Hawaii

Hawaii: For the adventurous types

Hawaii Insider

For the adventurous types (Photo: Cameron McCool)

Hike to the flowing lava on Big Island (Photo: Cameron McCool)

Hiking, waterfalls, beaches, lava... Hawaii is built for the adventurous type!

Hike to the flowing lava, Big Island

If you're lucky enough to be on the Big Island while the lava is flowing into the sea, you'll definitely want to see it up close. Hikes leave from Kalapana or from within the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park.

Whether you hike with a guide or not is up to you, just make sure you and/or your guide knows what you're doing and that you arrive an hour before sunset and leave during nightfall. It will give you an array of lighting and perspectives to play with as you take photo after photo of this spectacular experience.

As of July 2011 there was no overland flow, yet there was significant 'activity'(i.e. bubbling lava just waiting to froth over) in the Kilaeua Crater. Visit the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park website to suss out the lava situation before you arrive.

Waterfalls galore

Hawaii is a waterfall-lover's wet dream. Each island offers many breathtaking cascades to explore. A simple google search will pull up hundreds of sites that give directions to most of Hawaii's waterfalls, many of which are easily accessible via car.

If you don't mind hiking through lush rainforests and bamboo groves, here are two lesser-known local treasures to explore:
O'ahu: A relatively easy 1.5 hour hike will get you to the gorgeous Maunawili Falls.
Maui: 'Four Falls' offers four waterfalls for the price of one hike, although it does become challenging in certain parts that require you to scale a 15-foot ladder and swim across a still pool to arrive at the last fall.

Zip Lines, All Islands

We know them as flying foxes and Americans call them Zip Lines. While uncommon in Australia, there's an entire industry of zip line operators across the Hawaiian Islands. Despite being built purely for hedonistic tourists (locals rarely frequent them), they're a fun, family-friendly, and unique way to explore — or zoom across — Hawaii's great outdoors.

You won't have any trouble finding zip line tours once you arrive as each of the islands are full of operators thrusting brochures for them in your face. Choose a day tour that includes a combination of great scenery, long zip lines (1200 feet is a good benchmark) and a stopover for lunch (preferably at a waterfall or swimming hole) and you're guaranteed to have a great outing.

Walk through the abandoned resort, Moloka'i

Moloka'i locals love to speak of the time when the community famously drove foreign developers off the island. It was a spectacular protest against the developer's lack of consideration for the land to their desire to over-develop the island. In retribution, the developers shut down the only high-end resort they had managed to build on Moloka'i. Today the abandoned resort's boarded-up holiday villas and sprawling golf course greens can still be found on the island's beautiful west coast under four feet of overgrown weeds. It makes for a great — if eerie — walk, which will also lead you to some of the island's best beaches.

Ride UP Haleakala Crater, Maui

Riding DOWN Haleakala Crater — Maui's tallest peak — is pretty adventurous in itself considering the crater is 10,023 feet (3055 metres) high. Imagine, then, riding UP the thing. This one is definitely only for the super adventurous fit folk who like to push their bodies to the limit.

Avid cyclist Mike runs a personal website with instructions on how to approach this beast of a ride and Go Cycling Maui offers 1-day tours with a six-hour cut off time to reach the summit.

If riding three vertical kilometres isn't your thing, join one of the many family-friendly Haleakala Sunrise bike rides and coast your way down to one of Maui's quaint 'Upcountry' villages for a relaxing breakfast.

Now for the disclaimer: remember that hiking anywhere can be hazardous, and that lava is very, very dangerous. Always wear suitable shoes and mosquito repellent on hikes, and don’t drink untreated water. Note that jumping off waterfalls into pools of cold fresh water is a source of fun for many locals in Hawaii. If you’re going to jump make sure you always check the depth of the water first. You are responsible for your own personal safety. NineMSN Travel and the writer will not be held liable for any personal injury or damages that may result from participating in these activities.

Know any other places that are fun to visit with the kids? Have your say using the comments form below.

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