Itenerary ? Is this possible?

We%26#39;re staying in Kohala at the Marriott for 8 days. We%26#39;re going to go to the volcano and stay the night at a B%26amp;B. On the way back I would like to do the following - we%26#39;re going in June and it will be me, hubby, and 11 year old son:

* Rainbow Falls (Waianuenue Ave.)

* Back out to 19: Past the 7 mile marker, 4 mile scenic route (old highway).

* Stop at Hawaii Tropical Botanical Gardens

* Next stop: Between mile marker 13 and 14 turn left (3 3/4 miles) Akaka Falls—15-20 minute walk, check out woodshop gallery and café, good ice cream.

* Back to highway 19: Next stop World Botanical Gardens—see Umauma Falls

* Stay on until after you see Waikamalo Park then reacquire highway

* If up to it – shopping in Hamakua and Waimea

* Head back to hotel.

Too much or do-able? Thanks for the advice.

Itenerary ? Is this possible?

Are you on a mission or a vacation? ;)

It%26#39;s do-able but I%26#39;m wondering if you shouldn%26#39;t plan to spend an extra morning at the volcano park? On day one plan to see the lava flows at night if they are visible and find out where to go to do that. Then the next morning see the other parts of the park (it%26#39;s big!). Figure 1.5-2 hours at the Hawaii botanical gardens which is the best part of day 2 and skip others as needed.

Itenerary ? Is this possible?

It sounds a lot but actually it isn%26#39;t. It%26#39;s easily doable but I would skip the World Botanical Gardens since you will stop at the Hawaii Tropical Botanical Garden. There is nothing to shop on the Hamakua Coast but you can stop at the Parker Ranch Center and check out the stores in Waimea.

I%26#39;m already double booked the one night and don%26#39;t want to do another. We were planning on doing the volcano the day we travel up, go out again at night, and then head out in the morning for the above itinerary. I realize these two days will be our busiest but we have 8 days on the big island and I%26#39;ve built in plenty of time to just relax.

You said skip World Botanical Gardens - is Umauma Falls not worth the stop?

Thanks!!

Dear SShuttle: Yep def. get up early and this is totally doable. Looks like you have Botanic Gardens twice? I%26#39;m assuming you are talking about the one on scenic bypass road just north of Hilo? Def. worth two hours at least. Bring camera lots of pretty flowers and water fall and good veiw of shore line at bottom. 11 year old will probably like the fancy bird cage at the bottom.

You have to stop at What%26#39;s Shakin for lunch headed north on scenic bypass road after the gardens. Best smoothies in the world and great lunch plate specials. Its a green/yellow roof building on your left (be looking for it). Read reviews hear under restaurants!!!!

Yep Honomu below Akaka Falls another funky old town is worth at least 30 minute walk around.

If you find yourself w/ an extra hour def. go as far northe as Waipio Valley overlook while you are on that side of island. Grab some malasadas at Tex Mex but leave the rest of the greasy food alone, ha :)

That%26#39;s gonna be a great day as long as the weather is good. Happy Travels, TheodoreJay

Yep you def. want the HAWAII TROPICAL BOTANICAL GARDEN north of Hilo on scenic bypass road.

Then head north to What%26#39;s Shakin and Akaka Falls beyond:)

It includes a really pretty water fall (not sure of the name right now).

BTW here%26#39;s a pretty good drive guide:

alternative-hawaii.com/drives/…hilo.htm

World Botanical: here%26#39;s Umauma

http://www.wbgi.com/photoGallery.php

Admission $32 for the 3 of you.

Rainbow Falls: hawaiiweb.com/Hawaii/…rainbow_falls.html

Akaka falls:

hawaiiweb.com/Hawaii/html/sites/akaka_falls_…

I confess I am not a waterfall fan. For me, seen a couple, seen enough for the day. But I%26#39;d not pay $32 to see a third one and a second botanical garden on such a long day. I%26#39;d use the time to take the scenic drive bypass road along the coast or spend some time in Waimea.

At the Marriott, there are 2 nice petroglypg fields (different kinds of images so not that duplicative) near you:

tripadvisor.com/Travel-g29217-c56173/Island-…

The Puako ones are a nice adventure walk thru the kiawe forest, for another afternoon.

This is the Gardens I would recommend

http://www.htbg.com/index.php?page=tour

If you love flowers you will not be dissapointed plus includes Onomea Falls not accessible to General Public.

I agree two gardens too much (subtract one from your plans).

Based on the Tripadvisor several really negative reviews describing as ';work in progress';, I would skip the World Botanical Gardens near Honomu.

My impression is you are gonna pay $13 per head to see the waterfalls and garden no where near quality of Hawaiin Tropical Botanical Gardens (just north of Hilo on scenic bypass road). Plus Akaka falls will be just as spectacular at a fraction of the cost.

tripadvisor.com/ShowUserReviews-g60586-d4869…

I will take everyone%26#39;s advice and scratch World Botanical Gardens. Since we%26#39;re scratching that - how about Waipi%26#39;o Valley lookout - I know there is a lot of ';talk'; on these boards about it - but is just checking out the lookout o.k.? Hubby has no interest in horse or wagon tour.

The Waipio Valley lookout is only a 10 miles detour and since you will be driving by anyway you certainly should stop there.