Hawaii Island] What is Rainbow Falls, the most popular rainbow waterfall on the Big Island of Hawaii? What to see and recommended tours

Hawaii Island, nicknamed the Big Island

Hawaii Island, the largest of the Hawaiian Islands, is affectionately known as the Big Island because of its size.

Because of the central mountains, Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa, both over 4,000 meters high, the elevation and climate vary greatly from region to region.

For this reason, Hawaii is also famous for having most of the world's climates within its borders.

The mountains are covered with snow, and resort hotels, restaurants, and shopping centers are located mainly in Hilo, which has high precipitation in the east, and Kona, which is arid in the west and receives little rainfall throughout the year.

On the Big Island of Hawaii, swimming at the beach and snowboarding in the mountains is quite natural.

Therefore, when sightseeing, you need to be careful about what you wear. The island of Hawaii has a long history as the birthplace of King Kamehameha the Great, and there are several places sacred to the natives.

Also on the Big Island of Hawaii is Kilauea Volcano, an active volcano that is still active and offers the wonders and charm of nature.

 

What is the Big Island of Hawaii like?

The island of Hawaii is the largest of the Hawaiian Islands, but has a population of only about 200,000 people.

Hawaii Island is the oldest of the Hawaiian Islands and is rich in nature, with high mountains, canyons, active volcanoes, and tropical rain forests.

The island of Hawaii is home to many legends, including Kilauea Volcano, where the goddess Pele, the breath of the earth, is said to reside, and Mauna Kea, where you can see the most beautiful starry sky in the world.

In addition, Hawaii is associated with white sandy beaches and blue ocean, but there are very few white sandy beaches on the Big Island, and most of the beaches are jet-black.

And beyond that, the marine blue ocean stretches out.

This is because the lava that flowed out of the volcano entered the sea, cooled rapidly, and the resulting mass of lava broke up into sand.

There is a tourist attraction on the Big Island of Hawaii called Black Sand Beach.

When you see the all-black coast for the first time, you will be stunned at how completely different it looks from Oahu.

 

How to get to Hawaii Island

Direct flights from Japan to Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport on the Big Island of Hawaii are operated by JAL from Narita Airport and by Hawaiian Airlines from Haneda Airport.

However, since it is inconvenient and there are only a few flights from rural areas to the Big Island of Hawaii, most people go to Honolulu International Airport on Oahu Island and connect to a domestic flight to Kona International Airport.

Honolulu International Airport can be reached from Narita Airport, New Chitose Airport, Central Japan International Airport, and other airports. Travel time from Japan is approximately 7~8 hours.

It takes about 45 minutes from Honolulu to Kona International Airport on the west coast of the Big Island of Hawaii.

Hilo International Airport is located on the east coast.

Choose the airport you will use depending on where you will be staying or sightseeing.

Kona International Airport is convenient for those who wish to visit Waikoloa, Mauna Lani, and other upscale resorts that represent the Big Island of Hawaii.

 

Attractions of the Big Island of Hawaii

Hawaii Island is the only one of the Hawaiian Islands with a World Heritage Site, and has a unique natural environment with volcanoes and plants.

It is also the oldest of the Hawaiian islands, with many sacred sites that have been worshipped by the indigenous people.

The summit of Mauna Kea, located in the center of the Big Island of Hawaii, is dry and famous as the best place for astronomical observation because of its high altitude, which allows clear skies throughout the year and no artificial light to reach the summit.

There are even 13 observatories from 11 countries gathered on the summit of Mauna Kea, and the public is welcome to visit the observatories.

Hawaii is usually associated with the bustle of Waikiki, but the Big Island of Hawaii is an island where you can get away from the hustle and bustle, meditate in peace, and enjoy a resort lifestyle undisturbed.

The island of Hawaii, visited by Europeans and Americans for resort life, has charms that Japanese people do not yet know about.

Here are some details about such attractions.

 

Spectacular, untouched wilderness

Home to three of the world's greatest power spots, the Big Island of Hawaii is an island of unspoiled, spectacular wilderness.

The Island of Hawaii, with its natural and spiritual power, such as the sacred Waipio Valley, which has been protected since ancient times by the native Hawaiians, the legendary Akaka Falls, which is said to have been formed by a wife who lost her husband, and the jet-black earth, is a great place to visit for those seeking healing.

Experience the energy of the majestic wilderness on the Big Island of Hawaii, where time passes slowly and unspoiled wilderness surrounds you.

 

A powerful volcano

Hawaii Volcanoes National Park was the first World Heritage Site registered in Hawaii, and is a spot where you can directly feel the pulse of the earth.

Kilauea Volcano, located in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, is also known as "Halemaumau Crater," a sacred place where Pele, the goddess of Hawaiian legend, lives.

Known as one of the most active volcanoes in the world, the solidified lava from the massive eruption shows that Kilauea volcano's power has not diminished.

Due to a major eruption in May 2018, the red, simmering magma pool just below the caldera at the summit is now no longer visible.

The crater has now caved in significantly, and it is a spectacular sight to see it close up.

Kilauea Volcano National Park covers an area of approximately 1308 km2, and within the park there is the Kilauea Visitor Center with park information and stores.

The highlight of the Kilauea Volcano tour is a lava bath and walk down the Chain of Craters Road, a lava plateau that extends to the ocean, and can only be experienced on the Big Island of Hawaii.

Other tours are also available to view the entire volcano from above by helicopter.

 

Beautiful Beaches

The Big Island of Hawaii is an island with few white beaches, but it does have some breathtakingly beautiful ones.

Kahaluu Beach" is a popular beach for snorkeling, and tourists often encounter sea turtles on rare occasions.

There is also a rental store on the beach so you can go empty-handed.

Hapuna Beach, rated as one of the top beaches in the U.S., is a vast expanse of white sand that contrasts strikingly with the blue ocean.

There is a resort hotel nearby, but it is not large enough to obstruct your view, so you can relax on the beach with a wide field of vision.

 

Shopping and dining are also recommended.

Although Hawaii Island does not have as many shopping spots as Oahu, there is a "Queen's Marketplace" at the Waikoloa Beach Resort in the western part of Hawaii Island.

Opened in 2008, this historic shopping center offers a convenient selection of Hawaiian jewelry, general merchandise, and daily necessities.

Kona is home to the Kona Inn Shopping Village, where locals also come to shop.

There are also Wendy's and Starbucks, which are well-known to the Japanese.

The Kona Commons Shopping Center, located in the northwest part of the city, is a shopping center with sporting goods, outlets, and general merchandise stores.

Hilo is home to "Prince Kuhio Plaza," which houses about 70 stores, including general stores, gourmet restaurants, movie theaters, and brand-name stores.

Kona and Hilo, with their old-fashioned Hawaiian streets, are nostalgic and charming.

 

Let's learn about culture and history.

The history of the Island of Hawaii began 1,500 years ago with the arrival of Polynesians from the Marquesas Islands to the then uninhabited Hawaiian Islands.

Many immigrants also came from Tahiti, who brought their faith and shaped the Hawaiian culture.

In 1778, Captain Cook landed in Waimea Bay, Kauai, bringing Western culture. In 1791, King Kamehameha the Great, born in North Kohala on Hawaii Island, unified all of Hawaii in 1810, creating the Kingdom of Hawaii.

Although Hawaii went through many twists and turns before becoming the 50th state of the United States in 1959, the buildings, history, and culture created by King Kamehameha the Great have been passed down to the Hawaiian Islands.

 

What is Rainbow Falls?

The Big Island of Hawaii has dazzling and spectacular waterfalls, and the waterfalls are constantly flooded with abundant water from melting snow and rain from the towering mountains.

Rainbow Falls, where Hilo is located, is on the Wailuku River, and its Hawaiian name is Waianue, meaning "rainbow seen in the water.

The waterfall has a drop of 24 meters, and it is said that Hina, the moon goddess, lives in the basin.

Rainbow Falls has only a trickle of water on days when there is no rain.

However, once it rains heavily, the waterfall changes its appearance and turns into a muddy stream, which is famous for reflecting sunlight on the spray and creating a rainbow.

Therefore, it is said that the best time to go sightseeing is in the morning after a heavy rainfall. There is also a huge banyan tree above the falls.

The banyan tree, which looks as if it is inhabited by forest nymphs, is well worth a visit.

 

Origin of the name

Rainbow Falls means "rainbow over water," and the name comes from the fact that when the morning sun shines on the falls, the water droplets that rise from the falls reflect the sunlight and form a rainbow.

The surrounding area is covered with thick green tropical rainforest and is a sight to behold.

Sneakers are recommended as there are tree roots here and there underfoot in the forest.

 

The Legend of Rainbow Falls

Certain legends are still told about Rainbow Falls and are featured on local signs.

Here are some of the details.

Hina, the moon goddess, lived in a large cave behind the waterfall, where she dried the bark of a native Hawaiian tree called kapa to make cloth.

Above the cave lived a giant lizard, Mo'o Kuna, which dropped large boulders and flooded the river.

One day, Hina realized that Mo'o Kuna had dropped a large rock and that the water level would rise and she would be submerged if she continued, so she asked her son Maui for help. Maui brought his canoe from Maui to the Wailuku River with two paddles to save his mother, destroying the large rock with a single blow and saving her life.

The giant lizard escaped, but Maui called Pele, the god of fire, to pour the lava into the river, killing the giant lizard that was hiding. Maui threw the remains out of Rainbow Falls and floated them into the ocean.

 

When can I see a rainbow?

To see rainbows at Rainbow Falls, try to go in the morning.

The point is said to be when the sun is around 42 degrees behind you with the waterfall in front of you.

Please refer to it and see the beautiful rainbow.

 

What is Wailuku River State Park like?

Wailuku River State Park, where Rainbow Falls is located, is near downtown Hilo and features two landmarks, Rainbow Falls and Pe'e Pe'e Falls.

It is said to be worth seeing on rainy days.

Please take a look at the scenery, which is typical of a tropical rainforest with trees all around.

 

Pae Pae Waterfall

About 2.4 km upstream of the Wailuku River is a waterfall called Pae Pae Falls.

If you visit when the water volume is high, you can see the powerful waterfall.

 

boiling pot

Legend has it that the last hiding place of the giant lizard that escaped and hid from the mauna was the Boiling Pot.

It is now one of the scenic areas of Wailuku River State Park.

The Boiling Pot is characterized by the countless bubbles that form as the water flows in from the Pae Pae Falls, making it look as if it is boiling.

 

summary

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

Rainbow Falls has an interesting legend and is a recommended tourist spot to see the unusual sight of a rainbow over water.

Hawaii Island also offers many ways to enjoy the volcanoes, natural parks, beautiful beaches, shopping, and dining.

You can spend a luxurious time on the Big Island of Hawaii, and it will surely be a memory that will last a lifetime.

Have a great time and take in the power of nature. Thank you for watching until the end.