Health & safety:
For every tour, Malahini Tours follows current federal, state, and local health guidelines, and these protocols may be updated at any time as regulations change. The well-being of guests, guides, and the wider island community remains the highest priority. Boarding is organized from the rear of the vehicle to the front, while still accommodating any guests with mobility needs. Once seated, guests are asked to remain in their assigned seats for the duration of the tour, and the front passenger seat is kept empty to provide additional safety space for the guide.
Visit Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park – Tour details:
This experience offers a half-day introduction to Hilo’s most beloved landmarks and the dramatic landscape of Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park, combining local history, culture, and geology into one concise itinerary.
Duration:
Approximately 5.5 hours.
Your adventure – what you’ll see:
The journey begins with a drive along Banyan Drive, often called Hilo’s own “walk of fame.” Many of the majestic banyan trees lining this roadway were planted in the early 1900s by notable figures such as Amelia Earhart, Princess Abigail Kawānanakoa, President Roosevelt, and Babe Ruth, giving the area a unique historical charm.
You’ll then stop at Liliʻuokalani Gardens, a serene 25-acre park inspired by traditional Japanese landscaping. Named in honor of Hawaiʻi’s last reigning monarch, Queen Liliʻuokalani, the garden celebrates the enduring relationship between Hilo and its Japanese sister cities—Nago, Hatsukaichi, and Ikaho—and offers peaceful paths, bridges, and ponds perfect for photos and reflection.
As you continue, you’ll pass the statue of King Kamehameha, a powerful tribute to the leader who united the Hawaiian Islands under a single rule. Seeing the statue in Hilo provides a meaningful connection to the island’s royal past and its origins here on Hawaiʻi Island.
Next, you’ll visit Rainbow Falls, a graceful 80-foot waterfall tied to Hawaiian legend as the home of Hina, the moon goddess and mother of the demi-god Māui. On sunny mornings, the mist from the falls often creates shimmering rainbows, making this a signature stop for visitors to Hilo.
In Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park, you’ll make three key stops: the Crater Rim lookout for sweeping views of Kīlauea’s caldera, the steam vents where volcanic heat escapes through cracks in the ground, and a walk through the famous Thurston Lava Tube. As one of the world’s most active volcanoes, Kīlauea frequently reveals its power through glowing skies or volcanic gas displays, offering a vivid reminder that the island is still being shaped in real time.
The tour concludes with a visit to Big Island Candies, a beloved local confectionery. Here you can sample or purchase specialty treats, including their signature shortbread cookies dipped in chocolate—popular as omiyage (gifts) in Japanese tradition and a sweet way to end your day of exploring.
