If you enjoy Hawaii’s gorgeous lush foliage and tropical plants, a visit to Queen Liliuokalani, last reigning monarch of the Hawaiian Islands, should definitely be on your list of things to see and do while on the Big Island of Hawaii. The gardens span some 30 acres and have huge banyan trees, pathways, pagodas, ponds and bridges to make your stroll around the lush gardens both enjoyable and memorable. The garden is located next to Coconut Island just off of Banyan Tree Drive. Take the road past the hotels and turn right toward the ocean. The gardens will be on the left with a gorgeous view of Hilo Bay sprawling before you. Wander over the footbridge to Coconut Island while you are there.
Liliuokalani Gardens in Hilo, HI
If you are visiting Hilo, HI, take an hour or two to explore the Lyman Museum on Haili Street in downtown Hilo. Here you can learn about the natural and cultural history of Hawaii and take a tour of the missionary home located here. The museum has cultural items, natural history items, a huge collection of seashells and minerals as well as artwork from both Hawaii and around the world. The Earth Heritage Gallery features information about the climate zones and habitats of Hawaii.
The Mission House was originally built for missionaries Sarah and David Lyman in 1839. The Mission House has been restored and is on both the State and National Registers of Historic Place. The office and barter room has recently been restored and will open to the public in July 2010. The museum hosts traveling exhibitions that can also be seen which change on a frequent basis. The museum is open Monday through Saturday from 10:00 A.M. to 4:30 P.M. Tours of the Mission House take place at 11:00 A.M. and 2:00 P.M. Cost is $10 for adults, $8 for seniors and $3 for children. Special family passes are available for $21 and university students with ID can gain entry for $5.00.
One of the nicest and easily accessible beaches for good snorkeling is Kahalu’u Beach Park just to the south of the town of Kailua-Kona on Alii Drive to the north of the Outrigger Keahou Beach Resort. The beach is
Kahalu'u Beach Park
sheltered by a Menehune Breakwater further out which makes the beach generally on the quiet side and good for swimming. Sea turtles like to bask in the warm suns here on the rocky side of the bay. If you see them, please just look and do not touch them as it is illegal. The area is fed by cold spring waters which can make the water somewhat cloudy near shore but further out, the water becomes clearer and the fish more abundant. Watch out for rip tides in this area during rough seas when the sea is coming in over the breakwater. There are vendors renting snorkeling gear and refreshments as well as changing facilities.
If you are visiting the Volcanoes National Park area of Hawaii, be sure to stop by the unique Volcano Winery located just 3 miles west of the park at mile marker 30 on Highway 11. Open daily from 10:00 A.M. to 5: 30 P.M., the winery features exotic Hawaiian wines made from grapes, tropical fruits and honey. From dry whites to sweet blushes to special Macadamia Nut Honey dessert wine, the winery has great, award winning wines that are sure to please every palate. Wines can be sampled in the tasting room as well as shipped back home for later enjoyment. A gift shop with wine accessories and Hawaiian gifts is also on site. 
If you are visiting the Kona side of the Big Island, a frequent jumping off point for exploring the western part of the Big Island is the town of Kailua-Kona. If you are looking for high quality snorkeling and a little taste of history, head south down Highway 190 to the town of Captain Cook. Take Napo’opo’o Road down to the beach where you will find a beautiful and sheltered bay known as . It was here at Kealakekua Bay, that Captain Cook was killed by the natives in 1779 in a dispute over the theft of a rowboat the natives had stolen from Cook’s ship, the HMS Resolution. A white obelisk monument stands in his honor on the north side of the bay. The snorkeling in these waters are some of the best in the islands. You can also rent canoes from the shore and easily explore this beautiful bay or take a swim in the peaceful and usually calm ocean waters.
- Captain
Cook Monument
