![]() ![]() ![]() The sight is simply magical-as is the Hawaiian legend behind the Sweetheart Rock itself: A jealous young man from Maui ordered his lover to wait for him in a sea cave beneath the rock when he was away, and she ended up swallowed in the high tide and drowned. Watch the colors change in the pink sky as day breaks above the 80-foot rock, which juts out of Manele Bay. Mornings are spent on a guided hike to Pu’u Pehe, otherwise known as Sweetheart Rock, at sunrise. The private island, owned by Larry Ellison, is known as a secluded paradise by the jet-set crowd that frequents its luxury resort, the Four Seasons Resort Lanai at Manele Bay. One meal will leave you with even more appreciative of the natural beauty of Hawaii Island-and how delicious its fruits can be.įrom the largest of the Hawaiian islands to the smallest: Our next selection is the remote, romantic, island of Lanai. The aim of the culinary project is “Ka ho’oilina malamalama,” which means enlightened through heritage. Meanwhile, the Pōhāhā I Ka Lani Tour at Waipiʻo Valley Lookout is another can’t-miss activity (thanks to your fantastic hosts who share details about the island’s history and culture while you ascend to the overlook.) Finally, no matter where you are staying on the island, check out the schedule for Chef Brian Hirata’s pop-up dining experience, Na’au Hilo. Additionally, the Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park, located 45 minutes to the south of Hilo, is a must-do for any traveler. Afterward, head to the Temple Bar, the recently-opened craft beer & wine bar restaurant that’s a hit with visitors and locals alike. Check-in at the Hilo Hawaiian Hotel and explore the Haleolono fish pond before embarking on an ATV tour with the charismatic guides at The Umuama Experience. ![]() It rains more in Hilo, and travelers are advised to explore the waterfalls and tropical flowers that flourish on this lush part of the island. Hawaii Island © Hawaii Tourism Authority (HTA) / Anna Pacheco King Kamehameha spent his last years in Kona, and you can get in touch with royalty yourself with a Hāloa ʻĀina Royal Hawaiian Sandalwood Tour up in the highlands. Explore the black sand coast of Punaluu Beach and visit the five-acre farm of Kona Natural Soap, located just south of Kona in the town of Holualoa, for a tour (and chocolate-tasting) with the charismatic owner, Greg Colden. Kona, located on the western side of the island, is sunnier and the volcanic landscape is home to coffee farms and breathtaking views of the Pacific-we recommend staying at Fairmont Orchid on the Kohala Coast, to maximize that tropical bliss. The largest of the Hawaiian islands, the Island of Hawaii is nearly double the size of all the other islands combined, hence its nickname as the “Big Island.” Hawaii Island is also known as the Island of Discovery, and there’s much to explore in the island’s two distinct regions: the Kona and the Hilo areas of the island. For now, your Southwest hopping is limited to Honolulu flights to Kona or Kahului (Maui), but Lihue on Kauai and Hilo will come in the future as the airline expands its Hawaiian service.The Island of Hawaii is a must-visit for travelers yearning to reconnect with nature and experience what is known as the ‘old Hawaii’-as in, before the islands became as popular as they are today with tourists. With free checked and carry-on bags, free inflight entertainment, no change fees, affordable rates and a friendly attitude, Southwest Airlines is a great choice to island hop in Hawaii. They said what once could cost $200 was just $29, so why not take advantage? We heard them say that they flew in for the weekend just because flights were cheap. There were a bunch of travelers who live in Hawaii who made the trip to Oahu for the weekend and were now heading back to Kona on the Big Island. It wasn't just mainlanders like us who were island hopping on this Southwest flight. Perhaps the lack of a jetbridge sped this process along but whatever the reason, I was impressed. The car seat that we had gate-checked in its cover - and usually have to wait around at least 10-15 minutes to claim - was already sitting outside the aircraft, waiting for us. ![]() The most impressive service came as we were walking off the plane in Kona. The crew was telling jokes as people boarded and was prompt with the inflight service, happily providing as much juice and pretzels as you could reasonably want. As is often the case, Southwest service was friendly, funny and informal. ![]()
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