6 p.m. | Hawaiian grill

Fill up on grilled locally-sourced fish or steak and craft cocktails at Jackie Rey’s Ohana Grill. The Hilo location of this beloved Kona institution is housed in a beautifully restored bank building. Travelling with the whole ohana? Share the pupu platter featuring bite-sized ahi poke (raw fish diced, marinated and served over rice), crab cakes, pork spring rolls and crispy ribs.

Day 2

9 a.m. | Power breakfast

Fuel yourself for a day of exploration with a healthy, generously-portioned breakfast at Conscious Culture Café. Most of their dishes can be made vegan, and they’ve got locally-brewed Big Island Booch kombucha (fermented tea) on tap.

11 a.m. | Volcano hike

Hop in a rental car and make the 45-minute drive to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, where you can learn about the unique geological history of the Hawaiian Islands and hike to the sites of past eruptions. Walk what remains of Crater Rim Drive to see how the dramatic 2018 eruption of Kīlauea, the youngest volcano on the Island of Hawaii, altered the landscape at the volcano’s summit. As you explore, remember to be respectful, heed road and trail closures and keep a safe distance from ledges and active steam vents.

Day 3

10 a.m. | Head for the hills

Sit back and enjoy the scenery as a guide from Hawaii Forest & Trail drives you up the rolling green slopes above Hilo to Lavaloha, one of several local chocolate farms making sweet magic from Hawaii’s rich volcanic soil (sampling is strongly encouraged). Then, after a sack lunch, take a refreshing dip or try stand-up paddleboarding beneath the 36-metre Kulaniapia Falls.

3 p.m. | Poke and go

Swing by Suisan Fish Market for a takeaway container of the freshest poke you’ll ever have, and eat it while you stroll through the nearby Liliuokalani Gardens, a peaceful Japanese-style oasis named for Hawaii’s last reigning queen. Or, jump in a cab and take your poke picnic to Richardson Ocean Park, a black sand beach where huge green sea turtles are known to haul up for a rest in the sun. It’s also a popular snorkelling spot.