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The Painted Church of St. Benedict at Honaunau

The Painted Church of St. Benedict at Honaunau is the oldest Catholic church on the island, constructed in 1875. The small wooden church has brilliantly hued murals depicting biblical scenes on the interior walls, painted by Father John Velge between 1899 and 1904.

Courtesy: Wikipedia.org

Official Website

Kealakekua Bay

Kealakekua Bay is a designated underwater state park to protect its myriad multi-hued fish. Shoals of intensely colorful fish can always be found, and the bay is a favorite haunt for spinner porpoises (dolphin) who delight visitors with their aquabatics. Choice snorkeling, scuba diving, and kayaking - kayakers frequently get surrounded by schools of dolphin.

Wikipedia: Kealakekua Bay

Captain Cook's
Monument

Captain Cook's Monument lies on the north side of Kealakekua Bay and marks the approximate spot where he died. The monument can be reached by sea, and also by a steep trail from the top of Napo'opo'o road. The adventurous will be rewarded by the beauty of the place, and by the excellent snorkeling. 

Captain Cook Monument Info

The Kona Historical Society Museum

The Kona Historical Society Museum in Kealakekua is set in a century-old former general store building. It has a collection of photographs and family heirlooms describing Kona's history from the point of view of its immigrant farmers. The museum is open Monday through Friday from 9am to 3pm.  

$7 for adults
$2 for children

Official Website

The Amy B. Greenwell Ethnobotanical Garden

The Amy B. Greenwell Ethnobotanical Garden in Captain Cook shows examples of how Hawaiians lived with and used the land during the various periods of their history.  Continuously growing and maturing, it is a peaceful and truly informational place to visit. Donations are accepted, and self-guided maps point out significant plants.

Official Website

Pu'uhonua O Honaunau
(National Historic Park)

Pu'uhonua O Honaunau was a "Place of Refuge" to provide political and criminal asylum. The sacred precinct is preserved as a National Historical Park. The beautiful site on a peninsula of black lava has the preserved and restored remains of a royal palace and three heiaus, houses, fish pond, beach, and canoe landing. It is located at Honaunau Bay 2 miles down the mountain, which is a premium snorkeling and diving spot.

$5.00 per vehicle - 7 days
-or-
$3.00 per individual - 7 days
-or-
$25.00 Tri-park Annual Pass
(Good for Volcano National Park too!)

Official Website

Ho'okena Beach

Ho'okena Beach is a beautiful small, curved beach of black and white sand. Safe swimming, though a little too sandy for great snorkeling. Usually very quiet on weekdays, this is a locals beach at weekends. An ideal get-away spot.

Ho'okena Beach Info

Kahalu'u Beach

Kahalu'u Beach is one of the best protected snorkeling and scuba beaches, among many that stretch along the rocky but gentle coast. Ideal for young children and beginners, but it gets very crowded on weekends.

Kahalu'u Beach Info

Holualoa

Holualoa, a quaint artists town where locals share their crafts in the many old shops nestled along the roadside.   

Holualoa Info

Kailua-Kona

Kailua-Kona is famous for its cultural sites and shopping areas. King Kamehameha resided here from 1812 until his death in 1819. The missionaries' first introduction to the Big Island was here in 1820.  Kailua-Kona is the hub for many Kona Coast activities: a submarine excursion or sunset dinner cruise, para-sailing and wind surfing, fishing or whale watching, and so on.      

Kailua-Kona Info

Naalehu

Naalehu is a quaint town that straddles the highway, with several good restaurants for breakfast or lunch on your way.

Wikipedia: Naalehu

Hapuna Beach Park

Hapuna Beach Park is one of the finest white-sand beaches in the world (top ten by Conde Nast). You park and walk down a paved path to the beach. There is very little rain here, about 6" per year, so this beach has practically guaranteed great weather. At Hapuna a covered pavillion, picnic tables, showers, restrooms and a small hot dog and cold drink stand make this an easy beach to visit.      

Hapuna Beach Park Info

Spencer Beach Park

Spencer Beach Park is a very protected beach, perfect if you have small children or don't like big waves. There are easy paths from the parking area and public rest rooms. At Spencer Park is Pu'ukohola Heiau (temple), Hawaii's most famous and largest heiau. Another small heiau as well as an information shack and nice trails to the coast are all at the same location. The history of these ancient temples built by King Kamehameha is fascinating. From this area you can see the four largest mountains from one spot: Hualalai, Mauna Loa, Mauna Kea and the Kohala Mountains.      

Spencer Beach Park Info

Kawaihae

Kawaihae is a commercial harbor, and home of the famous Kawaihae Canoe Club. A convenience store, galleries, a shop or two, a dive rental shop and several good restaurants serving Mexican, Italian and local cuisine are all located in a small shopping center. This is not really a town, but serves a number of residences and small housing areas, as well as the boating community.

Wikipedia: Kawaihae

Punalu'u Black Sand Beach

Punalu'u Black Sand Beach is a short side trip off the main highway, and very picturesque. This is one of the best examples of a black sand beach in the world!

Punalu'u Black Sand Beach Info

Pahala

Pahala is a typical example of an old sugar mill town. The mill has unfortunately been dismantled now.

Courtesy: Bigislandliving.com

Wikipedia: Pahala

Lapakahi Park

Lapakahi Park is an ancient Hawaiian village. Paved paths lead down to the water's edge, with plaques along the way explaining about what you pass, native trees and their uses, native stone house platforms, etcetera.     

Lapakahi Park Info

Hawi Town

Hawi Town is at the northern tip of the Big Island, and until the 1970's was a sugar farming community. Hawi (pronounced "Havee") has a couple of unique restuarants and shops and is known for a statue of King Kamehamaha. Windy Upolu Point is the northernmost point on the Big Island, with a beautiful view of Maui.      

Courtesy: Wikipedia.org

Hawi Town Info

Pololu Valley

Pololu Valley is a beautiful valley cut out of about 400 foot cliffs by a small river that still meanders through at the bottom. There is a quite steep 30-minute hike to get to the bottom. The hike could be considered strenuous but is well worth it however the views from the overlook are well worth the trip.

Wikipedia: Polulu Valley

Mauna Kea

Translated from Hawaiian it means "White Mountain". During the months from November through April, it's not uncommon to find the 13,796 foot summit covered with snow. (Imagine telling your friends and family you went sledding in Hawaii!) One of the most amazing parts is that you can actually drive all the way to the top! (Weather permitting) The view from the summit is completely awe-inspiring (especially at sunrise/sunset). The night sky is unparalleled and you will stars like never before (hence all the telescopes and world famous Keck Observatory). A few points of warning; if you decide to go, a 4WD vehicle with low gear is STRONGLY recommended. Part of the road after the visitor center is unpaved and could be described as perilous. (Coming down make sure to use low gear - people have burned out their brakes riding them on the way down.) Also check with your rental car company whether you're permitted to drive on these roads.

It's also important to mention that at 13,796 feet, there is about 40% less oxygen. If you have asthma, breathing problems, are significantly overweight or have other serious medical conditions, traveling to the summit is not recommended. Most people can handle the altitude at the visitor center (9000 feet - a little higher than an aircraft cabin at altitude). They offer FREE nightly stargazing tours and is not to be missed!

Wikipedia: Mauna Kea

Mauna Kea Visitor Center

Volcanoes
National Park

Volcanoes National Park is a not-to-be-missed experience. Called the world's only "drive-in" volcano, the park is open 24 hours a day all year. As well as the spectacular Kilauea Crater, there is a superb visitor center, The Thomas A Jagger Museum, Thurston Lava Tube, Sulphur Banks, Volcano House Hotel and Restaurant, Art Galleries and more. Crater Rim Drive provides an easy way to see all the sites, and there are numerous hiking trails from very easy to very difficult. Out of the Park, the drive down Chain of Craters Road provides spectacular coastal views, and ends at a short hike to the most recent lava flow area.

From the Farm to the Park is an easy two-hour drive on the main highway, but you may want to plan extra time to stop at some of the interesting places on the way. (Like the Punalu'u Bake Shop which has fantastic Portugese sweet bread and malasadas. Not to be missed!)

$10.00 per vehicle - 7 days
-or-
$5.00 per individual - 7 days
-or-
$25.00 Tri-park Annual Pass
(Good for Pu'uhonua Honaunau too!)


(Hikes vary from easy to very difficult)

(Volcanic gasses may cause discomfort for those with breathing problems)

Official Website