Five miles towards Volcano from Hilo is the town of Keaʻau. The town is at the junction where the highway splits off toward Pāhoa, so it’s a great spot if you’re planning on exploring in that direction, as well as toward Volcano. Keaʻau has a small shopping center with basic amenities (including the best-priced health food store on the island!), and it’s convenient to all points in the Puna district. Choose one of our Keaau Hawaii vacation rentals, and come explore the east side of Hawai’i Island!
Amenities in Kea’au
Keaʻau has a small farmers’ market daily near the shopping center, where you can get not only fresh island fruits but also some great plate lunches and burritos. On Sunday mornings, you’ll definitely want to head down to Makuʻu Market, on the side of the highway just before Pāhoa town. It’s a farmers’ market and more: local vendors sell all manner of handcrafted goods as well as secondhand treasures. There’s always live music and great food.
Kea’au also offers conveniences such as a gas station, McDonald’s, and Foodland for groceries. A couple of restaurants are also located in town. A small Thai restaurant, Spoonfull Café, offers dine-in seating as well as takeout. Ma’ona Lunch Counter is a casual restaurant situated along Mamalahoa Highway that serves up half-pound burgers made with local grass-fed beef as well as fresh seafood and local style plates making sure you are full and happy during your stay in one of our Keaau Hawaii vacation rentals!
Things to Do in and Around Kea’au
Keaʻau is close to Hilo for all your conveniences, but it’s also far enough away to have peace and quiet at night. You’ll love taking day trips in each direction: to Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park for hiking and exploring the natural wonders of the most active volcano on earth, towards the Kapoho-Kalapana coastline, for scenic drives, thermal pools, and hippie markets, and to Hilo, a truly great and historic small city with a happening bayfront area, beautiful waterfalls, and nightlife.
Just north of Kea’au is the Panaewa Rainforest Zoo, the only natural tropical rainforest zoo in the country. While you may not have planned to add a zoo trip to your Hawaii itinerary, this is a family-friendly stop when you’re in the area and ready for a break from the beach. This zoo run by the county offers a close up look at a wide variety of animals.
Kea’au enjoys the peace of a small town with easy access to the activities and beaches located in Hilo. Carlsmith Beach Park in Hilo is a great option for a beach outing, boasting waters that are protected from larger swells, offering calm swimming and snorkeling conditions. While there is not a sandy beach, a well-tended grassy lawn offers a place for spreading your blanket and picnicking. Once you ease into the water, a sandy-bottomed swimming area awaits. Just east of Carlsmith Beach Park lies Richardson’s Beach Park, a black and green sand beach ideal for snorkeling. Again offering an outer rock wall that protects from larger swells, the waters here are frequently calm and clear, with tide pools and reef areas teeming with marine life. If possible, during your stay in one of our homes for rent in Keaau Hawaii, enjoy these beaches during the week when you’ll find less competition for parking.
It’s easy to enjoy the perks of Hilo with quicker access to Volcanoes National Park when you start your day in Kea’au. Keaʻau is a great base for your awesome east side vacation!
Plan Your Hawaiian Getaway in one of our Keaau Hawaii vacation rentals
Contact us to learn more about the homes for rent in Keaau Hawaii or other regions across Hawaii’s Big Island. At I Love Hawaii, we select a wide variety of vacation homes to include in our listings, from budget-friendly condos to luxurious oceanfront villas. Whether you’re hoping to explore the charming streets of Hilo, hike in Volcanoes National Park, or experience Old Hawaii in historic Waimea, we have rentals situated across the island. Beyond the Big Island, you can also browse our listings available on Oahu, Kauai, and Maui. We look forward to sharing our love of the Islands during your Hawaiian vacation!