Hawaii

9 Non-Touristy Things To Do on the Big Island of Hawaii in 2024 | San Diego Magazine

Published

2 years ago

March 18, 2024

9 Non-Touristy Things To Do on the Big Island of Hawaii in 2024 | San Diego Magazine

The Big Island of Hawaii is shrouded in a deep mystique and whispers a quiet foreboding to all who enter her sacred land. Boasting pristine tree-lined beaches, active volcanoes, lush rainforests, black lava fields as far as the eye can see, and an unmistakable “If You Know, You Know” factor, the captivating southernmost point of the Hawaiian archipelago is worth the trip off the beaten path.

Fiercely protective of the mostly untouched interior, locals like myself and transplants alike (Matthew McConaghey is often spotted around town in Waimea) are often hesitant to share favorite hidden gems. Respect for the ‘aina (land) is a central tenet of Hawaiian culture and Western tourists tend to take advantage of the island’s expansive beauty and sheer remoteness. The old adage “Leave it better than you found it” is forgotten, along with trash and common decency.

So, before diving into a list of the best things to do on the Big Island of Hawaii, here are a few tips to ensure you’re visiting responsibly:

Courtesy of Go Hawaii

Tips for Visiting Hawaii

Pick up your trash and “take only photos, leave only footprints”
Respect the locals, their land, and their rules
Don’t drive like you’re in the city, most highways are 55 MPH
Wear reef-safe sunscreen only and don’t wear any sunscreen at all in fresh water bodies of water
Do not take anything natural off the island (shells, stones, coral, dried flowers, etc.) especially lava rocks—Pele’s Curse is very real

Now that the ground rules are out of the way, these under-the-radar activities will have you seriously considering whether you could break your lease and work remotely.

Eagles Nest (Wai’ale Falls)

This swimmable, easily accessible roadside waterfall is located right outside of Hilo. It is free, which means the trails aren’t maintained, so it’s a little treacherous getting down to the waterfall to swim. Doable, and worth it, but you’ve been warned.

Pololu Valley Hike

This breathtaking 1.5-mile roundtrip hike drops you into a river valley complete with a sprawling black sand beach and wild cows. Be sure not to venture up the hill beyond the river mouth, as these are sacred burial grounds of the native Hawaiians who once inhabited the valley. Also note that this is not a swimming beach, rough currents and jellyfish are a regular occurrence. Make a stop at Rainbow Cafe in Kapaau on the way out for an authentic Hawaiian/Chinese plate lunch.

Big Island of Hawaii things to do including Reed’s Bay Beach Park commonly referred to as the “Ice Ponds” — Courtesy of Big Island

Reed’s Bay Beach Park aka “Ice Ponds”

Swimmable, crystal clear, and, you guessed it, ice cold—these freshwater ponds in Hilo are perfect for a picnic and swim. The closer you get to the ocean, the warmer the water gets. Nene geese and sea turtles frequent the beach park, but please do not attempt to touch or get close to them.

Big Island of Hawaii things to do including farmers markets like the Waimea Town Market featured — Courtesy of Waimea Town Market

Big Island Farmers Markets

Produce grown on the Big Island is unmatched in flavor and variety, thanks to the ultra-rich volcanic soil and generous rainfall. You can find tropical fruits, eggs, honey, huge leafy vegetables and the like at one of the many farmers markets on any given day across the island. Hilo Waterfront Market (everyday), Waimea Market (Pukalani Stables Wednesdays and Saturdays), and Volcano Village Market (Sundays) are some of the best markets in terms of variety and accessibility.

The Roots Skatepark in Kapaau featuring a skateboarder dropping into a bowl on the Big Island of Hawaii — Courtesy of Roots Skatepark

Big Island Skateparks

Love to skate? Bring your board and take an island-wide tour of the many skateparks the island has to offer. From Roots Skatepark in Kapaau to Shaka Paka in Hilo, and the legendary Kailua-Kona Skatepark, the Big Island has a booming skate community and the facilities to match. Fun fact: Roots Skatepark is completely community-funded and operated.

Kaloko Cloud Forest

High above Konatown on the dormant volcano of Hualalai lays the lush Honuaʻula Forest Reserve. The scenic seven-mile drive takes you to the trailhead where miles of forest is yours for exploring on foot or mountain bike. Be aware of weather as it changes rapidly and what once began as a pleasant, sunny afternoon can become a thick, dark fog or heavy downpour in what feels like a matter of moments.

Kiholo Bay

This brackish water bay is accessible with a short oceanfront hike. The milky turquoise water is the result of freshwater mixing with salt water and known for its bountiful sea turtle population. If you follow this hike, you will also see a black sand beach, abandoned beach shanty, and the bay itself, which is actually an ancient fishing pond used by native Hawaiians. Petroglyphs dot the lava rocks surrounding the bay, so be on the lookout.

Honaunau Bay

Walk the ancient city and historical landmarks of the Pu’uhonua O Honaunau National Historical Park first, then cool off at Two Steps and do some snorkeling. The reef is one of the best on the island, and in the deeper waters you can often see dolphins. There is a sandy area for children, but no facilities other than a Porta-Potty.

Honomu Goat Dairy

Check out the Honomu Goat Dairy where you can frolic with baby goats and buy some handmade goat cheese, milk, fudge, caramels, soap, or lip balm. It’s free to enter, and right off the side of the road on the way to Akaka Falls (which you should also visit!)

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Hawaii

People Power Hawaii festival remembers pivotal Marcos ouster in Philippines’ history

Published

6 hours ago

March 7, 2026

Press Room

People Power Hawaii festival remembers pivotal Marcos ouster in Philippines’ history

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – This year marks 40 years since the People Power Revolution ousted former President Ferdinand Marcos, Sr., from office in the Philippines, and Honolulu’s Filipino community is using art to preserve that history.

The People Power Hawaii month-long art festival is raising awareness about the historic peace movement and bringing the Filipino community together through art rooted in collective trauma and history.

“Art can inspire action, you want to tell people that something matters,” said Dianne Deauna, a board member of the Hawaii Filipinos for Truth, Justice, and Democracy, and organizer of the panel and art gallery. “If we don’t prioritize sharing these stories and capturing that history, we lose our most potent weapon against forces that try to erase us, and divide us, our heritage.”

The People Power Revolution consisted of a four-day, non-violent uprising in the Philippines in February 1986 that ended Marcos’ 20-year rule. It followed public outrage over his rule under martial law, electoral fraud and the assassination of opposition candidate Benigno Aquino Jr. Democracy advocates and Marcos’ dissenters held demonstrations, protesting corruption and persecution under the Marcos administration. Marcos and his family fled to Honolulu, where he lived in exile for three years, and died in 1989.

The month-long art festival opened with Pagalala’t Pakikibaka (Memory in Art), an artists’ panel and gallery event, at the Hawaii State Library, offering a historical view into the Marcos era of the Philippines and his time in Honolulu. It also included a People Power Hawaii Concert.

A new theater play called Indigo Child will be shown at The Actors’ Group (TAG) Brad Powell Theater at Dole Cannery on March 10, 11, 17 and 18.

The theater play follows the story of a mother and son and their psychological aftermath of martial law in the Philippines.

“It’s a warning, against political, historical revisionism and unexamined history,” said Emmanuele Mante, the organizer of the Indigo Child play. “It’s also a form of ethical and political act.”

People Power Hawaii 2026 is organized by the Hawaii Filipinos for Truth, Justice, and Democracy (HFTJD) and brought by the Filipino-American Historical Society of Hawaii (FAHSOH), Filipino Association of University Women (FAUW), and the Center for Philippine Studies at the University of Hawaii at Manoa.

For more information, head to People Power Hawaii 2026.

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Hawaii

Hawaii News Now launches new and improved mobile news app

Published

18 hours ago

March 7, 2026

Press Room

Hawaii News Now launches new and improved mobile news app

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – Breaking news! We’ve just launched our new and improved Hawaii News Now mobile news app.

The updated app features a fresh layout designed to make it easier to find the stories and information that matter most to you.

Access all of our newscasts, specials, podcasts and more with a few quick taps.

New features include:

Latest news at a glance. Scroll through the latest headlines right on your home screen.
Light or dark mode. Choose the look you prefer in your app settings.
Easy access to live streams. Tap the Live icon at the bottom to watch our newscasts, streaming shows, and breaking news live streams.

All your favorite features are still there. Tap the hamburger menu in the upper left corner to access our traffic map, program guide, HI Now Daily lifestyle content, and more.

And with First Alert Weather Days coming up, you’ll want to stay prepared. Tap the Weather icon to jump straight into the HNN Weather App for radar, video forecasts and more.

If your phone is set to automatically update apps, simply open the app, click through the intro screen and start exploring.

Be sure to enable notifications to get First Alert push alerts and breaking news as it happens.

If an ad pops up, tap “Continue” in the upper right corner to proceed.

If you’re still seeing the old version, head to your app store to update:

Apple users can click here.
Google/Android users can click here.

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Hawaii

NJ’s Jake Thistle to be featured on ‘American Idol’ Hawaii episode

Published

1 day ago

March 6, 2026

Press Room

NJ’s Jake Thistle to be featured on ‘American Idol’ Hawaii episode

Aloha, New Jersey.

Asbury Park rocker Jake Thistle will be featured on the Monday, March 9 episode of “American Idol.” It’s the ‘Ohana Round episode, which will have the Top 30 hopefuls performing for industry tastemakers as well as peers, family members and friends at Disney’s Aulani Resort in Hawaii.

Jacquie Lee of Colts Neck is also in the Top 30.

The tastemakers include social media personalities Kaniyia Brown and Terry McCaskill; dancer Sasha Farber; musician Anthony Gargiula; actress Loren Gray; singer Cheryl Porter; Grand Ole Opry announcer Kelly Sutton; and Rolling Stone editor Shirley Halperin, an East Brunswick native.

Thistle sang an earnest and soulful version of Sam Fender’s “Seventeen Going Under” on the Thursday, Feb. 23 Hollywood Week episode.

Lionel Richie said “I like him” after he pumped his fist during the rendition.

“You’re so ready for this,” said Luke Bryan of Thistle.

Music legends Lyle Lovett with John Hiatt are also fans of Thistle, a Paramus native.

“We’ve know Jake since he was a youngster and we’ve watched him grow and if you ever get a chance to hear Jake thistle play you will be glad you did,” said Lovett Wednesday, Match 4 from the stage of the Mayo Performing Arts Center in Morristown.

Thistle thanked the music stars on social media.

“Both of them have been hugely important to my development as a songwriter and musician, and I was honored they took the time!” Thistle said.

The 21-year old has been a regular on Asbury Park stages and Bruce Springsteen-related shows in the area. Thistle has even shared the same stage as the Boss.

“American Idol” airs 8 p.m. Mondays on ABC and subsequently streams on Hulu.

Subscribe to app.com for the latest on the New Jersey music scene.

Chris Jordan, a Jersey Shore native, covers entertainment and features for the USA Today Network New Jersey. Contact him at cjordan@app.com

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