HAMAKUA COAST TRIP - BIG ISLAND

Out for the day in our hire car, travelled north from Kona where we are staying along the spectacular Hamakua coast, rainforest and steep cliffs down to the ocean. We walked through a beautiful tropical rainforest to get a closer view of Akaka Falls, the highest free falling falls in Hawaii, 442 ft, twice the height of Niagara Falls.
Then to Rainbow Falls, got lost in Hilo and finally over the saddle road up to the visitor center at 9000 ft up Mauna Kea, it is a dormant volcano standing at 13796 feet from sea level, rising 30,000 feet from ocean floor it is the tallest mountain in the world. We would have loved to go to the summit but the road was closed due to high winds.
I am into trying these local beers and today at dinner I had a Maui Brew Coconut Porter - lovely!

Laupahoehoe Point

Laupahoehoe Point

Roy sat on a head

In the rainforest

Akaka Falls

Weird seed pods

Lizard in rainforest

Roy looking small in the forest

Big leaves!

Rainbow Falls

From lower slopes of Mauna Kea

King Kamehamehas Kona hotel