Hawaii Island - Let's enjoy star gazing on the Big Island of Hawaii☆Recommended star gazing spots and popular tours that are sure to impress!

Known as the Big Island.
Hawaii (island)

Hawaii is loved by people all over the world. Hawaii is made up of many islands, large and small.

In this issue, we will introduce Hawaii Island, the largest island in Hawaii by area.

As the largest island, Hawaii Island is nicknamed the Big Island and is characterized by its spectacular nature and rich history.

Why not visit the Big Island of Hawaii, where you can discover a different kind of charm from that of Oahu and Maui?

 

What is the Big Island of Hawaii like?

The Big Island of Hawaii is the most southerly of the eight islands that make up Hawaii.

It is the largest island in the entire United States, about half the size of Shikoku in Japan. It is also known as an island that continues to grow due to active volcanic activity.

With a population of approximately 150,000, it is the second most populous of the Hawaiian islands after Oahu, but because of its large size, the island is less crowded, allowing visitors to feel the time pass more leisurely.

Temperatures are around 30 degrees Celsius in summer and 25 degrees Celsius in winter, but since the climate on the Big Island of Hawaii varies greatly from area to area, please carefully check the weather conditions of the place you will be visiting before preparing your clothing.

The long, straight road is a very typical Hawaiian landscape, and once visitors are there, they are sure to be captivated by this beautiful island.

The eight-hour drive around the island allows visitors to enjoy to their heart's content the sights and sounds of the island, especially Hilo and Kona, the major cities on the east and west sides.

 

How to get to Hawaii Island

There are two major airports on the Big Island of Hawaii.

Hilo Airport is located to the east and Kona Airport to the west. Kona Airport is flat and has an open-air atmosphere, so you can enjoy the tropical atmosphere typical of Hawaii the moment you step off the plane.

Although the most common way to access the Big Island of Hawaii from Japan is to connect at Honolulu Airport on Oahu, Japan Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines currently offer direct flights between Tokyo and the Big Island of Hawaii.

It is very nice to be able to access the Big Island of Hawaii conveniently and easily from Japan.

Incidentally, the flight from Oahu to Hawaii Island takes about 45 minutes, so if you are going to visit Hawaii, you may as well enjoy your stay on both Oahu and Hawaii Island.

 

Attractions of the Big Island of Hawaii

Here are five attractions that you can enjoy only on the Big Island of Hawaii.

 

Spectacular, untouched nature

The Big Island of Hawaii is blessed with a spectacular natural environment that stands out from the rest of the Hawaiian Islands. The lack of high-rise buildings and condominiums has left the island with a rich, pristine natural environment.

In addition to the volcanoes that are still active today and the natural beauty they create, the spectacular scale of the sea and starry sky also attracts visitors.

The rich natural environment is home to numerous creatures, including wild birds.

 

A powerful volcano

There are several active volcanoes on the Big Island of Hawaii, including Kilauea Volcano, which is one of the most active volcanoes in the world and the only one registered as a World Heritage site in Hawaii.

Halemaumau Crater, burning red at the center of Kilauea Volcano, is particularly powerful and full of the energy of the earth.

Volcanic activity has many effects, a prime example being the lava tunnels created by flowing lava. You may see lava all over the island.

 

Beautiful Beaches

The first thing that comes to mind when people think of Hawaii is the beautiful tropical beaches.

The beach is fun during the daytime, when you can spend time relaxing and watching the fish swim in the sea, but the sunset along the beach in the evening on a clear day is very beautiful and moving.

Kahaluu Beach and Hapuna Beach are famous beaches representing the Big Island of Hawaii, but here we will introduce one of the more secluded beaches.

Kuki'o Beach is located adjacent to the Four Seasons Resort Hualalai on the Kona Coast on the west coast of Hawai'i Island.

Kukio Beach is next to the luxury resort but is a public beach and can be used by obtaining a pass at the gate entrance to Hualalai.

It is a private, secluded beach with few people and a lot of fish. What's more, sea turtles are sometimes found sleeping on this beach!

This beach is recommended for those who want to spend a quiet time while feeling the flow of time in a relaxed atmosphere.

 

Shopping and dining are also recommended.

Many of the cookies and coffee that are standard Hawaiian souvenirs are actually made on the Big Island of Hawaii.

The main store of Big Island Candies, which produces and sells pineapple-shaped cookies, which many people are familiar with, is located in Hilo on the Big Island of Hawaii.

Big Island Candies produces many popular products, including cookies filled with rich butter and macadamia nuts, as well as brownies, and all cookies are made at the factory in the main Hilo store.

Visitors can observe the cookie production process through a glass window, and many limited-edition products available only at the main Hilo store make the shopping experience even more enjoyable.

The price tag on the display will quickly tell you if the product is limited to the Hilo main store, so be sure to find a flavor or wrapping that is exclusive to the main store. They are sure to make great souvenirs from the Big Island of Hawaii.

Because they do not need to be transported after production, the Hilo main store's limited edition products are also available in bagged packages and are reasonably priced. It is a great way to enjoy different flavors as a snack during your stay.

In addition to sweet treats, Big Island Candies also offers Kona coffee.

You should also try Kona coffee, which is grown in rich volcanic soil. It would be a great souvenir to give to those who do not have a sweet tooth.

 

Let's learn about culture and history.

One of the main attractions of the Big Island of Hawaii is not only the beautiful natural environment, but also the opportunity to experience Hawaiian history and culture.

The Big Island of Hawaii is the birthplace of King Kamehameha the Great and plays an important role in the history of Hawaii.

King Kamehameha the Great appears in Japanese songs. In fact, he was the first person to unite the Hawaiian Islands and became the first king of the Kingdom of Hawaii.

Hawaii has three statues of King Kamehameha the Great, two of which are located in Hilo and Kapaau on the Big Island of Hawaii.

Hawaii also has a long history of Japanese influence. On the island of Hawaii, Hilo, a city on the east coast, was developed by Japanese immigrants and is still home to many people of Japanese descent.

Hawaiian culture is also particularly well known for its hula and surfing.

The Hawaiian language is also an important part of Hawaiian culture and has a pleasant and gentle sound.

When visiting the Big Island of Hawaii, we encourage you to research the history and culture of the island in advance and participate in a hula dance show or tour of the ruins during your stay.

 

Hawaii Island is also attractive at night

The charm of the Big Island of Hawaii is not limited to the bright morning and afternoon hours. After a beautiful sunset, the night sky is filled with stars.

There are many places in the world where beautiful starry skies can be admired, but the starry skies of the Big Island of Hawaii definitely leave a great impression on the viewer.

 

Enjoy the star-filled sky!

The starry sky of the Big Island of Hawaii is exceptionally beautiful, and the Milky Way is truly spectacular.

For your safety and peace of mind, please join a tour when visiting the recommended viewing spots we will introduce hereafter.

The guide will also explain the constellations to you, so you will have a better understanding of the stars than if you were just stargazing. It gets very cold at high altitudes, so please be prepared for the cold and enjoy the star-filled sky.

 

Recommended stargazing spots

Here are three recommended places to view the beautiful starry sky.

 

Mauna Kea

At approximately 4,200 meters above sea level, Mauna Kea, Hawaii's highest peak, is higher than Mt.

The summit is one of the best places in the world for astronomical observations, with 13 observatories from 11 countries.

A Japanese observatory has also been established, and the Subaru Telescope is located here at the summit of Mauna Kea.

It is so world famous that it is not uncommon for people to visit the Big Island of Hawaii to stargaze at the summit of Mauna Kea.

 

Recommendations

It is recommended not only to see the stars, but also to watch the sky change from sunset to stars in the clear air at the top of the mountain.

The change from a sky tinted red by the setting sun to a pitch-black sky with no artificial light, and the many stars coloring the sky, is breathtakingly beautiful.

The Milky Way is also likely to appear at the summit of Mauna Kea, making it the best spot for a lot of fun.

 

Access

It takes about 2.5 hours to drive to the summit from Hilo and about 4 hours from Kona.

It is reportedly possible to drive to the summit, but access is limited to certain types of vehicles, so it is best to take a tour to visit.

Numerous tours with hotel pickup and drop-off are available for comfortable access.

 

Chain of Craters Road

Part of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, the Chain of Craters Road is a 30-kilometer stretch of road that stretches to the ocean.

Lava flowing from Kilauea Volcano fills the area around the road, making the drive an experience of great intensity.

By walking on the lava, you can also feel the power of the earth. This is a recommended place where you can truly experience the beauty of the formations created by nature.

 

Recommendations

Be sure to stop by the observation deck during your drive along the Chain of Craters Road.

There are several lookout points along the way, offering a variety of views depending on the location.

We especially recommend the Kealakomo Observation Deck. It is the perfect place to enjoy the spectacular views and stargazing unique to the Big Island of Hawaii.

 

Access

Driving time to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park is approximately 1 hour from Hilo and 2 hours from Kona.

In addition, the Chain of Craters Road drive will take about two hours round trip, considering the stops at lookout points along the way and walking on the lava.

You can drive around in a rental car, but be prepared for the fact that there are no gas stations or stores within the Chain of Craters Road.

 

saddle load

Saddle Road is familiar to locals as the shortest route between Hilo and Kona, east and west of the Big Island of Hawaii.

Although its current name is Hawaii State Highway 200 or Daniel K. Inouye Highway, it is commonly known as Saddle Road as it passes between Mauna Kea in the north and Mauna Loa in the south of Hawaii Island.

Now that the road has been improved and the road condition has improved, it is now a comfortable dry road.

 

Recommendations

The Mauna Kea Recreation Area, located about 2,000 meters above sea level in the middle of Saddle Road, is a good point of interest.

During the day, it is a great place for children to play on the playground equipment, but at night it becomes a spectacular spot for star gazing.

Cabins are available in the area, so if you make reservations in advance, you can enjoy the starry sky and sunrise even more to your heart's content.

 

Access

The west side (Kona) connects to Route 190, while the east side (Hilo) connects to Puainako Street. The Saddle Road section is approximately 80 km long and takes approximately one hour.

There are no gas stations or stores along the way here either, so please be prepared before you leave.

 

If you want to enjoy stargazing safely
Take a tour!

You can reach the viewing spot on your own with a rental car, but it is risky to go to an unfamiliar place in total darkness.

Join a tour and enjoy stargazing in safety.

 

Recommended stargazing tours

Here are three stargazing tours we recommend.
Please refer to this page when you travel.

 

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

Departing late at night, this full-day tour allows you to fully enjoy the wilderness of the Big Island of Hawaii, with a stop at a hotel along the way.

After admiring the stars and sunrise at the summit of Mauna Kea before dawn, we will head to Rainbow Falls and Big Island Candies, famous for its cookies.

The tour also includes dinner at night on the lava plateau of Kilauea Volcano, making it a great way to fully enjoy Mauna Kea and Kilauea Volcano in one day.

This tour is ideal for those who want to condense their time on the Big Island into a single day or for those who are physically fit.

 

Mauna Kea Sunset & Stargazing Tour

This is an evening tour to enjoy sunset and star gazing at about 2,000 meters at the foot of Mauna Kea. Transportation to and from the hotel is provided, making this tour suitable for families with children and those who are not confident about their physical strength.

Visitors can spend approximately 1.5 to 2 hours using binoculars and telescopes to carefully observe the stars.

Guides will be available to take commemorative photos, which will be a wonderful memory of your family trip.

 

Kilauea World Heritage Site with a certified Kilauea National Park guide & full day sightseeing in the island & star gazing on Mauna Kea

This tour departs in the morning and includes Kilauea Volcano, Rainbow Falls, Big Island Candies (famous for its cookies), and finally stargazing at Mauna Kea.

The tour is very comprehensive, but since it is a half-day tour, you will be able to enjoy each attraction without strain.

It also comes with a nice service that allows you to download the photos taken by the guide during the tour for free. In addition, Japanese-speaking guides are available, so you can participate in the tour with peace of mind.

 

summary

We hope you enjoyed our introduction to the starry skies of the Big Island of Hawaii.

With its many attractions, the island of Hawaii can be enjoyed not only during the day but also at night, allowing visitors to fully enjoy the entire day.

The natural wonders and starlit sky that Hawaii Island boasts will provide you with memories that will last a lifetime and enrich your spirit. Why not choose the Big Island of Hawaii as your next travel destination?

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