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Mauna Loa
Mauna Loa is an active shield volcano in the Hawaiian Islands, one of five volcanoes that form the Island of Hawaii. It is Earth's largest mountain, with a volume estimated at approximately 18,000 cubic miles (75,000 km), although its peak is about 36 m (120 ft) lower than that of its neighbor, Mauna Kea. In Hawaiian, mauna loa means "long mountain". Lava eruptions from Mauna Loa are very fluid, and the volcano has extremely shallow slopes as a result.- Hawaii Volcanoes National Park is home to both the world's largest volcano, Mauna Loa (13,677 feet high), and the world's most active, Kilauea (continuously erupting since 1983). Drive around Crater Rim drive to see the massive two mile diameter Kilauea crater and steam vents, and down the Chain of Craters road to see the fresh lava flow covering the highway and the active lava flowing into the ocean. Also tour the Thurston lava tube. Be advised that the total time for the trip from the Kona side of the island to the Volcano and back will take at least nine hours. You should leave enough time to exit the park before sunset to avoid driving after dark. In the park, be careful not to hit any nenes, the endangered Hawaiian goose on the roads.
- Mauna Kea, 28 miles (45.1 km) W of Hilo on Hawaii 20, then N on the access road to the Onizuka Center for International Astronomy, 808-961-2180. OCIA, named in memory of U.S. astronaut Ellison Onizuka, open daily 9AM-10PM. Mauna Kea (13,796 feet), the largest mountain in the world (measured from its base) is a dormant volcano which has become an international center for astronomy. Several astronomical observatories are located on its summit. The austere Mars-like landscape dotted with technological marvels is worth a look; if it is clear you might also get a look out to . The elevation is high, and there are few tourist support facilities so hiking and exploring are discouraged. Also keep an eye out for the .
- Four wheel drive vehicles are strongly recommended above the OCIA. Several tour companies offer tours to the summit and observatories of Mauna Kea for a fee. Observatory facilities are normally closed to the public. Most rental car companies prohibit travel on Hawaii 20 (Saddle Road). No admission charge.
- Kula Kai Caverns
- Akaka Falls A waterfall eleven miles north of Hilo boasts a tremendous sight as the water tumbles 440 feet to its base. The trip from the parking lot around to see Akaka and the smaller Hakuna Falls is about 20 minutes and is suitable for children and anyone who can navigate steps. Akaka is the most spectacular of several waterfalls along the northeast coast of the island on the highway from Wiameia to Hilo.
- Coffee Farms In the highlands above Kona the coffee plants come right down to the road's edge.
- Black sand beaches formed by volcanic sand. There are currently two well-known and many less known black sand beaches. The former are Kehena Beach in the Puna district, and Punalu`u Beach in Ka`u district.
- Green sand beach at South Point. There is a parking lot and a shack which has been designated as a "visitor's center." If you park in this lot, there is a chance that someone will emerge with a clipboard and ask you to pay for parking. Several guide books make the point that this is public land and that you are allowed to park without paying any fee. While this may be true, some travelers have been harassed or even threatened for asserting their rights to park. A more promising alternative is to park at the boat launch, adding half a mile to your hike. Keep in mind that with the drive from the highway and the one hour hike from the parking lot to the beach, it is a three hour round trip minimum from the highway.
- Dolphin and whale watching - seasonal.
- Dolphin Quest Hawaii - The Hilton Resort Waikoloa offers the opportunity to swim with their group of Atlantic bottlenose dolphins in their lagoon, with the dolphins dancing and jumping as the group communicates with them through hand signs. Visitors are not allowed to hold on to their fins while they swim, though. Be prepared to spend between $150 and $200 per adult for a memorable thirty minute experience.
- Puuhonua o Honaunau is a great place to visit if you're interested in learning about Hawaiian heritage. Breakers of kapu (taboos) who could make it to this place and performed a series of rituals were granted sanctuary. Tours, traditional craft demos, simulations of the Hukilau (fishing with ti leaf ropes) and other activities can be seen here (schedules vary). Honu (turtles) can frequently be observed swimming in the royal fishpond. May be crowded with other tourists.
- Waipi`o Valley, a large, verdant valley in the North of the islands. This valley was inhabited for a millennium, until a tsunami washed away all dwellings. Left for good by the native population, it then became the green paradise of counterculture types. Van and horseback trips are available from the scenic crest down to the gorgeous valley floor.
Botanical Gardens
- Hawaiʻi Tropical Botanical Garden off Route 19 in Pāpa'ikou.
- Pua Mau Place Arboretum and Botanical Garden an early-stage, nonprofit facility in Kawaihae, on the dry slopes of the Kohala Mountain Range.
- Sadie Seymour Botanical Gardens at Kona Outdoor Circle Educational Center.
- University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo Botanical Gardens in .
- World Botanical Gardens, commercial gardens in Umauma, north of Hilo.
- Nani Mau Gardens in .
Mauna Loa & Mauna kea
views of Mauna Loa - the worlds largest active volcano. I highly recommend the trek...Mauna kea volcano volcanoes volcanos mauna loa hawaii mountain maunaloa maunakea
Mauna Loa Volcanic Cone
Mauna Loa volcanic cone, smoke and lava, as viewed from above in an airplane...Mauna Loa Hawaii lava volcano cone
Lava on the beach at erupting Mauna Loa Volcano in Hawaii
The volcano is called Mauna Loa and is constantly sending lava daily into the sea....volcanoes volcanos rock lava flow hot Mauna Loa Hawaii Volcano magma molten
Mauna Loa Volcanic Cone 2
View of the Mauna Loa volcanic cone as seen from an airplane tour....Mauna Loa Volcanic cone lava volcano
Mauna Loa Summit: Our first date
New Year's Eve backpacking trip to the summit of Mauna Loa, Hawaii Volcanos National Park...Hawaii Backpacking Mauna Loa Summit
Mauna Loa Observatory
Mauna Loa volcano on the Big Island of Hawaii. I am standing at an observatory with friends who work for the Civil Air Patrol....Mauna Loa
Mauna Loa
Mauna Loa sulphur clouds....Mauna Loa Hawaii Volcano
Crunching across lava at 11200 feet on Hawaii's Mauna Loa
Hiking across the lava on the north slope of Hawaii's giant Mauna Loa volcano instills great respect for those who hiked to the summit in the early days. The
Mauna Loa Volcano, Big Island Hawai'i
Rising gradually to more than 4 km above sea level, Mauna Loa is the largest volcano on our planet. Its long submarine flanks descend to the sea floor
On the top of Mauna Loa (4169m) Hawaii
We reached the top of Mauna Loa at last at 4169 m (13679 ft), on Big Island, Hawaii. It is Earth's largest mountain, with
Mauna Loa lava flow
Mauna Loa lava flow taken from airplane ride...Mauna Loa lava flow Hawaii
Kilauea Volcano Erupts - Dramatic Video
Hawaii. Topographically Kilauea appears as only a bulge on the southeastern flank of Mauna Loa, and so for many years Kilauea was thought to be a mere satellite
Mauna Loa Helicopter Tours
Enjoy an aerial view of Hawaii's hidden natural treasures aboard a world-class helicopter. Because much of the beauty of Kauai is inaccessible by land, we recommend
Hot Magma at the Molten erupting Mauna Loa Volcano in Hawaii
April of 2007 on the Big Island of Hawaii. The volcano is called Mauna Loa and is constantly sending lava daily into the sea. When I was filming
Maui Volcano
views of Mauna Loa on Big Island and the exotic and rare, silverword plant....Maui Haleakala volcano Silversword mountain nature beauty Hawaii Mauna Loa Big Island
Big Island Day 1 - Hawaii Vacation
Rain Forest, Hiking, Devastation Trail, Mauna Loa...Hilo Akaka Falls Volcano National Park Goddess Pele Tropical Rain Forest Hiking Devastation Trail Mauna Loa
Hot Magma at the erupting Mauna Loa Volcano in Hawaii.
was filmed in April of 2007 on the Big Island of Hawaii....lava flow hot Mauna Loa Hawaii Volcano magma molten erupting volcanoes volcanos rock
Red Hill Backpack Trip
Backpacking trip to Red Hill Cabin on the side of Mauna Loa, Hawaii Volcanoes National Park...Hawaii Backpacking Red Hill Mauna Loa
Mauna Kea sunrise
've never felt such cold, but damn it was worth it...Mauna kea loa volcano volcanoes volcanos hawaii mountain maunaloa maunakea sunrise altitude worship
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