What is Akaka Falls, one of the most popular waterfalls on the Big Island of Hawaii? Highlights of Akaka Falls State Park and recommended tours.

Hawaii Island, nicknamed the Big Island

Hawaii Island, the largest of the Hawaiian Islands, is also known as the Big Island.

The Big Island of Hawaii offers sightseeing and powerful nature, culture and history worthy of its size. No discussion of the natural wonders of the Big Island of Hawaii would be complete without mentioning Kilauea Volcano, which is the largest volcano on the island.

Kilauea Volcano is the most active volcano in the Hawaiian Islands and repeatedly erupts, overflowing with lava. The scenery is beautiful as smoke billows out of the crater and the lava appears red in the evening, and at night the red flames emerge so clearly that they can be seen from a distance, making for a spectacular view.

It gives us a sense of the energy of the earth and the history of the birth of Hawaii.

Here are some popular attractions and places of interest that you should keep in mind on the Big Island of Hawaii.

 

What is the Big Island of Hawaii like?

The climate of the Big Island of Hawaii is characterized by variety, with relatively high rainfall in the northeast, dryness in the west throughout the year, and snow on the higher elevation mountain peaks.

Hawaii is often associated with white sand beaches, but here on the Big Island, there are beaches with black sand made of lava. The island of Hawaii is home to black sand beaches created by lava rock, which is why there are so many different types of plants.

Kona on the west coast, with its many tourists and resort hotels, is a major tourist destination and an area that many tourists visit on optional tours from Oahu.

The climate is mild, and many elderly tourists from the U.S. mainland visit the island to relax and enjoy the island of Hawaii for a long period of time, relieving the fatigue of daily life.

 

How to get to Hawaii Island

There are two ways to access the Big Island of Hawaii. There is a direct flight from Japan to Honolulu International Airport on Oahu Island, connecting to a domestic flight to Kona International Airport.

The connecting flight time is approximately 45 minutes, but allow about 2 hours to make arrangements.

There are few direct flights to the Big Island of Hawaii, but Japan Airlines from Narita and Hawaiian Airlines from Haneda operate flights to Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport (Kona International Airport). The flight time is approximately 7 to 8 hours.

The main airports on the Big Island of Hawaii are located in Kona on the west coast and Hilo on the east coast, but Kona is the most convenient for sightseeing due to the large number of flights. Hilo's airport is convenient for access if you want to visit the volcano.

Incidentally, Kona International Airport, the main gateway to the Big Island of Hawaii, is officially called Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport, named in honor of Ellison Onizuka, a Japanese American astronaut from Hawaii who died aboard the Challenger.

 

Attractions of the Big Island of Hawaii

The charm of the Big Island of Hawaii is its abundance of untouched nature and its old towns with fascinating histories.

Hilo, the largest city on the Big Island of Hawaii, is second only to Honolulu, with a population of about 40,000.

Hilo is also home to the popular store Big Island Candies. The store's products are only available at two locations on Oahu: Ala Moana Shopping Center and T Galleria Hawaii by DFS.

You can also take a car from Hilo and arrive in the town of "Kailua-Kona" in approximately 2.5 hours.

It is popular for its old-fashioned Hawaiian feel, with stores and restaurants of all sizes. Let's take a closer look at the charms of the Big Island of Hawaii.

 

Spectacular, untouched wilderness

If you want to experience the mystical scenery created by untouched wilderness, there is no better place than the Big Island of Hawaii.

The island is the largest of the Hawaiian Islands in terms of area, and its natural beauty is worthy of the title of "Big Island.

Get in touch with nature and refresh yourself, freeing yourself from daily fatigue and worries.

 

　A powerful volcano

Hawaii Island is famous for the well-known Kilauea Volcano.

According to Hawaiian mythology, Pele, the goddess of volcanoes, lives there, and when she gets angry, the volcano explodes.

Kilauea Volcano, located in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, is a great place to see the pitch-black lava ground and crater. The powerful Kilauea Volcano will make you feel the energy of the earth as the volcanic activity repeats itself even now.

The road that branches off from the Crater Rim Road around Kilauea Volcano and heads to the ocean is called the Chain of Craters Road.

As you walk through the lava wilderness that stretches as far as the eye can see, you can see the lava mouths that were created by active volcanic activity in the 1970s. At the Mauna Ulu Lava Plateau, you can walk on the cooled and hardened Pahoehoe lava.

Also in Kilauea Volcano National Park is the Thurston Lava Tunnel, which was formed when lava flowed through it, creating a cool and mysterious atmosphere inside. The tunnel is lined with tropical plants, and it takes about 20 minutes to go through the tunnel.

 

　Beautiful Beaches

While there are white sand beaches on the Big Island of Hawaii, there are also many black sand beaches formed from lava rock.

One of the most famous beaches with beautiful white sand is Hapuna Beach on the Kohala Coast, a resort area on the western side of the Big Island of Hawaii.

It is one of the few beaches on the Big Island of Hawaii with long stretches of white sand, and has been awarded the number one beach in the United States. Visitors can enjoy various activities such as snorkeling and body boarding.

Kahaluu Beach is famous for its snorkeling, but it is also known for its rocky shores, so be careful where you step.

This beach is also reputed to have a high chance of seeing sea turtles. Maniniowari Beach is a beautiful white sand beach.

The contrast between the emerald green sea and the white sandy beach is beautiful and loved by the locals. The sun is strong, so sunscreen, parasols, and hats are recommended.

Magic Sand Beach, with its beautiful ocean and a line of restaurants and stores along the shoreline, is a popular place for many people to relax and enjoy themselves.

Kauna Oa Beach, one of the most famous beaches on the Big Island of Hawaii, where the Mauna Kea Resort Hotel is located, is popular for its pure white sand and clear emerald green waters.

With many hotels, this beach is crowded with tourists all year round. The waves are quiet, so snorkeling is recommended.

 

Shopping and dining are also recommended.

Hawaii Island is the second most popular island after Oahu and has been visited by many Japanese in recent years.

The Big Island of Hawaii has many popular shopping and dining spots for tourists. Particularly recommended is King's Shops, a 25-minute drive from Kona International Airport, which is a shopping mall located in the Waikoloa Resort.

The wide range of products, from luxury brand goods to Hawaiian sundries, makes it a perfect place to look for souvenirs.

The facility has a lake and a stylish café and restaurant where you can enjoy a delicious lunch.

There are other stores within the Waikoloa Resort that are sure to catch the eye of tourists who want to stop by. For food, try Ruth's Chris Steak House.

This popular restaurant is also located in Waikiki, near the Waikoloa area, in The Shops at Mauna Lani. The huge T-bone steak is a must-try, and is best enjoyed with a Kona beer.

The taste is excellent as well as the volume.

 

Let's learn about culture and history.

With an area of 10,433 square kilometers and approximately 200,000 residents, Hawaii Island has a pleasant climate with average summer temperatures of 30°C (86°F) and winter temperatures around 26°C (26°F), and is home to such cities as Waikoloa, Kona, and Hilo.

The Big Island of Hawaii is full of important cultural and historical sites to learn about.

It is the birthplace of King Kamehameha the Great, home to the restored Heiau Temple, and the place where Captain Cook died. On the west coast are Hulihee Palace, the summer home of Hawaiian royalty, and Mokuaikaua Church, the oldest stone church in Hawaii, built in 1820.

The Imiloa Astronomy Center on the Big Island of Hawaii is a world-class science education facility where visitors can learn about astronomy and Hawaiian culture.

The 4200-meter-high summit of Mauna Kea on the Big Island of Hawaii is famous as one of the best places in the world for astronomical observation because of its dry air and high blue sky rate. Here, visitors can enjoy a 3D astronomy show in a state-of-the-art planetarium and learn about the origins of the celestial bodies.

 

What is Akaka Falls State Park like?

The most famous waterfall on the Big Island of Hawaii is Akaka Falls, which is the largest in Hawaii, with a 134-meter drop.

There are two waterfalls in Akaka Falls State Park: Akaka Falls and Kahuna Falls. There is a parking lot and a paved hiking trail that will take about 30 minutes to complete a loop. The Kahuna Falls, with a drop of 30 meters, is also located at the beginning of the trail.

 

History & Legends

There is a legend about Akaka Falls. There was a man named Akaka in a village called Honom.

Akaka has a devoted wife, but while she is away, he goes to see his two mistresses. When his wife returns from an outing, she searches for Akaka, following the scent of his clothes and calling his name.

When Akaka heard the voice, he was ashamed of his deed and threw himself off the cliff. His wife, who lamented Akaka's death, wept on the cliff, and her tears turned into a waterfall.

It is said that his wife turned to stone and two of Akaka's mistresses also mourned Akaka's death and became two small waterfalls downstream from Akaka Falls.

 

kindergarten enrolment fee

Admission to Akaka Falls State Park is $1.00 and parking is $5.00 per car.

 

MAP

The area surrounding Akaka Falls State Park is known as the Hamakua Coast and includes the Hilo Forest Preserve and Manowai'ale'e Forest Preserve, while the coastline includes Hakalau Beach Park and Kolekole Beach Park.

 

Access

To get to Akaka Falls State Park, take Highway 19 north from Hilo and after 13 miles, turn left on 220.

About 3 miles past the small town of Honom, you will reach Akaka Falls.

 

Highlights of Akaka Falls State Park

Akaka Falls State Park is beautiful and lush with ferns, bamboo, orchids, and other tropical plants.

 

Akaka Falls

The walk to Akaka Falls is through a dense tropical rainforest, but the well-maintained park is paved and ideal for strolling. Visitors with children or the elderly can enjoy forest bathing while walking to Akaka Falls.

Watching the waterfalls fall with splashing water, you will purify your body and mind with negative ions. Enjoy the magnificent and mysterious Akaka Falls.

 

Kahuna Falls

Hawaii has many waterfalls, but Kahuna Falls, just before Akaka Falls, is a beautiful and impressive waterfall with a drop of about 30 meters.

Surrounded by greenery, Kahuna Falls is a place you might pass by if you didn't notice. Walk the trails through the rainforest and enjoy Akaka Falls State Park.

 

Hiking can be easily enjoyed.

Akaka Falls State Park is home to Akaka Falls, the most beautiful waterfall on the Big Island of Hawaii.

There is a lush 0.6 km trail to the waterfall, where you can hike through a wild tropical rainforest. You will walk on a paved path through the rainforest with orchids spreading into the wild bamboo forest.

The gentle trail allows for a leisurely hike for both children and the elderly.

 

Observe beautiful flowers and plants!

Sliding down a mossy green cliff, Akaka Falls is scenic and unintentionally absorbing.

The surrounding area is beautifully decorated with ivy tangled around giant trees, banana flowers and yellow ginger. The rainforest is a veritable treasure trove of flora, with a wide variety of native plants, including orchids and fuchsias.

 

What to wear and what to wear when sightseeing

There is a trail that extends all the way around Akaka Falls State Park, but mosquitoes and insects are common in the rainforest, so insect repellent is necessary.

Wear long sleeves and long pants for sightseeing. Rain gear is also a good idea.

 

Recommended Tours

The Big Island of Hawaii is full of nature and offers fascinating optional tours.

We introduce recommended tours on the island of Hawaii, which is full of attractions such as the popular stargazing Mauna Kea, the World Heritage Kilauea Volcanoes National Park, and the sacred Waipio Valley.

 

Hawaii Island Sightseeing Tour: Kilauea Volcano, Akaka Falls, and 15 other places + B-Grade Gourmet Tour

Take the opportunity of your visit to the Big Island of Hawaii to take a tour of 15 luxurious places to enjoy the island to the fullest.

You can visit gourmet foods, power spots, Kilauea Volcano, Waipio Valley Lookout, Akaka Falls, and the town of Honokaa, and enjoy B-class dining at Hawaii's famous loco moco and an old malasada store that sells 3,000 malasadas a day.

Big Island Candies also offers tastings of their famous cookies and chocolates.

 

Hawaii Island Volcanoes and Power Spot Adventure

The Big Island of Hawaii has several power spots.

This tour is limited to 13 people per day, so you can enjoy each spot at your leisure.

 

Tour of 3 major attractions on the Big Island of Hawaii and starry sky tour

The Big Island of Hawaii is known worldwide as an excellent place for astronomical observation.

This tour will take you to the three most famous places on the Big Island of Hawaii while observing the very popular starry night sky. After being empowered by the sights of the Big Island, enjoy local cuisine at a cute diner.

The tour will conclude with stargazing on Mauna Kea.

It will be an unforgettable tour of precious memories.

 

summary

We hope you enjoyed our introduction to Akaka Falls on the Big Island of Hawaii.

The Big Island of Hawaii is an island where you can feel the power of nature in your body. Why don't you go to Hawaii Island to forget about the troubles of daily life, relax your body, and recharge your energy?

There are direct flights to the Big Island of Hawaii, and many attractive optional tours are available.

Thank you for taking the time to read this to the end.