Hawaii's Green Sand Beach

If you don't have a 4x4 vehicle, you can walk to this beach from South Point. It is 3 miles each way, no shade, no facilities. Bring lots of water and your walking shoes. If you don't want to hike and still don't have a 4x4 vehicle, there are some very nice taxi drivers who will drop you at the beach for a fee.

We think it's great that so many people are discovering this unique and wonderful beach, but want to remind folks about a few things. Please don't remove the green sand from the beach. We know it is pretty and special, but if everyone takes some, there eventually won't be any left at all. Also, this area of the island is the site where the first Polynesians landed in Hawaii and is a very special place for the Hawaiian people.

Want to do something great for Hawaii that shows you really care about our lovely islands? Bring a bag with you when heading out for Green Sands and help pick up some of this trash.

Most of this trash washes in from the ocean, but since we all want to enjoy this beautiful coastline, why not help keep it beautiful?

Mahalo!

Got great pictures of your adventures around the Big Island? Submit them to BigIslandMotorcycleCo [at] yahoo.com and we'd love to publish them here on our blog!

Motorcycle Route: Mauna Kea

For amazing views try out this

Mauna Kea Route

-     From Big Island Motorcycle Co. make a left at the light onto Highway 19.

-     At the next traffic signal turn right onto Waikoloa Road.

-     Take this road until you reach the T (about 12 miles) and take a left onto Mamalohoa Hwy

-     After about 5 miles you will need to take a right onto Hwy 200 aka Saddle Road.

-     Continue on Saddle Road for about 25 miles and make a left on the Mauna Kea Access Road. Stop at the visitor center on your right. 

-     There is a bathroom for public use between the Saddle Road Junction and the Mauna Kea Access Road, look for the "campground" with the little cabins. Otherwise there are no facilities until you reach the visitor center on Mauna Kea where you can buy snacks and drinks and use the restroom. There is absolutely NO gas station on Saddle Road so be sure to fill up before heading out.

-     You may not ride the motorcycle past the visitor center on Mauna Kea due to dangerous road conditions requiring a 4WD vehicle however from the visitor center there are amazing views within a short 10 minute hike as well as a place to view the endangered silversword plant.

-     The visitor center itself is very interesting as they have loads of information about the Mauna Kea observatories and related information.

-     Jackets and riding gear are included with your motorcycle rental so if you choose to take this route we highly recommend wearing some gear as it gets real cold at the high elevations.

-     One of the best parts about this route is heading back toward the ocean from the mountain. You can feel the air gradually heat up and the views are, of course, amazing!

-     To get back to Big Island Motorcycle Co., simply retrace your steps. Photos below on the previous post.

Rental information can be found by clicking the "Rentals" tab above, by calling 808-886-2011 or emailing us at BigIslandMotorcycleCo [at] yahoo.com


View Larger Map

Double Valley Motorcycle Route!

Double Valley Ride

Minimum 4 hours

Waipio Valley Overlook

- From Big Island Motorcycle Co. in Waikoloa, head north on Hwy 19 by taking a left at the traffic signal.
- After about 10 miles you will reach a T intersection, take a left onto Hwy 270 toward Hawi.
- You will want to explore the towns of Hawi and Kapa'au, about another 30 miles. Very cute restaurants, galleries, and shops. The King Kamehameha statue is in Kapa'au.
- Keep going on 270 until the road ends, this is Pololu Valley.

Owner Gwen with her folks at Pololu

- You can hike down into Pololu Valley if you wish and check out the very beautiful black sand beach (not good for swimming though). This takes about an hour round trip if you don't hang at the beach for very long. The trail is steep but quick and manageable for most ability levels.
- From here you will want to find Hwy 250 toward Waimea. You will have to back track a few miles and look for the signs on your left. If you miss the first turn-off, there is another one in the town of Hawi.
- Hwy 250 is our favorite ride on the island. Twisty roads, sparse traffic, and stunning scenery make it a must-ride. This highway runs along the spine of the Kohala mountains so it's cool and shady and you will be able to see the landscape all the way down to the ocean. Gorgeous.

Hwy 250

Hwy 250

- At the T intersection make a left. Then make another left at the traffic light onto Hwy 19 toward Honokaa. You will be in the town of Waimea. There are many places to stop and have a bite here as well as good shopping and even a visit to the historic Parker Ranch.
- Continue on Hwy 19 toward Honokaa for about 13 miles and make a left onto Plumeria St (look for the signs that say Honokaa and Waipio Valley).
- Make another left at the stop sign onto Waipio Road. Take this road about 7 miles, following the signs to Waipio Valley.

Waipio Valley (sorry bout the finger!)

- You can enjoy the views of Waipio Valley from the overlook but you will not be able to ride into the valley on your motorcycle. The grade is very steep and the park rangers will stop you anyway. If you wish to go into the valley, you can walk down (a mile down, very tough, especially on the way back up) or catch a ride from someone in a 4WD.
- You will want to check out Honokaa town (the town you passed through when you made a L at the stop sign to get to Waipio). They have some fun shops and Tex's Drive In makes the best malasadas (Portugese Donuts).
- To get back to Big Island Motorcycle Co. get back to Hwy 19 and head toward Waimea. You will have to make a right onto Lindsey St. to stay on Hwy 19 then after 10 miles you will need to make a left to stay on Hwy 19 (toward Kona). Turn right onto Waikoloa Beach Drive after another 10 miles and find us in the Kings' Shops.


View Larger Map


To find out more about pricing and our rental bikes, click on the "rentals" tab above.

To make a reservation call 808-886-2011 or write to bigislandmotorcycleco (at) yahoo.com

Beach Gear, Get it Here!

We now rent everything for the perfect beach day!

Snorkel Gear

Boogie Boards

Beach Chairs

Umbrellas

Coolers

Life Jackets

$10 per day (a day = 24 hours for all beach gear)

$25 per week

Ask about our Family Discounts

Big Island Motorcycle Co. is located in the Kings' Shops in the Waikoloa Beach Resort. We can be reached at 808-886-2011 or bigislandmotorcycleco (at) yahoo.com

Click in the "Rentals" tab above for details and pricing on our other rentals.

On the road again

My husband is an avid motorcyclist and this blog came about because together we own a motorcycle tour company on the Big Island of Hawaii. We want our customers to be able to get to get to know us and give us feedback on what they want in a tour. And as always we are more than willing to share vacation tips and advice.

Like I said my husband is an avid motorcyclist. The truth is it had been nearly four years since my last ride on a motorcycle when I went for a spin on the Yamaha he recently got for me. "You need to get back on the road," he said. And he was right in so many ways. Heart pounding and knees shaking I climbed on for that first ride. Even though it was only around the block I was reminded that there is nothing else in the world like motorcycling. The rush, the confidence, the speed, the joy. Boy had I been missing out.

So I was a little rusty, and I got chased by a killer dog, and I killed the engine a few times. It's ok because I know that with a few more days of practice I'll be out on the open road and loving it.