MainTour Hawaii Island

Est. 1916 to protect 229,177 acres on Hawaii Island. Park contains two of the most active volcanoes in the world - Kilauea and Mauna Loa. No map can keep up with the awesome power of these two as they create and destroy. Prized beachfront properties and even whole villages have been buried. Today there are no towns along the southeastern coast.

Kilauea Volcanic crater on the SE slope of Mauna Loa. It is c.8 miles in circumference and 3,646 ft deep, with a lake of molten lava c.740 ft below its rim. This fire pit is called Halemaumau.

Mauna Loa with the active Moduaweoweo Crater.

The Volcano Update Line (967-7977) gives info on the latest eruption activity. There are two campgrounds in the park.

• Park Headquarters located on the edge of Kilauea caldera.

• Thomas A. Jaggar Museum located on the edge of Kilauea caldera, includes volcanology exhibits and seismic machines.

• Volcano Art Center features products of local craftsmen.

• Halemaumau Trail - 7 mile hiking trail across jagged lava landscape.

• Kiauea Iki Trail - 5 mile hiking trail across jagged lava landscape.

• Crater Rim Drive - 11 mile scenic tour drive.

• Devastation Trail - boardwalk laid across scene of 1959 eruption where scientist are monitoring how it takes for vegetation to reestablish itself.

• Chain of Craters Road - Scenic drive, length varies as the road is covered with lava from time to time.

Seven acre preserve with bengal tigers, spider monkeys, pygmy hippos, and giant anteaters. See creatures and birds of the rainforest in their natural habitat.

The Mauna Kea Observatory is located atop th 13,796 summit of Hawaii's biggest volcano and is one of the best astronomy research facilities in the world. Accessable only by four-wheel drive vehicle.

• Kamuela Museum 808-885-4724
  PO Box 507, Kamuela, HW 96743
  Open daily 8AM-5PM.
  Small museum with a variety of exhibits.

• Kona Historical Society 808-323-3222
  PO Box 398, Captain Cook, HW 96704
  Mon-Fri, 9AM-3PM
  Museum and history center with tours of Kailua-Kona and Kona Coffee Farm.

• Akatsuka Orchid Gardens 808-967-8234
  PO Box 220, Volcano, HW 96785
  Open daily 8:30AM-5PM, except major holidays.
  Six-acre garden sitting on north side of Volcano Village features many varieties of orchids.

• Amy B.H. Greenwell Ethnobotanical Garden 808-323-3318
  82-6188 Mamalahoa Hwy, Captain Cook, HW 96704
  Mon-Fri, 7AM-3:30PM.
  Garden features over 250 varities of crops that the early Hawaiians used for food. Also includes archaeological site. Owned by Bishop Museum.

• Hawaii Tropical Botanical Garden 808-964-5233
  Rural Route 143A, Papaikou, HW 96781
  Open daily 8:30AM - 4:30PM.
  Located 7 miles north of Hilo, 45 acre preserve on Onomea Bay. Tropical rain forest includes palms, bromeliads, heliconia and fruit trees from around the world.

• Ahu'ena Heiau 808-329-2911
  75-5660 Palani Road, Kailua-Kona, HW 96740
  Free Tour - 1:30PM Mon-Fri of former mansion home of King Kamehameha I, part of the King Kamehameha Kona Beach Hotel. Four structures made of native materials.

• Eva Parker Woods Cottage 808-885-6622
  One Mauna Lani Dr, Kohala Coast, HW 96743
  Call for hours. Cottage museum located at the Mauna Lani Bay Hotel and Bungalows. Includes free tours, shelter caves, petroglyphs, natural fish ponds.

• Farmers Market 808-967-7121
  PO BOX 600, Volcano, HW 96785
  8:30AM-11AM - every Sunday.
  Local-style market features fresh produce, herbs, flowers, bakery goods, clothing and more. Free admission.

• Hulihee Palace 808-329-1877
  75-5718 Alii Drive, Kailua-Kona, HW 96740
  9AM-4PM Mon-Fri; 10AM-3PM weekends.
  Built in 1838 for Governor John Adams Kuakini, used as a vacation retreat by Hawaiian royalty.

• Koloko-Honokohau National Historical Park 808-329-6881
  73-4786 Kanalani Street, Bldg 14, Kailua-Kona, HW 96740
  Open daily 8AM-3:30PM
  Free Admission. Early settlement inhabited upto the 19th century. 1,300 acre archeaological park with fishing shrines, canoe landings, petroglyphs, heiau and achialine ponds.

• Lapakahi State Historical Park 808-889-5566
  Hwy 270, South Kohala, HW 96743
  Open daily 8AM-4PM, except holidays.
  Ancient Hawaiian fishing village with houses, heiau, and fishing shrines. Free admission.

• Lyman Mission House and Museum 808-935-5021
  276 Haili Street, Hilo, HW 96720
  Mon-Sat 9AM-5PM, Sun 1-4PM.
  Residence built 1839 for the first Christian missionaries to arrive in Hilo with adjacent museum that features rare Hawaiian artifacts.

• Puuhonua O Honaunau National Historical Park 808-328-2326
  PO Box 129, Honaunau, HW 96726
  Open daily 7:30AM-5:30PM
  Tour Hale O Keawe Heiau, historical edifices built 1650.
  Annual cultural festival held on weekend closest to July 1.

• Puukohola Heiau National Historic Site 808-882-7218
  PO Box 44340, Kawaihae, HW 96743
  Open daily 7:30AM-4PM.
  Two major heiau and visitors center dating back to 1550.

MainTour Hilo Hotel Directory

Complete info on room rates, hotel amenities, and online reservation booking for each of the following: