EXCURSIONES EN TIERRA

OVERVIEW

Browse the fields and orchards of O.K. Farms and enjoy a sampling of its produce before heading deeper into the tropical environs to view two breathtaking waterfalls. Although remarkably close to Hilo, the family-owned farm feels as if it’s light-years away. Fruit and nut trees flourish, coffee plants blanket the hills and the aroma of spices wafts through the air. As you will discover, sweet lychees and longans are by far the most prevalent fruits grown there. You will likely sample them along with rambutans and hearts of palm. You will also learn a trick for cracking the rock-hard shells of macadamia nuts without damaging the meat inside. The Wailuku River winds through the 1,000-acre farm, creating Kaimukanaka Falls, which will be quite the sight to behold. You will view equally magnificent Rainbow Falls from a private vantage point that highlights the iridescent rainbows that typically form in the mist.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Tour a family-owned farm that grows tropical fruits and nuts within its 1,000 acres.
• Sample iconic Hawaiian fruits such as lychees, longans and rambutans.
• View two absolutely gorgeous cascades: Kaimukanaka Falls and Rainbow Falls.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

Taste a variety of locally grown foods for a better understanding of Hawaiian cuisine and how dishes made with the produce pair perfectly with craft beers. While touring the fields and orchards of O.K. Farms, you will sample freshly picked herbs and spices such as lemongrass and vanilla. You may also bite into a ripe lilikoi, one of the farm’s many tropical fruits that make their way into the zesty libations that nearby Ola Brew creates. Before reaching the brewery, you will pause for photos of Kaimukanaka Falls and Rainbow Falls, two beautiful cascades in the idyllic countryside. Prepare to be equally impressed with the offerings at Ola Brew, which infuses their beers with unusual local ingredients. You will be served a flight of beers that may include a mango-flavored IPA, a lager with banana notes, and a pineapple hard cider. They will be paired with American Asian fusion-style dishes.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Sample locally grown fruits, herbs and spices while touring O.K. Farms.
• Taste beers at Ola Brew that are infused with unexpected ingredients from the farm.
• Enjoy inspired pairings of the beers with American Asian fusion-style cuisine.
• View two absolutely gorgeous cascades: Kaimukanaka Falls and Rainbow Falls.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

Experience two of Hawaii Island’s most breathtaking destinations on this unforgettable adventure from Hilo. Travel by 4x4 van to the slopes and summit region of Mauna Kea, the world’s tallest oceanic mountain, where dramatic volcanic landscapes, rare alpine plants, and world-famous observatories await. Stop at the Onizuka Center for International Astronomy Visitor Information Station to acclimate to the elevation and browse for unique souvenirs before continuing higher up the mountain for spectacular panoramic views above the clouds. After descending from Mauna Kea, enjoy a relaxing visit to the serene Liliuokalani Gardens along Hilo Bay. This authentic Japanese Edo-style garden features elegant bridges, pagodas, pathways, koi ponds, and scenic oceanfront views, creating a peaceful contrast to the rugged beauty of the mountain summit.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Drive up the slopes of Hawaii’s highest volcano in a 4x4 vehicle.
• Journey to Mauna Kea, Hawaii’s tallest volcano and the world’s tallest oceanic mountain.
• Visit the Onizuka Center for International Astronomy Visitor Information Station at 9,200 feet.
• Explore the tranquil Liliuokalani Gardens, the largest Japanese Edo-style garden outside of Japan.
• Spot black lava rock coastline, tropical scenery, and occasional wildlife such as sea turtles, rays, and Nene geese.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Wear long pants and comfortable closed-toe walking shoes.
• Dress in layers, as temperatures at high elevation can drop below freezing.
• Be prepared for rapidly changing weather conditions on the mountain

OVERVIEW

Explore the famed Hamakua Coast, home to magnificent country reminiscent of “old Hawaii”. Sparsely populated Hamakua is studded with breathtaking waterfalls, stunning valleys, and eccentric towns. First stop at Tex Drive-In on the north coast, famous for their homemade fried Portuguese sweet treats made-to- order Portuguese sweet treats called malasadas and resembling a filled donut. Known as the Valley of the Kings, Waipio Valley is a place of impossibly steep cliffs carved by plunging waterfalls cascading more than a thousand feet to the valley floor below. Still home to taro farmers and wild horses today. Turning off the highway we descend into Laupahoehoe. Laupahoehoe village and elementary school was located here until the destruction left behind the 1946 tsunami forced the town to move to higher ground. Look for the monument erected in the names of those who lost their lives here. Next stop is Akaka Falls State Park to enjoy a beautiful trail to view the falls choosing either the longer or shorter route. On the way to Hilo stop in Honomu with food for purchase. Continue your adventure with a stop at the iconic King Kamehameha statue. Complete the day with a final stop to pick up Hawaiian macadamia nuts, Hawaii Island crafts, local products, Kona coffee and more before returning to the port.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Visit Waipio Valley with dramatic cliffs
• See Laupahoehoe tsunami memorial
• Visit Akaka Falls and Honomu town.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Closed-toe shoes are mandatory.

OVERVIEW

Delve into the world of volcanoes at a national park that contains active ones and see how volcanoes have shaped the Hawaiian landscape, sometimes in a positive manner. The terrain and natural diversity within the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park is so unique that UNESCO deemed it both a World Biosphere site and a World Heritage site. You will walk among steaming vents in the earth’s surface. Other highlights include seeing the active Halema’uma’u pit crater within the Kilauea summit caldera and driving along the winding road, which passes old lava flows and other reminders of past eruptions. The island’s volcanic soil is exceptionally fertile as you will discover by strolling through Lili’uokalani Gardens, a wonderland of native plants that was once the favorite picnic grounds of Queen Lili’uokala, Hawaii’s last monarch. Volcanic activity also created the black lava rock on many of the island’s beaches.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Visit stunning Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site.
• View an active volcano, craters and steam vents releasing hot water vapor into the air.
• Meander through a botanical garden that thrives in the island’s volcanically formed soil.
• See a coastline made of black rock made of volcanic materials and lava fragments.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

Become immersed on how the eruption of the Kilauea volcano dramatically changed the landscape of the Big Island and pause along the way to sample iconic Hawaiian products. Rainbow Falls will serve as an introduction to the island’s natural beauty, which is even more spectacular at Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, Hawaii’s only UNESCO World Heritage site. There, you will enjoy a close-up view of how the volcanic eruption expanded the Halemaumau pit crater with a billion cubic yards of lava. As you walk across the now hardened lava field, you will notice new greenery that will eventually become rainforest. The island’s fertile volcanic soil is ideal for growing products such as macadamia nuts. You will be offered tastings of them – perhaps honey-roasted or dipped in chocolate – at the Mauna Loa Macadamia Nut Farm. A Hawaiian-style lunch follows at Volcano Gardens Arts. Confections and coffee are available at Big Island Candies.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Behold Rainbow Falls, which is named for the rainbows that often form in its mist.
• See how a volcanic eruption changed the terrain in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park.
• Walk across a hardened lava field from the eruption, where plants are now growing.
• Enjoy a lunch of traditional Hawaiian cuisine and sample iconic Hawaiian products.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

Settle in for a spectacularly scenic drive deep into the Waipi’o Valley, the childhood home of King Kamehameha I, who unified the Hawaiian Islands into a single kingdom in 1810. Even the roads leading to the sacred valley are stunningly beautiful, beginning with the Old Mamalahoa Highway, a circuitous coastal route that leads to Onomea Gardens. Photo stops will be made along the way at particularly scenic spots, which are just about everywhere. The landscape will look entirely different once you reach the fertile Waipi’o Valley as 2,000-foot-high cliffs surround it. It is nicknamed the Valley of the Kings because Kamehameha and many other Hawaiian chieftains were raised there. Natural beauty also abounds at KoleKole Beach Park, where you will enjoy a boxed lunch while gazing out over the sea. The sight of Akaka Falls will be even more dramatic as this free-falling 442-foot cascade spills into a heavily vegetated gorge.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Drive through sacred Waipi’o Valley, where many Hawaiian kings and chieftains lived.
• Be awed by the natural beauty in the valley and along the roads leading to it.
• Pause for photos at thundering Akaka Falls and along the Old Mamalahoa Highway.
• Enjoy a boxed lunch at the park where the Kokekoke stream meets the Pacific Ocean.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

Board your tour vehicle and drive along the northeast shore to Akaka Falls State Park. An approximately one-mile trail leads through the rainforest and offers views of the Big Island's most beautiful waterfall, the free-falling Akaka Falls. Here Kolekole Creek plummets 442 feet into a densely forested gorge. Return to your tour vehicle to continue your adventure with stops at two icons of Hilo, Rainbow Falls and the King Kamehameha statue, enjoying views of Onomea Bay along the way. At your Rainbow Falls destination, the Wailuku River plunges 100 feet past a large lava cave into a turquoise pool. View the river through stands of orchid, bamboo and wild ginger as you return to your tour vehicle. Take a quick stop to view the 14- foot statue of King Kamehameha before ending your day with a stop to shop for Hawaiian macadamia nuts, local crafts and products, Kona coffee and more on your way back to the port.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Walk the rainforest trail to Akaka Falls
• See King Kamehameha Statue
• Shop local products and Kona coffee

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Closed-toe shoes are mandatory.

OVERVIEW

Stroll through the largest Edo-style ornamental garden outside of Japan and enjoy free time browsing the shops and farmer’s market near Hilo Bay. To reach Liliuokalani Gardens, you will travel down Banyan Drive, a sun-dappled street lined with banyan trees that celebrities such as Babe Ruth and Amelia Earhart planted. More botanical treasures await you within the gardens, which is named for Hawaii’s last reigning monarch, Queen Liliuokalani. It opened in 1917 as a tribute to the many Japanese immigrants that worked Hawaii’s sugarcane fields. While meandering through the serene setting, you will notice that nearly every plant is indigenous. They include species such as the rosy trumpet tree and the towering kukui, the national tree of Hawaii. Afterwards, continue to Wailuku State Park where you’ll find picturesque Rainbow Falls. Watch as water from the Wailuku River plunges 80 feet over the lip of the waterfall to cascade into the pool below, often forming a beautiful rainbow effect. Later, you will independently explore the abundant boutiques, art galleries and marketplaces along the waterfront. There will be plenty of time to dine on your own if you wish.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Drive down a beautifully shaded street lined with banyan trees that celebrities planted.
• Meander through Liliuokalani Gardens, a botanical oasis with mostly indigenous plants.
• View breathtaking Rainbow Falls at Wailuku State Park
• Spend time exploring Hilo’s main shopping and dining district along the bay.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

Ride an electric bike through the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park and stop along the way at attractions that showcase the unusual nature of the state’s only UNESCO World Heritage site. Traveling by fat-tire e-bike couldn’t be easier because its battery-powered, whisper-quiet motor makes pedaling a breeze, allowing you to go farther with less effort. You will experience that firsthand as you ascend into the park on the way to the visitors center, whose enlightening exhibits will prepare you for the drama of seeing the Kilauea volcano in person. One of the world’s most active volcanoes, Kilauea has been steadily erupting since 1983 and the surrounding terrain is extraordinarily dramatic. You will behold this towering shield volcano and its caldera – the cauldron-like depression at the top – from a lookout and from the Volcano House Hotel. You will also pause at the Thurston Lava Tube, a cavernous tunnel that was filled with flowing lava 500 years ago.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Zip around Hawaii Volcanoes National Park on an e-bike that makes pedaling easier.
• Learn about the park’s geology and volcanic history at the visitor center.
• View Kilauea, one of the world’s most active volcanoes, from several vantage points.
• Stop at the Thurston Lava Tube, through which a river of hot lava flowed centuries ago.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Due to the high elevation, temperatures at the volcano can be significantly colder than at sea level. Guests are encouraged to wear long pants, and bring a jacket..
• Wear closed toed shoes.

OVERVIEW

Explore Hilo your way on this relaxed hop on hop off sightseeing tour. Ride a narrated loop connecting beaches, gardens, cultural attractions, and downtown highlights, hopping off wherever you’d like to explore more. Visit scenic stops such as Reeds Bay Beach Park and the peaceful Queen Liliʻuokalani Gardens, explore Downtown Hilo near the Farmers Market and cultural centers, and enjoy coastal views at Richardson Ocean Park’s black sand beach. With the freedom to rejoin the bus throughout the day, this flexible experience lets you discover Hilo at your own pace.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Enjoy the freedom of hop on hop off transportation, allowing you to explore Hilo on your own schedule.
• Relax on a narrated drive featuring local history, culture, and island scenery.
• Visit scenic coastal and garden locations, including Reeds Bay, Queen Liliʻuokalani Gardens, and Richardson Ocean Park.
• Explore Downtown Hilo, with access to the Farmers Market and nearby cultural attractions.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Have cash available, since some vendors do not accept credit cards. Sneakers or comfortable walking shoes, flip flops or sandals if planning to visit beach.

Spectacular volcanoes, craters and steam vents are waiting to be explored at Hawaii Volcanoes National Park that has recently reopened after a period of tumultuous volcanic activity. The landscape of Volcanoes Park has dramatically changed as the floor of the Kilauea crater sunk over 1,500 feet and the overall caldera quadrupled in size and widened by over a square mile. Today, the explosive eruptions, earthquakes and ash clouds have been replaced by remarkable changes in the summit area. The highlights of this exciting tour include visits at each of the following destinations in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park while riding to each stop in comfort on a deluxe motor coach. Walk through the Kilauea Visitors Center to receive information on the Park’s current conditions, view educational exhibits and interact with park rangers. Enjoy unforgettable views of Kilauea from Volcano House, just a short walk across the street. Kilauea’s massive size and scale is realized from this vantage point. Then you’ll be engulfed in rising steam as ground water seeps down to the hot volcanic rocks at the Steam Vents. The area between the edge of Kilauea’s caldera and the outer cliffs are treeless because the extreme heat destroys their roots; only shallow-rooted grasses and other hearty plants survive here. On you return to the pier, visit the Big Island Candies Store. Established in 1977, each of its delectable candies and cookies are hand-crafted in this factory store. View the production process and see what goes into making these world famous Hawaiian treats. All products are made from only freshly roasted Big Island macadamia nuts and pure Kona and Ka‘u coffee from farms on the Big Island. Since its founding, Big Island Candies has continuously introduced new and imaginative products that "wow" both the eyes and taste buds of its growing legion of fans. The Volcanoes National Park Tour is not to be missed and includes round-trip transportation from the pier by deluxe motorcoach.

Imagine yourself flying through a tropical rainforest canopy over splashing streams and waterfalls on a seven-stage zipline course with a view of the crystal blue Pacific Ocean in the distance.

You’ll be surrounded by natural beauty as you hike from one line to the next. A portion of the hike is on a suspension bridge that cuts through the jungle with several small waterfalls below. This course was created to provide a safe and fun environment for the entire family. All lines are ground-to-ground making it easier for all to participate.

After your zip line adventure, enjoy a relaxing stroll through the World Botanical Gardens and the soothing view of a cascading waterfall.

Your experienced guide will provide information and narration as you drive through the "Hilo Walk of Fame" known for all the banyan trees planted by celebrities. Visit Liliuokalani Gardens, the largest ornamental Japanese garden outside of Japan. Your experienced guide will provide commentary of Hilo Town as you make your way to Wailuku State Park and Rainbow Falls.

While visiting Akaka State Park, you can see two gorgeous waterfalls- 100 foot Kahuna Falls and towering Akaka Falls which plummets 422 feet into an eroded gorge. Stop at Big Island Candies, home of the famous diagonally dipped shortbread cookies. You have a chance to purchase your Big Island souvenirs that are beautifully packaged. A true Hawaiian Classic!

OVERVIEW

See the island’s most spectacular natural wonders, starting with magnificent Rainbow Falls, which is named for the rainbows that often form in the surrounding mist. Travel to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park where you will begin your hike to Kilauea. The setting is so extraordinary that UNESCO deemed the park both a World Biosphere and a World Heritage site designation. To reach the crater, you will hike three miles roundtrip through parts of Halemaumau Crater. The volcano has been steadily erupting since 1983 and the surrounding. countryside is dramatic. A stop in at Volcano House with food for purchase and a gift shop and Steaming Bluff complete the visit. Returning to Hilo enjoy a local shopping stop with Hawaiian macadamia nuts, local crafts and products, Kona coffee and more before returning to the port.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Hike through the dramatic countryside to a volcanic crater that continues to erupt.
• Enjoy photo opportunities at Rainbow Falls.
• Enjoy a local shopping stop and sample Hawaii macadamia nuts.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Closed-toe shoes are mandatory.

OVERVIEW

Savor wine and a light assortment of “pupus,” the Hawaiian term for shared appetizers, along with a cocktail or glass of wine at the Volcano House, the only hotel in Volcanoes National Park, Hawaii’s only UNESCO World Heritage site. As an introduction to the wonders of the surrounding volcanic landscape, you will accompany a naturalist on a leisurely walk along a portion of the summit rim of Kilauea, one of the world’s most active and easily accessible volcanoes. It will be quite the experience as you peer into the crater that stretches down about three miles. Depending on the state of the volcano, you may see steam rising from the vents or an active lava lake. You will then head to the Volcano House, a historical hotel that Mark Twain visited in 1866 and mentioned in his book “Roughing It.” The views from the hotel are spectacular as it perches about 4,000 feet above sea level and overlooks the Kilauea caldera.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Walk along the summit of Kilauea, one of the world’s most active volcanoes.
• Enjoy a complimentary alcoholic beverage and a light snack at the historical Volcano House.
• Take in the panoramas of Volcanoes National Park from several vantage points.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

Exploring Hawaii Island’s explosive side is what this tour is all about. Walk Kilauea’s most recent lava flows along the East Rift Zone, including the historic flows of 2018. Start with a drive through quaint Hilo town where you’ll drive along the historic waterfront past Liliuokalani Japanese Gardens before heading out to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. Your National Park Service certified guide will discuss the volcanology, geology, and history of Hawaii, as well as providing in-depth narration on the various lava flows and flora and fauna that you’ll be passing by. Visit the Kilauea Visitor’s Center, take a short hike through the Thurston Lava Tube, visit Kilauea Iki, the Volcano House, and steaming bluff. Leaving the park the next stop is quaint Pahoa town where there is some shopping and food for purchase. Lava entered the town in 2018 destroying the main road and several homes here. Take a look around parts of the rebuilt town before heading to Kapoho town. This town was destroyed by lava in 1960 and again overrun by lava in 2018. See where lava rivers traveling highway speeds completely destroyed everything in their paths. Lava filled in Green Lake, added more than 100 feet of elevation to the lava field, filled in Kapoho Bay, and moved the coastline out one mile further than it was before! Explore the famed lava trees at Lava Tree State Monument then make a stop to pick up fresh roasted Kona coffee, Hawaiian macadamia nuts, and other local products and crafts before heading back to the port.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Walk recent Kilauea lava flows, including 2018 eruption sites
• Visit Thurston Lava Tube, Kilauea Iki, and Steam Vents
• Stop at Lava Tree State Monument and local shop

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Closed-toe shoes are mandatory.

OVERVIEW

Ride an e-bike along the winding paths of a private property that encompasses the triple-tiered Umauma Falls. The electric-enhanced bicycle will boost your pedal power and reduce the physical demands, making the ride all the more enjoyable. Because the route of about two miles runs through a privately owned area, there won’t be much traffic. During stops along the way, the guide will describe the native flora and impart fascinating facts about the healing properties of kukui nuts, the versatility of coconuts and the history of taro. Upon reaching the private waterfall, if conditions allow you may swim in the refreshing pool. The setting is absolutely gorgeous as lush green tropical foliage comes right to the edge of the cascades. Kayaks and stand-up paddleboards are available and you will have the chance to make a Hawaiian craft in a shaded pavilion.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Pedal an electric-enhanced bike through a lush private property where the traffic is minimal.
• Ride to Umauma Falls, a spectacular triple-tiered cascade.
• Swim at a private waterfall, weather permitting for safety..
• Learn about indigenous Hawaii plants and their traditional and medicinal uses.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Bring a swimsuit, towel and sunscreen for optional swimming.
• It is required to wear flat closed-toed shoes.

OVERVIEW

View the effects of the 2018 eruption of the Kilauea volcano and hear commentary that describes the volcanic history of the Big Island. The volcano erupted in two places, resulting in earthquakes, fissures and a continuous lava flow toward the ocean for three months. It was a catastrophic event. As you travel the southeastern portion of the island, you will see where the rivers of lava destroyed the entire village of Kalapana and buried Kaimu Beach under hot molten rock. Nearby, you will find the Star of the Sea Painted Church, which had to be moved twice to avoid previous lava flows. You will discover more about volcanoes at the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, Hawaii’s only UNESCO World Heritage site. You can look down into the Kilauea Iki Crater and view still-active steam vents before stopping at the Volcano House, a historical hotel that overlooks the Kilauea caldera. Dinner follows at the aptly named Lava Rock Café.

HIGHLIGHTS
• View areas of Hawaii that were devastated by the 2018 eruption of the Kilauea volcano.
• See a village that the lava destroyed and a beach that the lava completely covered.
• Browse exhibits at the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park for greater insight into volcanoes.
• Gaze out over the Kilauea caldera, which collapsed in the 2018 eruption.
• Dine at the Lava Rock Café on the outskirts of the national park.

HELPFUL HINTS
• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Closed-toe shoes are mandatory.

Start your tour with a leisurely drive through the "Hilo Walk of Fame” known for all the banyan trees that have been planted by celebrities. Drive by Liliuokalani Gardens, the largest ornamental Japanese garden outside of Japan. Your experienced guide will provide commentary of Hilo Town as you make your way to Wailuku State Park and Rainbow Falls.

While visiting Akaka State Park, you can see two gorgeous waterfalls- 100 foot Kahuna Falls and towering Akaka Falls which plummets 422 feet into an eroded gorge. Stop at Pana’ewa Zoo the only naturally occurring rainforest zoo in the United States. Next, visit Mauna Loa Mac Nut Factory as well as the Big Island Candies Store. Established in 1977, each of its delectable candies and cookies are hand-crafted in this factory store. View the production process and see what goes into making these world-famous Hawaiian treats. All products are made from only freshly roasted Big Island macadamia nuts and pure Kona and Ka‘u coffee from farms on the Big Island. Since its founding, Big Island Candies has continuously introduced new and imaginative products that "wow" both the eyes and taste buds of its growing legion of fans.

OVERVIEW

Discover the power of Madame Pele through recent history on this tour highlighting the stark beauty of Hawaii Island. See how volcanoes like Kilauea create both destruction and renewal, which is spectacularly on display in the lower east rift zone that experienced the 2014 and 2018 eruptions firsthand. First stop is Kalapana, an ancient Hawaiian fishing village which today has been completely reshaped by lava. Stop at one of Kalapana's most iconic landmarks, the Star of the Sea Painted Church, and hear about the heroic efforts to pick up and move this beloved decommissioned church out of the line of the lava flows not once, but twice! Next stop is another historic location, Kapoho town. First destroyed by lava in 1960 and slowly rebuilt over the decades only to be destroyed again in 2018. More than 700 homes were destroyed, Green Lake was completely filled in with molten rock, and the coastline was moved more than a mile further obliterating the famed Kapoho Tide Pools and Champagne Pond. Drive up to Lava Tree State Monument where your guide will explain the iconic trees on display here in their natural forest. Finally make a quick stop on the way back to the port to shop for Hawaiian macadamia nuts, Kona coffee, local crafts and more.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Behold the devastation of past volcanic eruptions and the natural beauty left in their wakes.
• See the Painted Church that congregants moved to save it from a nearby lava flow.
• Shop for locally made merchandise in and around Hilo.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Closed-toe shoes are mandatory.