Hawaiʻi Island (Hilo & Volcanoes)

Centered on Hilo, the eastern side of Hawaiʻi Island offers active volcano lava, rainforest waterfalls, sea turtles on black sand beaches and stargazing from the summit of Mauna Kea.

Hawaiʻi Island is the largest and youngest island in the Hawaiian chain. This destination is centered on Hilo on the east coast and covers Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park, Mauna Kea and the Hāmākua Coast. Hilo sits on the windward side, with high annual rainfall and plenty of rainforest and waterfalls, and the town preserves old neighborhoods and Japanese gardens left by Japanese immigrants. About 45 km to the south is Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park (a UNESCO World Heritage Site), home to Kīlauea; to the west, the summit of Mauna Kea rises to 4,207 m and hosts world-class observatories.

Season: Warm year-round, with temperatures of about 22–28°C (72–82°F). Showers are common on the east coast. Winter (Nov–Mar) is wetter, so waterfalls are more impressive; it is also the season when Mauna Kea occasionally gets snow and when whales can be seen. Summer is relatively dry. The volcano area sits at about 1,200 m, so bring a jacket for cool mornings and evenings.

Things to do: ① Volcanoes National Park—Kīlauea caldera, the lava tube, the Kīlauea Iki Trail and Chain of Craters Road. Allow 1–2 days, and consider staying overnight in Volcano Village to see the red glow of lava at night. ② Hilo and the north route—Rainbow Falls, Akaka Falls, a tropical botanical garden and Waipiʻo Valley. ③ Sunset and stargazing on Mauna Kea. ④ Sea turtles at Punaluʻu Black Sand Beach on the south route. ⑤ The lava trees in Puna and the Kalapana lava fields.

Getting there: The flight from Honolulu to Hilo Airport takes about 50 minutes. The beach resorts on the Kona side of the west coast are about 2–2.5 hours' drive from Hilo, so you will generally need to stay there separately. Public transit on the island is limited, so a rental car is needed. We suggest staying 3–4 days. Volcanic activity is updated daily, so check the USGS and National Park Service websites before you set out.

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