Big Island Hawaii Guidebook
Beaches/water
Beautiful sandy and swimmable black sand beach. The ocean is warmer on the south shore. Water shoes are recommended as there are some smaller rocks and you don’t want to get any cuts on your feet :)
177 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Kehena Black Sand Beach
Beautiful sandy and swimmable black sand beach. The ocean is warmer on the south shore. Water shoes are recommended as there are some smaller rocks and you don’t want to get any cuts on your feet :)
Geothermal hot springs - saltwater tide pools :)
16 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Pohoiki Bay and Hot Spring
13-5579 Kalapana - Kapoho RdGeothermal hot springs - saltwater tide pools :)
Awesome tide pools, great swimming spot, amazing views, cool fish- good place for kids because of the calm water
9 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Keaukaha Beach Park
27 Apapane RdAwesome tide pools, great swimming spot, amazing views, cool fish- good place for kids because of the calm water
Great spot in Hilo Bay - sheltered from ocean waves, sandy beach, calm water great for kids, stand up paddle boarding, kayaking, etc.
9 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
IReed's Bay Beach Park
225 Banyan DrGreat spot in Hilo Bay - sheltered from ocean waves, sandy beach, calm water great for kids, stand up paddle boarding, kayaking, etc.
One of only 4 green sand beaches in the world due to mineral deposits eroding from the lava rock cone surrounding it. About a 2 mile hike to get to the beach from the parking area so be prepared! Often there are locals with lifted trucks offering rides for a fee if you don’t want to hike it.
43 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Green Sand Beach Trailhead
One of only 4 green sand beaches in the world due to mineral deposits eroding from the lava rock cone surrounding it. About a 2 mile hike to get to the beach from the parking area so be prepared! Often there are locals with lifted trucks offering rides for a fee if you don’t want to hike it.
Honoli'i Beach Park
Richardson Ocean Park
2355 Kalanianaole StShipman Beach / Haena Beach
Manini Beach
Manini Beach RoadGreat for snorkeling
Food scene
Best fresh caught fish fry I’ve had in all the islands! Options include Ono, Mahi Mahi, Ahi, and more. All are delicious!
57 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Pahoa Fresh Fish
Best fresh caught fish fry I’ve had in all the islands! Options include Ono, Mahi Mahi, Ahi, and more. All are delicious!
Great authentic Mexican restaurant with locally sourced fresh ingredients. Love their fish tacos! Nachos are amazing too. Outdoor seating and bar seating available
12 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Coco Cantina
15-2714 Pahoa Village RdGreat authentic Mexican restaurant with locally sourced fresh ingredients. Love their fish tacos! Nachos are amazing too. Outdoor seating and bar seating available
New Kea’au location is right in our neighborhood. Located on Orchidland Drive near highway 130. Great food and atmosphere and one of our favorite places to eat. They have live music sometimes. They take reservations, though not required.
16 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Kaleos Bar and Grill
16-110 Orchid Land DriveNew Kea’au location is right in our neighborhood. Located on Orchidland Drive near highway 130. Great food and atmosphere and one of our favorite places to eat. They have live music sometimes. They take reservations, though not required.
Brand new shopping center with great spots to eat and shop. They also host some great events including drive-in movie nights on some Friday nights, outdoor market, and seasonal/occasional events.
19 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Puna Kai Shopping Center
15-2714 Pahoa Village RdBrand new shopping center with great spots to eat and shop. They also host some great events including drive-in movie nights on some Friday nights, outdoor market, and seasonal/occasional events.
Great place to stop for a bite if you’re visiting the park. Often have live music and food is great
55 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Volcano's Lava Rock Cafe
19-3972 Old Volcano RdGreat place to stop for a bite if you’re visiting the park. Often have live music and food is great
Great higher end dining option with a large wood burning fireplace. It gets chilly up there so the fire is great.
102 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Kilauea Lodge Restaurant
19-3948 Old Volcano RdGreat higher end dining option with a large wood burning fireplace. It gets chilly up there so the fire is great.
Kens House of Pancakes
1730 Kamehameha AveHawaiian sweet bread rolls filled with coconut or sweet bean filling are the best!
They also have additional selections like guava flavored sweet bread and flavored shortbread cookies.
185 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Punalu'u Bake Shop
95-5642 HI-11Hawaiian sweet bread rolls filled with coconut or sweet bean filling are the best!
They also have additional selections like guava flavored sweet bread and flavored shortbread cookies.
Ponds Hilo
135 Kalanianaole StWaterfront dining and great seafood options
Moon and Turtle
51 Kalakaua StThe Seaside Restaurant And Aqua Farm
1790 Kalanianaole StGreat local diner with a large menu and great prices.
27 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Black Rock Cafe
15-2872 Government Main RdGreat local diner with a large menu and great prices.
Sightseeing
The most active Volcano in the world is about 20 miles (30 min) from our place. Great hiking and sightseeing during the day, but you won’t be able to see lava in daylight so plan on viewing after dark (6-7pm depending on time of year). As long as conditions are good you will be able to see the lava lake eruption. Dress in layers because it’s chilly up there!
880 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Hawaii Volcanoes National Park
The most active Volcano in the world is about 20 miles (30 min) from our place. Great hiking and sightseeing during the day, but you won’t be able to see lava in daylight so plan on viewing after dark (6-7pm depending on time of year). As long as conditions are good you will be able to see the lava lake eruption. Dress in layers because it’s chilly up there!
Short easy walk around a paved path to see come cool lava formations
109 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Isibhengezo saseNtshonalanga seLava Tree
Hawaii 132Short easy walk around a paved path to see come cool lava formations
Beautiful ocean views and waves crashing into lava rock cliffs. Smell the sea salt and enjoy a walk or bike ride along the ocean. Take in the views of nature and cool waterfront homes.
Paradise Cliffs
151733 Beach RoadBeautiful ocean views and waves crashing into lava rock cliffs. Smell the sea salt and enjoy a walk or bike ride along the ocean. Take in the views of nature and cool waterfront homes.
Shopping / souvenirs
Jungle Love
15-2660 Keaau-Pahoa RdGreat place to pick up souvenirs in Pahoa
Great place to grab a bite and also an outdoor market (typically open on Wednesdays). Walk the fresh lava fields to stunning views of the ocean crashing against the cliffs
171 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
I-Awa Bar ne-Farmers Market ka-Uncle Robert
12-5038 Kalapana Kapoho Beach RdGreat place to grab a bite and also an outdoor market (typically open on Wednesdays). Walk the fresh lava fields to stunning views of the ocean crashing against the cliffs
Awesome shop with talented photographers offering prints of Hawaii on canvas or metal. Most of the art in our place came from here. They will also print your favorite photos from your trip on canvas or metal. Fast turn-around, quality prints and they make an earnest effort to keep prices very affordable. Highly recommended!
Island Photo
15-2714 Pahoa Village RoadAwesome shop with talented photographers offering prints of Hawaii on canvas or metal. Most of the art in our place came from here. They will also print your favorite photos from your trip on canvas or metal. Fast turn-around, quality prints and they make an earnest effort to keep prices very affordable. Highly recommended!
Grocery Stores
Find a surprisingly large selection of groceries, hardware store it’s and supplies here. Located about 5 minutes from our place
Located less than 10 min away, Orchidland General Store has a surprisingly large selection of food items and groceries, as well as hardware store items
Orchidland Gen Store
16-125 Orchid Land DriveLocated less than 10 min away, Orchidland General Store has a surprisingly large selection of food items and groceries, as well as hardware store items
Very nice grocery store with a large selection of grocery items and prepared foods
140 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Mālama Market
15-2714 Pahoa Village RdVery nice grocery store with a large selection of grocery items and prepared foods
Great place to pick up groceries, fishing gear or supplies
7 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
J Hara Store
17-343 Volcano RdGreat place to pick up groceries, fishing gear or supplies
Great options, prepared foods, large selection of local beer
67 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Safeway
381 E Maka'Ala StGreat options, prepared foods, large selection of local beer
Neighborhoods
Not actually beaches but there is a great oceanfront park with amazing views of ocean and cliffs. Good fishing spot
6 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Hawaiian Beaches
Not actually beaches but there is a great oceanfront park with amazing views of ocean and cliffs. Good fishing spot
Volcano
Cool town at higher elevation with a unique vibe.
Pāhoa
Unique little town with an artsy/bohemian vibe
Amacebiso ngesixeko
Izinto omele uzipakishe
Water shoes
Water shoes are very helpful- some beaches require a little hike and some have some lava rock or coral that can be sharp. You don’t want to put a damper on your trip with a cut on your feet!
Izinto omele uzipakishe
Layers of clothing
The higher elevations (like Volcano State Park) can get pretty chilly. The town of Volcano is at approximately 3,000+ ft. Temps drop about 1 degree per 100 ft. in elevation so it can be 30 degrees cooler up there than down at sea level. Bring layers or versatile clothing options. (Our property is around 500 ft so offers the perfect climate - we don’t need heat or a/c!)
Amasiko nenkcubeko
Live with Aloha
Embrace the culture and remember to drive and treat others with Aloha. This means driving with courtesy (using your horn is considered rude here). People often allow others to go first at traffic signals or when turning left. And if someone seems to be in a hurry, kindly pull over and let them pass. Don’t be surprised if other drivers or pedestrians wave- so wave back! :)
Amabinzana aluncedo
Hawaiian Words
The Hawaiian language isn’t widely used anymore, but there are some words that are commonly used. The Hawaiian alphabet has only 12 letters. It is easy to sound out words- just pronounce each letter individually. Here are a few worlds you should know. Aloha- used as a greeting but also has deeper meaning- to be well, be blessed, well wishes, kindness and respect; Mahalo=Thank you; Mahalo nui loa=Thank you very much