Seven Day Travel Planner
Tuesday
- Get settled and supplied up
- Chill at Kahakai Park near the house
- If motivated, drive routes near house down to Kahena Black Sand Beach/Isaac Hale Park and scenic Hwy 137 drive
Wednesday
- Early to Volcano Park
- Kilauea Iki Trail
Thursday
- Early to Kona
- Out on boat 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- Huggo's on the Rocks!
Friday
- Double Valley Ride 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. - north coast roundtrip from Waikoloa Village
- Snorkeling - Kona area
Saturday
- Stuff around Hilo
Sunday
- Farmers Market
- Old Hwy 19
- Botanic Gardens
- Akaka Falls
- Laupahoehoe Point
- Brent's
Monday
- Prep to leave
- Chill at Kahakai Park near the house
Motorcycle Routes/Drives
Big Island Motorcycle Company Suggested Routes
Hawaii Volcano National Park
Best Things To Do In Hawaii Volcanoes National Park
Drives
Chain of Craters Road
- One of the best things to do in Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park is to drive Chain of Craters Road, where you can see the trails of recent lava flows and the brand new land that Kīlauea has formed.
- Currently, Chain of Craters Road is 18.8 miles long. When it was constructed, it was 9 miles longer, but several lava flows in recent decades have covered not only the road, but also picnic areas, the Waha’ula Visitor Center, a black sand beach, and a heiau (an ancient Hawaiian sacred site). Without stops, it takes roughly one hour to drive this road out-and-back. But it will take longer, since there are few key places to visit along the drive. There are no gas stations or restaurants along this road, although there are toilets at the turn-around at the end of Chain of Craters Road. Starting near the Kīlauea Caldera, Chain of Craters Road heads south towards the coast. For the first part of the drive, you will wind through forests and past craters left behind from prior eruptions. Once you emerge from the trees, this drive really begins to get interesting. Now you are crossing fields of lava. Much of what you are looking at really isn’t all that old, dating back to just a few decades ago. From the Mau Loa o Maunaulu pull out you will look out over massive lava flows that crossed this road between 1969 and 1974. Once you go around a tight curve, you will drop down to sea level and the views really open up. Now you are looking along the coastline and the dark remnants of past lava flows. Once on the coastline, you are driving through jet black lava. We stopped at a pull out and walked out to the coast for this awesome view. Before coming to the end of the road, you also have the opportunity to see the Petroglyphs and see the Holei Sea Arch (both are mentioned next). The road ends at a turn-around point. There are toilets here. Beyond this turn-around, the road once continued much farther. Lava flows in the late 20th century covered the road and added hundreds of acres to the park. You can walk to where the lava flow covered the road.
- Hike out to the Pu’uloa Petroglyphs. This is the best place in Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park to see petroglyphs. Pu’uloa means “long hill” in Hawaiian. This sacred site contains over 23,000 petroglyph images that have been carved out on the hardened lava. To get here, you will have to hike across the lava field. It’s 1.4 miles round-trip, easy to moderately difficult, and takes about an hour. For most of the hike, you will be on a dirt trail through the lava field. To see the petroglyphs, a boardwalk trail circles around some of the best images. As part of Leave No Trace, stay on the boardwalk to avoid damaging the petroglyphs.
- See the Holei Sea Arch. The Holei Sea Arch is a 550 year old arch located on the coastline. It is located at the end of Chain of Craters Road. Until 2020, you could get a lot closer to the arch. There is a viewpoint very close to the arch, but this is now closed indefinitely, because of cracking on the coastal cliffs. To see the arch, you will walk across a lava field to a new viewpoint. If you have a telephoto lens, bring this with you for the best photo
Crater Rim Drive
- Crater Rim Drive once circled around Kīlauea Crater. In 2018 eruption, part of the road was damaged, along with the Jaggar Museum, so you can no longer drive the full loop around the crater. The north and east sections of this road remain open. Along this drive, there are several viewpoints, hiking trails, and places to visit. In order from west to east, here are notable stops along the drive. From Kīlauea Overlook, you get a sweeping view of the Kīlauea Caldera. We didn’t have the best weather on our most recent visit, with frequent rain showers and low lying clouds over the course of the day (but one of the most brilliant rainbows we have ever seen). But having seen this on a clear day on a different visit, the view is worthwhile. On the drive, you can see the Steam Vents and walk the short Sulphur Banks Trail (1.4 miles round trip). Another hike to consider is the Halem’uma’u Trail. This moderate, 1.6 mile out-and-back-hike takes you from the crater rim to the floor of the Kīlauea caldera. Stop inside the Kīlauea Visitor Center to learn more about the park and get updated conditions from park rangers. We loved the Volcano Art Center Gallery, which has for sale paintings and sculptures from local artists. The Volcano House is a great place to stay or have a bite to eat. Both Mark Twain and President Franklin D. Roosevelt were guests here. On the east side of the rim, you can hike the Kīlauea Iki Trail and visit the Thurston Lava tube, mentioned earlier. You can also hike the Devastation Trail or walk part of Crater Rim Drive to the Keanakako’i Overlook, for another view of the Kīlauea Caldera.
Lava Flow
- See the Lava Flow - If you are here when Kīlauea is actively erupting, one of the best things to do in Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park is to see the lava flow. On September 29, 2021, a glow was detected in the Kīlauea webcam. Currently, the eruption is taking place in the Halema’uma’u crater. There are several ways to do this and it really depends on where the eruption is occurring. In the past two decades, you could see active lava flows along Chain of Craters Road, along the coastline, and at Halema’uma’u Crater. During our visit in 1999, lava was actively flowing near Chain of Craters Road. Tim and I were able to see the lava flow way off in the distance using a telescope set up by park rangers. In recent years, it was possible to hike out to the lava flow. The National Park Service offered ranger guided hikes or you could do this on your own. One of the best ways to see the lava flow is on a helicopter tour. Seeing the flow from the sky is an awesome way to get the full view, not only of the molten lava but also the crater. If the lava is flowing, plan on sticking around past sunset. The glow of the lava against the dark sky creates a magical scene. For updates on the activity of Kīlauea and Mauna Loa, visit the National Park Service website. These two volcanoes are constantly monitored for new activity and this is the best way to find out if an eruption is imminent.
Hiking
Kilauea Iki Trail
- Hike the Kīlauea Iki Trail Distance: 4 miles | Difficulty: Moderate | Time: 2 to 3 hours. This fun hike is a must do! On this hike, you get to walk across a solidified lava lake on the floor of the Kīlauea Iki crater. On November 14, 1959, Kīlauea erupted, sending molten rock into the sky. It flowed into Kīlauea Iki crater, dramatically changing this landscape. The best place to park for this hike is at the Kīlauea Iki Trailhead parking lot (it’s also called the Kīlauea Iki Overlook on the national park map). From here, you can hike the Kīlauea Iki Trail as a loop and combine this with the Thurston Lava Tube. The National Park Service has an excellent trail guide for this hike (download it before your visit because cellular service is limited inside of the park). Along the trail are numbered markers which correspond to information provided in the guide. If you follow this guide, you will hike the loop in a counter-clockwise direction, starting on Crater Rim Trail and then crossing the crater on the return walk to your car. Once you hike up the rim, you can cross the street and visit the Thurston Lava Tube. I recommend doing this as part of the loop hike because parking can be limited at the Lava Tube. Then take the trail back to the parking lot. What We Did: We did this in a reverse order because I did not know about the hiking guide until I wrote this post. From the Kīlauea Iki Trailhead parking lot, we did this loop in a clockwise direction. The first part of the trail heads south along the crater rim. We visited the Thurston Lava Tube and then hiked across Kīlauea Iki crater, returning to the parking lot on the Crater Rim Trail. For more information on how to do this hike, with maps, elevation profile, and lots more photos, check out our Guide to the Kīlauea Iki Trail. Both directions work great, but if you want to follow the NPS Trail Guide, you will do this hike in a counter-clockwise direction. PRO TRAVEL TIP: Parking at this trailhead fills up early in the day. I recommend doing this first thing to make sure you get a parking space.
Thurston Lava Tube
- Thurston Lava Tube (Nahuku) Lava tubes form when a lava flow forms a roof and walls, a hard crust that cools around the still-flowing lava. This resulting tube serves as a conduit for the continuing flow of lava. The Thurston Lava Tube is one of these tubes. The lava is no longer flowing, so what was left behind is a tube, which is open on either end, that you can walk through. It’s about 600 feet long and the ceiling reaches a height of 20 feet, so no stooping or crouching is necessary to walk through the tube. To get to the lava tube, you will walk on a short trail through a rainforest. It is a slightly downhill walk to get to the Thurston Lava Tube and a slightly uphill walk back to the end of the trail. Where to Park. The best place to park is right across the street from the Thurston Lava Tube. However, this is a very small parking lot and you need to be extremely early, or lucky, to get a space here. The next closest parking lot is at the Kīlauea Iki Trailhead parking lot. It is a 1.6 mile out-and-back walk to the Thurston Lava Tube and you can also add on the Kīlauea Iki crater walk (highly recommended!). If you can’t get a space at either of these lots, you can park at the trailhead for the Devastation Trail. From here, it is 6 mile out-and-back walk to the Thurston Lava Tube.
Things to eat:
https://www.theblondeabroad.com/10-local-foods-to-try-in-hawaii/
Kalua Pork
This is the star of any luau party! In the Hawaiian language, kālua is a word meaning to cook something in an underground oven. You’ll see a lot of meats labeled with kālua, especially kālua pig/pork. This means it was cooked underground.
Kālua meat is usually served with sweet potatoes and/or mashed taro root (called poi). You will also find places serving them up BBQ style with the meat smothered in barbecue sauce and a side of slaw.
Poke
The international superstar of the Hawaiian food scene!
Poké has been a favorite for ages on the islands. This Hawaiian raw fish dish was originally made with a unique type of local sea salt called pa’akai along with roasted candlenuts and a kind of seaweed called limu. While it sounds exotic, the ingredients are good but mild so that the ultra-fresh seafood can take centerstage.
Lau Lau
All over Hawaii, you will see little green balls being served up. These tasty treats are pieces of meat or fish wrapped up in taro leaves.
Traditionally, they are then cooked in an underground oven called an imu (the Hawaiians love an old bury-and-bake!), and seasoned with salt. These days you will often find them steamed or baked in a modern over but they are as tasty as ever.
POI
Poi is a taro dish that is commonly served alongside poké at luaus. This purple-gray mushy looking stuff is a bit of an acquired taste but an essential Hawaiian flavor nonetheless.
Saimin
As dynamic as the culture of Hawaii, saimin is a local take on the Chinese egg-noodle soup with influence from chow mein and Japanese dashi broth. As generations of immigrants became more diverse, saimin started to include Korean kimchi, Portuguese sausage, and good old fashion Spam.
Spam Musubi
Minnesota’s greatest export, Spam, has become an honorary Hawaiian food. If you’ve never tried it, it’s time to broaden your horizons. If you have had it before, give it another shot as in a Spam Musubi. Made with rice, fried Spam, and dried seaweed, this is so much better than you think it is going to be.
Manapua
Similar to Chinese buns, you will find these tasty sandwiches filled with everything under the sun. Grab one stuffed with chicken or beans, then answer one of the most divisive questions of Hawaii: steamed or baked?
My recommendation? You have got to try them both!
Shave Ice
The world has Taiwan to thank for this sweet summer treat. Developed in Taiwan way back in the seventh century, you will now find shave ice all over the islands. While snow cones are made with crushed ice, this glorious stuff is shaved.
And you definitely won’t choose between mystery red or blue favors!
In Hawaii, shave ice is topped with juices from local fruits like guava, pineapple, coconut, lychee, kiwi, passion fruit or a range of other sweets. You will also find options with a “snow cap” or “Japanese style” topping. This tasty option is topped with sweetened condensed milk syrup.
Loco Moco
If you find yourself in Hilo, make your way to Lincoln Grill and Café 100. They both claim to have invented the famous loco moco.
We will never know who really whipped up the masterpiece, but it’s worth hearing (and tasting!) both sides to the story. A rice and egg dish served with a hamburger patty on top and coated in thick gravy, this is the quintessential Hawaiian comfort food.
Huli Huli Chicken
This is the perfect picnic food!
On your way to the beach, stop by a huli huli chicken stand. Grab yourself a tasty chicken brined in soy sauce then covered in an amazing glaze of pineapple juice and brown sugar. Get a side of coleslaw and macaroni salad to finish off the plate.
Plate Lunch & Malasada
Grab a plate lunch and malasada too! Plate lunches are perfect for a day you want a hearty meal and a lazy afternoon. Carb heavy, a plate lunch is typically rice with chicken or pork, with a couple sides of macaroni salad and coleslaw.
Portuguese immigrants brought out the famous malasada a few centuries back and the Hawaiians have been in love with it ever since. The world’s best donut, this mouthwatering treat is deep-fried to crispy perfection then rolled in sugar.
Coffee
- Expect $20/lb
- Best:
- Kona Amor
- Holualoa Kona
- Greenwell - good tour
- Kona Blue Sky
- Kona coffee extra fancy is a top grade; “Kona Prime” is the lowest quality
Misc
- Big Island Candies Hilo - Macnut shortbread dipped in caramel and chocolate
- Hawaiian Supersweet Corn
- Ono (wahoo) awesome eating fish, plentiful May through October
- Ka’u oranges - grown on the big island. The uglier it is the more tasty
Resources
- Hawai’i National Park - https://www.nps.gov/havo/index.htm
- Blonde Abroad 10 Tips For Your First Trip to Hawaii - https://www.theblondeabroad.com/10-tips-for-your-first-trip-to-hawaii/
- Blonde Abroad Ultimate Guide to Big Island - https://www.theblondeabroad.com/ultimate-big-island-hawaii-travel-guide/
- Earth Trekkers Top 10 Things to Do in Hawai’i National Park - https://www.earthtrekkers.com/best-things-to-do-in-hawaii-volcanoes-national-park/
- Hawaii The Big Island Revealed The Ultimate Guidebook Revealed Travel Guides Andrew Doughty