If you had only a weekend to spend on the Big Island, this is where you'd want to go. The Kohala Coast is a mix of the island's best beaches and swankiest hotels just minutes from ancient valleys and temples, waterfalls, and funky artist enclaves. North of Kona International Airport, brightly colored bougainvillea stand out in relief against miles of black lava fields stretching from the mountain to the sea. Most of the lava flows are from the last eruptions of Mt. Huala'lai, in 1800 and 1801. Technically, Mt. Huala'lai is not dormant just yet. If it sticks to the schedule it has been on for the last few thousand years, it may be due to blow again soon. For now, however, the area around the long-silent crater makes for some surprisingly beautiful hiking.