Akaka Falls
by Joe
(Kona )
Part 2 of Day 5, Akaka Falls is just a few miles north of the Hilo Botanical Garden off highway 19. After you turn off highway 19 to highway 220 to go to the falls you will pass through Honomu which is a charming little town that if you blink you'll miss it.
Follow the signs to Akaka Falls and you'll be there in just a few minutes from Honomu. When you reach the parking area for the falls make sure you don't leave anything of value in your rental car. There has been problems of vehicle break-ins in the past.
There are actually 2 waterfalls you can see here. Kahuna Falls and Akaka Falls are on a circular trail and you get to see both. It's a beautiful stroll through the rain forest. Just like the botanical garden, USE MOSQUITO REPELLENT. Or else.
By the time you've seen the Hilo Botanical Garden and Akaka Falls and driven back to Kona it will take up a full day. But a nice day it was. Leave Kona by 8AM and you should be back in Kona by 6PM even taking a nice leisurely pace.
