Honaunau National Park

Heavenly Hawaii

Why did we wait so long to return to the islands of Hawaii?? Rick & I experienced Hawaii for our honeymoon, and visited twice with our daughters. The lush, green vegetation of the mountains rolling into the deep, blue sea never gets old. Now, 42 years after our first visit, we share some of our new and old secrets with you of these special islands.

OAHU

Diamond Head Summit Trail – British sailors saw crystals when they viewed this crater so they named it Diamond Head. 99 steps and switchbacks take you to the peak with panoramic views of the ocean and the island. Starting on a paved walkway, the path becomes uneven and steep with no shade.
Open 6 am – 4 pm, $5 fee per hiker
1.6 miles RT, Makapu’u Avenue @ 18th Avenue

Manoa Falls Trail – Tucked in the lush Manoa Valley just a quick drive from downtown, this trail can be muddy but you view a 150 foot waterfall. And you get to hike through a jungle.
2 miles RT, $5 fee per hiker
CLOSED for repairs as of 4/20/2021

Lanikai Pillbox Trail – Hiking the Kaiwa Ridge to two observations stations shaped like pillboxes built during World War II, this Pacific Ocean view is rocky and dusty. And there is no shade. But the views over the sea are worth it.
1.8 miles RT, off Kaelepulu Drive, Kailua

 

 

Lulumahue Falls Trail – Landing in Honolulu at 1 pm, we took a drive up Highway 61 to a parking area. Crawling through a snipped hole in the chain link fence, we proceeded to stroll through a bamboo forest, wade the creek, and clamber up boulders to follow the roots & rocks trail over muddy red clay. But the falls were tall and the pool was a cool respite.
1.8 miles RT, 4459 Pali Hwy, Honolulu

 

 

 

Makapu’u Point Lighthouse Trail – This hike is a paved path up to the red Makapu’u Lighthouse. The incline with no shade was worth it for the turquoise water and coastline views, as wells as the “queen’s bath” of green that you can descend down to.
2 miles RT, Hwy 72 at Makapu’u Lighthouse Road

 

 

Lanikai Beach – The beautiful green water, soft white sand, and gentle waves created a panacea of contentment.
Kailua

Kailua Beach – Just down the road from Lanikai, this beach boasts a great two mile stretch of sand to stroll and get some exercise. And the water was just as perfect as Lanikai.
Kailua

 

Ted’s Bakery – Taking the longer road trip around the island, we braked for a delicious slice of chocolate haupia cream pie. Yum!
59-024 Kamehameha Hwy, Haleiwa, North Shore

Uahi Island Grill – We had our favorite meal in downtown Kailua – pesto ono with fettuccine and grilled ono red curry with brown rice. We would go back tomorrow.
33 Auliki St, Kailua

 

 

Waimea Valley Falls – When Rick & I first drove around Oahu in 1979, we found this valley and parked in a field to swim in the falls. When we returned with our own daughters in 1991, it had become a park with an admission gate. It still is fun to visit.
Open 9 am – 4 pm Tuesday through Sunday, $20/person, $16/Senior
Waimea Valley Road, Haleiwa, North Shore

Hanauma Bay – Rick & I also snorkeled here in 1979 when the way down was just a dirt path. And our daughters snorkeled here too while feeding the hundreds of colorful fish. It is now a State Park but one of the best places in the world to see the myriad numbers of different fish. It will always rank as one of our top places in the world.
Open 6:45 am – 4 pm Wednesday through Sunday, $12/person
Buy tickets online ahead of time at hanaumabaystatepark.com

HAWAII

Umekes Fishmarket Bar and Grill – After the warm beach, we craved a beer and a mai tai. We hit Umekes at Happy Hour, 2 – 6 pm, and devoured an ono fish taco and an ahi caesar salad. It fit the bill.
74-5599 Pawai Place, Kailua-Kona, Hawaii

 

Hale Ho’ola – There are several areas to stay on the big island, and after discovering the best snorkel locations were around Captain Cook, we chose this southern region. Hale Ho’ola is a delightful three room B&B overlooking the Pacific. We wrote on our lanai each day, and Carl & Elma were gracious hosts, enchanting us with a huge breakfast each morning of eggs, bacon, and local fruits. We thoroughly savoured the interactions of the other guests – one of our loves of roaming is to talk to people.
85-4577 Mamalahoa Hwy, Captain Cook
hale-hoola.com, 808 328 9117, tlc@hale-hoola.com

Honaunau or Two Step Beach – There is a beautiful national park here on the left as you drive in with Hawaiian burial grounds. But the snorkel beach is on the right. There isn’t an actual beach, but lava rocks. However, there are two steps to the left of the lava where you can carefully step into the clear green water. Wearing shoes is a must to avoid any sea urchins, but the snorkeling in the coral is top notch. And you might even see spinner dolphins and turtles.
Hwy 160 off Hwy 11, Captain Cook

Kahalu’u Beach – this sandy beach is littered with coral and became one of our top snorkel locations in the world ! We encountered Orangespine Unicornfish, Yellowtail Coris, Bullethead Parrotfish, Butterflyfish, Yellow Tang, and Reef Triggerfish. And not just a few, but dozens of each. We were kids in a candy store. Hands down amazing!
Hwy 160 up to Mamalahoa Bypass Road to Alii Hwy – very scenic drive

 

Killer Tacos – Craving a fish taco after snorkeling, this busy restaurant offers wraps made of spinach, tomato basil, and tarot. We devoured the large portions of burritos and tacos filled with a grilled white fish named ono.
74-5483 Kaiwi St, Kailua-Kona

Kona Gold Trading Company – Delicious coffee and tasty rum cake aromas permeated this roadside stop. We enjoyed them both.
81-6592 Mamalahoa Hwy, Kealakekua
konagoldhawaii.com

Papakolea Green Sand Beach – We followed the “beach parking” sign to find battered trucks offering rides over the 3 mile dirt path to this visual wonder.Bouncing on 2’ X 6’ wooden planks in the back of David’s truck, the five of us were SO glad we did not hike this hot and dusty walk. The brilliant blue green cove was dipped in a sand of a golden green hue, one of two green sand beaches in the world.
Hwy 11, 10 miles down South Point Road

 

Hawaii’s Local Buzz – Lured by road placards, Rick and I made a stop to buy a coffee and sample the chocolate caramel macadamia and chocolate coffee bean macadamia. Then we drove away with bags of coffee and chocolate for the family.
Hwy 11, 2 miles down South Point Road

Punalu’u Bakery – Encouraged to make a stop at this well known bakery, we found an island treasure. Waterfalls and outdoor seating surrounded this sugar pungent bakery. They offered sandwiches, but we opted for the stocked counter of a dozen styles of “malasadas”, Hawaii’s rendition of a round doughnut confection sprinkled with sugar. The apple malasada was exquisite.
Hwy 11, Naalehu

 

Rainbow Falls – No hiking is needed to view this large waterfall plunging over a lava cave. You can actually see a rainbow on a sunny day.
downtown Hilo off Waianuenue Avenue

 

Akaka Falls State Park – A half mile footpath meanders down past the Kahuna Falls and through tropical vegetation to the roaring Akaka Falls which drop 442 feet. Parking is $5.
Hwy 220 off Hwy 19, 875 Akaka Falls Rd, Honomu

Pepeeko Maikai Scenic Route – Four miles of lush tropical overhand and bays of ocean green water make this narrow, winding drive a must see between Rainbow Falls and Akaka Falls. And listen to 99.1 Hawaiian music as you soak up the allure.
Follow signs for Onomea Bay Trail off Hwy 19 just north of Hilo

Heavenly Hawaiian Kona Coffee Farm – There are over 900 coffee farms on the islands of Hawaii! And this is one to visit. Up the hill with sweeping views over the ocean, we enjoyed our tour of the bean process, and then sat under their umbrellas at outdoor tables to sip coffee and taste their chocolate confections. We could have stayed all day. Sigh.
78-1136 Bishop Rd, Holualoa, heavenlyhawaiian.com

 

Mahai’ula Beach – We read and sunbathed on this shady, white sand beach and then floated in the clear green waters with gentle lapping water. Perfection.
North of the Kona Airport, Kailua-Kona

Costco – I would be remiss if I did not note this. From the cheapest gas on the island to their wine selection, we enjoyed shopping through the store to find bargains and specials. Like a beach sling. Who knew?
73-5600 Maiau St, Kailua-Kona