Hawaii Volcano National Park

Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park displays the results of at least 70 million years of volcanism, migration, and evolution in the Hawaiian Island-Emperor Seamount chain-processes that would thrust a bare land from the sea and clothed it with complex and unique ecosystems and a distinct human culture. Created to preserve the natural setting of Kīlauea and Mauna Loa, the park is also a refuge for the island's native plants and animals and a link to its human past. Park managers and scientists work to protect the resources and promote understanding and appreciation of the park visitors. Research by scientists at the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory makes Kīlauea one of the best understood volcanoes in the world, shedding light on the birth of the Hawaiian Islands and the beginnings of planet Earth. Each eruption is a reminder of the power of natural processes to change the air we breath, the ground we walk on, and the sea that surrounds this volcanic island we call home.

Kona Brewing Co. Tour

Kailua-Kona on Hawaii’s Big Island is the site of our brewery and first restaurant. The brewpub opened in November 1998.  In true Aloha spirit, we opted to make it out of locally-sourced materials, and we even built a 2,000 square-foot outdoor lanai that lets you kick back and breathe in the fresh island air.

Inside the brewpub, you can spend a few hours lounging at our masterpiece U-shaped Koa bar with great grub and great beer. Brewery tours are available daily, and the Growler Shack is also open daily, serving beer-to-go.

Mountain Thunder Kona Coffee Plantation Tour

Mountain Thunder Coffee Plantation opens at 9:30 am. Free coffee farm tours are every hour on the hour 10:00 am to 4:00 pm 7 days a week. The last tour begins at 4 pm.

​

We are close to Kailua-Kona with total driving time from downtown Kailua Kona of only about 15 minutes. 

Hapuna State Beach Park

Travel down the volcanic western coastline of the Kohala Coast and follow the signs to find a spectacular oasis that has earned a reputation as one of the island of Hawaii's finest beaches. The largest of the island's white sand beaches, Hapuna Beach has consistently been rated on international Top Ten lists of the islands’ best beaches. Hapuna also offers consistently good conditions for swimming, bodyboarding, sunbathing and snorkeling. During the early part of the year, it’s possible to spot migrating whales in the distance as well.
 
It is also an easy beach to visit: you’ll find ample parking, along with food vendors, picnic areas, restrooms and showers. Beat the South Kohala heat by taking a dip in the warm waters at Hapuna Beach.

Ho‘Okena Beach Park

Ho`okena Beach Park is the historical site for one of the last fishing villages in Hawai'i. Ho'okena has a rich cultural history and remnants of its old commercial steamship pier remain. The beach is an exotic blend of fine gray coral and white sand. The ocean and scenic views are spectacular. . You may also see turtles or just enjoy the colorful array of fish in the near shore reef. 

Akaka Falls State Park

What: Park features Akaka Falls (442 feet) and Kahuna Falls (100 feet)
Where: End of Akaka Falls Road (Hwy. 220), 3.6 miles SW of Homomu

At Akaka Falls State Park, located along the northeastern Hilo Coast, you can see two gorgeous waterfalls on one short hike. The pleasant 0.4-mile uphill hike will take you through a lush rainforest filled with wild orchids, bamboo groves and draping ferns.

As you follow the paved footpath, you'll first see 100-foot Kahuna Falls. Continue to follow the loop around the bend, and you'll discover towering Akaka Falls which plummets 442-feet into a stream-eroded gorge. Beautiful Akaka Falls is perhaps the island of Hawaii's most famous waterfall. Easily accessible, this hike takes less than an hour.

Mauna Kea Stargazing

While acclimatizing and dining at the Mauna Kea visitors center , you’ll find out why the world’s largest telescopes are located on this spot. And you’ll learn a bit about the lives of astronomers who work there. Before leaving the visitors center we issue parkas and gloves (the warmest available) and engage our four wheel drive for the steep 1/2 hour drive to the summit area.

On the summit, your guide will point out the observatories as they begin to open and rotate into position. You’ll learn about famous observatories such as Keck, Subaru and Gemini. There is plenty of time for photos while the sunset transforms the area into a beautiful and quite unearthly spectacle. When the best of the color has past, we descend to mid-mountain, where the sky is equally clear but the climate and air density is much more comfortable for stargazing.

Almost every night we explore the night sky using our large portable telescopes*. Using high power green lasers our guides are famous for their ability to locate the treasures of the night sky and interpret them in a way that everyone can understand. Midway in the evening we serve hot drinks and cookies to help take the chill off . The tour is 7-8 1/2 hours in duration depending on where you join it. The actual schedule of the trip varies throughout the year according to sunset times.