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Total Number of Articles - 54

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Kohala Coast Getaway, Part 4: Mauna Kea

Kim Steutermann Rogers
Destination: Hawaii Island
Article Source: Blog Post
We met Hawaii Forest and Trail at the King’s Shops in Waikoloa for a journey to the top of Mauna Kea and some stargazing. According to Jon, our guide, the night’s plan would have us traverse Waikoloa Road—with a stop at Waikoloa Village to pick up dinner and, “most importantly, cookies”—and continue to Highway 190. We’d take a left, passing through a one-time native forest and now pasturelands, and then a right on Hawaii (Big) Island’s infamous Saddle Road. We’d climb half way up the mountain, stop, eat, acclimatize, don jackets—really warm jackets—and head for the summit, where the temperature was predicted to be “about freezing,” a full 50 degrees colder than when we’d started out at sea level. Read More
Kohala Coast Getaway, Part 2: King's Trail

Kim Steutermann Rogers
Destination: Hawaii Island
Article Source: Blog Post
The King’s Trail, also called the Mamalahoa Trail, once ran for 32 coastal miles from the village of Kailua-Kona in the south to the village of Puako in the north. The sign along Waikoloa Beach Road says it was originally built in the mid 1800s by prisoners and Hawaiians who paid their taxes in labor. It was used as a highway, of sorts, for pack animals. As such, it was stretched taut, in a straight line, with curbs of stone built up along the sides in order to keep the horses, donkeys and mules on the right path, just in case their riders nodded off to sleep during their long ride. I would imagine many of these riders set out at night to avoid the heat of the day, because there is absolutely no shade on the trail. Read More
A River of Lava on Big Island

Kim Steutermann Rogers
Destination: Hawaii Island
Article Source: Blog Post
In doing some research on ghost stories and Pele in Hawaii (they go hand in hand, many say), I ran across this October 28, 2010 video of a river of lava flowing to the sea on Big Island. It could be said the video is better than seeing it live, because you won't get this close to the lava yourself--trained scientists took this video--and not that you'd want to, quite frankly. Read More
Zipline Thrills: Screaming Like a Rock Star in Hawaii

Kim Steutermann Rogers
Destination: Maui, Hawaii Island, Kauai, Oahu
Article Source: Blog Post
For some people I know, hiking the Kalalau Trail on Kauai makes them break into a sweat. Others I know won't even think about driving the famous road to Hana. For those people, I do not recommend ziplining. But, if you have a general respect for high places, like I do, and you like speed, like I do, then, you'll love ziplining. It's still a relatively new adventure in Hawaii. In fact, you won't even find ziplining adventures on all the islands. Read More
Dancing Red Tailed Tropicbirds

Kim Steutermann Rogers
Destination: Hawaii Island, Kauai, Maui, Oahu
Article Source: Blog Post
At Kilauea Point National Wildlife Refuge, we (or, at least I), call these seabirds, “Valentine’s Birds.” For two reasons: 1) They arrive at the refuge in early February, around Valentine’s Day, every year; and 2) Their tail feathers and bill are painted a striking red. Read More
What's Your Favorite Hawaii Adventure?

Kim Steutermann Rogers
Destination: Hawaii Island, Kauai, Maui, Oahu
Article Source: Blog Post
A few weeks ago, we conducted an informal poll on Facebook. We asked, “What’s your favorite Hawaii adventure?” 168 of our fans responded. Many of you could not make up your mind and reeled off a laundry list of your favorite adventures. We ran all those responses through our not-so-very-scientific analysis—called hand tabulating—to give you this report. Read More
Zipline Tours

Destination: Hawaii (Big) Island
Article Source: Copyright © 2012 by Fodor’s Travel, a division of Random House Inc. All rights reserved.

One of the few ways you can really see the untouched beauty of the Big Island is by flying over its lush forests, dense tree canopies, and glorious rushing waterfalls on a zipline course. You strap into a harness, get clipped to a cable and then zip, zip, zip your way through paradise. Most guide companies start you out easy on a slower, shorter line and by the end you graduate to faster, longer zips. It's an exhilarating adventure for all ages and has even been known to help some put aside their fear of heights (at least for a few minutes) to participate in the thrill ride. Check company credentials and specifics before you book to make sure your safety is their number one concern.
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Tennis

Destination: Hawaii (Big) Island
Article Source: Copyright © 2012 by Fodor’s Travel, a division of Random House Inc. All rights reserved.

Many of the island's resorts allow nonguests to play for a fee. They also rent rackets, balls, and shoes. On the Kohala Coast, try the Fairmont Orchid Hawaii, the Hilton Waikoloa Village, and Waikoloa Beach Marriott. In Kailua-Kona there's the Ohana Keauhou Beach Resort, King Kamehameha's Kona Beach Hotel, and the Royal Kona Resort.
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Skiing

Destination: Hawaii (Big) Island
Article Source: Copyright © 2012 by Fodor’s Travel, a division of Random House Inc. All rights reserved.

Where else but Hawaii can you surf, snorkel, and snow ski on the same day? In winter, the 13,796-foot Mauna Kea (Hawaiian for "white mountain") usually has snow at higher elevations—and along with that, skiing. No lifts, no manicured slopes, no faux-Alpine lodges, no après-ski nightlife, but the chance to ski some of the most remote (and let's face it, unlikely) runs on Earth. Some people have even been known to use body boards as sleds, but we don't recommend it. As long as you're up there, fill your cooler with the white stuff for a snowball fight on the beach with local kids.
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Horseback Riding

Destination: Hawaii (Big) Island
Article Source: Copyright © 2012 by Fodor’s Travel, a division of Random House Inc. All rights reserved.

With its paniolo (cowboy) heritage and the ranches it spawned, the Big Island is a great place for equestrians. Riders can gallop through green pastures, or saunter through Waipio Valley for a taste of old Hawaii.
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