One of the most famous Rainbow Falls, also known by its Hawaiian name Waiānuenue (“rainbow water”), is located near Hilo on Hawaiʻi’s Big Island. It plunges about 80 ft (24 m) into a large pool fed by the Wailuku River, surrounded by lush tropical rainforest and vibrant vegetation. On sunny mornings, the mist from the falls refracts the sunlight to create brilliant rainbows — the sight that gives it its name. There’s also a natural lava cave behind the falls steeped in Hawaiian legend as the home of the goddess Hina.

The Boiling Pots are a series of deep, circular river pools and cascades formed where the Wailuku River flows over ancient lava rock formations left behind by eruptions of Mauna Loa and Mauna Kea. As the river water rushes through these eroded channels and lava tubes, the currents swirl and churn, creating an effect that looks like the water is boiling.

Kaumana Caves are a natural lava tube system on the Big Island of Hawaiʻi near Hilo — formed when an 1881 lava flow from the volcano Mauna Loa drained away and left behind long, hollow tunnels in the rock.

Erklimmen Sie den Gipfel des Mauna Kea auf 4.205 Metern Höhe, um über den Wolken anzukommen und bei schönem Wetter den Sonnenuntergang zu beobachten. Unterwegs sehen Sie internationale Teleskope auf diesem heiligen Berg.

Head back to Hilo