The Kohala Coast
The North end of the Big Island
A trip up Hawai'i's coastline north of Hilo leads to the Kohala region. Highway 19 takes you along Hawai'i's east coast, lush with waterfalls and valleys.
Akaka Falls
East Coast, Hawai'i (May 18th, '08)
North Kohala
After passing through Waimea, a delightful inland town and homebase for the Keck telescopes on Mauna Kea, you turn north and head through ranchlands overlooking the Kailua-Kona coast. At Hawai'i's northern tip is the Polulu Valley, a splendid lookout over a steep trail leading down to a rocky beach.
Dad and I enjoying the view towards Kailua-Kona from the Kohala highway
Kohala, Hawai'i (May 18th, '08)
Polulu Valley lookout
Kohala, Hawai'i (March 2nd, '08)
The beach at Polulu Valley
Kohala, Hawai'i (March 2nd, '08)
The beach at Polulu Valley
Kohala, Hawai'i (March 2nd, '08)
Hanging out in Polulu Valley
Kohala, Hawai'i (March 2nd, '08)
South Kohala
Heading south along the west coast you pass some historical sites, including the Lapakahi State Park and the navigational heiau, a temple used by ancient Hawai'ian mariners.
The navigational heaiu (temple)
Kohala, Hawai'i (May 18th, '08)
Puako Petroglyphs
A short trail from the high class golf courses at Waikoloa leads to the Puako petroglyphs, an extensive canvas of lava carved by early Hawai'ians.
Puako petroglyphs
Kohala, Hawai'i (May 18th, '08)
Puako petroglyphs
Kohala, Hawai'i (May 18th, '08)