Escapees May-June 2024

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falls are marked, but the education here is about the experience and appreciation of the island’s plant life. At the far end of the path is a beautiful view of the Paci fi c Ocean as its waves crash over lava rocks jutting out of the surf. After I made my way back out of the valley, I stopped at the gift shop. They sell plants there approved for transport back to the mainland and other items. O.K. Farms Another excellent tour near Hilo is O.K. Farms, a 1,000-acre farm showcasing the diverse crops grown on Hawai'i Island. Experienced employees act as guides for our visit here. Tour Guide LoLo Arcand told us the property was a sugar plantation, then a macadamia nut farm with 5,000 trees. Eventually, Ed Olson and Troy Keolanui purchased the property and created the farm in 2002. They intended to perpetuate sustainable agriculture in Hawaii. Twenty years later, the farm is one of the largest tropical fruit producers in the U.S. Hilo receives, on average, 80 inches of rainfall annu ally. This rainfall allows them to grow coffee, macadamia nuts, cacao (chocolate), lychee, longan, rambutan, citrus, hearts of palm, spices and other fruits and vegetables. The farm, located alongside Hilo’s historic Wailuku River, offers overlooks of the famous Rainbow and Kiaemukanka Falls. At Rainbow Falls overlook, LoLo laid out exotic fruit and macadamia nuts for us to try. At spice row, we tried to identify trees by their scent. We were offered clove, cinnamon, nutmeg and allspice trees to smell. The entire group only recognized cinnamon. One of the last stops is at the coffee-growing acreage which has a breathtaking ocean view. Back at the main building, we perused the gift shop selling farm products, including macadamia nuts, chocolate and coffee. Also, be sure to carve out a morning to go to the Hilo Farmer’s Market. Open every day, dozens of local farmers and craftspeople set up shops in downtown to sell their produce, fl owers and arts and crafts. Hawaii Volcanoes National Park From Hilo, it’s only a 45-minute drive to Hawaii Volca noes National Park, another must-see destination on the island. The park is open 24 hours a day. The visitor’s center is open from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Here, you will receive the latest information on trails, ranger-led activities, road conditions and safety precautions. Begin your tour at nearby Kilauea Overlook and then drive around the craters along Crater Rim Drive.

The 18.8 miles Chain of Craters Road leads to the coast, an area home to previous villages. Several trails, home sites, heiaus (temples) and petroglyphs bear witness to the complex uses of this area over the centuries since the fi rst human settlement. The park offers the visitors dramatic volcanic views, glimpses of rare fl ora and fauna, and a picture of the Hawaiian culture connected to the landscape. Kona Salt Farm Near Konam, on the other side of the island, is the only sea salt factory in the world where salt is made from pure, 900-year-old deep ocean water that traveled from Iceland. Rich in natural minerals and fl avor, it is one of the highest-quality fi nishing salts in the world. Tour guide Ipolani Morgan explained that a four-inch pipe travels a mile offshore, 2,200 feet deep and pumps the seawater up to solar evaporation beds that consist of long heavy plastic tubes. Keahole Point is one of the few places in the world where this is possible. Morgan took the group on a tour of the seven-acre oceanfront property on Kona Keahole Point. She began at the edge of the ocean. She said weddings and special events are held here because of its beautiful location. She explained the area’s history, the ancient Hawaiian settlement Ho’ona and the salt-making process. Then we walked to the evaporation tubes. Once the water evaporates, the salt goes to bins where water continues to drain until the salt is ready. In addition to gourmet sea salts, as part of the salt-making process, Kona Sea Salt also farms Deep Ocean Minerals to produce magnesium products and Nigari: the traditional tofu coagulant. At the end of the tour, we sampled Kona Pure and fl avored salt with fruits and vegetables. The gift shop offered every salt the farm produces, the magnesium supplement and other items. If yougo: I stayed at SCP Hilo Hotel in Hilo (https://scphotel.com/ hilo). Located fi ve minutes from the airport, it is close to downtown Hilo and offers views of Turtle Bay. In Kona, I hung my hat at Fairmont Orchid (www.fairmontorchid. com). The upscale resort is close to the airport and features luxurious accommodations, a spa, a AAA Four Diamond restaurant, a golf course and a private beach. For more information: • Hawaii Tropical Bioreserve & Gardens: htbg.com • O.K. Farms: okfarmshawaii.com • Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park: nps.gov/havo • Kona Sea Salt: konaseasalt.com • Hawai'i Island: gohawaii.com Marilyn Jones, Guest Contributor

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May/June 2024 ESCAPEES Magazine