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Cheater’s Guide to 6 of Hawaii’s Hidden Gems

hidden_gemOne of the things we enjoy most when travelling, is finding all of the hidden gems each destination has to offer. This typically entails new and unusual activities or off-the-beaten-track adventures, and Hawaii has got plenty of both! Discovering some of the less traditional attractions can take hours of scouring the archives of the internet so to save you some time, we’ve assembled a handy little cheat sheet to help you find a handful of Hawaii’s best kept secrets! Without further ado, we present 6 of Hawaii’s “Hidden Gems”!

hidden Gem - Blue RoomThe Blue Room

Located on Kauai, the Blue Room can be found inside the Waikapala’e wet cave on the island’s north shore. Hawaii’s answer to Capri’s popular Blue Grotto is an incredible site to behold. The cave is fed by an underground spring, with sunlight streaming in from a former lava tube in the formation. As the light is reflected off of the water, the entire cave is illuminated in a brilliant blue hue. Because fresh water in Hawaii can sometimes contain a bacteria called leptospirosis, there is a “no swimming” sign posted but this is often not enough to keep curious adventure seekers away. Water shoes are recommended any time you visit a wet cave as the rocks can be slippery.

 

Directions: To get there, drive North along Prince Kuhio Hwy past Ha’ena Beach Park, and look for the trail head on the left side of the road just after the large parking area on the right. If you pass the Limahuli Botanical Gardens you’ve gone too far.

 

 

Hidden Gems - Zoe Golden Zebra

Zoe the Golden Zebra

One of only a few in the world, Zoe is a golden zebra housed at the Three Ring Ranch Animal Sanctuary on Hawaii Island. The golden striped blue-eyed zebra was born with a condition called amelanosis which results in a lack of pigment. To learn more about Zoe and get directions to the ranch, visit their website here: http://www.threeringranch.org/animals/zoe.html

Queen's bath

Queen’s Bath

Also located on Kauai’s north shore, Queen’s Bath is a natural tide pool carved in to a lava shelf. Though closed in the winter due to dangerous water activity, it’s crystal clear and calm during the summer months.

Directions: Take Highway 56 to Princeville. Turn right on Ka Haku Road, then right on Punahele, and right again on Kapiolani. Park on the road at the end of Kapiolani and follow the trail along the stream for about 25 yards. At the end of the trail, turn left and walk about 300 yards to the Bath. Water shoes are recommended due to slippery rocks.

Rainbow Eucalyptus_2

Rainbow Eucalyptus Trees

The bark of the Rainbow Eucalyptus or Eucalyptus Delgupta sheds at various times throughout the year revealing a bright green under-layer which changes color over time. As air and sunlight react with the bark, the long strips turn from green to shades of red, orange, blue, purple and even pink. Because it sheds intermittently, the trees color’s are in a constant state of change, and will never repeat the same pattern.

Location: Rainbow Eucalyptus trees can be found in Hawaii along the road to Hana on Maui, the Keane Arboretum and botanical garden, also on Maui; the Keahua Arboretum on Kauai and on Kaloko Drive near Kailua-Kona on the Big Island.

Hidden Gems-makauwahi-cave-02

Makauwahi Cave Reserve

The Makauwahi Cave Reserve is a living museum and perhaps one of the richest fossil sites in the South Pacific. Considered a sacred site, the Makauwahi Cave was once a burial ground for the ancient Hawaiians. To learn more about the cave and get directions, visit their website here: http://www.cavereserve.org/

These are just a handful of Hawaii’s lesser known, but must-see attractions. Are there any that you would add to this list? If so, please share in the comments section below! Aloha & have a wonderful day!