Just north of Hilo, the slopes of Mauna Kea descend gently towards the ocean. Here high and rugged sea cliffs meet the crashing surf in dramatic fashion. Stretching back from the cliffs and high on the mountain side are the wide fertile fool hills of Hamakua, once the home of a prosperous sugar cane industry, now in transition. These beautiful fields are lined by deep gorges worn by mountain streams forming spectacular waterfalls. Some of the most scenic plunge hundreds of feet off cliffs and directly into the ocean.

Waipio Valley offers adventurous hiking and thrilling helicopter tours to see it's many waterfalls.

To fully experience the tropical foliage of the Big Island, visit Hawai'i Tropical Botanical Gardens. This is a 25 acre valley that's been transformed into an exotic tropical preserve with more than 2000 species of flowers, trees and plants. Stroll along a mile of scenic pathways past a lake full of lilies and graceful koi. The Ocean Trail leads to Onomea Bay where waves crash into deep lava caves; the inland trails wind past streams, waterfalls, and groves of bamboo, and of course a profusion of tropical flowers.

Further up the coast, past countless waterfalls and ocean vistas, is Laupahoehoe Point County Park. Laupahoehoe is one of the few peninsulas that project away from the cliffs and allows for a view back towards the cliffs and down the coastline. If you look closely you'll see a waterfall that seems to be shooting right out of the cliff side. Down at the bottom is a large grassy park, a memorial to the tidal wave victims of 1946, and a boat launch.

Plunging over 420 feet in a sheer drop over a lush tropical volcanic cliff, Akaka Falls is not to be missed. This attraction is located off of highway 19, north of Hilo. Look for a road between the 13 and 14 mile markers that takes you through old sugar cane fields for about 4 miles. The trail loops around a small gorge, taking you through tropical foliage of bamboo, giant gingers and enchanting fern trees to the waterfalls. Akaka Falls and Kahuna Falls are over 400 feet tall. Akaka Falls is thunderous when there's been much rain. Try to get there early in the morning, when there aren't so many tour buses and people around.

Rainbow Falls is one of the Big Island's loveliest waterfalls, and is not to be missed! This attraction is located right outside of Hilo. The falls are best seen in the morning when the sun is behind you. The volume of water flowing (and therefore it's appearance) changes dramatically depending upon the rainfall. There is a cave below the falls, where some say Kamehameha buried the bones of his father.