As the central town of Puna, Pāhoa Hawaii is a great hub for exploring all points in the district. It’s one of the few towns on the island that still has the historic “old west” type architecture, and the main street area of town is small and great for a stroll. You’ll find basic amenities in Pāhoa Hawaii, such as a handful of restaurants, a full-service grocery store and a great health food store, a surprisingly nice county pool, and a library. If you want to check out Puna, the largest district on Hawaiʻi Island, consider a stay at one of our great Pāhoa vacation rentals!
From your Pāhoa vacation rentals, it’s about a 20 minute drive to either Kalapana or Kapoho, both places where you can find some sort of coastal access (but don’t expect sandy beaches here!). Kalapana is the end of the road where you can head out on a bike to see the lava flow into the ocean, and it’s also the site of the popular Uncle Robert’s ʻAwa Bar and Night Market on Wednesdays. Kapoho has several interesting tidepool areas, as well as warm ponds (not hot, just warm). The drive between Kapoho and Kalapana is fascinating and scenic. Along this route you will pass otherworldly terrain at Lava Tree State Monument. This fascinating area is the result of lava sweeping through the forest, leaving only lava molds of the trees in its wake. The 0.7-mile loop trail is an easy family walk with areas to picnic and plenty of interesting photo opportunities.
Explore Incredible Volcanoes
One of the best happenings in Pāhoa Big Island is the Makuʻu Market, which happens on Sunday mornings on the highway just toward Keaʻau. This might be the liveliest market on the island, as it’s not just food and produce you’ll find here, but also live music and a fascinating array of craft and second-hand items, not to mention some of the most interesting people-watching to be found anywhere. Puna district has long been a magnet for hippies and alternative-living types, and Pāhoa is their hub; you’ll notice many interesting characters coming to town for their shopping needs.
The Big Island of Hawaii is well-known for its opportunities to view volcanic activity and the formations that are often left behind. Located just 9 miles from Pahoa lies the popular attraction Kilauea Caverns of Fire. Situated on top of the Kazamura Lava Tube System, this area presents the opportunity to explore the vibrant colors and formations that are inside these lava tubes created 500-600 years ago. On the Adventurers tour, descend a 16-foot ladder to get an up-close look at these fascinating formations while exploring the vast network of this lava tube system. For those interested in spending even more time exploring the passageways, a longer day tour is available.
The community of Pāhoa is located approximately an hour east of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, making it an accessible base for day excursions. Stop in at the Kilauea Visitor Center on your way into the park for latest updates on volcanic activity. Cruise through desert, tropical rainforest, and steaming vents on the scenic Crater Rim Drive, stopping off at lookout points and short walks that are situated along this route. For an otherworldly hiking experience along this lively volcano, hike one or more sections of the Crater Rim Trail. Ground water trickles down to the hot volcanic rocks below the surface here, returning to the air as steam, billowing across the trail and creating an eerie atmosphere. There are a wide range of other trails to be explored at Hawaii Volcanoes National Park as well, just a short drive from Pahoa.
Come stay in our exquisite Pāhoa rentals and enjoy exploring the Puna District!
Contact Us to Learn About Pahoa Hawaii
At I Love Hawaii, we have a variety of vacation rentals available on the Big Island, Maui, Oahu, and Kauai. Whether you’re exploring nature at its rawest at Volcano National Park on the Big Island, surfing in Oahu’s Waikiki, catching the sunrise at Haleakala on Maui, or gazing out over the Grand Canyon of the Pacific on Kauai, our vacation rentals will ensure complete comfort during your island stay. Many of our Pahoa vacation rentals offer full kitchens, island-inspired décor, breezy lanais, and swimming pools. Please contact us at (866) 634-0060 or (808) 445-9126 to make your vacation rental booking and to get started on planning your ideal Hawaiian getaway!
