Welcome back to National Parks and other public lands with T!

Aloha➢

My family and I took a cruise around the Hawaiian islands in 2019. We embarked in Honolulu on the island of Oahu. Prior to embarkation, we spent a few days on land and explored Oahu. Using Hilton’s Hawaiian Village as our base, we enjoyed visiting many interesting sites before boarding the Pride of America. We spent a week on board cruising the Hawaiian Islands. Our first port of call was Kahului Harbor on Maui.

After Maui, we sailed to the big island of Hawaiʻi. On the big island we had two ports; the first was Hilo. At the port, we met our guide from Roberts Hawaii. He took us to Volcanoes National Park where we visited the Volcano House, the steam vents, Kilauea Iki and Chain of Craters. We stopped at Big Island Candies on the way back to port for some goodies. Back at the port, we hopped into a taxi to go to Rainbow Falls and Richardson’s Black Sand Beach.

After our tour of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, our bus stopped at Big Island Candies. We rolled our eyes as we exited the bus at the prospect of yet another tourist trap foisted upon us by a well-meaning tour guide.

But when we got inside, it was fun! We looked through the windows into the factory as the workers prepared yummy cookies and chocolate. Staff circulated through the crowds with baskets of free samples…some of the best shortbread I’ve ever had.

Big Island Candies began as a three person operation in 1977, founded by Allan Ikawa, who had a talent for making high quality chocolate.  Today it is a major employer in Hilo, with 100 full time workers and 300 during the busy season.

Hilo Posts➢

• Volcano House
• Steam Vents
• Kīlauea Iki
• Chain of Craters Road
• Big Island Candies
• Rainbow Falls
• Richardson’s Black Sand Beach
• Mokuola

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Location: 4428, 585 Hinano St, Hilo, Hawaii
Designation: Factory
Date designated/established: 1977
Date of my visit: April 16, 2019