 | Taka - A Bio-terror Thriller
By Terry Fritts
What does Hawai'i, the Red Summit terrorist organization, Al Qaeda, cows and cowboys, world famous chefs, and red lips all have in common? They are all part of a new work of fiction by author Terry Fritts, named Taka, A Bio-terror Thriller. Taking place primairly on the Kona and Kohala districts of the Big Island, this book is an interesting read and full of intrigue, murder, and mystery!
Click here for the Taka, A Bio-Terror Thriller Review
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 | 'Imiloa Astronomy Center of Hawai'i
The Mauna Kea Astronomy Education Center has been renamed to 'Imiloa Astronomy Center of Hawai'i and is now officially open to the public. Join us for our latest review of the wonderful educational surprises waiting for you at this spectacular $28 million dollar science and learning center.
Click here for the 'Imiloa Astronomy Center of Hawai'i Review
Or click here for the entire Astronomy section
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 | 'Imiloa Cafe
This month we add our review of 'Imiloa Cafe in Hilo at the 'Imiloa Astronomy Center of Hawai'i. 'Imiloa Cafe serves delicious lunch choices every Tuesday through Sunday (and Holidays except Christmas and Thanksgiving) and provides an outstanding view of Hilo Town and the Hilo Bayfront.
Click here for the 'Imiloa Cafe Review
Or click here for all Reviews
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 | Lili'uokalani Gardens This park is perhaps the most beautiful park in the Hilo area. A perfectly maintained park with over 30 acres of fish ponds, quaint bridges and walkways, and traditional japanese landscaping makes this garden a perfect picnic spot or a great place to relax after a hard work day.
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Or click here for more all Big Island Parks
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 | Hydrangea (Pōpōhau) - Hydrangea macrophylia The beautiful Hydrangea is common on the Big Island, especially on the Hilo side and in Volcano Village. A beautiful plant with 8 inch 'snow ball' flowers, this plant can vary from a beautiful blue to a spectacular purple depending on the acidity of soil.
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 | Restaurant Review - Kaikodo
This month we add our review of Kaikodo Restaruant in downtown Hilo. An up-and-coming gourmet restaurant in the heart of paradise!
Join the InstantHawaii team as we explore what makes Kaikodo an interesting restaurant addition to the Big Island and the Hilo area.
Click here for the Kaikodo Review
Or click here for all Reviews
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 | Frequently Asked Questions Maildrop
Check out our new FAQ Maildrop Section where we compile interesting EMail questions and our answers.
We receive many EMail contacts every month asking a range of questions. Every now and then a question comes along to which we think the answer might be interesting to all our readers. This section posts the questions along with our answers and is updated with each Email we think people would like to read.
Click here for the Mail Drop Department
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 | Restaurant Review - Kilauea Lodge
This month, in our new Restaurant Reviews Section, we have added a review of Kilauea Lodge Restaurant in the town of Volcano Village.
This delightful and romantic restaurant offers what we consider to be among the best eating experience on the Big Island.
Join the InstantHawaii team as we explore what makes Kilauea Lodge Restaurant such a special place to enjoy a gourmet evening.
Click here for the Kilauea Lodge Review
Or click here for all Reviews
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 | Movie Review - Oasis of the Pacific
This month, in our new Media Reviews Section, we have added a review of DVD Oasis of the Pacific - Time is Running Out.
This DVD explores the marine environment around the Hawaiian Islands and how the impact of man and modern culture is destroying the fragile ecosystem.
Filmed between 2000 and 2005 on Maui, this documentary by zeroimpact productions combines stunning footage with an in-depth discussion into the problems the environment is facing and what we can do about it.
Click here for this Media Review
Or click here for all Reviews
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 | Northern Cardinal - Cardinalis cardinalis
Most people don't associate the Cardinal with Hawai'i, but this colorful bird does indeed thrive in the islands, having been introduced around 1929.
Join us as we look briefly into the lives of a Northern Cardinal family as they raise their young in a Hapu'u Fern in our Bananna Garden.
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Or click here for all Big Island creatures
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 | FANTASTIC AERIAL IMAGES OF THE BIG ISLAND OF HAWAI'I!
InstantHawaii is proud to present thousands of Coastline and Scenic photographs of the Big Island. Taken by professional photographer Brian Powers, these images are not only available for free online, you can also order professional prints of any of your favorite images!
Every square inch of Big Island Coastline is available as well as thousands of scenic images including Whales, the HMS Endeavour, the Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa summits, and much more.
We have been working with Brian on this addition to InstantHawaii (and his own company website) for over a year and we are extremely pleased to be able to offer you these fantastic images. Enjoy!
Click here for our Aerial Image Section
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 | Kahinahina Scenic Drive - The Upper Road Around Mauna Kea
Two roads go around Mauna Kea, the lower Mana Road goes from the 6,500 foot level and comes out in Waimea. The higher Kahinahina Road starts at the 9,000 foot level and goes 37 miles, all the way around Mauna Kea and back out on Saddle road. The upper road is a diverse drive that ranges from 7,200 ft all the way to 10,000 ft. Since the tree line is at about 8,000 to 9,000 ft this drive takes you in and out of a variety of ecosystems interspersed with spectacular Mauna Kea vistas you can not see any other way. Several stops along this 7 hour excursion allow for short explorations and hikes.
Click here for more on this scenic drive
Or click here for more all Big Island Scenic Drives
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 | Silversword (Hinahina) - Argyroxiphium sandwicense The Silversword (hinahina or 'āhinahina) is an exceptionally rare and endangered plant native only to the island of Maui and the Big Island of Hawai'i (all other occurences being introductions). This fascinating plant lives for 40 to 50 years and then sends up one spectacular bloom before dying.
Click here for more on this plant
Or click here for more all Big Island Plants
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 | Earthquake Trail and Waldron Ledge Scenic Stroll This short 0.8-mile wheelchair friendly stroll in Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park is a shaded walk past many beautiful plants to an overlook that offers one of the most spectacular views of Kilauea Caldera. This gem of a stroll is surprisingly unknown, even to locals.
Click here for more on this hike
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 | Lava Mold Stroll in Volcano This short stroll is the direct opposite of what you would find at Lava Tree State Park. While the Big Island has many examples of lava trees - spectacular trees made of rock that stick out from the ground (see here, here, and here) this stroll offers you a rare glimpse of the opposite effect, deep holes in the ground where trees once stood.
Click here for more on this hike
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 | Kāhili Ginger - Hedychium gardnerianum
The Big Island is home to many varieties of ginger plants, most with very striking flowers and exotic fragrance. The Kāhili Ginger (also known as Kāhili Fiesta) is no exception to this, with its huge heads of bright yellow flowers.
Click here for more on this plant
Or click here for more all Big Island plants
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 | 'Iole manakuke (Indian Mongoose) - Herpestes javanicus
What are these fast moving, small animals that first-time European and American visitors think are squirrels? Since Hawai'i has no squirrels this must be our very own Rikky-Tikky-Tavi, the Indian Mongoose. Known also by it's Hawaiian name of 'Iole manakuke (or just manakuke), the word 'Iole means 'rat' and manakuke means mongoose. Imported to Hawai'i to control rat populations this daytime creature has had little impact on rats and a major destructive impact on other endangered native life.
Click here for more on this animal
Or click here for more all Big Island creatures
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 | Liliko'i (Passionfruit) - Passiflora edulis Sims
What is this most unusual vine with flowers that invoke flashbacks to the 60's and a purple/yellow fruit that makes a great margarita? This is nothing other than Liliko'i, more familiarly known as passion fruit, and one of our favorite island treats!
Click here for more on this plant
Or click here for more all Big Island plants
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 | The Scenic Drive To The Summit Of Mauna Loa
A 17-mile (one way) scenic drive, off of Saddle Road, takes you up the side of Mauna Loa, the world's most massive mountain, to the 11,141 foot elevation where the road ends at the Mauna Loa Weather Observatory. Offering fantastic views, colorful lava and a number of interesting stops along the way, this drive can be done in any car. However, we also include in this drive a 4-wheel extension where we go from the Weather Observatory to as close as we can get to the summit, and then couple it with our Mauna Loa Summit Hike.
Click here for more on this drive
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 | The Hike To North Pit and the Summit of Mauna Loa
On the northern side of Mauna Loa is a single trail that is mostly outside the National Park, which goes from the Mauna Loa Observatory at 11,146 feet all the way to North Pit, the northern most edge of the summit crater. This 6 mile trail can be approached from a number of different entry points making the actual hike anywhere from the full 6 miles to as short as a half mile or less. Once you reach North Pit an additional 3 mile hike takes you to the true summit of Mauna Loa, along the edge of its giant and spectacular crater.
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 | The Kaalaiki Road Scenic Drive in Ka'ū
Tired of taking the highway between Pāhala and Nā'ālehu? Looking for something new and different, a scenic alternative with a view? We have just the drive for you - Kaalaiki Upper Road Drive.
This 15 mile road is on top of the 2,000 foot pali. A beautiful drive through fields, meadows, pastures, Koa and Kukui forests, and lush green cinder cones, this drive offers breathtaking views of the ocean and land 2,000 feet below you.
Click here for more on this drive
Or click here for more all Big Island Drives
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