Location: Pahoa
Top Things to do in Pahoa
Countries
10 Things to do in Pahoa That You Shouldn't Miss
Tiny Pahoa is Hawaii's alternative to a glitzy, prepackaged vacation experience. A small, Victorian town with wooden boardwalks, Pahoa has been called the "downtown" of the Puna region of the Big Island. Travelers will find abundant natural beauty combined with a laid-back, artistic atmosphere.
Restaurants in Pahoa
1. Tanglewood Gallery
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 4 reviews
Local photographer Harry Durgin and his wife Mouse open their studio/gallery to the public on weekends, welcoming friends and visitors with Hawaii hospitality to view and buy his images of the area. An engaging, personal experience with the artists.
2. Kapoho Tide Pools
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 779 reviews
Reviewed By P1654QJdaniels - San Diego, United States
This very unique snorkeling spot is now under two feet of lava. Another treasure lost but another will surely develop.
3. Maku'u Farmer's Market
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 146 reviews
Reviewed By lovetodanceandtravel - Pahoa, United States
The Maku'u farmers market is my favorite on the Hilo side of the Big Island!! If good eats is what your craving, there is a variety of good eats to include thai, Mexican, Japanese, bbq, crepes, local favs, lots of vegetarian options, coffee and danishes, and desserts! If you ate looking for plants, look no further. Ive found rare plants like the peanut butter fruit tree, lemon eucalyptus, and moringa.fruit and veggie stands are endless with local papaya, avocado, breadfruit, breadfruit, mango, rambutan, durian, and many others! Let's talk sweets... my favorite honey vendor whose farm is on the southeast of the island. Nice guy, let's you sample the different varieties of honey from the bees that pollinate macadamia, lilikoi, and mango fields before purchasing. You can also find local art, jewelry, clothing, knick knacks, massage, and fresh coconuts here. Often times, there is live music in the dining areas. Open on sunday's only, lots of parking, $2 per car.
4. Kaimu Beach Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 64 reviews
Reviewed By Ellesor826 - Bradenton, United States
This is a must stop and walk and experience thing that every visitor must experience when visiting Hawaii. This beach was one of the highlights on the tour we had chosen from our cruise ship and truly was exceptional. Be prepared to be out in the hot and humid sun for the walk to and from the black sand beach on a nature path with lots of photo ops along the way. It's not smooth but it's not steep and it is hot! And it is also very well worth it! Stop by the little smoothie shop when you're done for a nice refreshing cold and delicious treat. This is not to be missed.
5. Kehena Black Sand Beach
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 169 reviews
Reviewed By AlexMaps - Milan, Italy
Beautiful black sand beach with turtles and an amazing lagune just behind. Without visitors could be even better, but the the location has his own charme
6. Red Road (Hwy 137)
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 23 reviews
Reviewed By Alohalady1989
The immense power of mother nature was on full display as we traveled highway 137 in Hawaii in November 2019. We started our journey at a place called Uncle Robert's at the south end of the Highway. A quirky little place with interesting people who have amazing stories to tell if you take the time to listen. As we traveled up the road, we were treated to sights of breathtaking black lava cliffs dropping into the sea, and the display of the waves crashing into them was absolutely stunning! We happened upon a Hawaiian Burial Site and it was fascinating. Since we felt we were on sacred ground,we tried to be be very respectful, we had sort of happened upon the site, it was a very small site, not a cemetery. We then came to the place where the lava from the May 2018 Leilani Estates eruption had flowed to the ocean and they had started rebuilding the road. It was very apocalyptic looking. Nothing green remained. The road, at that time, ended at Isaac Hale Park, which obviously had, at one time, been much larger, until the lava cut it off. This is where the boat ramp at Pohoiki no longer goes into the ocean and is now land locked. The trip was amazing! So much to see!
7. Ahalanui Park
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 364 reviews
Reviewed By deniskT4272NZ - Palm Springs, United States
My wife and I loved this special place when we vacationed in Hawaii last year. A large, clear pond warmed by geothermal heat and protected from the ocean surf by a rock reef. It was such a mellow atmosphere with people just happily floating in the warm, soft waters. I saw colorful reef fish when I snorkeled there too. But, as others have said, the latest volcano has wiped it off the map. Maybe there's another place like this on the Big Island...
8. Lava Tree State Park
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 555 reviews
Reviewed By Juliegram - Montverde, United States
Lava Tree State Park is a lovely natural wonder and great place to see a volcanic fissure, walk the trails among the flora and fauna, and even sit at the picnic tables for your lunch while learning about the lava trees. Great explanatory signage. And rest rooms! Want to relax in solitude? Stop by! We went with John our driver from Pineapple Xpress Tours, Hilo. Give him a call and let him know you want to see Lava Tree State Park!
9. Isaac Hale Beach Park
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 198 reviews
Reviewed By ChrysalisTravel
Big Island's newest black sand beach. Fine black sand, pounding surf, and thermal pools make this a very interesting beach indeed. The boat ramp is untouched from the lava flow, but is unusable for boat traffic. Lava has covered access roads, so plan for longer drives. As of October, there were no facilities. No fresh water = only port-a-potties at the beach.
10. Steam Vents
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 254 reviews
Reviewed By tikiznbamboo - Albuquerque, United States
The April to August 2018 eruption of Kilauea Volcano made vast changes both in lower Puna and at the summit. Halema’uma’u underwent a series of some 64 collapse events. As the magma receded below deep in the earth, the floor of what had been the lava lake fell much as an elevator descent, roughly 30 feet at a time. Each collapse rang the crater like an enormous bell, and with that the wall dropped boulders and the crater expanded and deepened. It is now as deep as the World Trade Center was tall. At the steam vents, rainwater that seeps through to the extremely hot rock that is beneath evaporates and emerges as clouds. Sometimes the clouds are dense, other times wisps. These vapors ring the rims of the caldera, both inner and outer. When you head to the right along the trail, windows emerge to offer views of the newly formed inner crater. Io, the Hawaiian hawk, and nene, the endangered state bird, are sometimes seen along this trail. Pueo, the owl, comes out at dusk. The sides of the crater are striated, showing evidence of past eruptions. To the left, you can follow the steamy trail to Volcano House for food and libations, then return to your car along the sulfur banks.
