The Big Island has eight distinct climate types (out of a possible 13). There was still one that was missing from our tour of the island. We were missing the tropical / rainforest. And if you want to see that, you need to cross over Kohala and follow the north-eastern coast to Hilo.
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The shores on this side are steep and cut with deep crevasses down to the sea. The trees and plant life are thick. The predominant color is green. Unlike the western, leeward side of the island, it rains daily. Those rains provide runoff for a number of impressive waterfalls. And that was our target for the afternoon. Akaka Falls.
We headed up through Waimea, over the back of Kohala and picked up the coast just past the Waipio Valley. We had to just give a friendly wave to Waipio. It’s currently closed to tourists. Because a not-insignificant number of tourists were assholes who ruined things for everyone else. If you can’t respect the local people and their things, then they’ll take their things away from you. We saw the valley last time we visited. It is indeed a beautiful place, but it is not easily reached, and I don’t hold any ill will toward the locals.
The coastal road twists and turns as it follows the contours of the land, frequently turning inland in tight switchbacks to minimize the size of the bridge that would ultimately need to be built to cross the valley formed by a weathered crevasse.
After a while, we came to Akaka Falls. We passed through the small town that shares its name, then climbed a few more miles back and up to the state park where the waterfall viewing/hiking paths are maintained. This is one of the few large waterfalls that can be reached with a normal car – no 4-wheel drive required, and the parking lot is very close to the waterfall itself.
The walking trail splits and heads in two directions, giving way to spectacular forest views like something out of Jurassic Park. Stands of bamboo, towering trees. Even a few trees with some other form of tree or plant entwined around their trunks locked in a twisted symbiotic dance.
Enough chit-chat. Here’s the pics…
We left the park and headed back to the town of Akaka Falls, where there were a few shops and some street vendors set up. This is when we discovered a delicacy of the island: the Apple-Banana.
Check out the tail-lights on this car. The left turn signal is an arrow pointing to the right. The right turn signal is an arrow pointing to the left. Even though you KNOW the light is flashing on the left side of the car, your brain still reads it as a right signal. Who thought this was a good idea?
When we got back to the condo, Becky still wanted to get a few more steps in, so we walked around the complex.
And, as usual we end the day with another sunset…
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