THE BEAUTY OF OUR LAND!
On our mini-continent
during winter it's possible to ski on the slopes of 13,764' elevation Mauna Kea. That same
afternoon you could be sun-bathing on clean warm white sand beaches or snorkeling and
enjoying abundant colorful tropical fish in crystal clear water. This is the
island of wide open vistas to allow your spirit to soar and to create unlimited dreams. Go
from tropical lushness and rainforests to the higher cooler elevations where fireplaces
give the ambiance of Big Sur or Carmel. Continue through pastures, then through recent
barren lava flows, and to world-class Kohala resorts!
This is an
island that believes that the "good old days" is NOW, and we are working hard
to keep the best and to build the foundation for the BEST HAWAII of the future!
The Big Island is larger than all other Hawaiian islands together. But in 45-minutes you
can go from the city of Hilo to Volcanoes National Park. In another 30 minutes you can be
past Pahala and be almost to Naalehu. Half hour later you'll be nearing South Kona.
Another half hour through the small towns of Honaunau, Captain Cook,
Kealekekua and Kainaliu and you'll be in Kailua-Kona. Without stopping and driving at the posted speed limit, it will
take 2.5 to 3 hours to go from Hilo to Kailua-Kona via the southern route through Volcano.
The northern route along the Hamakua Coast through Kamuela down to Kawaihae and along the
Gold Coast to Kailua-Kona can be 2 to 2.5 hours if you don't stop. The third route through
the central Saddle Road takes about the same amount of time, but read carefully your
rental car contract first as some companies prohibit utilizing this route because of the
poor visibility in foggy weather and the number of accidents by those who don't know the
road. For those who appreciate vast scenic vistas, this is the drive for you. Make
arrangements for a bento (picnic box lunch), start early, stop often, and take a
lot of photographs of a Hawaii that few people get to see!
SLOW DOWN TO EXPERIENCE THE BIG
ISLAND!
It's possible to go around the island in one long day and perhaps that's okay for a first
trip. The Big Island has the largest number of repeat visitors and the longest stays of
any island. The Big Island also has the widest range of accommodations to fit every
budget. Prices are reasonable and good values. The most costly and luxurious Kohala
resorts also have the impressive repeat customer rates and even there, you get more than
you pay for! Others who aren't concerned about being pampered treasure the homely
atmosphere of the more modest hotels. The Big Island has over 500 bed and breakfasts units
of every description in every district and in every price range. Enjoy personal attention
and learn to avoid tourist traps.
You are cordially invited to visit the Fuku-Bonsai Cultural Center and Hawaii State Bonsai
Repository co-sponsored by Fuku-Bonsai Inc., a corporation of over 200 mostly Big Island
stockholders, and the non-profit Mid-Pacific Bonsai Foundation. We maintain the most
varied collection of artistic pot plants in the world, and here, there's no charge for
learning bonsai. We have free formal demonstration-workshops on the second Saturday
of each month beginning about 9AM and will have staff available for private workshops if
you'll call ahead.
In the following sections, we'll share some of the special parts of the Big Island and will
include links and photos to give you a better flavor.
E KOMO
MAI! Welcome to the Big Island!
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Return to Fuku-Bonsai home page
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Continue to the next section of VISITING THE BIG ISLAND
- © Fuku-Bonsai Inc. www.fukubonsai.com
e-mail:
sales@fukubonsai.com Phone (808) 982-9880; FAX
(808) 982-9880 Installed April 2001
- _____________________________________________________________
Fuku-Bonsai's BIG ISLAND website is a celebration of our home island only. For more
information about the entire HAWAII STATE: www.hawaii.com
is THE site to visit.