02Mar 2025 by Stella Toth No Comments

Waimanu Valley: Hawaii’s Last True Wilderness

The Call of the Wild in Waimanu Valley The first time I laid eyes on Waimanu Valley, it felt like stepping into a world forgotten by time. The sun hung low, casting golden light over the emerald cliffs, while the distant roar of waterfalls echoed through the misty air. This wasn’t just another scenic spot on the Big Island—this was raw, untouched Hawaii, where nature still ruled and only the truly determined could reach its sacred shores.Tucked away on the rugged northern coast, Waimanu Valley is one of Hawaii’s last true wildernesses—a place so remote that the only way in is either by foot, traversing the grueling 9-mile Muliwai Trail from Waipi‘o Valley, or by helicopter, soaring above cascading waterfalls and steep cliffs. There are no roads, no tourist crowds,…

01Mar 2025 by Stella Toth No Comments

Waipi‘o Valley’s Back Roads and Waterfalls

Hawaii, Adventure, Nature

Waipi'o Walley's Back Roads and Warwefalls The Kings of Waipi'o Walley Waipi‘o Valley isn’t just a place—it’s a feeling. A whisper of the past, carried on the mist that rolls down its emerald cliffs. It’s the kind of place that makes you pause, take a deep breath, and wonder if you’ve stepped into another world.For many visitors, Waipi‘o Valley is a postcard-perfect view from the scenic overlook. And while that panoramic vista is breathtaking, it’s just the beginning of what this legendary valley has to offer. Beyond the cliffs and through the dense jungle lie back roads that weave through taro fields, hidden waterfalls that tumble into secret pools, and trails that tell stories older than the islands themselves.But getting there isn’t as simple as taking a right turn off…

25Feb 2025 by Stella Toth No Comments

Kaumana Caves – Hilo’s Hidden Lava Tube

Adventure, Nature, Volcano

Kaumana Caves: Hilo’s Hidden Lava Tube Adventure Kaumana Caves: Hilo’s Hidden Lava Tube Adventure A hidden lava tube just outside Hilo, filled with natural skylights and caverns. Bring a flashlight and explore this geological wonder.The first time I stepped into Kaumana Caves, I felt like an explorer discovering an uncharted world—untouched, raw, and pulsing with the spirit of Hawai‘i’s volcanic past. Sunlight streamed through a collapsed skylight, illuminating the jagged, black walls with an eerie glow. The air was cool, carrying the damp scent of ancient rock, and the only sound was the rhythmic drip of water echoing through the cavern.Unlike the Thurston Lava Tube in Volcanoes National Park, which is paved and well-lit, Kaumana remains wild and untamed—a true adventurer’s paradise. It’s the kind of place where you need…

17Feb 2025 by Stella Toth No Comments

Kaimu Black Sand Beach

Adventure, Hawaii, Nature

Kaimu Black Sand Beach – A Hidden Gem on the Big Island Kaimu Black Sand Beach – A Hidden Gem on the Big Island Welcome to one of Hawaii's youngest and most breathtaking landscapes... There’s something magical about standing at the edge of creation itself. Imagine walking across an untouched, jet-black shoreline, the soft crunch of volcanic sand beneath your feet, waves crashing against the rugged coast. The air is thick with the salty breath of the Pacific, while young coconut trees sway in defiance, their roots gripping onto land that didn’t exist just a few decades ago.Welcome to Kaimu Black Sand Beach, one of the Big Island’s best-kept secrets. Unlike the famous Punaluʻu Black Sand Beach, which draws in tourists by the busload, Kaimu remains a hidden paradise—raw, untamed,…

10Sep 2018 by Sarah Garcia

Hurricane Season in Hawaii

Nature

Guess what time of year it is! That's right, it's hurricane season in Hawaii! Every year from the beginning of June to the end of November, Hawaii has its eyes on the Pacific Ocean from Mexico to Japan, watching for weather disturbances. The Central Pacific Basin, in which Hawaii squarely sits, is monitored constantly by NOAA (the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.) Our busiest month for hurricanes is usually August, followed by September. Let's be real: Hawaii is in a blessed spot. Hurricanes rarely strike us directly, and there are some good scientific reasons for this. First, Hawaii is a small target in a big ocean. The Pacific is the largest and deepest ocean on the planet: it covers about 63 million square miles and contains more than half of…

10Sep 2018 by Sarah Garcia

Hawaiian Terrestrial Life

Nature

Sitting outside on the lanai, enjoying a cool drink and relaxing sea breeze, listening to the crashing waves in the distance...and then you hear it. This small, two-tone animal call. Most visitors to the Island think it is a small bird….but what bird is awake at night? It is actually a tiny, invasive frog endemic to Puerto Rico; the Coqui Frog. They are only one of the many species that somehow managed to find their way to one of the most remote islands in the world. [caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="450"] The size of an adult coqui frog[/caption] As you travel around this beautiful island of Hawai’i, the diversity of plants and animals across the island is absolutely amazing! However, there is a darkness to that beauty. Much of what is…

23Jun 2018 by Sarah Garcia

Marine Life in Hawaii

Nature

When you hear “Hawai‘i”, what do you first think of? Sunshine, the beach, and the ocean, right? Many travelers coming to the islands often look forward to jumping into our warm waters, whether to surf and swim, or snorkel and dive! Just as the views from above the surface of the water are beautiful, the life and landscape under the water is just as breathtaking! To the untrained eye, everything under the water tends to look the same, with little to no diversity...however when you take an even closer look, you begin to realize life under the water is more than just a few rocks, fish, and turtles! There is an amazingly complex, and delicate ecosystem, just waiting to be fully understood. Here in Hawai‘i, we have amazing reef systems…

Category: Nature