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See and Do in Hawaii

My family and I visited Hawai`i for the first time in March 2007. After spending a couple of days on another island for my sister’s wedding, my wife, five year old daughter, and I flew over to the Big Island for the remainder of our vacation. And wow, what a trip! All three of us are nature enthusiasts, and the Big Island did not disappoint. Our first night on the island was spent in Hilo. We woke up extra early on our first morning, hoping to catch the sunrise over the ocean. Heading north up the coast, we searched for a good viewing spot. On a whim, we took a road marked “Scenic Drive” and encountered the breathtaking Onomea Bay. As we watched the sun rise over the bay, we ate a picnic breakfast and wondered why we had waited so long to visit this magical place. After viewing the sunrise, we again headed north, this time towards Akaka Falls State Park. Ours was the only car in the parking lot that morning, and we encountered no one else in the park, allowing us to gain a full measure of its beauty. Walking the circle route, we saw both Kahuna Falls and the gorgeous Akaka Falls. We spent over an hour in the park, taking many photos of the falls and the animal and plant life present. Driving back south into Hilo, we took a quick side trip to Rainbow Falls. Although not as majestic, nor as formidable, as Akaka Falls, this was perhaps our favorite waterfall because our daughter enjoyed it so much. We explored other areas of the island during the remainder of our trip, but our first day will always stand out in my memory because of the deep impact it made on us all. The Big Island captivated us, and we will most definitely be coming back.

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