Guidebook for Pāhoa
Food Scene
Kaleo's Bar & Grill
15-2969 Pahoa Village RdThe best in the area for dinner and drinks
Pele's Kitchen
152923 Pahoa Village RdBest breakfast around
Parks & Nature
Awesome lava tube, great for beginners and kids (take real shoes), I've taken my 5 year old though it many times.
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MacKenzie State Recreation Area
State Highway 137Awesome lava tube, great for beginners and kids (take real shoes), I've taken my 5 year old though it many times.
Beach-ish pools protected from waves at the back of the Kapoho bay. I've seen turtles in the ponds even though they are pretty popular with people.
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Champagne Ponds
14-5008 Laimana AveBeach-ish pools protected from waves at the back of the Kapoho bay. I've seen turtles in the ponds even though they are pretty popular with people.
Man made, volcanically heated swim pond. Not "hot", just warm. Lifeguards on duty in the day. Usually food trucks, music and lots of things going on. Park closes at sunset and parking can be tricky, but its a not to be missed spot.
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Ahalanui County Beach Park
14-5363 Kalapana - Kapoho RdMan made, volcanically heated swim pond. Not "hot", just warm. Lifeguards on duty in the day. Usually food trucks, music and lots of things going on. Park closes at sunset and parking can be tricky, but its a not to be missed spot.
Great snorkeling spot in protected waters. Can be a bit of a walk to get there. You will need beach shoes along with fins.
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Kapoho Tide Pools
Great snorkeling spot in protected waters. Can be a bit of a walk to get there. You will need beach shoes along with fins.
This is where the lava is flowing into the sea. Secured by the state with rangers and clearly marked safe areas. You will want to go in the afternoon and stay until dark for the best views. There is parking but nothing else, bring FLASHLIGHTS, food, water and good shoes. It's a flat hike but the distance varies so make sure you are up to it before you set out and stay in the safe areas!
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Lava Viewing Area
This is where the lava is flowing into the sea. Secured by the state with rangers and clearly marked safe areas. You will want to go in the afternoon and stay until dark for the best views. There is parking but nothing else, bring FLASHLIGHTS, food, water and good shoes. It's a flat hike but the distance varies so make sure you are up to it before you set out and stay in the safe areas!
Best for a sunset after an extremely hard hike on Mauna Kea. You need jackets, flashlights, food and water, with good hiking shoes. I used to do mountain rescue in Alaska and I consider this a hard hike, but well worth it. It's like a sunset on mars. It's very unlikely there will be anyone else there.
Lake Waiau
Best for a sunset after an extremely hard hike on Mauna Kea. You need jackets, flashlights, food and water, with good hiking shoes. I used to do mountain rescue in Alaska and I consider this a hard hike, but well worth it. It's like a sunset on mars. It's very unlikely there will be anyone else there.
This is one of two parks a few blocks from the house. Nice wide open park with cliff views to the ocean. A few scrambles to the water, but it's mostly to rough to swim here (and dangerous). Nice for watching the sunrise.
Kahakai Park
This is one of two parks a few blocks from the house. Nice wide open park with cliff views to the ocean. A few scrambles to the water, but it's mostly to rough to swim here (and dangerous). Nice for watching the sunrise.
Sightseeing
Pretty secret spot, a short walk down an old road to the ocean. To the left are the ponds, be careful waves came come in to the first pond, the second pond is safer and better. To the right is about a 1/2 mile hike to Makaukiu point. Amazing tide pool and island (10x10 rock, 20 feet from the point). Very deep water, can see turtles, sharks and sometimes humpbacks.
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Mermaid Ponds
14-3823 Government Beach RdPretty secret spot, a short walk down an old road to the ocean. To the left are the ponds, be careful waves came come in to the first pond, the second pond is safer and better. To the right is about a 1/2 mile hike to Makaukiu point. Amazing tide pool and island (10x10 rock, 20 feet from the point). Very deep water, can see turtles, sharks and sometimes humpbacks.
One of the most amazing news on the planet. (See my photos). This is a one of a kind spot. This also requires one of a kind preparation in Hawaii. You can't go to the summit unless you have 4x4. You will also need to wait for your body to acclimatize at the visitors center for 1-2 hours. Plan an all afternoon trip. Arriving at the visitors center around 3 and the summit around 6 (check local sunset times). It really is the best sunset on the planet! A jacket is a good idea, it get's below freezing up there and there is always wind. I promise it will blow your mind. Due to altitude of near 14,000 feet its not a good idea for pregnant moms or kinds under 10.
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Onizuka Center for International Astronomy Visitor Information Station
Mauna Kea Access RoadOne of the most amazing news on the planet. (See my photos). This is a one of a kind spot. This also requires one of a kind preparation in Hawaii. You can't go to the summit unless you have 4x4. You will also need to wait for your body to acclimatize at the visitors center for 1-2 hours. Plan an all afternoon trip. Arriving at the visitors center around 3 and the summit around 6 (check local sunset times). It really is the best sunset on the planet! A jacket is a good idea, it get's below freezing up there and there is always wind. I promise it will blow your mind. Due to altitude of near 14,000 feet its not a good idea for pregnant moms or kinds under 10.
Shopping
The closest market. With essentials like rice, soda, whisky, wine, ramen, and chocolate. It's a one of a kind market, closer to what you would find in Costa Rica or Fiji rather than the mainland.
Da Store
15-783 Kahakai BlvdThe closest market. With essentials like rice, soda, whisky, wine, ramen, and chocolate. It's a one of a kind market, closer to what you would find in Costa Rica or Fiji rather than the mainland.
Outdoor farmers market, lots of local art, food and a lot of other stuff. Open on Sunday only from 6am to about 2pm. With the trip. Parking is $2 (or was) but is a place worth checking out if just for the people watching and local food.
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Mercado de agricultores de Maku'u
15-2131 Keaau-Pahoa RdOutdoor farmers market, lots of local art, food and a lot of other stuff. Open on Sunday only from 6am to about 2pm. With the trip. Parking is $2 (or was) but is a place worth checking out if just for the people watching and local food.
Essentials
This is the local full grocery store. It's a bit on the expensive side (more less expensive shopping to be had in Hilo, but they have a great selection and pretty good prepared Poke and other local foods)
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Mālama Market
15-2714 Pahoa Village RdThis is the local full grocery store. It's a bit on the expensive side (more less expensive shopping to be had in Hilo, but they have a great selection and pretty good prepared Poke and other local foods)