Kona is on the dry side of the Big Island, and gets around 9 inches of rain a year. Hilo is on the wet side, and averages about 140 inches of rain a year. All this rain has to go somewhere; hence, the abundance of waterfalls on the Hilo side. Here is Umauma Falls, a multi-tiered waterfall on the Hamakua coast. In order to see this waterfall, you have to pay $5 to visit the "World Botanical Gardens". In about 15 years, the trees might grow into something. But for now, the big attraction is Umauama Falls. A much better garden is the Hawai'i Tropical Botanical Garden.
In Hilo is the famed "Rainbow Falls". In the morning, you can see a rainbow in the waterfall. The first time we visited "Rainbow Falls", we came in the afternoon and missed it. We came back the next morning, and barely caught the rainbow before the sun moved away. This is a popular stop for tour buses. If you are unlucky, you might catch a peek at some tourists who would rather create their own "waterfall" on a large tree instead of waiting in the line at the bathroom!
About a mile up the road is "Boiling Pots", where water surges over bowl-shaped depressions in the rocks. Here Mike is exploring in the valley created by the water. We found it far easier to go DOWN to Boiling Pots than to go back UP. We ended up following a couple from Germany who ended up blazing their own trail back up the side to the parking lot!
In Hilo , we stayed at a bed and breakfast called The Inn at Kulanipia. Located a few miles west of Hilo, it is located next to a waterfall called Kulanipia. Here's the view off the balcony!
Len and Jane, the owners of The Inn, have a golden retriever named Pua. She loved to follow us as we explored the waterfall. She really made Kelli homesick since we left Ginger back home with Kelli's mom. Meanwhile, Ginger was enjoying her visit with Grandma; she gained about 5 pounds while we were gone!