Kalapana Lava Site

Description:

• This tour allows you to visit various famous Hawaiian sites including the Pana'ewa Tropical Rainforest, Ahalanui Spring, Pohoiki Beach, Kehena Beach and Star of the Sea Church. Both fun and educational, this tour will give you an insight into Hawaiian culture and nature. 
  
  Your day will start in Hilo at the beautiful Japanese Gardens named after Queen Lili'uokalani. Here you can enjoy a stunning view of Mauna Kea, one of the world's tallest mountains and an inactive volcano.

  From here, you'll drive south to the Pana'ewa Tropical Rainforest, a 12 acre (48 sq. km) zoo is located on the Pana'ewa Forest Reserve. In addition to being the only outdoor rainforest zoo in the United States, it offers over 50 species of animals from rainforest habitats around the world. Included are endangered Hawaiian birds exhibited in a natural setting, Sumatran the tiger, Brazilian tapirs, pygmy hippos and other rare animals.

  Pohoiki Beach: check out the locals do their thing on the waves at this popular surf spot. 

  Red Road: as you travel to Kalapana, you'll be treated to a wonderful ride on the historic Red Road. It is here that you can see the marvelous waves crash against steep cliffs and scenery that you'll want to capture on camera.

  Kehena Beach Lookout: it is here that you will marvel at the majestic appeal of this hidden black sand beach. Warning: You may see nude sunbathers here.

  Kalapana: lava flow from a 1990 Kilauea eruption annihilated this town. A treasured Hawaiian fishing village richly steeped in the traditions of the past. This is the site of the most famous black sand beach in the world which today is entombed beneath 50-75 feet (15-22 meters) of lava.

  Star of the Sea Church: built in 1928 and moved to its present location to escape the lava flows of 1990.

  Additional stops along the way include Pahoa Town and Ahalanui Spring.

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