LLucas Loc: Upstate South Carolina, USA

My mother invited me to vacation with her this year to Hawaii!! I can't believe it. I'm so excited. It's a once-in-a -lifetime trip for me.
I bet that (like in Alaska) one cannot take a bad picture in Hawaii. But I still wonder if there are any "hidden treasures" that I should seek out? We'll be on the big island most of the time. I hear the botanical garden is awesome and of course, I'd like to photograph WILD locations as well.
Anyone know of any places tucked away, that I might otherwise miss without a local helping me? I do plan to rent a vehicle to get around.
Thanks, everyone! Looking forward to your suggestions.

Hames Loc: Shakopee, Minnesota

Big Island, go to Black Sand Beach and see the lavas

tlbuljac Loc: Oklahoma

Black Sand Beach is a must

etcraig Loc: Chandler, Az

What Island? If its the big island make sure you go to Akaka falls. Go early and avoid the tour buses. Volcano National park has a ton of trails. If you are up to an easy hike check out Kipukapaulu trail, Its a loop trail on the way up to Mona Loa, just outside of volcano nat. park. the guides can advise you

jjadeco25 Loc: Alma, AR

If you're going to be on the big island, definitely go to the International Marketplace. It's under this great big banyan tree. There is also a wonderful hotel that does a high tea, that was a phenomenal experience.
One of our best moments was on Haleakala, you could actually see the other islands from the top. Enjoy the trip. I look forward to going back one day.

Rainbow Falls


Sunset on the Pacific from Kuai


View from Haleakala, above the clouds and you can see the other islands


Haleakala, there is an observatory that you can go to and watch the sunrise


Haleakala

Botann Loc: SE of Seattle

jjadeco25, you're on Maui, not the Big Island of Hawaii.
Mike

Osomatta

First, the International Marketplace is in Honolulu (Waikiki). There is an International Market in Kona (Big Isand of Hawai'i), but I don't think that's the one you're referring to (with the Banyan tree). Second, the Surfrider Moana Hotel was famous for their High Tea...but that's in Waikiki too... Third, as pointed out already by someone else, Haleakala is on Maui.

All fun and interesting places...but not on the "Big Island."

I suggest (in no particular order):

Mo'okini Luakini Heiau (at Upolu Point, far northeast part of island) and neighboring Kamehameha Birthsite ("Kokoiki")

Drive over the Kohala Mountain Rd. Beautiful. You can combine the Mo'okini Heiau and Waimea town visits by taking this scenic drive that connects the two. This would be a full day if you're staying in Kona. You can drive north and see Pu'uokohola Heiau in Kawaihae, then Lapakahi St. Park, then to Upolu and see Mo'okini Luakini and Kamehameha Birthsite. Have lunch in Hawi town. Then drive over Kohala Mtn Rd and shop around Wamiea and have a nice dinner in town there--new, trendier restaurants nowadays. Or you could drive back to Kona where there are more facilities and amenities if you're so inclined.

Pu'uhonua o Honaunau ("City of Refuge") a National Historic Park near Kona.

Pu'uokohola Heiau National Park--another "Luakini" Heiau (a class of temple used for Human Sacrifice)

Volcanos National Park. WhatI consider one of four or 5 "must see" national parks in the USA. It'd be good if you can afford to spend at least a coupla days exploring and checking out all the various sites in the park.)

Rainbow Falls and Akaka Falls--both near Hilo (town) are pretty--if there's water. Be careful at those sites since they are famous for cars being broken into and everything stolen from them while you're sightseeing.

Actually, this warning holds true for virtually all "tourist" spots in the state. Take your valuables with you when you leave your car, especially your precious camera(s)

Lapakahi State Historical Park...interesting archaeological site.

Kaimu (Black Sand) Beach--often mistakenly called Kalapana. Kalapana is in the area though, the fresh lava flows from Kilauea have reclaimed some of the area.

The Ka'u Desert Trail (which I believe is technically part of the Volcanoes Nat'l Park) also has the Petrified Forest...you used to be able to access via road from Hilo as you head to Kaimu Beach/Kalapana. Not sure about now.

South Point--the SouthernMOST point in the USA. Don't go in the water--very dangerous...but interesting views and photo ops.

Waimea/Kamuela town--a western cowboy town in Hawai'i...HQ for the Parker Ranch, at one time the largest privately owned cattle ranch in the US.

Addendum: I don't know why it's posted a smiley wink instead of "close parentheses" in some places in this post...sorry...

JoAnneK01 Loc: Lahaina, Hawaii

There are so many excellent places to visit on the Big Island. Akaka Falls, the Botanical Gardens, Black Sand Beach, Volcano National Park, lava tubes and so on. If you can afford it you might try to take a Helicopter ride out to see the lava flows going out to the ocean along with the many aerial shots. I personally like the old town of Hilo, its architecture and people.

rpavich Loc: West Virginia

because ") is the HTML code for "wink smiley"

If you want to do a close paren+close quote...then just put a space between

" ) and it will not do that.

Mmatu

:lol: I have been to the Big Island twice,( I would go back in heart beat ) there is so much to see and do. A trip to Mauna Kea (the world tallest mountain) 13,796. Yes, when we went there was snow on the Mountain. There are Helicopters rides,Hawaii Volcanos National Park.Sea adventures. What ever you want to see and do it is there.. Think about what lens you are going to take.. If possible ship things a head to you mother in law to prevent over charges..they do have Post Offices so you ca ship things back home..

Osomatta

Thanx for the info...I figgered it was something like that, was just too lazy to research it at this hour (it's 0215 lcl) .

The Big Island is my personal favorite of the islands that comprise my home state. I have hunted, fished, hiked and camped a lot (if not extensively) there. There's many more things to see and do than I listed, but those mentioned are a good starting point.

BTW, unless one is a purist (and rich enough to be able to afford prime glass in each area), a wide angle-short tele zoom and a short to moderate focal length zoom would cover one well on a trip like this...(presuming one is taking a DSLR, of course). So, something on the order of 18-85 or even 55-105mm and a 80-200 or 70-300mm would be fine and would cover just about any situation. Most of the modern zooms paired with contemporary DSLRs will take perfectly adequate quality images--unless like I said, you are an extreme purist or impossibly critical. That said, even a decent P&S camera would serve well for "vacation shots." (Besides the DSLR, I always carry an Olympus TG-610 with me. The current "ruggedized" P&S cameras are tailor made for vacation photography, IMO. In Hawai'i, waterproof is a GREAT feature to have...)

sorry to be so long winded...

jjadeco25 Loc: Alma, AR

I stand corrected Botann, we were on all the islands and trying to remember which one was which is not an easy task when there were so many beautiful sites on each island.
When you go to the botanical garden, there is a great big tree with huge leaves that you can scratch your name and date onto. As for Volcano National Park, if you have any kind of respiratory problems it is not a good idea. I have asthma and was able to only get partway through the walk before I had to get attention because of the sulfur fumes.
On the road to Hilo, I hope that I am getting this one right, there is a little off the road stop that you must go to. It is Twin Falls, it's quite a hike, and you may feel like giving up because you think that you are on a wild goose chase, but it is worth the hike. Make sure you have a bathing suit as you can see from the pictures the treasure at the end of the hike.

On the way to Twin Falls, crazy terrain


Fun hike to Twin Falls


Found the falls


Memory Leaf

LLucas Loc: Upstate South Carolina, USA

Thanks for all the suggestions, everyone. I should have been more clear; we are staying on Waikiki beach in Honolulu.
Mom's got a bum hip so hiking with her is unlikely. But jjadeco25, the photos you posted look so fun, I may have to leave her at the Bingo tables and set out on my own...!
Osomatta, are all the cool places you listed on the big island? And that's NOT Honolulu, correct? Forgive me, I must study my geography more before I leave!

macc Loc: Ventura, Ca.

Osamatta has pretty much nailed it. I was born and raised in Hawaii also, and spent a lot of time on the Big Island--Lots of historical features in and around Kona, and south--Kealakekua Bay (Captain Cook's final place), Napoopo Heiau, Green Sand Beach at South Point (Mind the warnings--Don't go in the water there--dangerous undertows)..Naalehu, Mark Twain tree--Up to Hilo, the Harbor and little town have wonderful shooting opportunities. Get local brochures, for local viewing spots in and around Hilo, and as you drive up through the Kohala area Rainbow Falls, Akaka falls, Go up to the Volcano Visitor Center, or check local info to see what the Volcano is doing, and if there is a convenient place to see the lava, and or eruption--Go up to the various Orchid farms , on the way to Hanapepe (great ice Cream place, as well as lunch place)--Up to Waipio Valley overlook--Amazing photo potentials here also--On to Waimea Town, Parker Ranch area, then drive the upper road to the Hawi area, (Mentioned earlier), then back down to Kamehameha's Birthplace as mentioned (Things are getting dry and brown, and the ocean contrast with the lava and views of Maui are great), past the Mauna Kea beach Hotel--(Stop in and relax, have a beer)--Honopu Beach for a swim (Again--watch the waves)-- then back to Kona--See if you can drive up to Mauna Kea, to see the Keck Observatory and the others--Not sure if they are allowing tours, but the views, if not cloudy are spectacular. As our previous posters have mentioned, there are so many places, and so much to see and do and photograph, you will wonder where the day went! Places we always stop at, in Captain Cook are Manago's , for food, as well as the Rainbow Inn (Old movie theater), for fresh smoothies and fruit.. Get a map, plan your route, and don't forget to ask locals about their area, as you often be shown many gems not on the maps. I would personally, if time and money permit, stay in Kona, then Hilo, then Hawi , or Waimea, and give yourself time to poke around a little more. Buy a little foam cooler, throw in some ice, fruit, sandwiches, lots of water, and you are on your way. Fill us in when you return!! (P.S.--Not to spoil things, but do be very careful with your valuables, and be inconspicuous with your camera gear--Same advice as given to ALL tourist areas around the world) Sorry for the length, but .....

LLucas Loc: Upstate South Carolina, USA

Do not apologize! Great info- just what I was looking for. Thanks!!