If you haven’t been to Hawaii Island, also known to some as the Big Island, you need to add it to your list! Hawaii Island is part of the most secluded island chain in the world, home to Kilauea, the world’s most active volcano, and Mauna Kea, the tallest sea mountain in the world at more then 33,000 feet. If this isn’t enough to make you book your trip, just wait, there’s more.
My favorite fact about Hawaii Island, an island roughly the size of the state of Connecticut, is that its home to 11 of the world’s 13 climate zones. You would have to travel a distance of 4,800 miles from Alaska to Costa Rica, in order to find this many different world climate zones. Except on Hawaii Island where you only need to drive 190 miles; which means you can experience all 11 climate zones in just one day. Now that’s something you need to cross off your bucket list!
To begin, you must do 2 things. First, hit the road early in the morning and second, don’t forget to bring your raincoat, long sleeve shirt, fleece jacket, swimsuit, winter coat/gloves/hat and of course... your camera!
This scenic drive begins by driving clockwise around the entire island. Head north on Hwy 19 from the Waikoloa Beach Marriott Resort & Spa toward Hilo. Over the next two-hour drive, you leave behind a stark, arid, lava desert averaging 84 degrees and 8 inches rain and pass through the green hillsides of Waimea which averages 60 inches of rain with temperatures between 50 to 85 degrees. Plus, as you weave in and out of three breathtaking horseshoe-shaped valleys, lush tropical rainforests begin to appear just outside Hilo.
Hilo is a quaint sleepy town that receives more than 115 inches of rain! If you happen to be in Hilo on a sunny, dry day... you’ve won the lottery, as this is one of the most beautiful places on the island. Continue on with a slow and steady climb to Volcanoes National Park at 4,000 ft elevation. Temperatures hover around a cool 48 to 73 degrees with rainfall from 10 inches to more than 100 inches and that’s without even leaving the park! Oh, and while you’re here, don’t forget to take a picture of that red stuff glowing in the distance... you know, molten lava from Kilauea volcano!
Leaving Volcanoes National Park, you’ll start to enter a warmer tropical climate. As you make your way around the island, you’re about to reach one of the most unique climate zones on all of Hawaii Island in the South Kona district, the area where infamous Kona Coffee is grown. Hawaii Island is the only place in the United States to produces coffee, vanilla and chocolate. Now, isn’t that a delicious trifecta?
It’s at this point in the circle island scenic tour that we take a detour inland to the 14,000-foot summit of Mauna Kea. Mauna Kea means “white mountain” because it’s often covered in snow during the winter months. Break out your winter coat, gloves and hat and take a picture of yourself wearing it in Hawaii surrounded by snow. Now, that’s a picture sure to make your friends and family jealous!
I lived in Hawaii (Oahu) for
I lived in Hawaii (Oahu) for over a year. In fact, every morning, I would have my coffee at the Marriott Waikki since I lived a half a block from there. What a way to start my day! I would often have my hair done at the wonderful salon there and then, go up to the pool area for an afternoon cocktail. Such beautiful memories!! I now live in RI but we do have a Marriott right in Newport. Would love to see you come this way to bring us the Aloha Spirit. Someday, I will return, but for now, my sweet memories will carry me through. Mahalo for all the happiness you are bringing people. Juanita