5 BEST ACTIVITIES TO DO IN WESTERN SIDE

5 BEST ACTIVITIES TO DO IN WESTERN SIDE

LEARN MORE ABOUT 5 BEST ACTIVITIES TO DO IN WESTERN SIDE AND EXPLORE THE BEST WAYS TO SEE THE WESTERN SIDE OF HAWAII’S BIG ISLAND

5 BEST ACTIVITIES TO DO IN WESTERN SIDE

My sole distinct recollection of the Island of Hawaii, until my most recent trip, was of me falling and cutting my knee on a lava rock outside the house of a family friend when I was three years old.

While some of the other islands’ sandy beaches might be more forgiving, the Big Island has a charm all its own. In six days, I fell in love with the slowed-down pace, the nearby adventure opportunities, and yes—even the lava rock.

To really explore the whole island, you’ll need more than a week. In my limited time, I got a peak at the west side—known colloquially as the Kona side of the island. It’s warm, dry, and covered in African fountain grass, an invasive species brought over in the 1700’s by a Frenchwoman who liked it as a garden plant, if you believe one rumor. The east—Hilo—side is greener, wetter, and home to Hawaii’s famous agriculture: coffee, pineapples, macadamia nuts (mac nuts for short). That’s also where you’ll find Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, and the Big Island’s only currently erupting volcano, Kilauea.

The great thing about the Big Island is that it’s diverse. Yes, there are golf courses, beaches, and spas. Any creature comfort you might want on the ultimate relaxation vacation will be at your fingertips. But there’s also snorkeling, paddle boarding, surfing, swimming, hiking, ziplining, sailing, and stargazing. And that’s just the Kona side. Here, five ways to get the most out of western Hawaii—while still getting in some grade-A Hawaiian relaxation.

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