Page 94 - Hawaii: Diving, Surfing, Pearl Harbor, Volcanoes and More

WAIPIO VALLEY Was once a valley of Hawaiian kings. The mouth Waimea 50 in (127 cm.)/year
of the valley is a black sand bay. The valley sweeps 6 miles inland be- Mauna Kea Weather:
tween near-vertical cliffs. Enjoy the incredible view of this lush, sa- Typical Winter High: 400F (40C)
cred valley from the Waipio Valley Lookout at the end of a road begin- Low: 250F (-40C)
ning in Honokaa. Once the home of thousands, now only a few dozen Summer High: 600F (150C) Low: 320F (00C)
inhabitants tend their gardens, fish the bay and live in the old Hawai-
ian way. You can hike in, or call the Waipio Valley Shuttle at (808) It sometimes snows several feet deep atop Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa.
775-7121 for a 4-wheel drive tour, take the Waipio Valley Wagon Tour The Big Island has 11 of the world’s 13 climate zones.
(808) 775-0958, a mule-drawn surrey, or ride horseback to Waipio wa-
terfalls with Waipio Ridge Stables, LLC. (808) 775-1007. Note on Lava Flows: Many of the Big Island’s major lava flows of the
last 200 years are depicted with gray shading and the year of the erup-
KOHALA MOUNTAIN SAFARI The same Hawaii company that tion. There have been many more eruptions with lava flow in addition
does the Flumin’ Da Ditch tours will also take you on a trip into re- to those shown.
mote, wild Kohala in a Hummer. (808) 889-6922
POHOIKI BAY For all divers, from beginner to advanced, as well as
SKI HAWAII By organizing rides to the summit, Big Island skiers and for snorkelers, this is the best shore dive on this side of the Big Is-
snowboarders enjoy four to six feet of “pineapple powder” sporadi- land. It boasts an incredible variety of fish and invertebrates, plus both
cally from Dec. to May. The view is unbelievable! green and hawksbill sea turtles. It is also a favorite surf spot for the
locals, especially when summer south swells kick up.
HAWAII FACTS:
BLACK SANDS BEACH Next to the fine volcanic sand at Black Sands
Area: 4,028.2 sq. miles (10,433.1 sq. km.) Beach (Punalu’u Beach Park), there are tall, graceful coconut palms,
Coastline: 266 miles (430 km) a freshwater estuary, and hawksbill turtles grazing on the algae along
E to W Width: 80 miles (129 km.) the offshore rocks. This protected habitat for the hawksbill turtles is
N to S Length: 93 miles (150 km.) also a snorkeling and scuba diving spot full of colorful corals and reef
Population: 135,000+ fish. Surfing is good on summer’s south swells, but the current can be
High Spot: Mauna Kea 13,796 ft. (4205 m.) Approx. 32,000 ft. (9754m very strong. Don’t join the food chain!
high from sea floor to summit. Mauna Kea grows out of the flank of
Mauna Loa, the biggest mountain in the world.
Rainfall: Hilo 129 in. (328 cm.)/year
Kona Airport 24 in. (60 cm.)/year
South Point 15 in. (38 cm.)/year