Kealakekua Bay State Historical Park

This small four-acre state park contains both natural and historical resources.

Attractions - Natural attractions at Kealakekua Bay include Napoopoo Beach, which is small and rocky and can have dangerous currents during stormy conditions. The beach lies in Kealakekua Bay which has some excellent snorkeling sites during calm conditions. Also within this four-acre park is Hikiau Heiau, a traditional Hawaiian religious site. This park also lies very closely to the Captain Cook Monument, which commemorates the landing of Captain Cook on the Big Island in 1779 and the first extensive contact between Europeans and Hawaiians.

Recreation - Recreation opportunities at this site include water sports, photography, hiking, viewing scenery, sunbathing and viewing historic sites.

Climate - The island of Hawaii, like the others in the chain, has a windward and leeward climate. The windward (eastern) side of the island receives a lot of moisture. Hilo's monthly averages are above 8 inches. Winter and spring months receive the most moisture, but count on rain if you're traveling in this region. The leeward side can be almost desert like. The mountains are so large on Hawaii, that they trap the moisture on the windward side. Most of the days are sunny on the western coast of Hawaii and hence the tourists flock to this region.

Kekaha Kai (Kona Coast) State Park

Kekaha Kai State Park encompasses over 1,500 acres of beach, dune and wilderness areas on the leeward side of the Big Island north of Kailua-Kona. This park is divided into two sections: Mahai'ula and Kua Bay.

Attractions - The Mahai'ula section is the more developed of the two sections of the park. It offers a sandy beach and dunes, picnic area with tables and restrooms. In addition to unpaved road access between the two sections, a 4.5 mile hike along the Ala Kahakai Trail, an historic coastal trail, leads to the Kua Bay portion of the park. Halfway along this trail, a hike to the summit of Pu'u Ku'ili, a 342-foot high cinder cone, offers excellent coastline views. Kua Bay, at the north end of the park offers beach access and beach related activities.

Recreation - Both sections of this park provide swimming, water play and snorkeling during calm conditions. During the winter months, rough water conditions exist quite frequently and provide for good board surfing conditions. Visitors can also enjoy picnicking at the Mahai'ula section as well as hiking and viewing scenery throughout the park.

Pu'uhonua o Honaunau National Historical Park

Pu'uhonua o Honaunau National Historical Park preserves the site where, up until the early 19th century, Hawaiians who broke a kapu, one of the ancient laws against the gods, could avoid an otherwise certain death by fleeing to this place of refuge or pu'uhonua. They could then be absolved by a priest and free to go. Defeated warriors and noncombatants could also find refuge here during times of battle. The grounds just outside the great wall that enclose the pu'uhonua were home to several generations of powerful chiefs.

Attractions - This 182 acre park includes not only the pu'uhonua, but a complex of archeological sites including temple platforms, royal fishponds, sledding tracks and some coastal village sites. The Hale o Keawe Temple and several thatched structures have been reconstructed.

Begin your visit at the park's visitor center where you can pick up the park's brochure that includes information on the self guided trail. You might take in one of the orientation talks in the amphitheater at 10:00 a.m., 10:30 a.m., 11:00 a.m., 2:30 p.m., 3:00 p.m. or 3:30 p.m. The self-guided trail takes about 30 minutes and takes you through the royal grounds and place of refuge (pu'uhonua). Often you can find cultural demonstrators working and sharing their knowledge on traditional Hawaiian arts and crafts.Three audio messages along the visitor center's mural wall describe pre-contact history. Additional facilities include restrooms and cold drinking water. Food is not available in the park.

Mauna Kea State Recreation Area

Mauna Kea State Recreation Area encompasses 20 acres within the Mauna Kea Forest Reserve but also very close to the Pohakuloa Military Reservation.

Attractions - The site contains picnic tables and cabins for lodging opportunities, with excellent views of Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa. Your fellow campers may be pig, sheep and bird hunters depending on the season of your stay. The military reservation lies very close to this park and maneuvers may encroach on the quiet wilderness setting.

The cabins at Mauna Kea are available for rental as individual cabins or together for a larger group. A maximum of 64 persons can be accommodated in the four cabins at Kalopa. These accommodations consist of eight-person units with beds, bedding, linens, toilet facilities and hot showers. A centrally located recreational dining hall is fully equiped for cooking and serving the entire group. Contact the Hawai'i District of the State Parks for more information and reservations.

Volcano Park

Hawaii Volcanoes National Park

Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, located on the island of Hawaii, displays the results of 70 million years of volcanism, migration and evolution. The park encompasses 230,000 acres, that range in elevation from sea level to 13,677 feet. The park is comprised of the land surrounding two active volcanoes Mauna Loa and Kilauea, the world's most active.

Puna Coast
Lava Tree State Monument

Lava Tree State Monument preserves the site where a lava flow burned through an ohia forest in 1790. The lava, flowing quickly from Kilauea's east rift zone, surrounded the trees and cooled forming molds of the burned tree trunks.

Attractions - A 0.7 mile loop trail leads through the forest of lava trees. Picnicking facilities and bathrooms maintained at this site, but drinking water is not available. The interesting formations and well-maintained grounds make this one of the nicer parks on this part of the island and a popular spot for picnics and gatherings.

Recreation - Visitors to Lava Tree State Monument will enjoy viewing the strange formations left from the lava that flowed through the area. A hiking trail leads through and around 17 acres of the preserved forest.