Park Bench Chat

Hawai’i Big Island

Explore the dramatic landscapes of Hawai‘i’s Big Island, where a cultural renaissance is in full bloom. During our five-day adventure, we’ll walk along quiet beaches where honu (Hawaiian green sea turtles) bask in the sun, and visit the ancient temples guarded by ki‘i (wooden statues) at Pu‘uhonua o Honaunau National Historical Park, enlarged with help from The Trust for Public Land. Following two nights at the Mauna Kea Beach Hotel on the sunny Kohala Coast, we’ll head south to the historic Volcano House, perched on the rim of Kilauea’s caldera in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. On a guided tour with a park service volcanologist, we’ll learn how this landscape was shaped by fire over 70 million years.

While at the Volcano House we will enjoy an evening with Grammy award-winning guitar artist, Keoki Kahumoku. The sounds of beautiful Hawaiian slack-key melodies and film ballads from the golden age of cinema are the perfect soundtrack for the dramatic caldera vistas spanning from the summit of Kilauea.

We’ll conclude our trip in Hilo with an easy guided hike and lunch along the Hamakua Coast of Hawai’i ‘s mythical Wailuku River – heralded as one of the Big Island’s hidden treasures.

CST #2086409-50