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A TOUR OF THE BIG ISLAND, HAWAII AT
ITS BEST
Kamuela & Honokaa
| Taking Highway 250
over the Kohala Mountains from Hawi to the ranch town of Kamuela weaves through the
island's majestic cattle country. Kamuela is the center of the 200,000 acre Parker Ranch
which runs some 50,000 head of cattle. |
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| In 1809 a young seaman
named John Parker jumped ship on the Big Island and started what was once the largest
ranch in America under single ownership, and he did it on some of the most beautiful land
found anywhere in the Pacific. |
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Traveling on from Kamuela takes us to the sleepy
little plantation town of Honokaa . The people here are descendants of immigrant
plantation workers who came to Hawaii in the 1800's to work on the sugar plantations that
once were the major business along the Hamakua Coast for over a hundred years. Today
the sugar plantations no longer exist but the traditions from that era still continue.
Nine miles outside of Honokaa is the spectacular
Waipio Valley. on either side of the valley are 2,000 foot walls which cut back into the
Kohala Mountains.
| At one time this serene valley was
heavily populated by ancient Hawaiians. However, tidal waves devastated the valley
more than once, and today there remains only a few taro farmers and their families who are
reluctant to give up the simplicity and awesome beauty of Waipio. |
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Driving east along the Hamakua coast from Honokaa
takes us through lush green rain forest laced with numerous streams and waterfalls.
| Akaka Falls Park is a 66 acre forest
with pathways that wind through Ohia forests, fragrant ginger plants, tumbling streams,
bamboo trees and dense foliage bringing you to Akaka falls which plunges 420 feet into a
misty mountain pool. |
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Return to the
Big Island Television Visitor's Information Page
Introduction & History
Continue the tour in Kailua-Kona
Continue the tour From Keauhou to Honaunau
Continue the tour on the Kohala Coast
Continue the tour in Hilo
Continue the tour in Volcano National Park
Continue the tour at Mauna Kea
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