Hilo & Kona, Hawaii #065

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Big Island Candies was established in 1977 with one sole purpose - to create the finest macadamia nut chocolates and cookies found anywhere in the world today. All of their chocolates and cookies are handmade starting with the finest ingredients, such as high-grade chocolate, island eggs, and premium 100% Hawaii-grown macadamia nuts. 

All the attention they give to each piece of handmade chocolates and cookies is what makes Big Island Candies a true Hawaiian classic!

A confection shop for chocolate-dipped cookies (with a window to watch the process) plus candies and a whole store of gifts.

Home of the famous diagonally dipped shortbread cookies, Big Island Candies was established in 1977 with one sole purpose - to create the finest macadamia nut chocolates and cookies found anywhere in the world today. There's a tour of this in our 30-minute download!

Hilo Harbor is located on Hawaii Island's windward east side and is the county and state headquarters of Hawaii County.

Hilo Harbor is a port of call for numerous cruise ships and is managed by Hawaii's State Department of Transportation.

Hawaii's Kilauea Volcano is 30 miles away and is one of Hawaii's biggest visitor attractions.  

Here's some beautiful photos of the port with many more on our download!

Saint Benedict's Catholic Church is a parish of the Roman Catholic Church in Honaunau, Hawaii.  This special church is known as the "Painted Church".  Decorated by a Priest from Belgium in 1900 and it's a favorite attraction!  Folk art covers the interior walls!  You'l have to see this on the download - beautiful! 

It was built between 1899-1902 under the direction of the Belgian Catholic missionary Father John Velghe, who then painted frescoes along the interior ceiling and walls.

There was so much to see and 'lots and lots of photos' you can observe on our 30-minute download.  Not enough space on this page for everything!!!

Our next outing was aboard a powered catamaran for a cruise through Kona's history, when Hawaiian kings ruled these tropical isles.  Our guide provided the narration as we passed by the noteworthy sites including temples, battlefields and an unusual recreation site - the hole or slide.  Was called "sledding" - down grass-covered slopes and stone ramps.

We had a fabulous time on the Historic Dinner Cruise while on our stay in Kona. The staff was great, the storyteller was very engaging and the musician was awesome. 

The food was really tasty and a tour of the water-front property gave me some awesome photos included on the 30-minute download... $12

Hilo which is a town on Hawaii, commonly called the Big Island, in the state of Hawaii. It’s known for Wailuku River State Park, featuring Waianuenue, or Rainbow Falls, with its colorful mist effects.   The bubbling basalt-lava rock pools known as the Boiling Pots are nearby. To the south is Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, home to rainforests and the active Kilauea and Mauna Loa volcanoes.  Hilo is the capital of the Big Island.

 At its heart are the Kīlauea and Mauna Loa active volcanoes. The Crater Rim Drive passes steam vents and the Jaggar Museum, which features volcanology exhibits and a viewpoint overlooking Halema'uma'u Crater. 

Fern Grotto is an environmental wonderment on the east side of Kauaʻi that draws big crowds every year. The naturally-formed lava cave is dripping in ferns and enveloped by lush plant life creating a gorgeous vista though the Wailua River State Park vegetation. 

One of Kauai's most popular natural attractions is Fern Grotto, a fern-fringed lava cave. Its a must see for all visitors going to Kauai! 

We visited the Fern Grotto with Smith's Fern Grotto Tours.  It's a gentle boat ride down the river to the grotto. On the way you are given information on the geography & history. 

We had not returned to the Fern Grotto for 5 years and it's still as beautiful as it always WAS!!!

The only way to gain access to this popular location is by boat via the Wailua River. We went upriver on the Smith boat - a family business that has been on the Wailua River for years and they happily discount seniors and special needs. 

It's a short walk from the pier to the grotto. And, yes, the grotto is still enchanting with its little waterfall, misty ambiance and a little music and dance from the Smiths - with a gracious host telling the stories of the Grotto and the music and dancing was great!

Our host that day offered the added bonus of Hawaiian entertainment along with his  storytelling. He told us of all the many weddings held there and all the history of this beautiful place!

The only walking required on this tour is about 5-minutes long when you take an easy path that leads you to an up-close-and-personal view of the grotto. 

Once you’re here, you’ll understand why this is praised as such a romantic setting and continues to be a popular spot for weddings. 

Musicians strumming their ukuleles will serenade you while you soak in the view and the hula dancers will sway their hips and tell you a story with their hands — it's the icing on this Hawaiian tourist’s cake.  

Videos and lots of photos taken here - available on our download just for you!

                              (20 + minutes & over 400 photos for just $12.00) 

                             All of this information can be your's in a download...

​We have put together a collection of souvenir photos along with music for your very own.     (20 + minutes & over 300 photos for just $12.00) - as a download on your phone or computer...  

Check out some of the great photos displayed on this page "as an example"! 

  Maximize your sightseeing and join us on this exceptional tour! 

A "20 + minute" download "just like you were there on tour with our group"! On a Movie/Download - Kauai, Hawaii #066