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 The
Hāmākua Coast spans approximately 50 miles on the north east side of
the Big Island of Hawaii, stretching from the county seat in Hilo to
the ranchlands of Waimea. This dramatic coastline is known for its
fertile land, tumbling waterfalls and dramatic sea cliffs, which
combine to make it one of the Big Island’s most beautiful regions.
The
rich volcanic soil and precipitation make the Hāmākua Coast especially
fertile, and when the Kingdom of Hawaii signed a Reciprocity Treaty
with the United States in 1876 sugar plantations soon sprang up
throughout the area. With this lucrative new agricultural development
came immigrant field workers from China, Japan, the Philippines and
Portugal to name just a few, helping to establish the deep cultural
diversity that the area enjoys to this day.
“King Sugar”
dominated the region for most of the 20th century, but eventually the
industry was enticed by the cheap labor in other locations. The last
sugar plantation on the Hāmākua Coast ceased operation in 1993. Now the
area has moved on to other agricultural offerings, including tropical
fruit, taro, gourmet mushrooms and the ever popular macadamia
nut. It is home to world class botanical gardens, including
Hawaii Tropical Botanical Garden and World Botanical Garden. The
island’s tallest waterfalls, including Akaka Falls and Hi`ilawe Falls,
cascade down its steep, green landscape.
The dominating
geographic feature in Hāmākua is the volcanic mountain Mauna Kea. The
district stretches south through the central plateau to the summit of
Mauna Loa. Hāmākua was one of the six traditional districts of the
island in ancient Hawaii (known as moku). In Hawaiian mythology, Mauna
Kea (“white mountain”) was the home of snow goddess Poliʻahu, and the
place of several other legends.
History surrounds you on
the Hamakua Coast. When you visit the picturesque planation towns that
dot this stretch of HWY 19, you can’t help but feel that you’ve stepped
out of the modern world and into a bygone era. Honoka'a, Honomu,
Laupahoehoe and O'okala offer great opportunities to visit, learn,
explore and escape the modern world for a little while.
The
Hāmākua Coast is also the gateway to Waipi’o Valley, perhaps the most
beautiful and sacred of all the Island’s treasures. Massive 2,000-foot
cliffs flank this verdant “Valley of the Kings”, which in times past
was a favorite residence of the Ali’i, or Hawaiian royalty. Stop
at the stunning overlook just past Honoka’a for a vista that will take
your breath away.
Today Waipi’o Valley is only accessible
via a narrow and VERY steep lane open only to 4WD vehicles and placed
strictly off limits by most rental car companies. Several tour
operators take visitors into the valley via shuttle, mule wagon and on
horseback. The valley is still lightly populated, in spite of its
extremely remote and difficult to access location – or perhaps because
of it! It’s a beautiful and fascinating place to visit, even only
briefly, and provides a glimpse into the Hawaii that existed long
before sugar cane and resort hotels.
While it may not have
white sandy beaches or hotel luaus, the Hāmākua Coast bursts with
natural beauty and is steeped in history and mythology, making it a
unique and fascinating place on the Big Island. Kailani Villa is
fortunate to have its place along the Hāmākua Coast, taking advantage
of the rich soil with the tropical plants and flowers covering the
landscape. See some of them on the Plants & Flowers page! |
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