Southern Most Point of USA/Big Island Hawaii

Author: Marie A.
Date of Trip: October 2006

We had a wonderful trip to Hilo, Volcanoes National Park, Place of Refuge, Black sand beaches, green sand beaches, Akaka Falls, Southermost point of the USA, all on the Big Island of Hawaii. The other than sipping Mai Tai’s on crowded tourist beaches, made this a great family vacation spot. All the children and adults were in awe of the place and especially thanked mom for arranging the visit for them to see especially Rainbow falls and Akaka falls there in spite of the fact that it was right during the earthquake that the big Island had not seen in about 100 years in October of 2006.

We stayed at the Macadamian Meadows bed and breakfast and were able to pick macadamian nuts while on a tour of their nut farm after a delicious breakfast there. We went in October which was not too crowded and great weather. All of these places we visited on this trip were kid and teenager friendly affording great fun and memories.

We ate at Shaka which was a small local haunt on the Big Island not far from the southermost point and the green and black sand beaches on the eastern coast of the island. We also had great baked goods at the Southernmost point of the USA Bakery with that sign reminding us of our geography.

Our trip started in Hilo with a non stop flight from Oakland to the Hilo airport. Our hotel had large Koi larger than we had ever seen. We happened upon a beautiful Japanese garden the 2nd day where an old Japanese couple came everyday and saw us and shared there food and took our photos. We looked around and swam in a spot almost walking distance from our hotel where again the local people shared food and conversation.We bought Leeche nuts and other local items at the outdoor market on a quiet Sunday evening.

En route south of Hilo towards the Volcanoes National Park, we stumbled upon a great little zoo right outside of Hilo where we saw all the local and international wildlife. The falls; Rainbow falls, Akaka falls in Hilo and all over, were fabulous.

The Volcanoes National Park was like no other we had ever seen, with flowing lava, hardened lava, foliage, ash all either enlarging the land mass or spilling into the Pacific ocean making for great vistas, photos and memories. The Place of Refuge was a very interesting place, where you went to atone for your misdoings and ask for forgiveness. Not far from there was a very small but beautiful church with painted wooden murals throughout every wall and beam in old missionary style. People of all ages could find something of enjoyment.

We stayed at Macadamia Meadows Bed and Breakfast where the owner family resided too and still keep in touch with them. There we were given a tour of their Macademian nut farm and allowed to pick and eat delicious nuts along with our delicious breakfast fresh from the local fruit stands in town which was right near the local bakery where we saw the owner shopping for the next days meal we were going to eat there. We enjoyed our stay with the family so much that we invited them to dinner with us at their favorite local crab shack;Shaka’s , one night. All of the restaurants had spectacular views which made the wonderful meals taste even better. One in particular was on the main western coast road near the Place of Refuge and small country island church.