Ohana Wellness

Diabetes? Overweight? High Cholesterol? High Blood Pressure?

Johnny and Esther Kai lost a combined total of 55 lbs. in 5 weeks with Medifast.


Whether you are currently working or a busy person, Medifast meal replacement products fit into your life. Men will lose 5 - 10 lbs. per week and women will lose 2 - 5 lbs. per week on the 5 and 1 plan with most participants*.

For more information contact Johnny Kai at 971-533-6881 or visit: ohanawellness.tsfl.com (Use Health Advisor #10479101)

* Consult with your physician.

Ric's List (Still) FREE Visitor Information! No Kidding!

PLEASE NOTE: We try to keep track of broken links and remove them; however, sometimes these links are removed without our knowledge. Sooner or later we'll get to correct them. Mahalo! (Thank you!)

*Link Directory:

Island Map | Museums | Seafood Guide | Places of Special Interest and Significance | Hawaiian Food in North America


THE BIG ISLAND - The Big Island is BIG! Don't be fooled by its characterization as an "island." Distances and driving times play a large part of your day when touring the island. THERE ARE NO FREEWAYS! Keep in mind there can be unexpected delays due to road repairs and other detours. Click here for approximate driving times and distances.

EAST HAWAI`I & WEST HAWAI`I

HILO [East Hawai`i] - A sleepy (but charming!) town that is often times less favored over the Kona Coast due to Hilo's lush and cooler tropical climate. As the Island's county seat, lush Hilo is striking in its beauty: scenic gardens, uncluttered parks, and forests are bountiful. It is the gateway to the only surviving rain forest in the U.S.A.

Return to top

KONA-KOHALA-WAIMEA [West Hawai`i] - With its sunny and mythical dry coast, its upland vistas and electric blue ocean, the Kona-Kohala Coast is considered a world class tourist destination. Most International flights enter the Big Island through Kona's charming mini airport. Kona is well-known for its famous Kona coffee products, "Reviera like coast", as well as its Hawaiian chocolate.

GETTING HERE AND AROUND - Getting around by bus and traveling the Big Island the Low Tech Way (last time we checked it was FREE!)

MAPS

Driving times (estimated, depending upon road work):

Driving Times:
Kona to Hilo - 2 hours 14 minutes
Kona to Volcano - 2 hours 30 minutes
Kona to Waimea - 50 minutes
Keahole Airport to Kona - 20 minutes
Keahole Airport to Kohala - 20 minutes
Kohala to Kona - 40 minutes
Hilo to Volcano - 45 minutes
Hilo to Waimea - 1 hour 15 minutes
Hilo to Kohala - 1 hour 45 minutes

Click Map for larger view>>>>> 


VIRTUAL TOURS -

Take a Virtual Tour:

Tour the islands in your chair!

Check out Hawai`i Island Visitor's Info site - Here you will find Maps, Heritage, and lots of other interesting info


KNOW YOUR HAWAIIAN HISTORY! -

Understanding Hawaiian History: Hawaiian Commentary on Independence on Free Hawai`i TV

Americanization of Hawaii - What Americans should know >More

Hakalau Forest Refuge -

Did you know that "at least half of the nation's plant and bird extinctions are Hawaiian species, and nearly a third of the nation's threatened and endangered species are unique to the Islands? Lokahi (Harmony) has been destroyed in half of our native rainforests and in 90% of dryland forests. - Conservation Council for Hawai`i"

For a Hawaiian experience in nature, consider visiting the Hakalau Forest National Wildlife Refuge.

LAVA, VOLCANOS, AND NATIONAL PARKS -

Lava Flow Information and Status (click picture below)

HAWAI`I VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK - Plan so you are there at lunch to take advantage of their (not so hot but okay) lunch buffet, or pack your a light snack so you can keep moving. If you decide to continue on to Kona via the Kau District and want to skip an early lunch, stop in at the Pahala Plantation for a snack before visiting the Hawaiian Green turtle breeding home at Punalu`u Black Sand Beach. We will leave the rest to your imagination!

Also, Check out the next Hawaiian Island now brewing off the coast of the Big Island of Hawai`i, called Loihi. Go here to visit Loihi!

Koloko-Honokohau National Park (Located just outside of Kailua Kona - one of the "newest" parks.)

Great outdoor hiking. Check with the visitor's center for the latest information. If you plan to visit the fish ponds (a short drive), the road is very rough and we recommend you avoid this site until the road is paved. See web site.

Pu`uhonua O Honaunau National Historical Park - Sacred area. (LEAVE YOUR BAD HABITS AT HOME!) Absolutely no food. However, the serenity is magic. > More Wikipedia info

Pu'ukohola Heiau

Built between 1790-91 by Kamehameha I with the assistance of two stranded European sailors, John Young and Isaac Davis, Kamehameha I extended his reign over all Hawaiian Islands. The remains of John Young’s homestead may be toured at the site. Pu'ukohola Heiau was constructed for ceremonies related to war. > More info

COUNTY PARKS AND RECREATION DEPARTMENT

Island wide outdoors activities. More Information on County Parks or State Parks

Return to top

ISLAND GOLFING -


......[CLICK IMAGE]


PLACES OF SPECIAL INTEREST -

[Click here for Map] - These are places that will take up to 1 - 2 hours, depending upon your interest.

Hawai`i Tropical Botanical Garden (Hilo) Papaikou - Botanical garden described as the most beautiful area in Hawaii. Photographer's paradise Phone: 808-964-5233. > More info

World Gardens at Uma Uma - If you want an alternate garden to stroll, consider the World Botanical Gardens in Umauma. It is relatively new and they allow self guided tours. Some of the drive way in the gradens are still a bit bumpy but only in a small section. Check their web site for the latest developments.

BIG ISLAND CANDIES, Hilo - 808-935-8890 - They are more famous for their cookies than candies! FAB-U-LOUS and D-LICIOUS! See map for location of town or visit their web site.

Pua Mau Place - New botanical garden near Kawaihae - Web site.

Nani Mau Gardens (Hilo) - Offers self-guided tour through some twenty acres of lush, manicured gardens featuring native and exotic flowers, ferns, and trees. Ask about their all you can eat buffet luncheon. Phone 808-959-3500. > More info

Hawaiian Petroglyphs - > More info

Pana`ewa Rainforest Zoo & Gardens

It is the only natural tropical rainforest zoo in the United States. > More info

Kamehameha The Great Statue - Hilo

This bigger than life statue is part of Hilo's Wailoa State Park with museums, memorials, and manicured grounds.

Kamehameha The Great Statue - Kapa`au, Kohala

This is where the real statue of the king resides in front of the old court house on Highway 270. All others are replicas, including the one on the Iolani Palace grounds in Honolulu.

Galaxy Garden at Paleaku Peace Gardens

Wonderful open gardens with facinating things to see. Check their web site for the latest information.

HAWAI`I WEB CAMS

Check out the many mini cams around the Big Island of Hawai`i.

Return to top

SOUVENIRS

Just returned from your Hawai`i visit and forgot to buy enough gifts for friends, relatives, or that special person at the office? Great Hawaiian gifts await you on-line at CAPTAINPICARD.COM! From leis, art, wood gift items, and other Made In Hawaii products and Hawaiian music.

Back to Menu

MUSEUMS

Lyman House Memorial Museum – Hilo. Hawaiian natural and cultural history; 1839 missionary home. Unique gift shop. Walking tours. Phone: 935-5021. More Information

Mokupapapa Discovery Center - Hilo. Great for kids to learn about their marine environment. Films and exhibits. 808-933-8195 Web site

Pacific Tsunami Museum - Hilo. 808-935-0926. Located in Hilo bay front behind the King Kamehameha statue on Kamehameha Avenue. Web site

Hulihee Palace - Kona - Web Site

Back to Menu

LOCAL DINING

No dining establishment is always perfect, however, these are places we visit over and over. Remember, some of the best "dining" is packing a lunch and relaxing at one of the many public beaches that dot the Big Island. > GO HERE FOR A LIST OF SUGGESTED RESTAURANTS

For Hawaiian food in North America, go here

SEAFOOD GUIDE

Seafood Guide >

BEACHES

Please note: Some beaches are not as accessible as they seem. For a more extensive list of beaches, go here: More beach details

Return to top

Back to top menu

VASH—Volunteers who Spread the Aloha to Visitors in Distress

Its mission is to ease the trauma, stress and anxiety faced by visitors who fall victim to crimes, medical emergencies and other adversity during their stay in Hawai‘i.

VASH volunteers work to show our visitors that we care about them and are ready to help visitors in trouble. By showing our Aloha, we help visitors leave with a feeling that although misfortune occurred, its effects were mitigated through compassion and practical assistance.

VASH services are provided on all four of the major islands.

  • O`ahu (808) 926-8274
  • Maui (808) 244-3530
  • Kaua`i(808) 482-0111
  • Hawai‘i(808) 756-0785 (West side) and (808) 935-3130 (East side)

Back to top menu

COMMENTS?

ENTER YOUR COMMENTS BELOW:

Your Email Address:

RE-ENTER your Email Address:

Your Name

DISCLAIMER: Information displayed at this and other sites are provided for reference only. Visitors assume all risks, liability, and responsibility when pursuing any of the information, activities, or services referenced herein.

Affiliate of IAKAMAI.COM, CaptainPicard.com, and SmartDOTCOM.com. All rights reserved.