The 15 Best Things to Do in Pahoa- Your Travel Guide For Big Island

Have you ever been to a farmer's market with live music combined with a bar and an international food Court? If not, you are missing out on a heavenly experience.

At Uncle Robert's bar you will find a variety of elixirs (mixed drinks), usually served out of coconut shell halves.

Awa Bar is a family-run business passed down to generations from the Native Hawaiian family's patriarch, Robert Keliihoomalu. It is a fun, genuine hang-loose vibe kind of place with a variety of food stalls.

If you are enjoying your vacation in the area, feel free to enjoy the laid-back evening with people watching and tunes played by local artists. 

Side Note: Did you know singer Nicole Scherzinger was born in Hawaii?? Do read our post about Popular Female Hawaiian Music Artists to find out more about Nicole.

You will be amazed to see the blemishes and reminiscences of lava eruption steamrolling its way through the area making the trees look like some petrified wood.

When a volcano erupted in the area, the cool, moist bark of trees and their branches adopted an enveloped shape after coming in contact with the hot lava forming a hard cast on the outside.

And when the temperature of the lava went down, the outer hard cast of the lava remained intact as a ghostly reminder of the once-green and lush trees that made the jungle fully bloom.

As seen in the picture, this place is a perfect destination for a family day out or a day out on your own. You can bring a picnic basket and a blanket to spend a day looking at the amazing art created by the devastation.

Are you hungry and looking for a place to eat in Hawaii?? Do click on the link to find out about local eateries that serve authentic Hawaiian breakfast and brunch.

Are you thinking about an exotic place to hang out on your next vacation? Well, your search is over, as we have found a beautiful place in Pahoa that features a spectacular dark black sand squished between palms & the ocean.

Kehena Black Sand Beach is a scenic gem featuring over-the-top natural beauty. This amazing beach is nestled at the east shore of the big island in Hawaii. Located at mile marker 19 on Highway 137 in Puna, Kehena is in a short hike distance from the highway.

You have to walk down to reach the beach which is highly recommended. Although there are no available lifeguards so you have to be cautious before going deep into the water.

Interestingly, vacationers in the area are frequently surprised by spinner Dolphins, as a result, Kehena Beach is also known as Dolphin Beach.

A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park encompasses two active volcanoes Kīlauea and Mauna Loa. Hiking the Kilauea Iki lava field, you can get close and personal with the area.

During the hike, you will come across the Nahuku Thurston lava tubes and the Chain of Craters Road. You can either hike up with a travel guide or pick up a map and take the recommended route to the top.

Get up close and personal with a volcano at the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. And yes, do not forget to bring plenty of snacks, and water to stay hydrated and of course, you need a set of binoculars to witness the amazing glow of the molten lava in the dark.

Lahaina has a fantastic selection of boutique shops, art galleries, jewellery and clothing stores. Plus, it has restaurants and stalls with varieties of Hawaiian cuisines, drinks, and desserts.

With its abundance of souvenir shops, Lahaina is a typical destination on the Island to purchase souvenirs for your loved ones back home.

In addition to buying gifts and eating Hawaiian food, there is a traditional festival on the Island known as Luau that is an integral part of their culture. Luau is Hawaii's traditional hula and feast that brings the locals and tourists together.

The feast is usually held under the stars with rivers of tropical cocktails and varieties of food.

The celebration is held every day throughout the Island and offers entertainment, such as hula dancing, live music, Samoan fire knife dancing, imu ceremonies, storytelling, and a dinner buffet.

Side Note: Are you looking for a ride to travel around the Island? Check out our Best Rental Car Company In Hawaii To Make Your Trip Perfect.

There is nothing better than watching unknown people live their day-to-day life without knowing their backstories. If you are one of those who gets inspiration from watching people, you should definitely visit La Hiki Ola Kava Bar and enjoy their alcohol-free Kava.

The juice bar features the locally grown and non-addictive Polynesian beverage kava. Not only do you get to enjoy the earthy-flavoured drink but you can also order a bunch of kombucha flavours.

But, if the bitter earthy taste is not for you then you can just chill around the bar drinking your favourite soda and hang out by yourself or your pack and enjoy the assembly of musicians, street artists, spiritual seekers, and backpackers.

Details about the bar

• Service options: Dine-in · No delivery
• Address: 15-2950 Pahoa Village Rd, Pāhoa, HI 96778, United States
• Hours: Monday through Saturday from 11:00 am to 10:00 pm and Sundays from noon to 6:00 pm
• Menu: places.singleplatform.com
• Phone: +1 808-965-0615

Visit the honey farm in Honaunau-Napoopoo, Hawaii to experience the honey-making process in detail. Here you will learn about the intense flavour of Hawaii's unique blossoms in their single-floral raw and organic honey.

If you are in Hawaii with your family and kids, do visit the farm so that your kids will learn the process and enjoy the taste of organic honey, raw, unprocessed, and straight from the source.

It will be a fun day out with your kids during your vacation.

Details about the farm

• Address: 82-1140 Meli Rd #102, Captain Cook, HI 96704, United States
• Hours: 10 AM- 3 PM
• Phone: +1 808-328-1315
• Appointments: bigislandbees.com

Hawaii Forest Trail is a 4-mile roundtrip hiking trail on Pahoa's island. The trail along the cloud forests has incredible vistas of the Kona coast. The off-road adventure leads up to the majestic view of Pololu Valley, charming foot bridges, historic taro terraces and intimate waterfalls.

As far as safety is concerned, the Hawaii forest trail is the best hiking spot in Pahoa, suitable for families with kids and the elderly. In the forest, you can stand on the edge of precipitous volcanic craters as well as climb through a segment of a lava tube.

If you are ready to hit the road all you need is a pair of sturdy closed-toe shoes, a hat, sunscreen, and a light sweatshirt or jacket.

How far is Pahoa from Hilo? The distance between Pahoa and Hilo is 29 min (18.6 mi) via HI-11/Hawaiʻi Belt Rd and HI-130/Keaau-Pahoa Rd.

If you are in Hawaii, come and experience the natural beauty in Puna, created by a massive volcano. With the help of a guide, you can explore the aftermath of the 2018 volcanic eruption at the Leilani Estates.

The guide will help you look right into the scenic viewpoints as you drive through the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. Meanwhile, you will stop at villages including Keaau and Pahoa, and walk along black sand beaches created by the eruption.

Feel free to explore the natural wonder of Puna situated in the eastern corner of the Big Island where the local people you cross paths with will also provide you with some insight to ensure a personalized experience in the area.

If you have signed up for a 2-hour-long guided bike or boat tour and are still confused about what to expect, don't worry, we are here to your rescue. Here, you will hike and ride your bike over three fissures exploring Fissure 8, starting right from their premises. 

There will be a lot of photo opportunities and a ton of knowledge to gain from the bike tour. Not only do you get to live through the devastation and beauty of the 2018 eruption but you will have to opportunity to see through the eyes of a local eyewitness.

Furthermore, to enjoy the ride to its full potential, it requires good weather and a travel guide to tell you stories and show you the correct path so that you don't hurt yourself or stray away from your pack.

Isaac Hale Beach is a diverse natural area in the lush Puna district. Spread across a 2-acre oasis of dark lava rocks, Isaac Hale Beach is an oceanfront park boat launch and surf location.

If you are in the park you will witness the green palm trees framing this long stretch of sand making it a calm and protected space in this exceptionally rugged and barren Island.

Like any other beach and water park, here you can enjoy water activities such as surfing, swimming, snorkelling, kayaking, and stand-up paddling. However, you have to be considerate about the high surf advisories and random rocks offshore.

• Address: 13-101 Kalapana - Kapoho Rd, Pāhoa, HI 96778, United States
• Hours: 8 AM- 7 PM
• Phone: +1 808-961-8311

Pahoa Fresh Fish is a modest eatery serving fried seafood with fried waffles with sandwiches, crab cakes, tacos, & Ala Carte.

Similarly, you can enjoy a handpicked meal at Pele’s Kitchen where herbs and ingredients are grown in owner and chef Stephen Yundt’s own garden.

At Pele's Kitchen, you can enjoy all kinds of dishes, from sweet to savoury. For example, people mentioned their favourite banana and macadamia nut pancakes with passion fruit syrup and homemade English muffins topped with mahi-mahi on the Google review.

Not to forget his tangy ginger lemonade, which is also a massive hit amongst the locals and visitors.

Details about the restaurant

• Service options: Dine-in · Takeaway · No delivery
• Located in: Pahoa Marketplace
• Address: Pāhoa, HI 96778, United States
• Hours: 9:30 Am - 6:15 PM
• Phone: +1 808-965-8248

Shop your heart out at  Maku’u Farmers’ Market. Located In Keaau behind the MacDonalds and the Shell gas station, Maku'u is a large market with stalls for up to 200 local merchants and artisans. 

You can buy fresh fruits, vegetables and also home-cooked meals from local food vendors for a fair price. In addition to produce and food items, you can also find a variety of new and recycled products including crafts, plants, jewellery, clothing, books, and records/CDs.

• Address: 15-2131 Keaau-Pahoa Rd, Pāhoa, HI 96778, United States
• Hours: Sunday 7 AM- 12 PM
• Phone: +1 808-896-5537

The Tin Shack Bakery serves espresso, pastries and other desserts with a healthy twist such as paleo brownies, raw carrot pie, and vegan cookies. Besides, They also offer Island inspired savoury items like Okinawans with a twist.

Instead of using regular noodles and rice, they use local sweet potatoes to give the dish a balance. Hence, when in Pahoa, do not miss to give Tin Shack Bakery's healthy dessert a try!

Details about the bakery

• Service options: Dine-in · Kerbside pickup · No delivery
• Address: 15-1500 Akeakamai Loop, Pāhoa, HI 96778, United States
• Hours: 7 AM- 3 PM
• Menu: tinshackbakery.square.site
• Phone: +1 808-965-9659

Located in the lower Puna district Pahoa Village is an old plantation town on the Big Island with century-old buildings and a quiet atmosphere on the eastern side of the Big Island, Hawaii.

There are 48 preserved buildings in the area which are the epitome of the architectural style of yester years. From the waterfront Moku‘aikaua Church built in 1823 to Oahu Market built in the 20th Century, there are so many things to explore in the region.

If you are an architectural junkie you will love the buildings constructed using bricks and coral blocks. You will also enjoy the tone foundation, wooden roof, and stone-floored stalls that open to the street. 

Out of these 48 unique buildings, Moana Hotel was one of a kind in the 1900s. Designed by architect Oliver Green Traphagen, the hotel was the tallest building in Hawaii in 1901 which had 75 rooms.

With its growing fame and uniqueness, Moana Hotel earned its name as the "First Lady of Waikīkī.” Some of the other mention worthy buildings in Pahoa are as follows

• Mendoca Block
• Lum Yip Kee Building
• Hulihe‘e Palace
• Old School Hall
• Bank of Bishop & Company Building
• Hawaii State Library