E X P L O R E B I G I S L A N D
EXPLORE
BIG ISLAND
K O N A
A lively oceanfront town that is a quintessential part of the Big Island and known for sunny beaches, ono bites, and fresh coffee
25–30 min drive South of Kona Village
K O N A
A lively oceanfront town that is a quintessential part of the Big Island and known for sunny beaches, ono bites, and fresh coffee
25–30 min drive South of Kona Village
What to Do & See
Kīholo Bay: Known for sea turtles, anchialine pools, and lava-rock coastlines. The perfect place for a scenic walk or swim in the calm ocean waters.
Kekaha Kai State Park | Makalawena Beach: A rugged coastal park with a trail leading to one of the island’s most beautiful white sand beaches.
What to Eat
Da Poke Shack: Ranked among the best poke spots in Hawaiʻi. (Pro Tip: Get there early because they often sell out by mid-afternoon!)
Broke Da Mouth Grindz: A local cult-favorite known for Filipino-inspired comfort food and their garlic furikake chicken.
Umekes Fish Market Bar & Grill: An iconic establishment for serving fresh, high-quality seafood frequented by locals and tourists alike.
Teshima’s Restaurant: Known as a time capsule of old Hawaiʻi. This century-old family-run institution is beloved for its homestyle Japanese and local dishes.
What to Eat
Da Poke Shack: Ranked among the best poke spots in Hawaiʻi. (Pro Tip: Get there early because they often sell out by mid-afternoon!)
Broke Da Mouth Grindz: A local cult-favorite known for Filipino-inspired comfort food and their garlic furikake chicken.
Umekes Fish Market Bar & Grill: An iconic establishment for serving fresh, high-quality seafood frequented by locals and tourists alike.
Teshima’s Restaurant: Known as a time capsule of old Hawaiʻi. This century-old family-run institution is beloved for its homestyle Japanese and local dishes.
What to Do & See
Kīholo Bay: Known for sea turtles, anchialine pools, and lava-rock coastlines. The perfect place for a scenic walk or swim in the calm ocean waters.
Kekaha Kai State Park | Makalawena Beach: A rugged coastal park with a trail leading to one of the island’s most beautiful white sand beaches.
W A I K Ō L O A
What to Eat
Original Big Island Shave Ice Company: Known for its ultra-soft shave ice and house-made syrups. (located in the King’s Shops)
W A I K Ō L O A
Big Island’s South Kohala Coast offering elevated resort living alongside lava fields and ocean waves
25 min drive North of Kona Village
Big Island’s South Kohala Coast offering elevated resort living alongside lava fields and ocean waves
25 min drive North of Kona Village
What Do & See
Queens’ Marketplace: A popular shopping area and food court filled with community events featuring local artisans and cultural shows.
Kings’ Shops: A central gathering place with retail shops, boutiques, and art galleries. (Pro Tip: Consider taking an early morning walk along the nearby petroglyph fields!)
Hapuna Beach State Park: Ranked among one of the best white sand beaches in the world.
What Do & See
Queens’ Marketplace: A popular shopping area and food court filled with community events featuring local artisans and cultural shows.
Kings’ Shops: A central gathering place with retail shops, boutiques, and art galleries. (Pro Tip: Consider taking an early morning walk along the nearby petroglyph fields!)
Hapuna Beach State Park: Ranked among one of the best white sand beaches in the world.
What to Eat
Original Big Island Shave Ice Company: Known for its ultra-soft shave ice and house-made syrups. (located in the King’s Shops)
What to Eat
Hawii Coffee Company @Kohala Coffee Mill: A charming local café serving Kona & Kaʻū coffee and supporting community artisans. (Pro Tip: Grab a cup on the way to/from visiting Pololū Valley)
Two of the island’s sacred valleys known for emerald
cliffs, black shores, and breathtaking views
60-75 min drive Northeast of Kona Village
P O L U L Ū | W A I P I ’O
P O L U L Ū | W A I P I ’O
What to Do & See
Waipi’o Valley: Aka the “Valley of the Kings”, this ancient landmark is intertwined with the early life of King Kamehameha I, who refuged here during a time of prophecy and danger.
Pololū Valley: The northernmost of the seven majestic Kohala valleys, this sacred site carries deep cultural importance as an agricultural center of ancient Hawai’i and is more easily accessible by foot than Waipiʻo.
Two of the island’s sacred valleys known for emerald
cliffs, black shores, and breathtaking views
60-75 min drive Northeast of Kona Village
What to Do & See
Waipi’o Valley: Aka the “Valley of the Kings”, this ancient landmark is intertwined with the early life of King Kamehameha I, who refuged here during a time of prophecy and danger.
Pololū Valley: The northernmost of the seven majestic Kohala valleys, this sacred site carries deep cultural importance as an agricultural center of ancient Hawai’i and is more easily accessible by foot than Waipiʻo.
What to Eat
Hawi Coffee Company @Kohala Coffee Mill: A charming local café serving Kona & Kaʻū coffee and supporting community artisans. (Pro Tip: Grab a cup on the way to/from visiting Pololū Valley)
H I L O
H I L O
insert Hilo blurb description
90-120 min drive East of Kona Village
insert Hilo blurb description
90-120 min drive East of Kona Village
What to Do & See
Hawaii Tropical Botanical Garden: Amble along paths that wind through rainforests and towering palms from around the world, encountering 2000+ species of plants.
ʻAkaka Falls: Considered one of the most iconic and photographed landmarks on the island. This family-friendly trail showcases the Big Island’s tropical beauty with a 442-foot waterfall surrounded by lush rainforests.
Hilo Farmers Market: One of Hawaiʻi’s most famous open-air markets showcasing local farmers, artists, and food vendors. It’s a vibrant hub of East Hawaiʻi culture and community.
What to Do & See
Hawaii Tropical Botanical Garden: Amble along paths that wind through rainforests and towering palms from around the world, encountering 2000+ species of plants.
ʻAkaka Falls: Considered one of the most iconic and photographed landmarks on the island. This family-friendly trail showcases the Big Island’s tropical beauty with a 442-foot waterfall surrounded by lush rainforests.
Hilo Farmers Market: One of Hawaiʻi’s most famous open-air markets showcasing local farmers, artists, and food vendors. It’s a vibrant hub of East Hawaiʻi culture and community.
What to Eat
Suisan Fish Market: Established in 1907 and known for its ultra-fresh poke. It’s a cornerstone of Hilo’s fishing industry and a favorite stop for seafood lovers. (NOTE: primarily serves raw fish)
Two Ladies Kitchen: A renowned destination for a sweet taste of local tradition and East Hawaiʻi’s most famous treat—handmade mochi. (Pro Tip: don’t leave without trying the fresh strawberry mochi)
What to Eat
Suisan Fish Market: Established in 1907 and known for its ultra-fresh poke. It’s a cornerstone of Hilo’s fishing industry and a favorite stop for seafood lovers. (NOTE: primarily serves raw fish)
Two Ladies Kitchen: A renowned destination for a sweet taste of local tradition and East Hawaiʻi’s most famous treat—handmade mochi. (Pro Tip: don’t leave without trying the fresh strawberry mochi)
W A I M E A
W A I M E A
The heart of Hawai’i Island’s paniolo (cowboy) culture, visit for rolling pastures and farm-to-table dining
35–40 min drive East of Kona Village
What to Do & See
Parker Ranch: One of the oldest and largest cattle ranches in the United States. Parker Ranch offers a window into Hawaiʻi’s paniolo (cowboy) heritage and tradition.
Anna Ranch Heritage Center: A historic homestead honoring rancher and community leader Anna Lindsey Perry-Fiske.
What to Do & See
Parker Ranch: One of the oldest and largest cattle ranches in the United States. Parker Ranch offers a window into Hawaiʻi’s paniolo (cowboy) heritage and tradition.
Anna Ranch Heritage Center: A historic homestead honoring rancher and community leader Anna Lindsey Perry-Fiske.
The heart of Hawai’i Island’s paniolo (cowboy) culture, visit Waimea for rolling pastures and farm-to-table dining
35–40 min drive East of Kona Village
What to Eat
Merriman’s Big Island: One of the original pioneers of Hawaiʻi regional cuisine. Famous for farm-to-table dishes showcasing the Big Island’s local produce and seafood.
What to Eat
Merriman’s Big Island: One of the original pioneers of Hawaiʻi regional cuisine. Famous for farm-to-table dishes showcasing the Big Island’s local produce and seafood.
K A ’Ū | V O L C A N O
K A ’Ū | V O L C A N O
A quieter, authentic slice of Hawaiʻi imbued with history, legacy landscapes, black- and green-sand beaches
2-2.5 hour drive Southeast of Kona Village
What to Do & See
Papakōlea Green Sand Beach: One of four green-sand beaches in the world, Papakōlea was created from the rare volcanic mineral olivine. Be ready for a rugged 3 mile hike through sand dunes that feel like a scene out of a Mad Max movie. (Pro Tip: Locals offer rides to/from the beach for ~$20/person. To get the best of both worlds, we recommend hiking to the beach and paying for a ride back to the parking lot)
Punaluʻu Black Sand Beach: A famous black volcanic sand beach known to be a frequent resting spot of endangered Hawaiian green sea turtles.
Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park: Hike through the 500 year old Nāhuku Lava Tube, walk across a volcano crater formed by the 1959 Kīlauea Iki eruption, and witness the Hōlei Sea Arch created by centuries of wave erosion and volcanic destruction.
A quieter, authentic slice of Hawaiʻi imbued with history, legacy landscapes, black- and green-sand beaches
2-2.5 hour drive Southeast of Kona Village
What to Do & See
Papakōlea Green Sand Beach: One of four green-sand beaches in the world, Papakōlea was created from the rare volcanic mineral olivine. Be ready for a rugged 3 mile hike through sand dunes that feel like a scene out of a Mad Max movie. (Pro Tip: Locals offer rides to/from the beach for ~$20/person. To get the best of both worlds, we recommend hiking to the beach and paying for a ride back to the parking lot)
Punaluʻu Black Sand Beach: A famous black volcanic sand beach known to be a frequent resting spot of endangered Hawaiian green sea turtles.
Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park: Hike through the 500 year old Nāhuku Lava Tube, walk across a volcano crater formed by the 1959 Kīlauea Iki eruption, and witness the Hōlei Sea Arch created by centuries of wave erosion and volcanic destruction.
What to Eat
Punaluʻu Bake Shop: Famous for its sweet Hawaiian breads and malasadas. A great pitstop to/from Volcanoes National Park or Papakōlea Green Sand Beach.
What to Eat
Punaluʻu Bake Shop: Famous for its sweet Hawaiian breads and malasadas. A great pitstop to/from Volcanoes National Park or Papakōlea Green Sand Beach.
PUNA | PAHOA
Top Things to Do & See
Pohoiki Beach/Isaac Hale Beach Park: A renewed landscape reshaped by the 2018 Kīlauea eruption with a mix of fresh lava, warm ponds, lush vegetation, and a new black-sand beach.
Kehena Black Sand Beach: Known for its beauty and strong sense of free-spirited local culture with a striking black-sand beach set against steep cliffs and crashing waves.
Top Things to Eat
Pele’s Kitchen: A colorful, island-style breakfast and lunch spot featuring locally sourced ingredients and Hawaiian-inspired plates.