Hamakua Chocolate Farm's guidebook
Sightseeing
One of the top waterfalls in the country! On the way there, check out the quaint Honomu town. When at the falls, look at the written panels to the left side, that tell and show photos of a fish and a shrimp that climb up the falls every year to lay their eggs!
341 locals recommend
Akaka Falls State Park
875 Akaka Falls RdOne of the top waterfalls in the country! On the way there, check out the quaint Honomu town. When at the falls, look at the written panels to the left side, that tell and show photos of a fish and a shrimp that climb up the falls every year to lay their eggs!
Lovely botanic garden and hike down a valley to an ocean overlook. Really close by our place and on the lovely scenic route.
192 locals recommend
Hawaii Tropical Botanical Garden
27-717 Mamalahoa HwyLovely botanic garden and hike down a valley to an ocean overlook. Really close by our place and on the lovely scenic route.
A must see for this side of the island. See the lava after dark (if it is flowing), or hike into a steaming caldera or long the rim of the volcano in the daytime. Check with the rangers or the Hawaii Volcano National Park website for current conditions- sometimes the lava takes a pause and if so, it is not usually worth it for guests to visit at night as you won't see anything. If the lava is flowing:. you need to park at the Devastation Trail parking area and walk 20 mins to the lava viewing overlook. It is most impressive after dark. That parking area is usually full from 4-8pm (sunset), we recommend arriving after 8pm.
880 locals recommend
Hawaii Volcanoes National Park
A must see for this side of the island. See the lava after dark (if it is flowing), or hike into a steaming caldera or long the rim of the volcano in the daytime. Check with the rangers or the Hawaii Volcano National Park website for current conditions- sometimes the lava takes a pause and if so, it is not usually worth it for guests to visit at night as you won't see anything. If the lava is flowing:. you need to park at the Devastation Trail parking area and walk 20 mins to the lava viewing overlook. It is most impressive after dark. That parking area is usually full from 4-8pm (sunset), we recommend arriving after 8pm.
A nice small black sand beach and ocean park. Best snorkeling in Hilo. Sometimes surfing/boogie boarding. Facilities, lifeguards.
176 locals recommend
Richardson Ocean Park
2355 Kalanianaole StA nice small black sand beach and ocean park. Best snorkeling in Hilo. Sometimes surfing/boogie boarding. Facilities, lifeguards.
Magical lagoon and beach park, picnic tables. White sand, shallow protected lagoon with sea turtles. Fresh cold water springs mix with ocean water in the spectacular location. Easy access into the water with 2 stair entry areas.
140 locals recommend
Carlsmith Beach Park
1815 Kalanianaole StMagical lagoon and beach park, picnic tables. White sand, shallow protected lagoon with sea turtles. Fresh cold water springs mix with ocean water in the spectacular location. Easy access into the water with 2 stair entry areas.
Beautiful Bayfront Japanese garden- The largest authentic ornamental Japanese garden outside of Japan. Filled with ponds, bridges, teahouse and gardens, this is a lovely place to stroll anytime, but especially lovely at sunset. While there visit the adjacent Coconut Island over the pedestrian bridge. Check out the coconut palm with the tsunami heights marked on it next to the interpretive panel.
103 locals recommend
Liliuokalani Park and Gardens
189 Lihiwai StBeautiful Bayfront Japanese garden- The largest authentic ornamental Japanese garden outside of Japan. Filled with ponds, bridges, teahouse and gardens, this is a lovely place to stroll anytime, but especially lovely at sunset. While there visit the adjacent Coconut Island over the pedestrian bridge. Check out the coconut palm with the tsunami heights marked on it next to the interpretive panel.
Great farmers market in old town Hilo- Big market days are on WED and SAT. Earlier is better for fresh produce.
246 locals recommend
Hilo Farmers Market
Mamo StreetGreat farmers market in old town Hilo- Big market days are on WED and SAT. Earlier is better for fresh produce.
Imiloa Astronomy Center
600 Imiloa PlAstronomy museum with hands-on exhibits, planetarium
Breathtaking overlook featured on screensavers everywhere. On the way there try some famous Portuguese donuts (Malasada's) at Tex's Drive in and check out the quaint sugar town called Honokaa.
201 locals recommend
Waipio Valley Lookout
Breathtaking overlook featured on screensavers everywhere. On the way there try some famous Portuguese donuts (Malasada's) at Tex's Drive in and check out the quaint sugar town called Honokaa.
Best surf spot on the east side of the island. Great beach park to watch the surfing, have some lunch and take in the scene. Just across the highway from the beautiful cemetery with the massive monkeypod tree.
81 locals recommend
Honoli'i Beach Park
Best surf spot on the east side of the island. Great beach park to watch the surfing, have some lunch and take in the scene. Just across the highway from the beautiful cemetery with the massive monkeypod tree.
Find out about the history of Tsunami's here on Hawaii island in this small and interesting waterfront museum.
115 locals recommend
Pacific Tsunami Museum
130 Kamehameha AveFind out about the history of Tsunami's here on Hawaii island in this small and interesting waterfront museum.
Learn about the non-human inhabited Hawaiian Islands in this free downtown museum dedicated to Hawaiʻi's Remote Coral Reefs.
38 locals recommend
Mokupāpapa Discovery Center
76 Kamehameha AveLearn about the non-human inhabited Hawaiian Islands in this free downtown museum dedicated to Hawaiʻi's Remote Coral Reefs.
Rainbow Falls and Boiling Pots just above Hilo- on the same river very close to each other. Drive and walk to the overlooks to see the falls. Please do not even try to swim here- as we have deaths every year from guests trapped in the underwater lava tubes here.
337 locals recommend
Rainbow Falls
Rainbow Falls and Boiling Pots just above Hilo- on the same river very close to each other. Drive and walk to the overlooks to see the falls. Please do not even try to swim here- as we have deaths every year from guests trapped in the underwater lava tubes here.
Star-gazing and visitors center on our tallest mountain. Check weather reports before you go up the mountain please. Most of the star-gazing is above the cloud layer, but sometimes the road is closed due to snow. You need a true 4x4 to drive up past the visitors center to the observatories, but night star viewing is usually conducted at visitors center level. If going to see the observatories, acclimate to the high elevation for 1 hr at the visitors center level.
33 locals recommend
Onizuka Center for International Astronomy Visitor Information Station
Mauna Kea Access RoadStar-gazing and visitors center on our tallest mountain. Check weather reports before you go up the mountain please. Most of the star-gazing is above the cloud layer, but sometimes the road is closed due to snow. You need a true 4x4 to drive up past the visitors center to the observatories, but night star viewing is usually conducted at visitors center level. If going to see the observatories, acclimate to the high elevation for 1 hr at the visitors center level.
Kaumana Caves Park is a skylight in a 25-mile long lava tube that was created by the 1881 flow from Mauna Loa. You can explore the lava tube a short way in both directions before the lava tube enters private property. Bring a flashlight. Also don't leave anything visible in your car.
65 locals recommend
Kaumana Caves
1492 Kaumana DrKaumana Caves Park is a skylight in a 25-mile long lava tube that was created by the 1881 flow from Mauna Loa. You can explore the lava tube a short way in both directions before the lava tube enters private property. Bring a flashlight. Also don't leave anything visible in your car.
Beautiful short hike down to a lovely bay along the Scenic Route very close to our farm. The hike briefly cuts through the botanic garden and ends up in a small beautiful bay.
48 locals recommend
Onomea Bay Trail
27-547 Mamalahoa HwyBeautiful short hike down to a lovely bay along the Scenic Route very close to our farm. The hike briefly cuts through the botanic garden and ends up in a small beautiful bay.
City advice
Book before you go
Food/drink Recommendations
We have a list of restaurant recommendations we are happy to send over as a PDF. Just ask we can text it to you. Some places you need advance reservations to get in, so early planning is helpful here.