Black sand beach at PUNALU'U & KAPOHO tide pools:
An easy drive south 30 minutes takes you to Punalu'u Beach. When the lava at 2000 degrees drops into the ocean it forms small black glass beads which float south to form the amazing black sand beach at Punaluu. Giant Sea Turtles are almost always seen sunning themselves right on the black sand. Enjoy excellent home-cookin in Naalehu the southern most town in the nation.
To the East in the Kapoho area (On the other side of the lava flow) you can enjoy swimming in the 'warm mineral ponds' and snorkeling in shallow 'tide pools'. The ten or so, Tide Pools 25 to 50 feet across and about 5 to 15 deep were formed naturally many years ago by the lava flowing into the ocean. The snorkeling is excellent here with a large variety of beautiful fish of all sizes, shapes and colors. A no shark sighting scenario, just beautiful fish munching on beautiful coral. The whole family can snorkel here some areas are very shallow, with smaller versions of the regular sized fish.
MAUNA LOA :
On the trip to and from Naalehu, observe at close hand the largest shield volcano in the solar system, smaller only than volcanoes on Venus and Mars. Mauna is the Hawaiian for mountain and Loa means long. A fitting name indeed. Mauna Loa covers half of the square miles on the island, with over 10,000 cubic miles of material. You can take the entire Sierra Nevada mountain range, pile them on top of each other and they would still make up less volume than Mauna Loa.
MAUNA KEA:
Mauna Kea means 'white mountain'. A view of a snow capped mountain while you a sitting under a palm tree in the tropics is a memory that will stay with you forever. Just as Mauna Loa is the largest mountain in the world in terms of volume, its sister Mauna Kea has the distinction of being the tallest mountain in the world. Over 30,000 feet when measured from its base deep under the ocean. And of course there is the world's largest astronomical observatory atop Mauna Kea. (The last four miles to the top past the visitors center, are washboard dirt roads at a 45 degree rise and really require a 4 wheel drive vehicle.) If you are willing to chance it, the spectacular view of the entire island and watching the sunset is absolutely awesome. Then back down to the Onizuka visitors center, after the sun sets, to see an educational movie, and outdoor lecture, and being able to observe the stars and planets with the sophisticated amateurs telescopes is a very special treat.
Ski:
In the winter time, some are able to ski Mauna Kea in the morning and swim in Hilo bay in the afternoon, now there is something to be talked about at any ski lodge. There are no ski lifts. You need a few friends who you can take turns with driving a four-wheel drive vehicle to the top and back on the treacherous, very rough four mile gravel road.
Golf:
How about golfing at the Volcano Golf & Country Club on the only course in the world built on a live volcano.
Other Activities:
Hiking to view Hot Lava flowing to the sea; Biking 12 miles to bottom of the Park. Golfing on an Active Volcano & Wine Tasting
