YOUR GUIDE TO SUMMER ESCAPES ON THE ISLAND OF HAWAIʻI
YOUR GUIDE TO SUMMER ESCAPES ON THE ISLAND OF HAWAIʻI
Island of Hawai‘i Visitors Bureau Media Contact:
Cheyenne Gomez, (808) 539-3409, [email protected]
Island of Hawai‘i (April 1, 2024) — It’s just April, but we’re already eagerly anticipating the arrival of summer on the enchanting island of Hawai‘i. And it's easy to see why! With its breathtaking landscapes, rich cultural heritage and endless opportunities for adventure, the island of Hawai‘i offers an abundance of fun-filled outdoor activities and events for the entire family to enjoy. Whether you'll be a first-time visitor or already a seasoned island of Hawai‘i traveler, summer promises endless opportunities for adventure, relaxation and creating cherished memories with family and friends.
During the summer season, the island of Hawai‘i experiences an uptick in visitors so travelers are recommended to plan ahead and consider that there may be crowds at many of the island’s popular attractions. Construction recently commenced at Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park in preparation for the summer rush. A good solution to avoid peak summer crowds and having a more tranquil experience at Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park and other popular island of Hawai‘i attractions is considering visits during off-peak hours such as early mornings. Open 24 hours a day, Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park is one of the island’s best parks to visit at sunset or after dark to avoid crowds.
Spring and summer are Hawaiian monk seal pupping seasons in Hawai‘i. From now through pupping season’s end in August — and all year round — help protect one of the world’s most endangered marine mammals by keeping at least 150 feet away from the seals. (For reference, 150 feet measures just a bit shorter than the width of a standard football field from one sideline to the other.) Report any seal sightings on the island of Hawai‘i by calling The Marine Mammal Center at (808) 987-0765.
Read on to learn more about upcoming events and exciting activities to explore this summer on the island of Hawai‘i.
ACTIVITIES AND ATTRACTIONS
The Kailua Village Business Improvement District recently debuted a complimentary guided, history-revealing walking tour of Historic Kailua Village, happening on Wednesdays at 9:30 a.m. Guided by noted kumu hula (hula teacher) Pelena Keeling, who grew up in Kailua Village, the tour shares the history of the village, knowledge of Hawaiian culture and local insight. The tour begins at the banyan tree on Ka‘ahumanu Place, adjacent to Kailua Pier, and continues to Kamehameha I residence Kamakahonu, Ahu‘ena Heiau, Moku‘aikaua Church, and through Historic Kailua Village, concluding at Hulihe‘e Palace. For more information, visit http://www.historickailuavillage.com/.
Honoli‘i Orchards recently introduced its first Mānoa Chocolate cacao farm tour experience for guests. Situated on the east-facing slope of Maunakea, Honoli‘i Orchards benefits from the Hilo side of the island’s ideal growing conditions, marked by abundant rainfall, deep volcanic soil and dynamic terrain carved by the Honoli‘i Stream. Visiting guests will learn about the area's history and take a tour exploring the evolution of chocolate from its ancient origins to its modern craft variations. After a tasting of 10 craft chocolate bars made from cacao sourced from Hawai‘i farms, guests will learn about the diversity of flavors and unique terroir of Hawai‘i cacao. For more information or to book a tour, visit https://manoachocolate.com/pages/farm-tours.
Immerse yourself in the island of Hawai‘i's natural beauty while pedaling on paved terrain through the emerald landscapes of Umauma with The Umauma Experience’s new Aloha ʻĀina E-Bike Culture and Swim Tour. Knowledgeable guides lead guests via e-bikes on a narrated journey sharing knowledge of native Hawai‘i trees and plants as well as the skills and resourcefulness of the Hawaiian culture. Finally, take a dip at a waterfall, which is only accessible through The Umauma Experience. For more information or to book a tour, visit www.umaumaexperience.com or call (808) 930-9477.
The Hawaiʻi County Department of Parks and Recreation will be closing Kahaluʻu Beach Park in Kona from May 23 to 31 due to coral spawning. Kahalu‘u Bay is home to an important and unique coral reef ecosystem and is also one of Hawai‘i’s most popular snorkeling locations. Each year, more than 400,000 visitors explore the park’s shallow, nearshore reef to view its diverse marine life, colorful fish and dazzling ancient coral colonies. During the weeklong closure, the Kohala Center’s Kahalu‘u Bay Education Center (KBEC) and the State of Hawai‘i Department of Land and Natural Resources Division of Aquatic Resources (DLNR-DAR) asks that park visitors refrain from swimming, snorkeling and surfing in Kahaluʻu Bay to support the reproduction of its cauliflower coral (Pocillopora meandrina) and give the bay a brief, yet essential, rejuvenation period.
In March, the Hawai‘i Keiki Museum (HKM) reached the milestone of opening its second island of Hawai‘i location at Kings’ Shop in Waikoloa Beach Resort. HKM’s first location opened in Kailua-Kona in 2022 in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic era’s necessity for remote online learning. Recognizing the challenges of the times — in particular, a lack of social interaction opportunities for children — HKM founders Dana McLaughlin and Jyness Jones envisioned a discovery center and science museum for keiki (children). From its inception, HKM has aimed to become a place of dynamic engagement where children delve into interactive exhibits and learning stations crafted around scientific themes, with a focus on the unique scientific aspects of Hawai‘i Island. For more information, visit www.hawaiikeikimuseum.org.
Hawai‘i County Mayor Mitch Roth, the county’s Department of Parks and Recreation, and community members recently celebrated the completion of more than $5 million in renovations at Richardson Ocean Park. Enhancements to the oceanside park in Keaukaha include new accessible walkways, parking areas, showers, upgraded comfort stations, long-needed building repairs, electrical upgrades and more. The project’s primary focus was to enhance accessibility throughout the park in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act while preserving the character of the historic former Richardson residence — now known as the Richardson Ocean Center — and respecting the community’s longtime use of the popular resource. Major renovations to Richardson Ocean Center were aimed at enhancing its unique recreation and education programs focused on teaching youth ‘ike kai (ocean knowledge), including ocean awareness and safety, marine science, sailing and paddling.
Link to Images: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1-TWZKVz9Dzr28YgEsb5cEnCVYYJ61XCW
Photo Credit: County of Hawaiʻi
Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park recently commenced its two-year disaster recovery project that will include the removal of the former Thomas A. Jaggar Museum and USGS-operated volcano observatory facilities, Okamura Building and the Annex at Uēkahuna. A new USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory field station is being built near Kīlauea Military Camp’s historic ballfield. The recovery project also includes the construction of an administrative driving lane at the park entrance and a roundabout west of the entrance. With work and temporary traffic control already in place since March, the new, traffic-alleviating configuration will aim to improve safety and congestion at the park entrance and help visitors explore the park more easily. Park visitors are urged to plan ahead for their visits, expect delays and prepare for temporary area closures. Construction closures and delays are updated regularly on the park’s new construction webpage at https://www.nps.gov/havo/planyourvisit/construction-closures.htm.
Kona Cloud Forest Sanctuary is a living classroom inviting guests to connect with the ‘āina (land) and step into the wonder of the only seasonally dry cloud forest in the U.S. The sanctuary shares knowledge of the cloud forest through immersive experiences, including educational tours, forest bathing, sound baths and guided meditations, yoga, themed workshops and more, all designed to deepen guest connections to Hawai‘i, nature and their inner well-being. Guided by the principles of mālama ʻāina (care for the land), the sanctuary aims to elevate awareness, conservation and preservation of Hawai‘i’s forests. For more information, visit www.konacloudforest.com or call (808) 491-2369.
Link to Images: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1m-Vc4YlSDj4jSJaWasH9Q_ZC1GeA_uRL
Photo Credit: Kona Cloud Forest Sanctuary
UPCOMING EVENTS
Families are invited to an adventurous role-playing quest kicking off National Park Week on April 20, a fee-free day at Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. The fun starts at the Kīlauea Visitor Center lānai, where park guests will pick up an adventure pack and directions to activity stations located within a half-mile of the facility. Each station will feature a challenge and dice roll to guide the quest. Visitors completing the required tasks and returning to the center’s welcome tent will claim a prize. For more information, visit https://www.nps.gov/havo/learn/news/20240308-anr-pril-np-week-events.htm.
Bird and Bee Hawai‘i is proud to announce its upcoming World Bee Day event raising awareness of the importance of bees and other pollinators to our ecosystem, food security and livelihoods. This year's event will be held at the Mokupāpapa Discovery Center on May 18, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., and will feature multiple activities for all ages, including honey tasting and beekeeping demonstrations, plus vendors and interactive exhibits sharing knowledge of the fascinating world of bees. Local beekeepers and bee experts will be on hand to answer questions and offer advice on supporting and protecting bee populations. Whether you’re a bee enthusiast, nature lover or just curious, Bird and Bee Hawai‘i’s World Bee Day event will be a great way to get involved and make a difference. For more information, email Bird and Bee Hawai‘i at [email protected].
The island of Hawai‘i community comes together each year in May to honor loved ones who have passed at the Lights of Remembrance Lantern Procession, a ceremony releasing beautifully decorated lanterns into the ocean. This year’s 20th annual Celebration of Life is set for May 26, from noon to 7:30 p.m., at Reed’s Bay Beach Park. Parking will be available at the Civic Auditorium, with complimentary shuttle service to the park beginning at 11:30 a.m. For more information, visit https://www.hawaiicarechoices.org/celebrationoflife.
The IRONMAN 70.3 Hawai‘i triathlon is a qualifying event for the October IRONMAN World Men’s Championship, both happening on the island of Hawai‘i. The Olympic-distance IRONMAN 70.3 race on June 1 is comprised of a 1.2-mile swim at beautiful Pauoa Bay, a 56-mile bike ride across the rolling hills of Kohala and lava fields of the Kona Coast, and a 13.1-mile run through the scenic landscape of Mauna Lani Golf Course. For more information, visit https://www.ironman.com/im703-hawaii-course.
The annual King Kamehameha's Awesome Athletes Inclusive Canoe Race celebrates Hawai‘i’s diverse culture and community with an outrigger canoe (wa‘a) race for youth and adults with disabilities. Participating athletes compete in a six-person outrigger racing canoe in the same waters King Kamehameha I’s warriors launched their canoes to conquer the island of Maui across the ‘Alenuihāhā Channel. Gather at the shoreline to celebrate and cheer the determination and capabilities of race participants exemplifying the warrior mindset of the great Hawaiian king. Participation in the race is free and no experience is required. Register by April 30 by visiting http://www.hilocanoerace.com/.
Though coffee had been farmed in the island of Hawai‘i’s Ka‘ū district for generations as far back as the 1800s, the area’s beans and roasters only began earning notice on the global specialty-coffee scene in the early 2000s, winning numerous international awards. Held from June 1 through 8, the Ka‘ū Coffee Festival celebrates the district’s now firm standing as a world-class coffee-growing region and honors the farmers, roasters, gatherers and rich agricultural landscape that have all played a role in its renown. For more information, visit kaucoffeefestival.com.
The Hawai‘i Kuauli Pacific and Asia Cultural Festival is an annual celebration of the island of Hawai‘i as a multicultural melting pot. Happening at King Kamehameha’s Kona Beach Resort, this year’s three-day event, taking place June 7 through 9, promises fashion, food, cultural presentations, a hula hō‘ike (show), a fire knife competition, a culinary event and more. For more information, visit https://www.hikuauli.com.
June 8 will be a lively day on Historic Kailua Village’s Ali‘i Drive as it closes to vehicular traffic for a trio of fun events! From 9 to 11:30 a.m., grab a spot on the curb and celebrate King Kamehameha the Great at the Kona King Kamehameha Day Celebration Parade with regal pāʻū riders (women horseback riders) adorned in the flowers and colors of each of the Hawaiian Islands, hula hālau (hula schools), equestrian units, marching bands and more, all traversing Ali‘i Drive. Following the parade, check out the Hulihe‘e Palace’s Ho‘olaule‘a and Street Eats, A Kailua Village Food Truck Festival. From 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. you can tour the palace, enjoy its grounds and support local vendors and artisans while enjoying musical entertainment and ‘ono (tasty) food. Happening from noon to 6 p.m., Street Eats takes over the village from Hualālai Road to Palani Road and across the Kailua Pier, filling the space with multiple food vendors, local entertainment and hula. For more information on the Kona King Kamehameha Day Celebration Parade, visit https://konaparade.org/. For more information on Street Eats, visit https://historickailuavillage.com/. For more information on Hulihe‘e Palace’s Ho‘olaule‘a, visit https://daughtersofhawaii.org/events/hoolaulea/?occurrence=2024-06-08.
Celebrated statewide on June 11, the King Kamehameha Day holiday honors Kamehameha I, the island of Hawai‘i chief who united the Hawaiian Islands under his rule in 1810. One of the largest holiday celebrations of the king on Hawai‘i Island is the North Kohala Kamehameha Day Celebration, which includes a draping of the district’s King Kamehameha statue with a 20-foot lei, followed by a blessing ceremony, hula and music performances, and sharing of history. The parade following the ceremony always includes traditional pāʻū riders (women horseback riders) and horses adorned in flowers and colors representing each Hawaiian Island. For more information, visit www.kamehamehadaycelebration.org.
Join in on the Volcano’s ‘Ōhiʻa Lehua Runs on July 27. Beginning and ending in Volcano Village, the event’s course takes runners along the community’s Wright Road through a beautiful ‘ōhiʻa forest with scenic views of Maunakea and Maunaloa volcanoes. For more information, visit https://www.ohialehuahalf.com.