FREE ISLAND ACTIVITIES

Hawaii-The Big Island

See Akaka Falls, the most spectacular waterfall located on the Hilo side of the island.

Visti Volcano National Park to see the world's most active volcano and the legendary home of Pele, the fire goddess.

Go to the top of Mauna Kea and see the snow!

Visit the coffee plantations south of Kailua-Kona.

Visti Pana'ewa Rainforest Zoo in Hilo, the only tropical rainforest zoo in the United States.

Visti Hulihee Palace, built from lava rock and coral and filled with artifacts and fine furniture.

In Spring try a night drive to see the manta rays at the Kona Classic underwater photography and art festival.

Don't miss the Merrie Monarch Festival, held in Hilo.

Akatsuka Orchid Gardens
Free self-guided tour available daily from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Call for hours on holidays. The gardens are located on Highway 11, 22.5 miles from Hilo towards the volcano. (808) 967-8234

Kona Blue Sky Coffee Company
The Estate offers complimentary guided walking tours Mon. through Sat. from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. (12 p.m. on New Year's). Visitors can learn how Kona coffee is processed and roasted. Tours include tasting a variety of coffees. (808) 322-1700

Volcano Winery
Free wine tasting offered daily from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. The winery is located on 35 Pi'i Mauna Road, 3 miles south of the Volcanoes National Park, at 30 mile marker entrance. (808)967-7479

Wailoa Center
Hilo's Wailoa State Park houses several exhibits that change monthly, featuring local artists or crafters. (808) 933-0416

Oahu

Hike up Diamond Head or through the rain forest in the Ko'olau Mountains.

Snorkel at Hanauma Bay.

Go to the North Shore to watch the surfers at Bonsai Pipeline (especially fun in winter months when the waves are the biggest)

Enjoy great music, then watch a spectacular sunset while having a drink and enjoying traditional Hawaiian music at Halekulan's House Without a Key.

Enjoy traditional Hawaiian shave ice at Matsumoto's on the North Shore.

See Iolani Palace, America's only royal palace.

Visit the famous statue of Duke Kahanamoku, three time Olympic Gold medalist and movie star. The beach behind the Duke statue happens to be the best swimming and surfing spot in Waikiki.

Hilo Hattie's FREE trolley ((808) 535-6500) takes you to their flagship store on Nimitz Highway. The return trip offers an optional stop at Ala Moana Center, then back to Waikiki.

KAMEHAMEHA THE GREAT
The bronze statue in front of Aliiolani Hale (shown to the right), facing 'Iolani Palace on South King Street, is that of Kamehameha the Great who, through warfare and diplomacy between 1790 and 1810, gained control of the islands to establish the monarchy. FREE.

KAWAIAHAO CHURCH
Built in 1841, Kawaiaha'o is Honolulu's oldest church. It served as the chapel of Hawaiian monarchs and was the site of royal inaugurations, weddings and funerals. Sunday services at 10:30 a.m. are in English and Hawaiian. South King at Punchbowl Street. (808) 522-1333. FREE.

Maui

Stop at McGregor Point, Maui's best spot on land from which to see the humpback whales and their calves between December and March.

Watch the sunrise over Haleakala Crater

Visit the remarkable town of Hana, tucked away at the end of the road.

Head to upcountry Maui for shopping.

Visit Whalers Village for terrific shopping and be sure to make time for the whale museum.

Check out the Maui Fin Company Open, an amateur and pro windsurfing competition.

LAHAINA CANNERY MALL
Lahaina Cannery Mall features song and dance with Keiki Hula every Saturday and Sunday at 1 p.m. Polynesian Dance is showcased every Tuesday and Thursday at 7 p.m. Free. Call (808) 661-5304.

The Whalers Village Museum is always free, as is cultural entertainment six nights a week. Open 9:30 a.m.–10:00 p.m. daily. 2435 Ka'anapali Pkwy. Call (808) 661-4567. Combine this with a free spectacular hula show every Wednesday and Sunday at the Village's courtyard, and you won't want to miss this attraction.

From Whalers Village, a truly enjoyable activity is to walk barefoot along the beach past the Whaler, Kaanapali Beach Hotel and up over the Sheraton Black Rock to the northern beach of the Royal Lahaina. Here lie the ruins of the old Kaanapali Landing, abandoned just prior to World War II. This pier was once used to ship out tons of sugar from the Pioneer Mill which cultivated most of Kaanapali in cane fields.

Kauai

Visit the quaint shops and restaurants in Hanalei.

Have a drink at Princeville at sunset and see where "South Pacific" was filmed.

Enjoy the history exhibit in the lovely little town of Koloa.

Visit the Na Pali Coast, 22 miles of scenic coastline with 3,000' cliffs, qualifying it as Hawaii's most remote wilderness accessible only by air, sea or foot.

Hike the Illiau Nature Loop.

See Waimea Canyon, coined the Grand Canyon of the Pacific by Mark Twain and where "Jurassic Park" was filmed.

Snorkel at Poipu Beach - pack a picnic basket for an all day adventure at this favorite family spot, which is also Kauai's best beach for swimming, snorkeling and bodysurfing.

Go to the Kilauea Lighthouse and Kilauea Point National Wildlife Refuge to see the Red Footed Boobies, Albatross and other exotic tropical birds.

COCONUT MARKETPLACE
Hosts Free Hula Shows at 5 p.m.; every Mon., Wed., Fri., and Sat.; Kapaa. Call (808) 822-3641.

FREE HULA HOUR
Kaua'i's own Aunt Bev entertains and teaches hula to anyone who wants to try at 12:15 p.m. at Harbor Mall near the Kaua'i Marriott Resort. (808) 245-6255.

SEAVIEW TERRACE
Also hosts Free Hula Shows at 6 p.m., daily; presented by Leilani's Hula Halau at the Hyatt Regency Resort and Spa, Poipu. Call (808) 742-1234.

Molokai

Look for Axis deer and wild turkeys in the forested area behind Molokai Village.

Pack a picnic lunch and head to the beach.

Enjoy the walk through Ironwood forest and the views from Kalaupapa overlook.

Visit the famous white sand Kaupoa Beach, a wide, sandy beach that's great for hours of sunbathing and exploring tidal pools.

Do a walk with the cultural advisors to see the remains of the old Hawaiian village down by the beach.

Do nothing, absolutely nothing and feel good about it!

Lanai

Visit Lanai City for fun shops and a traditional Hawaiian plate lunch.

Drive to the Garden of the Gods, an unusual geological area on the northern side of the island.

Snorkel at Hulopo'e Bay, also Lanai's best spot to see spinner dolphins and humpback whales.

Walk through the Nature Conservancy area where they're learning how to restore the dry forest environment.

Visit Kaiolohia Beach or "Shipwreck" Beach where the beachcombers look for treasures from beach glass to drift wood to glass floats.

Take a jeep up the Monroe Trail and see the amazing views from the ridge along the highest point in Lanai.