Big Island Guide
"Out of all the places you’ve traveled to, is there anywhere you might imagine yourself settling?"
The Big Island. Hawaii has always felt the most like "home" to me. I spent a few months on the Big Island in 2021, fell in love with the lifestyle and have wanted to return ever since.
Here are some travel tips and tricks for those who are interested in visiting the beautiful destination. a ʻike iā ʻoe ma laila
Getting Around
If you want to explore the island at your own leisure, renting a car is the ideal option. The city buses, on the other hand, run on time, and hitchhiking is not unusual. I divided the island into tourable regions: Hilo, Hamakau Coast, Kohala, Kona, Kau, and Puna, and I noticed that doing so allowed me to explore more of the island while still allowing me to focus on work during the week.
Hilo
Hilo is a charming town located on the Big Island's east side, surrounded by jungle, waterfalls, and magical banyan trees, and has some of the best beaches, restaurants, and shops on the island.
Visit Hilo Falls and the Kaumana Caves (bring a flashlight and strong shoes because you'll be trekking through a large lava-tube cave)
The majority of Hilo's beaches are located on the southeast side of the island. My favorite beaches are Onekahakaha and Carlsmith, but because they're all on the same "strip," you can easily beach-hop and visit several on the same day.
Mauna Kea
Stargazing. Mauna Kea, the world's second-tallest volcano on the island, is a prominent landmark for stargazing. Bring thick blankets, dress warmly, and carpool with a few of friends up to the volcano to stare at the stars and set your intentions and goals for the year.
Kohala
Continue north from Mauna Kea to the stunning Pololu Valley for some of the best sunrise views on the Big Island. I got up at 4 a.m. one morning to watch the sunrise with friends, and my photos from the lookout that morning were some of my favorites from my trip. After sunrise, we stopped in Hawi for coffee and bagels at Kohala Coffee Mill before heading west.
Kona
The Big Island's west coast is blessed with most beautiful beaches and my personal favorite is Kua Bay (Maniniowali Beach) because of its white sand and crystal blue waters.
Another popular beach is White Sands Beach Park - Magic Sands due to its great location. The Manta Ray Night Snorkel is a must-do Kona excursion and one of the top experiences in the world; the performance put on by these magnificent animals will not disappoint.
Kau
Kau, the largest and southernmost district of the Big Island, has some of the most beautiful and wild landscapes on the island and is home to some of the most popular attractions, including Volcano National Park, Panalu'u Black Sand Beach, and Papakolea Green Sand Beach. Go visit them all!
Puna
Puna, south of Hilo and north of Kau, is probably my favorite region, with lush rainforests to travel through and hot springs to soak in. Breakfast at Uncle Roberts Farmers' Market, and follow by visiting the Pohoiki hot springs down the road to relax and detoxify.
Final thoughts
I had the opportunity to do a 6-month contract on a ship operating in Hawaii back in 2018 and docked in different ports on the islands for five months, allowing me to visit Hilo and Kona every Tuesday and Wednesday. The Big Island called me back three years later, and this time I saw it with new eyes at a different stage in my life. Have fun and aloha!
Author: Leslie Lung 