Couples, families and independent travelers will find adventure around every curve of Hawaii's Big Island. Create lasting memories while cruising around the island by car, 4-wheel drive or even a Hummer!

Romantic couples ignite the flames of passion by exploring the island's secret beaches and hidden waterfalls in a sturdy four wheel drive. Or live the life of a movie star by cruising Hawaii's Big Island in a sporty 1957 Porsche Speedster. Coast through oceanside scenic routes and enjoy star treatment befitting any romantic vacation.

Families won't have to take a back seat with choices of roomy sedans, vans or a Hummer for a comfortable tour. Entertain keiki (children) with a few driving games, Hawaiian style. Play "I spy" and see who can really catch a glimpse of the elusive Kona Nightingale (donkey), a regular on Kona coffee farms during the mid-1920s. The real adventure is to find the Hawaiian Nene goose, Hawaii's state bird, which graces the rainforest regions of Hawaii's big Big Island. Switch to the all time favorite counting game and see who can count the most cattle, horse, sheep or waterfalls. And don't forget the bounty of the sea. There's passing whales when the season is right, spinning dolphins throughout the year, numerous fishing boats and colorful wind surfers.

While driving Hawaii's Big Island, why not practice speaking Hawaiian? The Hawaiian language remains alive through the names of important historic places and street names. Just remember that vowels predominantly fill the language. Try heiau (hay-ee-ow, ancient Hawaiian temple) or Puuhonua o Honaunau (pooh-ooh ho knew ah oh Ho now now, Place of Refuge). By the time you reach Hawaii Volcanoes National Park you'll be correcting each other on the right way to pronounce Hawaii's most active volcano, Kilauea (kee-la-way-ah).

In fact, an island tour offers great views of four of the five volcanoes that make up Hawaii's Big Island. While driving north from Kailua-Kona through Waikoloa and on to Waimea, a clear morning sky reveals the formidable heights of Mount Hualalai, Mauna Loa, Mauna Kea and the Kohala Mountains. Independent travelers driving SUVs can even make a trek up to Mauna Kea and visit the Visitor Information Station in the Onizuka Center for International Astronomy located at 9,000 feet above sea level. Then head for the top of the world's highest dormant volcano and its world class observatories, with 13 telescopes operated by nine countries. Be sure to set aside an entire day for this trek.

Hawaii's Big Island offers several free driving tour brochures to highlight an around-the-island excursion. Enjoy the ease of using the Hilo-Hamakua Heritage Coast brochure, Heritage and Culture on Hawaii's Big Island brochure, Guide to Kona Heritage Stores brochure, and the Volcano Heritage Corridor brochure. These make it easier to explore places of interest.

Food connoisseurs will also discover that Hawaii's Big Island satisfies the palate with an offering of agricultural driving tours like the Kona Coffee Country Driving Tour Brochure, and four agricultural tourism brochures highlighting the island's banquet of orchard crops, livestock and aquaculture, flowers and foliage, and vegetables. Discover a host of farmer's markets with its feast of fresh island cuisine to sample and take home.

While driving Hawaii's Big Island, meet friendly shop owners and regulars for the best tips on exploring Hawaii's boundless beauty. Perhaps you'll uncover a secret or two like where to find a remote fresh water pool among an arid lava plain, or the best place to sample a local favorite like lau lau - pork, fish, vegetables and taro wrapped in luau leaf and steamed to perfection. So, get out into the community. You'll be pleased to discover the unplanned adventure of Hawaii's multi-cultural people. True Aloha style!

To get a free copy of the Hilo-Hamakua Heritage Coast brochure, Heritage and Culture on Hawaii's Big Island brochure, and the Volcano Heritage Corridor brochure visit www.hawaii-culture.com. And to get free copies of the four agricultural tourism brochures visit www.hawaiiagtourism.com.

For a free Guide to Kona Heritage Stores brochure call the Kona Historical Society at (808) 323-3222. And for a free Kona Coffee Country Driving Tour Brochure visit www.konacoffeefest.com.

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