Kāne‘ohe Bay, a 7,500-acre inlet, is the largest sheltered body of water in the main Hawaiian Islands and the only bay in Hawai‘i with a barrier reef. Five tiny islands are anchored in the bay, the two largest being CHINAMAN’S HAT and COCONUT ISLAND. Coconut Island is owned by PHO TO: GETT Y IMA GES | L OCA TION DISCOVER KA – NE’OHE ON THE BAY B EY OND T HE
TO: HA W AI‘I T OURISM A UTHORIT Y (HT A) / HEA THER GOODMAN | L OCA TION: PO ¯ K A‘ I¯ B AY HEAD OUT TO THE WESTSIDE the state of Hawai‘i and is home to a University of Hawai‘i research center, but it is perhaps best known for its role in the long-running television series Gilligan’s Island . Adventurers can explore this watery playground and head to Kāne‘ohe and then paddle out to the sandbar, christened the “SUNKEN ISLAND” by locals. If you don’t mind getting wet, enjoy snorkeling, kite flying, tossing a Frisbee and even barbecuing on this partially submerged oasis!
Kāne‘ohe also is a popular GOLF destination, with three scenic courses. Other sites to see include HO‘OMALUHIA BOTANICAL GARDEN, BYODO-IN TEMPLE (a replica of a 900-year-old Buddhist temple) and HE‘EIA STATE PARK .
Head a little further north, and you’ll be thrilled to find WAIĀHOLE POI FACTORY , a favorite spot for kama‘āina (Hawai‘i residents) and visitors alike that serves up ‘ono Hawaiian food. Try the haupia dessert or haupia ice cream for a sweet island treat. You’ll want to spend a few hours at WAIĀHOLE NURSERY & GARDEN CENTER browsing through its locally grown produce.
The Windward side of the island can be reached by one of four scenic routes: Pali Highway, Likelike Highway, H-3 Freeway (also known as John A. Burns Freeway) or Kalaniana‘ole Highway, past Hawai‘i Kai to Waimānalo.
21 DEGREES ESTATE CACAO FARM 808-778-0308
WAIĀHOLE POI FACTORY 808-239-2222