Hawaii Island】Morning on the Big Island of Hawaii is full of attractions! Introducing popular sunrise spots and tours you can enjoy early in the morning!

Hawaii Island, nicknamed the Big Island

Hawaii is easily accessible from Japan, making it a great place for beginners to visit.

Hawaii Island is nicknamed the Big Island because it is the largest of the Hawaiian Islands.

 

What is the Big Island of Hawaii like?

What is the island of Hawaii like? The island is shaped like a long slipper from east to west.

It is the most southerly of the Hawaiian Islands and is about half the size of Shikoku.

 

How to get to Hawaii Island

One way to get to the Big Island of Hawaii is to take a direct flight from Japan. Some airlines offer direct flights from Japan to the Big Island.

It is recommended for those who cannot take very long holidays and do not want to waste time, since it is possible to go without connections.

However, the main departure points are Narita and Haneda airports in Tokyo, and flights may operate several times a week, so check in advance.

The other option is to connect in Honolulu. From Honolulu, the flight takes about 45 minutes.

Some may be concerned about the disadvantage of the time it takes to make a connection, but there are direct flights to Honolulu from major Japanese cities!

This will be convenient for those who live outside of Tokyo, as they do not have to travel to Narita or Haneda airports in Tokyo.

 

Attractions of the Big Island of Hawaii

From here, we would like to introduce some of the attractions of the Big Island of Hawaii.

 

Spectacular, untouched wilderness

On the Big Island of Hawaii, you can enjoy a relaxing time.

This is probably due not only to the generous nature of the local people, but also to the abundance of nature.

Many people think of Hawaii in terms of its beautiful ocean, but there are also other fascinating natural attractions to enjoy besides the ocean, such as volcanoes and star-filled skies!

 

A powerful volcano

Hawaii Island is located above a hotspot and is therefore experiencing active volcanic activity.

Lava flows from the volcanoes have flowed into the coast, sometimes extending the land on the seaward side, and there is a history of shifting shapes without human intervention.

Therefore, it is no exaggeration to say that the island of Hawaii continues to grow.

 

Beautiful Beaches

Hawaii is all about beautiful beaches!

When you think of the tropics, you may imagine white sand beaches, but there are also black sand beaches created from lava. Other green-sand beaches, which appear green in color, were also created from a special component of lava.

A taste of the colorful beaches is one of the best parts of the Big Island of Hawaii!

 

Shopping and dining are also recommended.

In addition to natural attractions, shopping and dining are also recommended.

King's Shops offers a wide range of products from high brands to local Hawaiian gift stores.

There are also numerous restaurants in this shopping mall, including a Japanese restaurant.

Why not try the locally arranged Japanese menu, which can only be tasted locally?

 

Let's learn about culture and history.

The Imiloa Astronomy Center on the Big Island of Hawaii is a great place to learn about astronomy and Hawaiian culture.

Although all information is provided in English, the exhibits are hands-on exhibits that allow visitors to actually see and touch the exhibits, so even those who are not fluent in English will be able to enjoy and deepen their knowledge.

 

Morning on the Big Island of Hawaii

Mornings in Hawaii are a bit cool and humid, and the smell of grass and flowers wafts in from somewhere mixed with the scent of the ocean.

The peaceful early morning hours can be used effectively as a time for self-reflection.

 

the early bird gets the worm

Many people may not be good at getting up early.

Hawaii has many early morning attractions, so we recommend getting up early to see the sights.

Waking up early in an unusual travel destination will bring many more benefits!

 

Benefits of Early Rising

Reviewing the sightseeing schedule in the time made available by waking up early will give you more time to relax.

Light exercise, such as stretching, will also help to clear the eyes and prepare the body for the day's schedule.

Start a great day by getting up before both people and nature wake up.

 

Make the most of your morning time!

Unexpectedly, minor administrative procedures and processes occur during the trip.

Also, if you have to organize photos taken the day before and book local tours, you may find yourself short on time.

In such cases, making the most of the morning hours will allow you to fully enjoy the day without worrying about the day's plans.

 

Enjoy activities in the morning!

Some of you may not be able to get up unless you have plans. In such cases, we recommend early morning activities!

There are many morning activity tours available on the Big Island of Hawaii, so join a tour for an active day.

 

You may have the view all to yourself in the morning.

The Big Island of Hawaii is a popular tourist destination in Japan and around the world.

Have you ever had the experience of taking a picture, only to find later that the beauty of the scenery has been halved by the number of passersby?

In the early morning hours, before people are still awake, you can take great pictures without such interruptions!

 

Recommended Sunrise Spot

Here are some sunrise spots on the Big Island of Hawaii.

 

Mauna Kea

Mauna Kea, the second most popular mountain on the Big Island of Hawaii after Kilauea Volcano, is the highest mountain in Hawaii at 4,205 meters above sea level.
It is a mountain of high peaks.

 

Recommendations

The mountain is home to a total of 13 observatories, including Japan's National Astronomical Observatory, Subaru. The road is paved and it is easy to drive to the top of the mountain.

The early morning sky is filled with a sea of clouds, and the sun rising from the sea is beautiful beyond words.

 

To see Sunrise

It is common to depart in the middle of the night.

For safety reasons, we recommend joining a tour rather than going on your own, as you will be entering a mountainous area with few outside lights.

 

Trekking Clothing and Precautions

Hawaii is always in summer, but as the elevation increases, the temperature drops rapidly and becomes as cold as midwinter.

It is a good idea to prepare well-fitted warm clothing.

 

Access

To get there on your own, take the Mauna Kea Access Road, beyond which general rental cars are prohibited.

For peace of mind, join a guided tour and have fun.

 

Recommended Mornings on the Big Island of Hawaii

Here are some of the best mornings in Hawaii for early risers.

 

coffee shack

Coffee Shack is a café with a spectacular view about a 30-minute drive south of the city of Kona.

 

Recommendations

After all, it is the spectacular view that makes it worth the visit alone that makes it so popular.

The restaurant is also recommended for its sandwiches made with homemade bread.

 

Store Information

Open from 7:00 AM to sunset, closed only on holidays such as Easter, Thanksgiving, and Christmas.

The restaurant has 50 seats.

 

Access & Parking

From Kailua-Kona, you can travel by car in 30 minutes and park for free.
There are

 

Island Lava Java
(Island Rabba Jabba)

This casual bistro-style restaurant is popular for its breakfast, which was voted "Best Breakfast in Kona" by a local newspaper.

 

Recommendations

All of the ingredients on the menu are locally sourced and of high quality.

Breakfast menus such as omelets, waffles, and eggs Benedict are popular, and terrace seating allows diners to enjoy the slow flow of time on the Big Island of Hawaii while looking out at the ocean.

 

Store Information

Open from 6:30 to 21:30, you can enjoy a leisurely morning.

All seats are non-smoking, and free Wi-Fi is available in the restaurant for tourists.

 

Access & Parking

You can drive from Kona International Airport in 20 minutes. Free parking is available, and you can also rent a car.

 

Kona coffee

Recommended by local guides, this is a cafe where you can stop by casually and drink 100% Kona coffee.

 

Recommendations

Located by the sea, in addition to the coffee available at the store, coffee beans can also be purchased.

They also offer free tastings, so if you find a coffee bean you like, you can buy it as a souvenir!

 

Store Information

It is open from 7:00 to 17:00, so you can enjoy it not only for breakfast but also for brunch.

The store is a bit small, so we recommend getting there early.

 

Access & Parking

It is located approximately 15 minutes by car from Kona International Airport.

There is no parking, but there is coin parking on the street in front of the restaurant, so it is best to go in the morning when it is not crowded!

 

Activities to enjoy in the morning

After the gourmet meal, we will introduce you to some activities you can enjoy in the morning.

 

trekking

Trekking" may not sound like much to some, but it refers to hiking in Japan.

In the forest in the early morning, the air is sure to be even more delicious!

 

Recommendations

It is easy for even beginners to participate.

Many of the courses take about one hour, so those who do not usually exercise much may feel out of breath and suffer, but when they are done, they will be able to see a spectacular view of the city.

Therefore, you will feel a sense of accomplishment along with the exhilaration of working up a sweat.

If you feel you don't get enough exercise, why not take advantage of the opportunity to travel and participate?

 

Canoe/Kayak

This activity involves paddling a small boat with a paddle.

There are also plans to explore underwater caves, so if you are looking for adventure, this is the place for you! This is recommended for those who want to explore the underwater caves.

 

Recommendations

You can feel the waves and see dolphins, sea turtles, and many other sea creatures.

Between December and April, if you are lucky, you can even see a pod of whales up close!

 

snorkeling

Snorkeling is an activity that allows you to experience the electric blue waters of the Big Island of Hawaii as if you were taking a walk in the water.

 

Recommendations

The clear, beautiful ocean is an excellent snorkeling spot, and you can swim at the same eye level as colorful tropical fish.

Unlike diving, no license is required, making it easy for beginners to participate.

 

helicopter tour

You may have used airplanes as a means of transportation, but few people have ever ridden in a helicopter.

For a special trip, why not enjoy a slightly richer aerial experience?

 

Recommendations

You can see the spectacular view of the Big Island of Hawaii that can only be seen from the sky.

Enjoy the dynamic nature that can only be seen on a helicopter tour, such as the crater and lava of Kilauea Volcano, rainbows over cliff-side waterfalls, Waipio Valley, and the Kohala Coast.

It can be said that this is an activity where one can feel the evolution of the earth.

 

SUP

It is one of the activities that have been attracting attention in Japan!

This is an activity with a strong exercise component, in which participants move through the water using a paddle on a board.

 

Recommendations

It is performed in an unstable place on the water, which helps to strengthen the core.

Moderate exercise surrounded by the beautiful ocean is sure to refresh you!

If you don't usually have time to exercise, why not take the opportunity to try it?

 

Three recommended tours to enjoy in the morning

Here are some recommendations for tours that you can enjoy in the morning.

 

Mauna Kea Sunrise & Stargazing and World Heritage Kilauea Volcano Tour by Night

This tour takes more than 18 hours and gives you a full taste of the Big Island of Hawaii!

Departing at midnight, you can admire the star-filled sky and sunrise, which will make you feel refreshed in the morning.

While taking a break, visitors can also enjoy gourmet foods such as macadamia nut cookies, a typical Hawaiian delicacy, and mango ice cream.

This tour is perfect for those who want to spend a full day playing around in the World Heritage Site of Kilauea Volcanoes National Park.

 

Kohala Coast Snorkel & Kayak Tour

This is a snorkeling and kayaking tour that can be experienced on the Kohala Coast, famous for its beautiful coral reefs.

Colorful tropical fish inhabit the sea and you can swim with them. Snacks are included, and snorkeling equipment is available for rent.

Guides will take you to the best spots, and between December and April, if you are lucky, you may see whales.

 

Kilauea Volcano Helicopter Tour

This is a special tour where you can enjoy the magnificent nature of the Big Island of Hawaii from the sky.

The spacious cabin with individual seats allows passengers to enjoy the view from the sky in comfort.

Helicopter tours are the only way to see active volcanoes up close!

 

summary

We hope you enjoyed our introduction to the early morning attractions of the Big Island of Hawaii.

Since you are traveling, if you can wake up early and spend the day efficiently, it will surely be a wonderful memory.

The trip may be an opportunity to get into the habit of waking up early and influence your daily life.

You can also participate in morning activities and have a wonderful time on the Big Island of Hawaii!

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