Blink, and you’ll miss it: Waiōhinu is a beautiful and tiny town a few miles from Naʻalehu, in Hawaiʻi Island’s Kaʻū district. It’s a pretty little collection of homes with a grassy park, and that’s about it. If you’re looking for peace and serenity on your vacation, consider staying in one of our beautiful Waiōhinu rentals! Find out which one of our vacation homes for rent in Hawaii is the one for you!
Amenities in Waiōhinu & Surrounding Areas
The one tourist attraction in Waiōhinu is the Mark Twain monkeypod tree, which was planted here by the famous author on his visit to Hawaiʻi in 1866. You might enjoy picking up a copy of his “Roughing It in the Sandwich Islands” to read during your quiet and peaceful nights here in Waiōhinu; it’s full of entertaining descriptions of Hawaiʻi in the past.
‘Ailani Orchards is also located in Waiōhinu, home to an organic family farm and market fruit stand. In the Hawaiian language, ‘ai means to eat and lani means heaven. Fruit, nuts, produce, and more are all locally and organically cultivated on this family-owned farm, and their fruit stand is a great place to pick up fresh, made in Hawaii items. You’ve probably noticed macadamia nut products available around Hawaii, and you will find some worth trying here. Eat them raw from the shell, dehydrated, or in the form of macadamia nut butter, all of which are available at ‘Ailani Orchards, in addition to coffee beans from Ka’u Estate Coffee. Stop at ‘Ailani Orchards for fresh products and to support local growers during your stay in one of our wonderful vacation homes for rent in Hawaii!
The Na’alehu Community
The small neighboring community of Na’alehu has a few additional amenities and is just a couple minutes’ drive away. Here you will find the Punalu’u Bake Shop, a popular stopping point both for locals and for travelers passing through on Mamalahoa Highway (Highway 11). This bakery is known for its freshly baked Hawaiian sweetbreads that are made daily, as well as their warm and sugary malasadas. Touted as the most visited bakery in the state of Hawaii and the southernmost bakery in the country, Punalu’u is well worth a stop beyond this gimmick. Sample some of their most popular sweet bread flavors, such as original, guava, macadamia nut, original, taro, and apple cinnamon, before declaring your favorite. Pick up their freshly baked bread to enjoy in your Hawaii vacation rental home or bring a box of the mix to make and enjoy once you’ve returned home. Set among four acres of tropical gardens and also housing a restaurant, take a stroll and stay awhile on your stop at Punalu’u.
Things to Do in the Area
When you’re looking for some adventure around here, you’ll want to start with a visit to Ka Lae, South Point, the southernmost tip of the United States. Here you’ll find stunning cliffs, plunging 40 feet or more into the deep ocean below. Whales, monk seals, and huge fish pass right next to the cliff here since the water is so deep and rich. Bring plenty of water and good sun protection when you visit here, particularly if you plan to hike the four-mile round trip to Papakōlea, Green Sand Beach.
Other great outdoor spots in this area include Punaluʻu Black Sand Beach, to see the green sea turtles basking in the sun (please do not bother them), and Volcanoes National Park. Coffee enthusiasts will enjoy a visit and tasting at the Kaʻū Coffee Mill, and those who seek out spiritual sites should stop in at the Wood Valley Temple, a Tibetan Buddhist sanctuary.
Kaʻū offers a different perspective on Hawaiʻi; stay in peaceful Waiōhinu for a truly relaxing vacation!
Book Your Next Hawaii Vacation Rental Home on the Big Island
Contact us to reserve your next Hawaii vacation rental home. When you book a stay with us at I Love Hawaii, you will be working alongside a team of professionals that are dedicated to making sure you have the Hawaiian vacation of your dreams. Whether you plan to stay put and enjoy the peaceful Waiōhinu area of the Big Island or you wish to travel among the Hawaiian Islands of Kauai, Maui, or Oahu, our vast network of vacation rentals are located in some of the state’s most beautiful locations and provide a variety of options for your stay. Browse our beautiful Hawaiian vacation homes today!