Mele Vacations Guidebook
Sightseeing
Rainbow Falls
Beautiful falls!
Can't come to the Big Island without stopping by Volcano National Park to stand in the overlook and look out at the crater.
880 locals recommend
Hawaii Volcanoes National Park
Can't come to the Big Island without stopping by Volcano National Park to stand in the overlook and look out at the crater.
Akaka Falls State Park
875 Akaka Falls RdBeautiful falls and flowers.
Breathtaking flowers and trees. A bit expensive for large parties, but a wonderful experience.
192 locals recommend
Hawaii Tropical Botanical Garden
27-717 Mamalahoa HwyBreathtaking flowers and trees. A bit expensive for large parties, but a wonderful experience.
Kalapana has an eclectic and fun night market on Wednesday evenings (from about 5 pm to about 10 pm). Come hungry! Lots of good food.
10 locals recommend
Kalapana Beach
Kalapana has an eclectic and fun night market on Wednesday evenings (from about 5 pm to about 10 pm). Come hungry! Lots of good food.
Great place to cool off on a hot day. Shaded, grass areas for relaxing. Sea turtles. Refreshingly cool (even cold) water. Enough sealife to make snorkeling interesting.
140 locals recommend
Carlsmith Beach Park
1815 Kalanianaole StGreat place to cool off on a hot day. Shaded, grass areas for relaxing. Sea turtles. Refreshingly cool (even cold) water. Enough sealife to make snorkeling interesting.
This is an adventure you will never forget! It is an all day trip, but well worth it. Swim out from the green sand beach into the beautiful waves in the collapsed volcanic caldera.
148 locals recommend
Papakolea Green Sand Beach
This is an adventure you will never forget! It is an all day trip, but well worth it. Swim out from the green sand beach into the beautiful waves in the collapsed volcanic caldera.
Kalae
Look (or jump) off the southern most point of the United States.
This valley is surrounded by tall cliffs and opens up to the ocean at a black sand beach. The view from the overlook is amazing. Tours can be scheduled to drive you down to the valley floor.
117 locals recommend
Waipio Valley
This valley is surrounded by tall cliffs and opens up to the ocean at a black sand beach. The view from the overlook is amazing. Tours can be scheduled to drive you down to the valley floor.
Hawaiian Paradise Park
Cliffs at Makuu point at 5:30AM to see the sun rise.
Entertainment & Activities
Great little beach area with lots of shade and a wall that makes a calm area for little ones.
65 locals recommend
Onekahakaha Beach Park
74 Onekahakaha RdGreat little beach area with lots of shade and a wall that makes a calm area for little ones.
The snorkeling here is amazing. There's a lifeguard and it's safe behind the bowies.
176 locals recommend
Richardson Ocean Park
2355 Kalanianaole StThe snorkeling here is amazing. There's a lifeguard and it's safe behind the bowies.
Lyman Museum & Mission House
276 Haili StKids will love this meseum
Everything Else
Nice little village with restaurants, pharmacy (open late), groceries, gas, and hardware store.
103 locals recommend
Pāhoa
Nice little village with restaurants, pharmacy (open late), groceries, gas, and hardware store.
We call this "the Surfer beach". It has a shaded grass area to one side and a black sand and rock beach to the other. And, of course, it has surfers and boogie boarders.
81 locals recommend
Honoli'i Beach Park
We call this "the Surfer beach". It has a shaded grass area to one side and a black sand and rock beach to the other. And, of course, it has surfers and boogie boarders.
Sunday morning market near Hawaiian Paradise Park. One of the bigger markets in the area.
169 locals recommend
Maku'u Farmer's Market
15-2131 Keaau-Pahoa RdSunday morning market near Hawaiian Paradise Park. One of the bigger markets in the area.
Hilo Farmers Market
Mamo StreetDecent sized market on Wednesdays and Saturdays.
Stop by on your way to the Green Sand beach. Beautiful, black sand, with facilities for changing, showering, and restroom breaks. Also, a great place to see sea turtles.
175 locals recommend
Punalu‘u Beach
Stop by on your way to the Green Sand beach. Beautiful, black sand, with facilities for changing, showering, and restroom breaks. Also, a great place to see sea turtles.
Shopping
Orchidland General Store
16-125 Orchid Land DrQuick stop for basics (groceries, hardware, and gas).
Puna Kai Shopping Center
15-2714 Pahoa Village RdLive music, shopping and food on Friday nights
Essentials
Foodland Kea`au
16-586 Old Volcano RdConvenient groceries on the way "home" from Hilo.
Food Scene
I can never drive past this place without stopping in for some fresh baked treats!
185 locals recommend
Punalu'u Bake Shop
95-5642 HI-11I can never drive past this place without stopping in for some fresh baked treats!
Cronies Bar & Grill
11 Waianuenue AveOne of our favorite restaurants in the area. Great burgers.
I have never been disappointed by anything at Ken's. Burgers, breakfast foods, and local foods.
83 locals recommend
Kens House of Pancakes
1730 Kamehameha AveI have never been disappointed by anything at Ken's. Burgers, breakfast foods, and local foods.
Pahoa Fresh Fish
Best Fish and Chips ever!
Kens House of Pancakes
1730 Kamehameha Avelots of choices
Hawaiian Style Cafe Hilo
681 Manono StBest local food on Puna side
Luquins Mexican Restaurant
151448 Kahakai BlvdBest Margaritas and Mexican food
Traveler advice
Getting around
Closest COVID-19 Testing Sites: Pahoa Pharmacy or CVS Pahoa
When you leave the neighborhood, drive toward Pahoa to get the the closest pharmacies for COVID testing.