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The Journal archive
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Land Adventures · Hilo, Hawaii
Step off the ship and into a landscape of waterfalls, botanical gardens, and active volcanoes. Hilo Cruise Port is the practical gateway to the Big Island’s most dramatic contrasts—rainforest spray and fresh lava—ideal for short, well-paced shore excursions.
Read the story →Water Activities · Hilo, Hawaii
A compact shoreline where black sand, tidepools, and green sea turtles reveal the volcanic and cultural story of Hilo. Learn how to visit responsibly, where to combine Richardson with volcano and waterfall tours, and what to pack for a safe, memorable stop.
Read the story →Water Activities · Hilo, HI
Tucked into the Hamakua Coast’s rainforest, Kulaniapia Falls is a private, plunge-pool waterfall best accessed with a knowledgeable guide—ideal for swimmers, photographers and anyone craving a quieter waterfall experience on the Big Island.
Read the story →Wildlife Nature · Hilo, Hawaii
A compact natural spectacle upstream of Rainbow Falls, the Boiling Pots offer an immediate and tactile encounter with Hilo’s volcanic landscape. Walk a short trail, listen to the river’s churn, and learn why this spot is both geologic classroom and local touchstone.
Read the story →Land Adventures · Hilo, Hawaii
A quick-access waterfall tucked into Hilo’s rainforest, Rainbow Falls (Waiānuenue) delivers dramatic mist, frequent rainbows, and easy trails that tie geology and Hawaiian culture into a single unforgettable stop.
Read the story →Water Activities · Hilo, Hawaii
Onomea Bay is where Hilo’s rainforest spills into the Pacific — a compact, dramatic coastline of waterfalls, cliffs, and tidepools that’s ideal for short hikes, storytelling cruises, and private waterfall tours.
Read the story →Water Activities · Hilo, Hawaii
Short paddles, banyan shade, and a slice of Old Hawai‘i—Coconut Island (Mokuola) is a compact, accessible escape in Hilo Bay. Learn the best ways to paddle, what to pack, and how the island’s cultural history elevates a simple day on the water.
Read the story →Wildlife Nature · Hilo, Hawaii
A coastal valley of orchids, palms and ferns where the rainforest meets the sea — Hawaii Tropical Botanical Garden is a compact immersion into the Hamakua Coast’s plant life, best paired with nearby waterfalls and a Hilo market stop.
Read the story →Land Adventures · Hilo, Hawaii
A short, paved loop through ancient rainforest puts you face-to-face with Akaka Falls’ 442-foot drop. This guide explains what to expect on the trail, how to time rainbows, and which guided tours amplify the experience.
Read the story →Land Adventures · Hilo, Hawaii
A shaded, seaside mile that feels like Hilo’s living room — Banyan Drive offers a calm introduction to the Big Island’s culture, gardens, and volcano-formed landscapes, and makes a perfect starting point for waterfall and volcano tours.
Read the story →Land Adventures · Hilo, Hawaii
Kaumana Caves are a hike into Hawaii’s geological memory—skylit lava tubes just outside Hilo that invite short explorations and longer questions about volcanic power, ecology, and local stewardship. Learn how to see them safely, what to expect underground, and how to pair a cave visit with waterfalls and volcano panoramas.
Read the story →Wildlife Nature · Hilo, Hawaii
Minutes from downtown Hilo, Wailuku River State Park delivers two distinct spectacles: Rainbow Falls and the roiling Boiling Pots. Come for the morning rainbows, stay for the geology, and leave with a deeper respect for the island’s most powerful river.
Read the story →Land Adventures · Hilo, Hawaii
A compact shore excursion that stitches Hilo’s rainforests and waterfalls to the raw edges of Kīlauea—perfect for travelers with a day to spare who want a visceral introduction to the Big Island’s water and fire.
Read the story →Land Adventures · Hilo, Hawaii
Spend a half-day from Hilo exploring Kīlauea’s steam vents, lava tubes, crater rims, and dramatic coastal views. This guided tour compresses the island’s geological story into an accessible, six-hour adventure.
Read the story →Land Adventures · Hilo, Hawaii
In six hours this guided circuit from Hilo traces Hawaii’s two elemental faces: water and fire. Walk black sand, stand beside a waterfall, then watch where recent lava reshaped the island at Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park.
Read the story →
