HILO ARRIVAL

The Zuiderdam moored alongside Pier 1 with a walkway leading to a large warehouse-type building that functions as the cruise terminal. Ship’s staff greeted us with flower leis as we walked down the pier.

I reserved a car from AVIS at the airport a few miles away. AVIS will send a shuttle to pick you up from the cruise port, but there is a good chance they won’t answer their phone, and you will probably be in for a long wait. I recommend taking one of the waiting taxis to the airport for $20. You can count on getting a shuttle back to the port after you return the car. The HILO AVIS doesn’t have a preferred lot, but if you are preferred, then your paperwork will be ready to go. You will only need to present your driver’s license and be on your way. All the major rental car companies are at the airport.

BLACK SANDS BEACH

The road to Kalapana is well-maintained and easy, taking about 45 minutes. When you reach the end of the road at Kalapana, turn right and drive about 1/4 mile to the end. We parked in a cul-de-sac where you will find Uncle Robert’s Awa Bar and Farmers Market. The Farmers Market is on Saturday, and they have music on Wednesday evenings if you are in Hilo late or overnight. A smoothie shack and ‘Uncle’s Kitchen’ serve BBQ plates, local-style food plates, burgers, appetizers, and fresh fish burgers or plates from 11 am to 7 pm. More HERE.

Walk around a gate, closed to keep cars out, walk through the space for a Flea Market, and continue about 1/3 of a mile to Kaimu Black Sand Beach. There’s not much of a beach but a black, rocky coastline created from old lava flows over the years.

There aren’t any signs or tourist infrastructure.

KALAPANA GARDENS

Kalapana Gardens is a housing development west of Kalapana. It was first developed in the 1960’s and was a relative bargain by Hawaii real estate prices. In 1990, most of the houses were destroyed by lava flows, and residents have been rebuilding over the last 30 years.

We drove a couple of miles to see the houses from a distance. Excellent views of the Pacific, but pretty desolate. There is no grass to cut here.

More HERE

KEHENA BLACK SANDS BEACH

Kehena Black Sands Beach, Four miles east of Kalapana, was easily accessible until 1975, when an earthquake destroyed the access stairs and lowered the beach by 3 feet. It’s now hard to get to, plus it was raining when we pulled into the parking lot overlook. More HERE

STAR OF THE SEA PAINTED CHURCH

The Star of the Sea Painted Church was built in 1930 by Father Gielen. It was moved about 1/2 mile east to its present location in 1990 when the lava flows that destroyed many houses in Kalapana threatened the church. Father Evarist Gielen, “mixing house paint and linseed oil, painted an array of biblical scenes on Star of the Sea’s ceiling and walls — a massive and moody nativity mural; a guardian angel suspended over children in a garden; Saint Cecilia, patron of musicians, surrounded by rosy cherubs” more HERE. We stopped here for about 15 minutes to check it out. It’s well worth your time.

CAFÉ 100

Loco Moco is our favorite local Hawaiian food dish, and Café 100 bills itself as the home of the Loco Moco. Loco Moco was created in Hilo in 1949 by Richard Inouye and his wife, Nancy. Loco Moco is simple to make, consisting of a hamburger patty over rice, covered with brown gravy, and topped with a sunny-side-up fried egg. Café 100 serves over 30 different versions of Loco Moco. The name came from teenagers from a Hilo sports club – The Lincoln Wreckers – who named the dish after one of their members whose nickname was “Crazy”. Loco is Spanish for Crazy, and Moco rhymes with Loco.

Café 100 takes its name from its founder, Richard Miyashiro, who served in the 100th Infantry Battalion in WW II. More HERE

KING KAMEHAMEHA STATUE

The King Kamehameha statue in Hilo is at 774 Kamehameha Ave in Wailoa River State Park. We stopped by for a quick picture before continuing to Rainbow Falls.

RAINBOW FALLS AND BOILING POTS

Rainbow Falls is about 4 miles from the ship and worth a stop. There is free parking within 100 yards of the viewing platform. You can climb some stairs to the top of the falls for a different perspective. People don’t spend much time here, so if the parking lot is full, spots will open in a few minutes. The best time to see a rainbow is in the morning on a sunny day.

Another 1.5 miles up the road is the Boiling Pots, which are small rapids that look like boiling water. The view spot is about 100 yards from the parking lot on a level pathway. There isn’t much to the Boiling Pots; you could pass on these if pressed for time.

BIG ISLAND CANDIES

If you are on a HAL tour, there is a 90 percent chance you will stop at Big Island Candies located at their Factory and Flagship store in Hilo at 585 Hinano St. You will be given a sample as you enter and you can view the workers thru a window in the back of the store. There is plenty to choose from, and it’s all great. You can buy most of the same products at the nearby Walmart if you are pressed for time. Stopping here is worth your time, even if you don’t plan on buying anything.  Clean restrooms are available.