Mamalahoa Highway

Mamalahoa Highway is also known as the Hawaii Belt Road and consists of state routes 11, 19 and 190 that encircle the Island of Hawaii. The Mamalahoa Highway is thought to be named for the "Law of the Splintered Paddle", which guaranteed the subjects of Kamehameha the Great free and safe passage through the highways of his kingdom. A 221 mile round trip will enable visitors to see many of the island's attractions.

Amongst the attractions drivers will be able to stop at en route are places such as the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park on route 11. Here visitors can see the Volcano Art Center and the Thomas A. Jaggar Museum as well as many historic places. Other highlights along this route are the Pu'uhonua o Honaunau National Historic Park and St Benedict's Catholic Church, also known as the Painted Church.

Route 19 takes visitors to Hilo and the international airport but also has several interesting features such as the Wailoa River Bridge and the 1960 Tsunami Memorial Clock. The Hawaii Tropical Botanical Garden is another good stopping point off route 19. Along route 190 drivers may like to take stops at Camp Tarawa and Pu'u Wa'awa'a Forest Reserve, where there are hiking trails and plenty of wildlife to observe.