DAY 5: Hilo and its sorroundings
Oceans, beaches, but also five volcanoes, coffee, beer ... two cities so different and so unique, where everything is ... big (not just the island) and where everything, even and above all due to the frequent volcanic eruptions, everything is in constant transformation. Big Island is the cradle of the Hawaiian kingdom, because they were born here and then became what they are today, on an island where Mauna Loa, Mauna Kea, Kilauea, Hualai and Kohala. Kilauea, the most active volcano in the world, continue to increase the volume of a land that also and above all lives of spirituality. Big Island, so fascinating but equally insidious, so rich in historical and natural beauties, but also not easy to visit. Yes, because if you want to get it right, it takes several days (at least five full days) to visit the entire island and it is unthinkable to stay overnight only in Kona or in Hilo. We made this mistake, staying for six nights in the cheapest Hilo. For this reason, also thanks to our experience, we want to suggest you a five-day itinerary on the island of Big Island, a path that includes two nights in Kona and three in Hilo. After telling you about Kauai, Oahu and Maui, it's time to take you to discovery the territory of Big Island ...
Oceans, beaches, but also five volcanoes, coffee, beer ... two cities so different and so unique, where everything is ... big (not just the island) and where everything, even and above all due to the frequent volcanic eruptions, everything is in constant transformation. Big Island is the cradle of the Hawaiian kingdom, because they were born here and then became what they are today, on an island where Mauna Loa, Mauna Kea, Kilauea, Hualai and Kohala. Kilauea, the most active volcano in the world, continue to increase the volume of a land that also and above all lives of spirituality. Big Island, so fascinating but equally insidious, so rich in historical and natural beauties, but also not easy to visit. Yes, because if you want to get it right, it takes several days (at least five full days) to visit the entire island and it is unthinkable to stay overnight only in Kona or in Hilo. We made this mistake, staying for six nights in the cheapest Hilo. For this reason, also thanks to our experience, we want to suggest you a five-day itinerary on the island of Big Island, a path that includes two nights in Kona and three in Hilo. After telling you about Kauai, Oahu and Maui, it's time to take you to discovery the territory of Big Island ...
(Kona International Airport)
KONA, TRA STORIA, CAFFE' e... BIRRA
Kona, la città più famosa di Big Island, è completamente diversa da Hilo, situata nel versante opposto dell'isola. A dividerle sono solamente 76 miglia, ma raggiungere la parte opposta dell'isola non è così semplice. Già, perchè c'è da attraversare il Mauna Kea, semplicemente il massiccio più alto al mondo se misurato rispetto alla sua base, che si trova a quasi 5.761 m sotto il livello del mare. . Soprattutto quando scendono le luci della sera, spostarsi da Kona a Hilo potrebbe diventare un problema. E noi ne sappiamo qualcosa... Kona è il luogo perfetto per le famiglie: qui ci sono i grandi resort, qui c'è un downtown decisamente vivibile e le spiagge più belle. E proprio da Kailua-Kona (due città che di fatto ne formano una sola) cominciamo l'esplorazione di Big Island: il cuore pulsante è la sua Alii Drive (lunga 3 km), dove troverete ristoranti, tanti negozi ma anche riferimenti storici. Qui ci si sente in pace col mondo.
KONA, BETWEEN HISTORY, COFFEE and ... BEER
Kona, the most famous city on Big Island, is completely different from Hilo, located on the opposite side of the island. They are separated only by 76 miles, but reaching the opposite side of the island is definitely not that easy. Yes, because people will have to cross the Mauna Kea, simply the highest mountain range in the world when measured from its underwater base. Especially when night falls, moving from Kona to Hilo could become a huge problem. And that, we do know a little something about that... Kona is indeed the perfect place for families: here tourists will find the big resorts, here there is a very livable downtown and the most beautiful beaches. We begin the exploration of Big Island from Kailua-Kona (two cities that are actually known as Kona): the beating heart is its Alii Drive (3 km long), where you will find restaurants, many shops but also historical references. Here you just feel very peaceful...
(downtown Kailua-Kona)
Un tour a piedi di Kona che si rispetti non può prescindere da Hulihee palace: costruito nel 1838, fu anche acquistato dal re Kalakua e conserva ancora oggi gran parte degli arredi originari. Dal lato opposto della strada svetta la Mokuaikaua Church, la prima chiesa delle Hawaii. Dopo diversi incendi, l'attuale struttura in pietra fu costruita, in parte grazie anche a pietre riciclate da un vicino Heiau.
A self-respecting Kona walking tour should start from the Hulihee Palace: built in 1838, it was also purchased by King Kalakua and still retains much of the original furnishings. Across the street stands the Mokuaikaua Church, the first church in Hawaii. After several fires, the current stone structure was built, partly thanks to recycled stones from a nearby Heiau.
(Hulihee Palace & Mokuaikaua Church)
About 400 meters north, do not miss the Kamakahonu National Historic Landmark, the residence of Kamehameha I: the history of the whole Hawaii was written in this temple, when King Kamehameha II, challenging the Kapu (or the law) which prohibited men and women from eating together, decided to feast with his mother and stepmother, ending the Hawaiian system of kapu.
(Kamakahonu National Historic Landmark)
Per chi ama lo shopping consigliamo il Kona Village Market Place (75-5767 Ali'i Dr, Kailua) ed il Kona Inn Shopping Village (75-5767 Ali'i Dr), ma se siete alla ricerca di qualcosa di più autentico, non perdetevi i tanti farmers market che popolano l'isola.
For those who love shopping we recommend the Kona Village Market Place (75-5767 Ali'i Dr, Kailua) and the Kona Inn Shopping Village (75-5767 Ali'i Dr), but if you are looking for something more authentic, don't miss the many farmers markets that populate the island.
(Kona Village Market Place)
Qui a Kona i migliori sono il Kona Sunset Farmers Market (il mercoledì dalle ore 14), il Keauhou Farmers Market (sabato dalle 8 alle 12: Keauhou Shopping Center, fronting Ace Hardware. 78-6831 Alii Drive), il Ho'oulu Community Farmers Market (mercoledì dalle 9 alle 12: Sheraton Kona Resort and spa at Keauhou bay: 78-128 Ehukai Street) e l'Alii Garden Market Place (mercoledì dalle 9 alle 16: 2311, 75-6129 Alii Dr). Il miglior poke dell'isola invece si gusta proprio qui, a Kona, al Poke Shack (76-6246 Alii Dr) oppure all'Umekes Ali'i Plaza (75-143 Hualalai Rd).
Here in Kona the best farmers markets are the Kona Sunset Farmers Market (hours of operation: Wednesday from 2 pm), the Keauhou Farmers Market (Saturday from 8 am to 12 pm - address: Keauhou Shopping Center, fronting Ace Hardware. 78-6831 Alii Drive), the Ho'oulu Community Farmers Market (Wednesday from 9 am to 12 pm: Sheraton Kona Resort and spa at Keauhou bay: 78-128 Ehukai Street) and Alii Garden Market Place (Wednesday from 9 am to 4 pm: 2311, 75-6129 Alii Dr). You'll also find the best poke on the island right right here, in Kona, at Poke Shack (76-6246 Alii Dr) or at Umekes Ali'i Plaza (75-143 Hualalai Rd)
(Poke dish at Umekes Ali'i Plaza)
Ogni pasto che si rispetti, non solo a Kona, ma in tutta l'isola, non può non concludersi con una tazza del mitico caffè di Kona, introdotto nel 1813 da don Francisco de Paula Y Marin, un medico spagnolo. A Kona potrete visitare diverse piantagioni e molte delle quali offrono anche tour gratuiti. Una su tutte è la Mountain Thunder Coffee Plantation, situata a 1000 metri di altitudine, che organizza visite guidate (non sono richieste prenotazioni) da lunedì alla domenica (dalle 9.30 alle 16). Al termine potrete assaggiare anche i tanti tipi di caffè prodotto e, se siete fortunati, vi verrà offerto anche cioccolatino al caffè. Ovviamente la Mountain Thunder Coffee Plantation non è l'unica piantagione visitabile a Big Island. Tra le altre ci sentiamo di raccomandare:
- Rooster Farms
da oltre 30 anni è un'azienda certificata di coltivazione biologica di caffè Kona che la rende la più antica azienda certificata.
- Heavenly Hawaiian Coffee Farm
organizza visite gratuite dal lunedì al sabato dalle 9:00 alle 16:00. I tour sono "farm to cup" e si concludono con una degustazione sul lanai.
- Wailele Estates Plantation
Organizza tour gratuiti da 1 a 2 ore durante la stagione della raccolta (da luglio a dicembre).
- Holualoa Kona Coffee Company
Tour autoguidati dal lunedì al venerdì dalle 8:00 alle 15:00. nella loro piantagione di Kona Le'a.
- Hula Daddy Kona Coffee
è aperto dal lunedì al venerdì dalle 10 alle 16. I tour del frutteto e la sala di arrostimento sono gratuiti.
- Greenwell Farms
organizza tour gratuiti per tutto il giorno.
- Kona Joe
aperto tutti i giorni dalle 8:00 alle 17:00. Visite autoguidate gratuite e visite guidate a pagamento.
Every self-respecting meal, not only in Kona, but throughout the island, can only end with a cup of the legendary Kona coffee, introduced in 1813 by Don Francisco de Paula Y Marin, a Spanish doctor. While in Kona you can visit several plantations and many of which also offer free tours. One of all is the Mountain Thunder Coffee Plantation, located at 1000 meters above sea level, which organizes guided tours (reservations are not required) from Monday to Sunday (from 9.30 am to 4 pm). At the end of the tour you can also taste the many types of coffee produced and, if you are lucky, you will also be offered a coffee-chocolate. Obviously the Mountain Thunder Coffee Plantation is not the only plantation that can be visited on Big Island. Among others, we would recommend:
- Rooster Farms
For over 30 years it has been a certified company of organic Kona coffee cultivation which makes it the oldest certified company.
- Heavenly Hawaiian Coffee Farm
It organizes free tours from Monday to Saturday from 9:00 am to 4:00. Tours are "farm to cup" and end with a tasting on the lanai.
- Wailele Estates Plantation
Organize 1 to 2 hours free tours during the harvest season (July to December)
- Holualoa Kona Coffee Company
Self-guided tours from Monday to Friday from 8:00 am to 3:00 pm on their Kona Le'a plantation.
- Hula Daddy Kona Coffee
It is open Monday to Friday from 10 to 16. Tours of the orchard and the roasting room are free of charge
- Greenwell Farms
It organizes free tours all day.
- Kona Joe
It's open every day from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm Free self-guided tours and paid in-depth guided tours.
Every self-respecting meal, not only in Kona, but throughout the island, can only end with a cup of the legendary Kona coffee, introduced in 1813 by Don Francisco de Paula Y Marin, a Spanish doctor. While in Kona you can visit several plantations and many of which also offer free tours. One of all is the Mountain Thunder Coffee Plantation, located at 1000 meters above sea level, which organizes guided tours (reservations are not required) from Monday to Sunday (from 9.30 am to 4 pm). At the end of the tour you can also taste the many types of coffee produced and, if you are lucky, you will also be offered a coffee-chocolate. Obviously the Mountain Thunder Coffee Plantation is not the only plantation that can be visited on Big Island. Among others, we would recommend:
- Rooster Farms
For over 30 years it has been a certified company of organic Kona coffee cultivation which makes it the oldest certified company.
- Heavenly Hawaiian Coffee Farm
It organizes free tours from Monday to Saturday from 9:00 am to 4:00. Tours are "farm to cup" and end with a tasting on the lanai.
- Wailele Estates Plantation
Organize 1 to 2 hours free tours during the harvest season (July to December)
- Holualoa Kona Coffee Company
Self-guided tours from Monday to Friday from 8:00 am to 3:00 pm on their Kona Le'a plantation.
- Hula Daddy Kona Coffee
It is open Monday to Friday from 10 to 16. Tours of the orchard and the roasting room are free of charge
- Greenwell Farms
It organizes free tours all day.
- Kona Joe
It's open every day from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm Free self-guided tours and paid in-depth guided tours.
(Mountain Thunder Coffee Farm)
Se il caffè è una sorta di religione, anche la birra sull'isola di Big Island non è da meno. Dal 1994 la Kona Brewery è, infatti, una delle birre artigianali più vendute al mondo e, quando si passa dalle parti di Kona, è impensabile non fare una visita alla sede principale dell'azienda, che offre anche tour giornalieri al costo di 15 dollari a persona. Si tratta di una delle due locations della Kona Brewery a Big Island: la storica (e prima) con annesso ristorante è proprio la Kona Pub and Brewery, che offre tours il lunedì, il martedì ed il giovedi alle 10.30 ed alle 15.00, il mercoledì’ alle 10.30, alle 12 ed alle 15.00, il sabato alle 10.30, alle 12, alle 14, alle 15 ed alle 16, la domenica alle 10.30, alle 12, alle 14 ed alle 15. Se non siete interessati al tour, potrete gustare le loro birre nell'adiacente ristorante-bar.
If coffee is a kind of religion, beer on Big Island is not far behind. Founded in 1994 the Kona Brewery is, in fact, one of the best-selling craft beers in the world and: if you're in Kona, it's unthinkable not to visit the company's headquarters, which also offers daily tours at a cost of $ 15 per per person. It is one of the two locations of the Kona Brewery on Big Island: the historic (and first) is this one, the Kona Pub and Brewery, which offers tours on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday at 10.30 am and 3.00 pm, on Wednesday at 10.30 am, at 12 pm and 3.00 pm, on Saturday at 10.30 am, at 12 pm, at 2 pm, at 3 pm and at 4 pm, on Sunday at 10.30 am, at 12 pm, at 2 pm and at 3 pm. If you are not interested in the tour, you can enjoy their beers in the adjacent restaurant-bar.
(Kona Brewing)
Tra le tante birre che potrete assaggiare, ricordiamo la Big Wave Golden Ale (birra dorata dal corpo leggero con un aroma di luppolo tropicale), la Longbord Island Lager (lager chiara), la Gold Cliff Ipa (ananas ed aromi di frutta tropicale), Hanalei Island Ipa (Frutto della passione, arancia e guava), Fire Rock Pale Ale (birra color rame a base di malti tostati e una selezione di luppoli premium) e Wailua Wheat (birra dorata). E poi ci sono quelle in versione limitata, come la mitica Castaway Ipa (luppolo audace e agrumato con un tocco di mango e frutto della passione bilanciato da ricchi malti al caramello) e la Lavaman Red Ale (birra ambrata con un sottile sapore di malto al cioccolato) e quelle ispirate alle isole hawaiane. Su tutte la Koko Brown Ale (sapore di nocciola, caramello e un gusto di malto tostato), la Kua Bay Ipa (India Pale ale) e la Hibiscus Brut Ipa.
Among the many beers you'll be able to taste, we mention the Big Wave Golden Ale (light-bodied golden beer with a tropical hop aroma), Longbord Island Lager (crisp, pale-gold lager made with choice malts and aromatic hops), Gold Cliff Ipa (features real pineapple, along with bright, tropical fruit aromas of Mosaic and Citra hops and a hint of smooth caramel malt), Hanalei Island Ipa (Passion fruit, orange and guava), Fire Rock Pale Ale (copper-colored ale made from roasted malts and a selection of premium hops.) and Wailua Wheat (golden beer). And then there are those in a limited version, such as the legendary Castaway Ipa (bold, citrusy hops with a touch of mango and passionfruit balanced by rich caramel malts) and Lavaman Red Ale (amber beer with a subtle malt flavor with chocolate) and those inspired by the Hawaiian islands. For example the Koko Brown Ale (hazelnut, caramel flavor and a toasted malt taste), the Kua Bay Ipa (India Pale ale) and the Hibiscus Brut Ipa.
VISITARE IL KALOKO-HONOKOHAU NATIONAL PARK, TRA STORIA E NATURA
In conclusione del day 1 a Big Island, potrete godere del tramonto nel bellissimo Kaloko-Honokohau National Historical Park (non lontano dall'aereoporto), riuscendo così ad inserire anche un po' di natura (ed eventualmente anche un bel trail) ad una giornata nella quale avrete vissuto delle Hawaii... diverse dal solito.
VISIT THE KALOKO-HONOKOHAU NATIONAL HISTORICAL PARK
BETWEEN HISTORY AND NATURE
At the end of day 1 on Big Island, you can enjoy the sunset in the beautiful Kaloko-Honokohau National Historical Park (not far from the airport), thus getting some... nature (and possibly even an easy nice trail) in a day where you experienced a different Hawaii.
(Kaloko-Honokohau National Historical Park - Visitor Center)
Il parco, fondato nel 1978, è considerato sacro dai locali, i cui antenati s'insediarono proprio qui, lungo la costa frastagliata a nord di Kona. Una zona impervia ma affascinante: l'estensione del Kaloko-Honokohau supera i 470 ettari e la sua conformazione è molto eterogenea comprendendo sia foreste tropicali che aree di tipo costiero ideali per nuotare e fare immersioni.
The park, founded in 1978, is considered sacred by locals, whose ancestors settled here right along the rugged coast north of Kona. An impervious but fascinating area: the extension of Kaloko-Honokohau exceeds 470 hectares and its conformation is very heterogeneous including both tropical forests and coastal areas which are perfect for swimming and diving.
(Ala Mauka Maka Trail & Ala Kahakai Trail)
Qui fa caldo, molto caldo, ma consigliamo ugualmente di percorrere il bellissimo Ala Mauka Maka trail (2.4 km), che vi condurrà sino ai templi sacri, scivoli di pietra chiamati hōlua e molto altro sino al mare. Una volta giunti all'oceano, svoltate a destra e seguite la spiaggia lungo il Ala Kahakai trail (1.5 km) che a sua volta dopo circa una ventina di minuti di cammino si congiungerà con il Ala Hu'e Hu'e trail (1.2 km). Se invece proseguirete andando dritto, il loop si allungherà di altri 2.5 km
Here it is hot, very hot, but we still recommend taking the beautiful Ala Mauka Maka trail (2.4 km), which will lead you to sacred temples, stone slides called hōlua and much more till you get to the ocean. Once you reach the ocean, turn right and follow the beach along the Ala Kahakai trail (1.5 km) which will join the Ala Hu'e Hu'e trail (turn right) after about twenty minutes walk (1.2 km). If, however, you go straight ahead, the loop will stretch for another 2.5 km
(Ala Kahakai trail)
Dopo aver svoltato a destra, seguiteil trail ed in circa mezz'ora-quaranta minuti raggiungerete il visitor center (lasciando la spiaggia e riavvicinandovi nuovamente alla strada) dal quale avrete cominciato la vostra camminata. Il totale della lunghezza dei tre trails è di circa 5 km. Considerate un paio d'ore per completare il percorso.
After turning right, follow the trail and, in about half an hour to forty minutes, you will reach the visitor center (leaving the beach and approaching the road again) where you started the hike. The total length of the three trails is approximately 5 km. Consider 2 hours to complete the loop.
(Ala Hu'e Hu'e trail)
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