So what's the big deal about this street and the enormous trees?…read more These old, gargantuan and unusually shaped trees that lined a street in the Waiakea Peninsula in Hilo, Big Island, is known as the "Hilo Walk of Fame." The trees thrive in Hilo's moist air since it rains a lot on this side of the island. We passed through a lot of lush greenery and vegetation on the way here. As we approached the "drive" the canopy of trees became more prominent and blanketed most of the entire drive with shade. Yeah, while you might say that they're just a bunch of trees on the road, it's interesting to note that many of the trees were planted by celebrities (politicians, actor, musicians, historic figures and other famous personalities) to commemorate their visit: FDR, Louis Armstrong, Babe Ruth, Amelia Earhart, Richard Nixon, etc. The trees dated back to 1933 when film director and producer, Cecil B. DeMille and his cast were filming in Hawaii and planted the first set of trees... the last tree was planted in 1964 by a first female politician from the Big Island. It is also amazing to learn that these resilient trees have survived many storms and tsunamis that devastated part of the Big Island. Also, I had no idea that the banyan tree is the national tree of India. Review #2282

Hilo as a town is a pleasant surprise: it's historic, it's beautiful, and it's verdant. It rains a…read morelot, leading to beautiful greenery everywhere with parks and trails galore. One such area is Banyan Tree Drive; a planned road around which many of the major hotels are. All along this road are huge old Banyan trees. Each tree has a plaque on the ground with the name of the politician, actor, or musician who planted it in the 1950s. In that 70 years, they've grown and aged well. The road is very shady and comfortable. Green vines are everywhere. The trees are the perfect habitat for vibrant birds and vocal coquí frogs, which come alive with song at night. There are beach and bay parks around the drive, with the Queen Liliuokalani Gardens at the far end. If you're on a driving tour of the island, it's worth your time to come here. I personally had a wonderful time running around the loop a few times on my visit; the sidewalk is large and safe away from the traffic. This would be a great place for an evening walk to just appreciate the trees and read the signs along the way; you may find one belonging to favorite movie star!

Definitely recommend this hike. It's easy and quick. The trees provide a nice shade and the breeze…read morefrom the ocean makes this a relaxing walk.

You pass a beautiful and scenic drive on the way to the trail. The trail is a bit bumpy, so it can…read morebe difficult for younger toddlers. It is definitely not ideal for strollers, so use a baby carrier instead, if you have it. The trail is relatively quick, and ends at at a breathtaking view of the water. Definitely one of my favorite moments so far in Hilo! If you continue up the jungle-like path, you will end up at the botanical gardens. So if you don't wish to walk there and then back after the gardens, you should take the same route back, to avoid the extra walking.

Bigger of an operation now compared to back when I was growing up in Hilo. But they have always…read morekept the fact that you can walk in and see the workers hand dipping cookies and whatnot. They've not changed much besides having newer items here and there. They've classic chocolate dipped shortbread cookies are always a winner. Best part about visiting is that you get samples of their products if you just ask kindly! The staff are always so friendly and helpful. I wish they would bring back the Peanut Butter Crunch Bars!

Make sure to check this place out if you're in the area! We stopped by around 8:30 AM and honestly…read moreweren't even sure it was open at first--the building looks pretty dark from the outside because of the tint. But as soon as we walked in, we were warmly greeted by the wonderful staff, and the whole vibe completely changed. Inside, the space is bright, inviting, and thoughtfully set up. We were offered samples of their Kona coffee along with a couple of treats of the day, which was such a nice touch. As you walk around, you can actually watch them making their delicious goodies, which makes the experience even more fun and tempting. The shop was beautifully decorated for the upcoming Easter holiday, and they also had some really lovely gift boxes--perfect if you're looking to bring something home for family or friends. There's also a small area where you can grab drinks (and possibly ice cream too). I ordered a green tea latte, and it was absolutely wonderful. Overall, such a cozy, welcoming spot with great treats and friendly service. Definitely worth stopping by--whether you're craving something sweet or looking to pick up a thoughtful gift!

Puna Chocolate Company is one of my favorite local chocolate artisan shops, conveniently located in…read moreDowntown Hilo. Since my time away, they have beautifully renovated the interior to have a sit-down booth area. I love the abundance of nene decor honoring our state bird, along with high quality chocolates made in Hawaii. The store clerk was very knowledgeable and described how each cultivars of chocolate differ in their taste profiles. We had the horchata 50% milk chocolate bar, and I don't have a picture because we devoured it in one sitting! Overall, Puna Chocolate Co. is an elegant, delightful, and elevated experience that rivals big names like Big Island Candies and Dandelion Chocolates in San Francisco. Highly recommend in stopping by!

I stopped by Puna Chocolate Company for an afternoon coffee and ordered an espresso. It wasn't…read moreterribly busy in the store so my drink was prepared in minutes. The espresso was strong, not overwhelmingly bitter, and had a good consistency to it. While sitting at the bar, I noticed that they had a Day Drink menu with a bunch of coffee and chocolate cocktails, including an espresso martini and a cacao old fashioned. For $14 and $13 respectively, these seemed like very reasonable prices. Definitely something I'll check out on my next visit. On the right side of the store is a gift shop, while the left side has a bunch of seating for patrons. I noticed there were a few people here with their laptops out, so I can only assume it's also a good place to work as well. The store seemed pretty quiet, street parking outside was easy, and the staff I interacted with here was friendly. Puna Chocolate Company is a good rest spot to stop by to escape from the busyness of Downtown Hilo.

Although we only had a few days to spend in Hawai'i, and a lot of activities to experience, we were…read moreexcited about trying out the variety of food available in Hilo. Thankfully, Pono and the Hilo Food Tours delivered. It was a treat to hear about the food we sampled through the lens of Hawaiian history. I would recommend Hilo Food Tours to anyone interested in sampling some great flavors. We hope to come back some time for the cocktail tour too!

From the owner: Hilo Food Tours is an experience, a walking culinary and historical journey which we make together…read morethrough Hilo town. These tasty dishes have become a part of the food landscape of Hawaii and are enjoyed by everyone. Our customers will experience the history and culture of Hawaii through their taste buds, leaving them with an appreciation for a place known for its beauty and mystery. This is what makes Hawaii unique and this is what we want you, our customers, to experience. Our 2 hour walking tour takes place in our quaint town of Hilo. We will tour five different eateries throughout Hilo town and sample the wonderful flavors each offers in their dishes. As we walk her streets you will learn the history and background of the area and be taken away to another time and place. A place rich in diversity that makes Hilo unique. You will experience each individual culture through your taste buds, savoring the richness and unique spices used in every dish.

The Island of Hawaii is…read more 1. one of seven islands making up the Hawaiian Islands chain. 2. largest land mass (approx 4000 sq. mi) of all the islands (and the youngest) 3. southern most of all the islands geographically 4. only island with a LIVE volcano(s) - Kilauea Iki and Mauna Loa 5. island with 3 named and recognized national parks- Hawaii Volcano National Park, Honokahau National Park, Pu'uhonua O Honaunau National Park also referred to as the City of Refuge 6. island with the most Hawaiian history and legacy- Captain James Cook discovered the Hawaiian Islands when he landed on the south west side of the island now known as Kona, King Kamehameha 1st, also known as King Kamehameha the Great as he united the people of the islands in the late 1700's. Then in the 1800's the missionaries came for a visit, never left and the rest my reading friends is history. I am born and raised on the Island of Hawaii, city of Hilo. While I'm a Honolulu resident all of my adult life, I still consider the Island of Hawaii; nicknamed the Big Island (for obvious reasons) my home. If you love nature, history and a laid back way of life, then, the Island of Hawaii is the place for you to visit. Fun Facts- Modern day Iron Man Triathlon held on Island of Hawaii. Cruise ships stop in two ports; Hilo and Kona, and if you are lucky, you might get to see and experience a live volcanic eruption

A third island for us (Oahu and Maui previously), our fourth visit to Hawaii. Just as gorgeous as…read morethe other two, and less visited. This large island mass could contain the entire rest of the chain in its boundaries alone. But beware of those lava flows if you're even thinking of relocating here. Hawaii Volcanoes National Park is this island's biggest tourist drawing card.

Take a scenic drive to an amazing working cacao farm where you can learn all about the art of…read moregrowing cacao. Chocolate lovers of all kinds will appreciate this event. Serene setting, knowledgeable hostess (host) We were greeted by the "security "dog named Darwin and knew this was the adventure for us. Travel with curiosity, be ready to have a Chocolate experience.

It's a little out of the way, but well worth the trip. We did the tour, which lasted about 4 hours,…read moreincluding a two-part tasting of 13 different chocolates and a very detailed tour of the farm and fermentation area. Colin was a very gracious host and patiently answered all our questions which was a great educational experience. Jude was a very entertaining tasting guide, inviting us to sample some cacao tea (smelled great!). Highly recommended if you're a chocoholic.

Peaceful and beautiful location for the whole family to enjoy the Hawaiian seashore a local turtle…read morenamed "Bubbles" also frequently visits this spot and can be seen in the protected cove

Fun place for kids. I would never come here without kids. The place was nice but they seriously…read moreneed to clean the bathrooms. I'm literally traumatized at how disgusting it was, floor was flooded, stepped in god knows what, then in the toilet there were 3 HUGE roaches walking around, horrible.

The OK Farm tour is a great way to learn about post sugarcane agriculture in Hawaii. Cassie was…read moreour tour guide and was very informative of the OK Farm history teaching us about all the crops growing on the farm. The in season fruit and macnuts were a nice treat as we overlooked the best view of Rainbow Falls!

One of the most interesting, informative tours I've ever been on. If you're a foodie or like to…read morecook this is a great place to visit! Ala and Cassie were great tour guides, driving us on a tour bus and stopping a few times to show us different fruit crops, but my favorite was spice road. Tasting, smelling and learning about the harvesting process. Don't misunderstand this was not at all a boring tour, it was just enough information and then we would move on while sipping seltzers,beer, and trying unusual fruits of the island not to mention snacking on macadamia nuts by some beautiful waterfalls. They also have a store where they sell some of their products and produce.

Good job and very well shared information. This is a fun event to do for all including kids.read more

Our tour guide was Cortney. She's very knowledgeable (even through she says she's not) and funny…read more The tour takes you through their grove and she shows the various types of pods and trees. You go back to the house and learn about the process to make chocolate. It's part presentation and part video. Courtney will open a pod and you can taste the beans: the while squishy part tastes like apple jolly ranchers. The purple bean is bitter, so you have to swallow it fast. Then you get to sample different types of chocolates. Yum! The tour is about an hour. I think it's a good balance between information and keeping things going. I definite recommend for adults and our 6 year-old son enjoyed it.