The plan was to spend 4 days in Airbnb stays in Hilo and another 4 days in Kailua. Hilo turned out to be the perfect base for visiting the volcanoes. At the same time, Hilo itself and the surrounding area offered far more than expected.
Activities
ʻAkaka Falls
ʻAkaka Falls rises 135 metres high. To see this natural spectacle, an entrance fee of 5 dollars per car is charged.
Scenic Route near Hilo
This road was discovered more or less by accident, driven by curiosity rather than planning. Along the route, there is also a path leading to the botanical garden. It is covered in warning signs and almost seems designed to discourage anyone from walking down, but it is worth it.
Watching Lava at Kīlauea
At the Kīlauea Visitor Center, lava can be observed flowing inside the volcano from a safe distance.
Cape Kumukahi
Cape Kumukahi is the easternmost point of all the Hawaiian Islands. It also remains tied to the memory of the moment when the drone stopped working afterwards, making those shots the last ones it ever captured.
Hidden Makalawena Beach
A little north of Kona lies Makalawena Beach. It is a true hidden gem among Hawaii’s beaches and is often known mainly to locals. At the time, the entire beach was shared with only around 12 other people, which made the experience feel even more special.
Getting there is anything but easy. First comes an unpaved and very bumpy road, ideally driven with a jeep, leading to the first visible parking area just before the sea. From there, a footpath branches off to the right. After about 5 minutes, the first beach comes into view and is left behind. The route then continues past the building on the left and along the shoreline over uneven ground and rocks. Near the end of the bay, a slight rise in the lava rock should be visible on the right. After climbing it, another small path appears. From there, the route continues straight ahead to a sand dune, which also has to be crossed. Beyond it lies the beach, divided into two coves. The entire walk takes around 25 to 30 minutes.
2 Step
2 Step gets its name from two rocks forming a natural staircase into the sea, something that is not immediately visible at first glance. On one hand, it offers a beautiful reef with many colourful fish. On the other, around 15 spinner dolphins were spotted there in the wild. To see them, it is necessary to move a little to the right of the reef and swim further out into the open sea. It is worth looking not only underwater, but also above the surface, where the dolphins may perform jumps that make them easier to spot.
Enjoying the Sunset at the Old Airport
One of the most beautiful sunsets in Hawaii was seen at the old airport in Kona.
Food & Drinks
Kona Brewing Co.
Who does not know the Paul Kuhn song claiming there is no beer in Hawaii. The experience on the island proved otherwise. Kona Brewing Co. definitely serves beer in Hawaii. The brewers are highly experimental, something that became clear during a beer tasting. On top of that, the brewery also serves excellent burgers, making it well worth a stop.
