Joseph's Guidebook
Sightseeing
Approximately 10 minutes from the guesthouse. Expect a paved loop path. Some stairs. Plan 30 mins to 1 hour for visiting.
20 locals recommend
ʻAkaka Falls State Park
Approximately 10 minutes from the guesthouse. Expect a paved loop path. Some stairs. Plan 30 mins to 1 hour for visiting.
Approximately 20 minutes drive from the guesthouse. A beautiful spot for a picnic and photos of the crashing waves.
7 locals recommend
Laupāhoehoe Point
Approximately 20 minutes drive from the guesthouse. A beautiful spot for a picnic and photos of the crashing waves.
Approximately 15 minutes from the guesthouse. This is the primary surfing spot on this side of the island. Parking can be an issue as it is often very busy and accessed from a narrow road. A beautiful place to take sunrise photos and watch surfers.
81 locals recommend
Honoli'i Beach Park
Approximately 15 minutes from the guesthouse. This is the primary surfing spot on this side of the island. Parking can be an issue as it is often very busy and accessed from a narrow road. A beautiful place to take sunrise photos and watch surfers.
Approximately 1 hour drive from the guesthouse. Recommend stopping at the national park visitor center first for the orientation movie and speak to rangers to help customize your agenda of activities in the park. This is a geologically dynamic place, so rangers can advise which aspects may be open or closed that day. Suggest taking water and picnic lunch or have lunch at the Volcano House Hotel. Not many food options in the area. Plan to spend most of the day.
880 locals recommend
Hawaii Volcanoes National Park
Approximately 1 hour drive from the guesthouse. Recommend stopping at the national park visitor center first for the orientation movie and speak to rangers to help customize your agenda of activities in the park. This is a geologically dynamic place, so rangers can advise which aspects may be open or closed that day. Suggest taking water and picnic lunch or have lunch at the Volcano House Hotel. Not many food options in the area. Plan to spend most of the day.
Located in Hilo, this is approximately a 25 minute drive from the guesthouse. Easy to access and view. Can climb stairs to the top but not required to enjoy seeing the waterfalls. Plan for 15 - 45 minutes here.
337 locals recommend
Rainbow Falls
Located in Hilo, this is approximately a 25 minute drive from the guesthouse. Easy to access and view. Can climb stairs to the top but not required to enjoy seeing the waterfalls. Plan for 15 - 45 minutes here.
Located on a scenic route, this is approximately a 15 minute drive from the guesthouse. Great place to walk and see unique tropical flora. Mostly shaded areas make it a very pleasant stroll. Plan to spend several hours here.
23 locals recommend
Hawaii Tropical Botanical Garden
27-717 Mamalahoa HighwayLocated on a scenic route, this is approximately a 15 minute drive from the guesthouse. Great place to walk and see unique tropical flora. Mostly shaded areas make it a very pleasant stroll. Plan to spend several hours here.
Located approximately 45 minutes north of the guesthouse. This is one of the best views on the island (maybe the best view in the world?!) On clear day you can see Maui in the distance. Waipio Valley is a sacred place, so please be respectful and aware. If you want to go down into the valley, please contact us to discuss options. This is not an easy hike down/up. Very steep grade. Rental cars not allowed to drive down. Plan 15 - 30 minutes at the overlook.
201 locals recommend
Waipio Valley Lookout
Located approximately 45 minutes north of the guesthouse. This is one of the best views on the island (maybe the best view in the world?!) On clear day you can see Maui in the distance. Waipio Valley is a sacred place, so please be respectful and aware. If you want to go down into the valley, please contact us to discuss options. This is not an easy hike down/up. Very steep grade. Rental cars not allowed to drive down. Plan 15 - 30 minutes at the overlook.
Richardson Ocean Park
2355 Kalanianaole St
Umauma Falls Zipline & Rappel Experience
31-313 Old Mamalahoa HwyLocated within a mile of the guesthouse!
Serene Japanese style park. Tip: Visit in the morning for views of Hilo town in front of our glorious Mauna Kea before the afternoon clouds. Or stroll the park before or visiting Hilo Bay Cafe for dinner at sunset.
103 locals recommend
Liliuokalani Park and Gardens
189 Lihiwai StSerene Japanese style park. Tip: Visit in the morning for views of Hilo town in front of our glorious Mauna Kea before the afternoon clouds. Or stroll the park before or visiting Hilo Bay Cafe for dinner at sunset.
Local chocolate farm where you get to see the Cacao trees growing and meet the farmers. In depth tour of the history of chocolate and how it's farmed. The tour includes tasting up to 10 different chocolates grown and made in Hawaii. Only 15 minutes drive from the guesthouse. Book reservations online and use the discount code HonoliiTARS23 for 20% off your booking. Tour is approximately 3 hours.
Honolii Orchards
Local chocolate farm where you get to see the Cacao trees growing and meet the farmers. In depth tour of the history of chocolate and how it's farmed. The tour includes tasting up to 10 different chocolates grown and made in Hawaii. Only 15 minutes drive from the guesthouse. Book reservations online and use the discount code HonoliiTARS23 for 20% off your booking. Tour is approximately 3 hours.
Just 4 minutes away, Kolekole Beach Park is a small but beautiful spot located in the gulch under the Kolekole bridge. Picnic tables and shelter house make a nice scene for a picnic. Enjoy a short walk along Kolekole stream where the water flowing from Akaka falls meets the ocean.
9 locals recommend
Kolekole Beach Park
Mamalahoa HighwayJust 4 minutes away, Kolekole Beach Park is a small but beautiful spot located in the gulch under the Kolekole bridge. Picnic tables and shelter house make a nice scene for a picnic. Enjoy a short walk along Kolekole stream where the water flowing from Akaka falls meets the ocean.
Food scene
Located in downtown Hilo near the farmers market and across the street from KTA supermarket. Great food and drinks. Highly recommend.
9 locals recommend
Pineapples Island Fresh Cusine
332 Keawe StreetLocated in downtown Hilo near the farmers market and across the street from KTA supermarket. Great food and drinks. Highly recommend.
Upscale dining in downtown Hilo. Open for lunch and dinner. Air conditioned. Recommend making reservations for dinner.
55 locals recommend
Jackie Rey's Ohana Grill Hilo
64 Keawe StUpscale dining in downtown Hilo. Open for lunch and dinner. Air conditioned. Recommend making reservations for dinner.
Upscale food and drink with best Hilo bay view. Perfect for sunset dining. Indoor and outdoor seating. Reservations recommended for lunch or dinner.
137 locals recommend
Hilo Bay Cafe
123 Lihiwai StUpscale food and drink with best Hilo bay view. Perfect for sunset dining. Indoor and outdoor seating. Reservations recommended for lunch or dinner.
Located approximately 10 minutes North of the guesthouse, this is the nearest place to purchase miscellaneous grocery and food items. Recommend the cafe for breakfast or lunch. Ideal spot to get take out food for a picnic on your way to Laupahoehoe Point. Very casual and local.
27 locals recommend
Pāpaʻaloa Country Store and Cafe
35-2032 Papa Aloa AveLocated approximately 10 minutes North of the guesthouse, this is the nearest place to purchase miscellaneous grocery and food items. Recommend the cafe for breakfast or lunch. Ideal spot to get take out food for a picnic on your way to Laupahoehoe Point. Very casual and local.
Upscale farm to table fare. Our favorite restaurant on the island. This is a must for any foodie who visits Waimea. Great for special occasion dining. Reservation recommended for lunch and dinner. Approximately 1 hour drive from the guesthouse.
102 locals recommend
Merriman's Big Island
65-1227 Opelo RdUpscale farm to table fare. Our favorite restaurant on the island. This is a must for any foodie who visits Waimea. Great for special occasion dining. Reservation recommended for lunch and dinner. Approximately 1 hour drive from the guesthouse.
Recommend visiting on Saturday mornings to see the most vendors.
246 locals recommend
Hilo Farmers Market
Mamo StreetRecommend visiting on Saturday mornings to see the most vendors.
Wednesday mornings in Waimea at the Parker Ranch Stables.
19 locals recommend
Waimea Midweek Farmers Market
67-139 Pukalani RdWednesday mornings in Waimea at the Parker Ranch Stables.
This is a small, family operated Thai restaurant in downtown Hilo. We love the Pumpkin Curry as well as the Pineapple Curry. Always good, always friendly.
27 locals recommend
Naung Mai Thai Kitchen
86 Kilauea AveThis is a small, family operated Thai restaurant in downtown Hilo. We love the Pumpkin Curry as well as the Pineapple Curry. Always good, always friendly.
Great spot for take-out orders. Highly recommend their panini sandwiches. Suggestion: Stop by to pick up box lunches on your way to Volcano National Park. (Not many food options there, so plan a picnic!)
11 locals recommend
Short N Sweet Bakery & Cafe
1263 Kinoole StGreat spot for take-out orders. Highly recommend their panini sandwiches. Suggestion: Stop by to pick up box lunches on your way to Volcano National Park. (Not many food options there, so plan a picnic!)
Island Naturals Market & Deli - Hilo
1221 Kilauea AveLocal version of Whole Foods.
Hawaiian Style Cafe Hilo
681 Manono StGood spot for a big local style breakfast.
Big Island Coffee Roasters
Entertainment
Step back in time and experience "Old Hawaii" at this 1925 theater in downtown Hilo. The Palace is a favorite venue for current run and independent movies as well as concerts and musicals. Silent movie nights feature the
"Mighty Palace Pipe Organ."
Check their site for current schedule of events.
51 locals recommend
Palace Theater
38 Haili StStep back in time and experience "Old Hawaii" at this 1925 theater in downtown Hilo. The Palace is a favorite venue for current run and independent movies as well as concerts and musicals. Silent movie nights feature the
"Mighty Palace Pipe Organ."
Check their site for current schedule of events.
Cocktails
Speakeasy style cocktail bar hidden in the basement of an old downtown Hilo building. Also offering small plates and charcuterie.
The Hidden Nēnē
Speakeasy style cocktail bar hidden in the basement of an old downtown Hilo building. Also offering small plates and charcuterie.
Small bar with craft cocktails, beer, wine and small menu. Nice spot for a drink before dinner at Jackie Rey's restaurant (next door) or a show at the Palace Theater a few blocks away.
The Temple Bar
Small bar with craft cocktails, beer, wine and small menu. Nice spot for a drink before dinner at Jackie Rey's restaurant (next door) or a show at the Palace Theater a few blocks away.
Traveler advice
Book before you go
Field Trips for Shelter Dogs
(Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays Only.) Hawaii Island Humane Society's Field Trips for Shelter Dogs is a fun and fulfilling way to help a dog in need. Sharing your day with a shelter dog makes a tremendous difference in that pup's life. From giving them a much needed shelter break to helping them meet potential adopters, your new shelter dog friend will be so lucky to spend time with you. Research from Maddie's Fund shows that even a few hours out of the shelter can have a positive impact on dogs living in a shelter. Make a reservation on HIHS ORG Website. $25 donation for non-residents.