Food

One of the best things about traveling for most people. Think:

Farmers’ Markets. There are many around the Island, every day of the week. Meet a wide variety of local food products face to face. Visit our Farmers’ Markets.

Restaurants. Many kinds of fish, locally-grown familiar and exotic vegetables and fruits, Kona coffee, macadamia nuts, and more are used in dishes found on menus in both fine dining and casual restaurants here. Try them. You’ll like them.

Go to a luau. A good chance to enjoy typical Hawaiian foods. Find on site Luau resources here.

Markets. You’ll find lots of locally-grown and organic products on the Island of Hawaii. Download your copy of the 2007 Hawaii Organic Products Directory or visit www.hawaiiorganicfarmers.org to learn more about the island’s organic agriculture products and markets which sell organic foods. Also, find out more about locally grown products from the KTA Mountain Apple Brand.

Agriculture

The majority of Hawaii’s agricultural products come from the Big Island, including flowers. Click to see some of the ways you can see and learn about them.

Native Plants and Ecosystems

Hawaii’s native plants — as contrasted to exotic plants which were brought here by man — are fascinating. Here are some parks that are among the best in the State.

Amy B.H. Greenwell Ethnobotanical Garden.
Located in Captain Cook, 12 miles south of Kailua-Kona on Highway 11. A part of Bishop Museum, the Amy Greenwell Ethnobotanical Garden focuses on the traditional Native Hawaiian uses of plants and land. This 15- acre garden contains over 225 species of native plants including 30 that are endangered. Visit their website.

Waimea Nature Park. A 10-acre site in the heart of the community of Waimea where you can see 36 native plant species. An outstanding small park, where you’ll find informative and helpful self-guiding booklets.

Manuka State Wayside Park. Located on Route 11 (Mamalahoa Highway) approximately 41 miles south of Kona. Surrounded by the South Kona Forest Reserve, this park includes a 13 – acre arboretum that was planted in the mid-19th century. The arboretum includes both native and introduced plants.

Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. In addition to being a showcase of volcanism, this superlative national park — the only World Heritage site in Hawaii — is home to many native Hawaiian ferns, plants and trees. Visit their website.

Kalopa State Park. Located about four miles south of Honokaa on the Hamakua Coast, this State Park is located in a native ohia forest, and has trails where you can see other native plants. Visit the State Parks Website.
(See NATURAL ENVIRONMENT below for more information).

For more information visit:

• Hawaii State Parks Website
• Hawaii County Parks Website
• Botanical Gardens

Marine Life

The ocean surrounding the Big Island teems with marine life of all kinds but marine life that needs to be thoughtfully enjoyed and appreciated. These two ocean / beach parks will help you do that.

Kahaluu Beach Park. Educational exhibits on reefs, fish, turtles and other marine life plus regular programs. On Alii Drive in Kona.

Richardson / Leleiwi Beach Park. The Hilo area equivalent of Kahaluu Beach Park.

Mokupapapa Discovery Center for Hawaii ’s Remote Coral Reefs. Free exhibits reveal the remote 1,200-mile string of atolls and islets that lies north of Kauai, the largest conservation district in the United States. There’s a 2,500-gallon salt water aquarium, life-size fish models, colorful exhibits and graphic panels and multimedia exhibits. Kids will love this place and adults will too. Small but very appealing. 308 Kamehameha Ave., Hilo. (808) 933-8195. Visit their website.

Other useful links:

• Marine Monument
• Waiopae Tidepools Marine Conservation District
• Mokupapapa Marine Discovery Center
• Papahanaumokuakea National Marine Monument

(See NATURAL ENVIRONMENT below for more information).

Hawaiian Culture

Hawaiian culture is a vital part of anyone’s visit to the Big Island and can be experienced in many ways:

• Historic and heritage parks.
• Arts, crafts and local artisans.
• Dance (hula)
• Performing arts
• Museums / galleries

Health and Wellness

Rejuvenate yourself and enhance your health using the nature and natural elements, cultural healing practices and energy of the Big Island. Read Seven Elements for a Fine Wellness Experience.

Shopping

Whether for yourself or as gifts, there are lots of beautiful and different made-on-the-Hawaii Island items for sale that support thousands of artists, artisans, craftspeople and small businesses here.

Walk, Hike, Bicycle, Kayak or Ride a Horse!

In other words, get out of your car and use your muscles to experience the land and sea of the Island of Hawaii in a quiet, contemplative and energy-free manner. Take part of our Land Adventures.

Natural Environment

Hawaii Island is one of the few places in the world that offers a variety of opportunities for science tourism adventures which help you learn about and experience the dramatic natural environment and landscape of the Big Island. These include: volcanoes and volcanology; astronomy and space science; oceanography and marine science; geography, biology and natural history; aquaculture and agriculture; and renewable energy resources. Visit our only-one-of-its-kind, 24-page guide on this site for more information. Also, explore science island-wide and Stargaze Maunakea. Visit our learning adventures section.

Festivals and Events

One of the best ways to have real authentic experiences and meet people on your visit! Check out some of the dozens of annual festivals and cultural celebrations as well as ongoing sports, music, ethnic, artistic, scientific, food/culinary and other special events that take place around the Island. To see what they are, visit the Big Island Festival and Events Calendar, listing events throughout 2008 and into 2009. Visit our calendar of events.

Don’t miss the Kona Earth Festival, held annually in April and May. A celebration of the natural environment and how to better care for it, this festival features nearly 20 events spread over one month, including beach cleanup, Earth Day Fair, Coral Reef Awareness Day, Earth Mother’s Day Organic Brunch, dryland forest restoration project, community tree planting, NELHA and Hualalai tours, whale watching, and more. Learn more at www.konaearthfestival.org.

Educational and Volunteering

Another great way to really get an insight into Hawaii Island sustainability is by joining and being part of an educational adventure or volunteering to work or help out a conservation effort. Be an Eco-Adventure Volunteer!

Speak Hawaiian

Well, not really speak it, but have a go at some of the Hawaiian words that are commonly used in everyday speech in the Islands. It will put a smile on your face and local residents will appreciate your effort. Visit our language page.

Aloha and mahalo!

We think you’ll enjoy your visit to Hawaii Island that much more knowing you’ve contributed to making this destination more sustainable for the next visitor. It is small actions and thoughtful support of sustainable tourism practices here by each visitor that will help ensure the success of the larger, long-term sustainability effort.