A Road Trip Guide for the Big Island

There are nine districts on Big Island Hawaii, but it is also broken down into six regions. You could plan a road trip itinerary for each region and experience the best adventures for you and your family. Some areas are more popular and will attract more tourists, but in other areas you may find yourself the only visitor at that time.

Kau

• Southernmost area, it is home to Hawaii Volcano National Park and the mighty Kilauea volcano.
• Popular with hikers and backpackers, there are no large resorts or golf courses in this area.
• Home to the famous Punaluu Black Sand Beach.
• Towns like Pahala and Naalehu are home to artists and writers who crave isolation.

Kailua – Kona

• One of the bigger towns, it has great weather, many resorts and accommodations. It is a very popular area to use as your home base.
• Home to many historical Hawaiian locations; Captain Cooks Monument at Kealakekua Bay, Hulihee Palace, Mokuaikaua Church and Pu’uhonua o Honaunau National Park (Place of Refuge).
• Coffee farms dot the inner highway for tours and tastings of the famous Kona coffee.
• Restaurants, shopping and nightlife, this region will have the best the island has to offer.
• With calmer waters to South, Kona is great for snorkeling with dolphins, honu (turtles) and especially manta rays at night.
• Kona Farmers Market is a great place to find local produce and homemade local crafts.

Kohala

• Located North of KOA Kona airport, this area has some of the finest resorts the island has to offer.
• Some of the best golf courses in the world.
• Very dry area with little rain, the landscape is covered with black and rust colored lava rock.
• Home to Hapuna Beach, one of the island’s largest white sand beaches.
• Historical landmark of Puukohola Heiau National site.
• Upcountry towns include; Waimea where paniolo’s (Hawaiian cowboys) put on a rodeo each year or the quaint little town of Hawi.

Hamakua Coast

• North of Hilo, this Northeastern side of Big Island is a lush tropical rainforest.
• Home to many waterfalls, taro farms and black sand beaches.
• Honokaa Town is a great place for some local flavor shopping.
• Drive to the Waipio Valley lookout for a fabulous view on the Hamakua Heritage Corridor.
• Abundance of exotic plants at the many botanical and tropical gardens you can visit and tour.

Hilo

• A city of peaceful natural beauty, Hilo is the largest city and the capital of Big Island Hawaii.
• Home to the annual Merrie Monarch Festival in April of each year. This competition brings hula dancers from all the Hawaiian islands and is popular for both locals and guests to the island..
• For many years running, Hilo has been the wettest city in the US.
• Home to gardens and parks that contain many of the most beautiful and exotic plants from around the world.
• Not as touristy as the West side of the big island, many fall in love with the slower, laid back pace Hilo has to offer.
• Hilo’s history is preserved with its plantation style buildings and museums.

Puna

• Located Southeast of Hilo, the Puna area is a mixture of lava fields, rainforests and a rocky rugged shoreline.
• With recent volcanic eruptions, Puna’s landscape has been and continues to be altered by the Kilauea lava flow.
• Home to the Lava Tree Park, where the trees were covered in lava and their molds still remain.
• Visit the outlaw town of Pahoa, where the funky shops and restaurants are worth a visit.

As most tourists stay on the windward, (western) side of the Big Island Hawaii, there are a few road trip itineraries that won’t take up your whole day. Some can be combined, allowing you to see and do more in one day. Mileage listed is the roundtrip distance between Kailua-Kona and the destination.

• Captain Cook monument: (24 miles) Located near Kealakekua Bay, this historic site marks the place that Captain Cook first arrived on the island of Hawaii in 1778. Not long after that, he lost his life in a battle with Native Hawaiians in the same area. Kealakekua Bay is protected as a Marine Life Conservation area that attracts many tourists who snorkel the beautiful coral reef the bay has to offer.
• Coffee plantations: (15-20 miles) For the coffee lovers, this will be a day to indulge in your love of java. With over 600 coffee farms on the island, you may want to visit more than one. From tours to tastings, this will be educational as well as delicious. The minute you exit your car, the smell of coffee will keep you wanting more.
• Mauna Kea Visitors Center: (110 miles) For the budding astronomer or stargazer, this would be a great day or night drive to add to your Big Island Hawaii itinerary. Located at the 9,200 ft elevation, it’s best to bring some warmer clothing as it can get quite chilly. Take the infamous Saddle Road to get up there, and any Big Island rental car can make this trip. Check their website for hours of operation and if any closures are happening due to weather.
• Waikoloa; (64 miles) A drier desert-like area, it is home to some larger resorts and world class golf courses. This area has the least amount of rainfall and attracts many tourists to this warm climate zone. Some of the larger resorts offer day passes to visit for the day and use all their amenities or maybe take in a luau. As well, Waikoloa does offer a couple of shopping plazas with casual or fine dining options.
• Hawi; (106 miles) Located at the Northern tip of Big Island Hawaii, this quaint little town is a little piece of paradise. With the trees all blown in one direction, the power of mother nature does not go unnoticed. From small eateries to locally made souvenirs, this is a great place to buy yourself a treat. Driving back you can head up into the hills and come down into Waimea (Cowboy town), this route will give you a gorgeous view of the coastline below.