Hawai'i'an Islands: Hawai'i' -The Big Island, Free Family Vacation Fun. 
From refreshing waterfalls, awesome beaches, and a tropical rainforest at the zoo to tasty macadamia nuts, petroglyphs and starry nights, free family adventures are waiting.
If Hawaii is your vacation target and you have worked out the air travel and a sleeping spot then your budget may be just about depleted. Luckily on the “Big Island” of Hawai'i' there are plenty of ways to have fun and not spend money. We have received a delightful list of places and activities to make any family vacation terrific and as the title suggests the cost is absolutely nothing – meaning free.
'Akaka Falls State Park. Located 13 miles north of Hilo above Honomu, this state park has an easy and pleasant footpath loop that provides views of two beautiful waterfalls. It's one of the Big Island's most-visited spots.
Kalōpā State Recreation Area. Located off Highway 19 at the end of Kalōpā Road, southeast of Honoka'a, this beautiful and cool park is situated at 2,000 feet. It has picnic areas, an easy nature hike in a native 'ōhi'a forest, and additional trails in the adjoining forest reserve.
Kohala Historical Sites State Monument. Just off Hwy. 270 near 'Upolu Airport, Kohala Historical Sites State Monument consists of two historic sites. Mo'okini Heiau, a National Historic Monument, is the most famous ancient sacrificial heiau (temple) in the state. The adjacent site is Kamehameha's Birth Place, a memorial to the 18th-century chief who united the islands under one rule.
Hāmākua Macadamia Nut Company. To provide your kids with a sense of place try Hāmākua Macadamia Nut Company located in Kawaihae. The facility offers free tours and samples at its new factory store. The company grows, markets and processes 100 percent Big Island macadamia nuts and other delicacies. (Toll-free 1-888-643-6688 or www.hawnnut.com)
Pana'ewa Rainforest Zoo & Gardens. This 12-acre rainforest zoo located south of Hilo on Māmaki Street. Namasté, its white Bengal tiger, gets fed daily at 3:30, and there's a children's petting zoo on Saturdays from 1:30-2:30. The zoo is also known for its beautiful botanical gardens, which have more than 100 varieties of palm trees and other plants. (Open 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily (808) 959-7224.)
Lapakahi State Historical Park. Make the trip 12.4 miles north of Kawaihae along Hwy. 270 and be delighted with living history Hawai'i'an style. At Lapakahi State Historical Park you’ll find the partially restored remains of an ancient coastal settlement, and there are daily cultural demonstrations and also storytelling.
Puakō Petroglyph Preserve. Searching for petroglyphs is almost as exciting as searching for arrow heads and off Highway 19 and just north of the entrance to The Fairmont Orchid on the Kohala Coast, the searching is easy. It is just a short hike to more than 3,000 petroglyphs; the hotel provides a free map and brochure.
Kona Historical Society's Bread. Plan your schedule so that your family can enjoy traditional Portuguese bread-baking which is conducted every Thursday 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. See how Portuguese families in Hawai'i traditionally baked their weekly supply of bread prepared in large, wood-fired "fornos" (stone ovens) and sample some, too! (khs@konahistorical.org or (808) 323-3222)
Ka Lae. Plan a day adventure to the remote and windswept southernmost part of the island where Polynesians first arrived in Hawai'i and settled. Now a National Historical Landmark district, it is a beautiful place to look out to sea and contemplate what caused Polynesians to outfit their voyaging canoes and set out purposefully seeking new lands, as well as their arrival in Hawai'i.
Lava Tree State Monument. The photo opportunities can’t be beat in the area surrounding Lava Tree State Monument. Located off Pāhoa-Pohoiki Road, 2.7 miles southeast of Pāhoa, the site is a forest of "lava trees," formed by a lava flow that swept through the area and left behind lava molds of tree trunks.
Mauna Kea. The crowning glory of the Big Island is Mauna Kea. The Visitors Information Station, above the clouds at 9,000 feet, the offers displays about the mountain's world-class astronomical observatories and every evening of the year, even on holidays (weather permitting), its volunteer astronomy buffs roll out telescopes for an outstanding -and free- stargazing program.
The Big Island is truly a destination for an incredible family getaway that captures the attention, and imagination, of every member of the 'ohana. For more information on Hawai'i's Big Island, visit
www.bigisland.org Content and images provided Big Island CVB. Copyright 2011.
