Part of the Hawaiian archipelago is also the island of Hawaii, which is often called the Big Island. It is the largest and youngest of all the Hawaiian islands, it is an island of contrasts, and therefore it is unique in many ways. Nowhere else will you see such diverse nature as here. All climate zones are found on its territory, except for the coldest arctic one. Here you can come across an arid desert, a tropical rain forest, the massive volcanoes of Mauna Loa and Kilauea, active volcanoes, as well as colorful flowers decorating the streets of local cities.
One of the most interesting towns on the island is Hilo, which is an excellent place for trips to the sea world. Although it is not as showy as the other well-known cities of Kailua Kona, it still has a typical atmosphere. Around the town of Hilo, you can visit several waterfalls, such as Rainbow Falls or Akaka Falls, which are located in the national park of the same name. It is an area of rainforest with local tropical vegetation. The volcanic plantations around the city of Hilo are the largest producer of orchid flowers in the world. It is from these flowers that the famous Hawaiian flower wreaths called “lei” are tied.
Kaloko-Honokohau National Historical Park
According to Iamaccepted, the island of Hawaii is the largest of the Hawaiian archipelago and harbors a lot of unique natural beauty. The Kaloko – Honokohau National Historical Park stretches along its western coast. This park is said to be one of the longest inhabited places on the island, but people today can no longer understand why people settled in the lava fields in the past. One of the reasons may have been the great spiritual value of the place.
Today, the Kaloko – Honokohau Park is home to a large number of wild animals, for example, you can see Hawaiian seals, which are one of the few animals here, really native to the islands. Numerous species of reptiles, amphibians and birds also live here. The coconut tree was very important to the original inhabitants of the island, which was not only a source of food and water, but also used to make musical instruments and was ideal for building simple dwellings.
This part of the island is ideal for lovers of diving, snorkeling, fishing or other water sports. Beneath the surface of the azure waters of the Pacific Ocean lies a unique world full of colorful tropical fish and coral reefs. A walk along the coast at sunset will be an unforgettable experience. Only in this way will the true mysterious atmosphere of Kaloko – Honokohau breathe upon you.
Perhaps the most visited spot in the park is Honokohau Beach, where the white coral sand contrasts sharply with the black lava. In addition to tourists, this beach is also popular with numerous sea turtles that breed here and look for food in the form of seaweed. The National Historic Park is approximately 3 miles from Keahole International Airport and the same distance from the town of Kailua-Kona. Kailua – Kona used to be the home of Hawaiian kings in the past, so historical monuments such as King Kamehameha Temple have been preserved in the area. Today, the town is a sought-after tourist location, where you can visit numerous restaurants, shops and stay in a luxury hotel. The world Ironman competition is held here every year.
Haleakala National Park
Haleakala National Park covers an area of 118 km2 on the Hawaiian island of Maui. Originally, this park belonged to Hawaii National Park located on the main island, but since 1961 it has been a separate and independent national park. The Hawaiian name Haleakala could be translated into Czech as “House of the Sun”.
The park also includes the volcano of the same name, which is already considered inactive, its last eruption occurred in 1790. The volcano is 3055 meters above sea level, its summit crater is 11 kilometers long, 3.2 km wide, 34 km in circumference, and the depth is around 610 meters. Thanks to its gigantic dimensions, the crater is considered the largest in the world. For Hawaiians, the volcano has a sacred character, according to legend, the god Maui resides in it. During archaeological research, the remains of an ancient paved road were found in it.
Deep below the crater is lush subtropical vegetation, while at higher elevations the surface resembles a lunar landscape. However, in places where there is sufficient moisture from the clouds, a surprisingly diverse vegetation grows, including several rare, protected plant species. The park also has a number of river pools on the Palikea River and the Waimoku Falls are also interesting.
The park is home to the so-called Sun Visitor Center or tourist information center. It got its name because it is said to be the most beautiful view of the sunrise in the whole world. If you like adventure, you can go on a large walking circuit leading down into the crater. You will take the steep Sliding Sands trail down, then the Silversword Loop trail along its bottom and the gentler Halemau Trail back up. The total length of the hike exceeds 25 km and the elevation gain is around 1000 meters. If you are not trained, reserve 2 days for it.
