by four-wheel drive. End of paved road, at 9,300 foot altitude. (808) 961-2180

Mauna Loa Macadamia Nut Visitor Center Invites visitors to witness the growing, harvesting, and processing of Mauna Loa Macadamia Nuts into assorted products. Apart from the giant welcoming nut, hundreds of rows of macadamia nut trees line Macadamia Road leading to the visitor center. Mauna Loa harvests some 35 million pounds of macadamias each year for cooking, confections, and for sale at the visitor center gift shop. Mature macadamia nut trees create wonderful shade with their dark green foliage and white blossoms in winter and spring. The main harvest is in summer and fall. One Macadamia Road. (808) 982-6562

Pu’uhonua o Honaunau National Historic Park Offering an in-depth look at ancient Hawaiian life and royalty, this restored site is a Helau (place of worship), and offers insight into ancient Hawaiian life and royalty.
Honaunau on Kona Coast. (808) 328-2288

Sportfishing Viewing Off Honokohau Bay are some of the world’s richest sport fishing waters. Non-anglers can perch on bleachers to watch as 1,000-pound Pacific blue marlin, 200-pound yellowfin tuna and other prize catch are strung up and weighed. Prime fishing season is March through October. Honokohau Harbor Fuel Dock, Kona Coast.

Volcanoes National Park Because Hawaiian volcano eruptions are comparatively more gentle than those of most volcanoes elsewhere, edges of active vents often allow visitors access. To placate the wrath of Pele (goddess of fire), early Hawaiians made offerings. In 1823, missionaries William Ellis and Asa Thurston were the first westerners to visit Kilauea's boiling lake of lava. The fiery lake was described in magazines of the day, and adventurers came to ogle. The Thurston Lava Tube (Nahuku) is a major attraction on the Crater Rim Drive. In 1906, On Aug 1, 1916, President Woodrow Wilson made official the nation’s 13th national park. Today, Volcanoes National Park protects 377 square miles of the island's volcanic wonders and is a refuge for surviving native plants and animals.

Waipi’o Valley This cliff-enclosed valley, on the northeastern coast, beckons with taro farming and a black sand beach. Waip’o, a mile wide at the coast and almost six miles deep, is the largest and southernmost of the seven valleys on the windward side of the Kohala Mountains. On either side of the valley are cliffs reaching almost 2,000 feet with cascading waterfalls. In ancient Hawaii, taro (or kalo) was one of the favorite island foods. Kohala region, north shore.

Wood Valley Temple This Tibetan Buddhist temple was dedicated in 1980 by the Dalai Lama, who returned in 1994. Pahala. (808) 928-8539

World Botanical Gardens As the largest collection of botanical gardens in the state, with more than 5,000 species, World Botanical Gardens features the spectacular Umauma Falls and a splendid rainforest walk.
Hamakua Coast. (808) 963-5427

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