Akaka Falls is east of Hilo off of Route 19, and is reached from the parking area by following a paved trail/stairs dropping down through lush tropical plants to an overlook.  The trail is narrow, and the stairs many, but the view is simply lovely. 

We made an accidental discovery (looking out for the little King Kamehaha highway signs that mark historic or scenic sights) of a vanilla farm and factory.  The only USA vanilla farm in existence, this family-run enterprise is a small treasure--with tours, lunch (both requiring advance reservations) and a small gift shop. We learned the intricate process of making vanilla from a specific orchid plant, which must be fertilized during a tight 4-hour window of opportunity, and then how it must be carefully stored to develop the sweet vanillin, and finally how it can be added to almost anything to enhance flavor and scent.

We continued along the scenic coastline highway all the way to the end of the road for a lookout over the Waipio Valley -- beautiful, but requires horses or 4-wheel drive for the extreme excursion.  We` lunched on crackers and chees/salami at a little park, then headed back. 

Earlier this morning, we watched the Norwegian Cruise Line ship Pride of America sail in (below), and we planned to watch it sail away, but it was very late in leaving.  My camera could not catch a good image of the ship, all alight in the falling dusk, sail away.