Sandra’s guidebook
Sightseeing
What Hawaii does best. Provide spectacular sights. Waterfalls, amazing hikes, ocean vistas, astonishing plants, lava caves, surfing, snorkeling, breathtaking sunsets, boating, beach walks, amazing star viewing, snowy mountains, whale watching, etc.
Walk through an extinct volcano, hike through the Thurston Lava Tube, visit the historic Volcano House hotel and chat with the rangers at the visitor's center.
880 locals recommend
Hawaii Volcanoes National Park
Walk through an extinct volcano, hike through the Thurston Lava Tube, visit the historic Volcano House hotel and chat with the rangers at the visitor's center.
Black sand beach with clothing optional is beautiful but frequently targeted for car break-ins. Leave your belongings in your room for safety. If you can't take it with you don't take it.
177 locals recommend
Kehena Black Sand Beach
Black sand beach with clothing optional is beautiful but frequently targeted for car break-ins. Leave your belongings in your room for safety. If you can't take it with you don't take it.
White tigers are the favorite here. Also, orchids and a really great playground for kids.
110 locals recommend
Panaewa Rainforest Zoo
800 Stainback HwyWhite tigers are the favorite here. Also, orchids and a really great playground for kids.
The park is very close by, easy to get to and easy walking. A must see for lava buffs.
109 locals recommend
Lava Tree State Monument
Hawaii 132The park is very close by, easy to get to and easy walking. A must see for lava buffs.
Although not a good place to swim, the black sand beach is still growing and is great for lounging on the beach and watching the waves.
45 locals recommend
Pohoiki Black Sand Beach
Kalapana Kapoho Beach RoadAlthough not a good place to swim, the black sand beach is still growing and is great for lounging on the beach and watching the waves.
Funky downtown Hilo has lots of shopping, a farmer's market, lots of eateries, museums, scenic Banyan Drive with a beautiful park, and faces the Bayfront.
120 locals recommend
Hilo
Funky downtown Hilo has lots of shopping, a farmer's market, lots of eateries, museums, scenic Banyan Drive with a beautiful park, and faces the Bayfront.
The top of Maunakea has the most incredible views of stars, observatories, and awesome vistas of the entire island. At almost 14,000 feet it's recommended you acclimatize at the Visitor Center at 9,000 feet for 30 minutes before ascending to the top. Tours are available as 4 wheel drive is suggested to drive higher than the Visitor Center.
48 locals recommend
Maunakea Observatories Support Services
177 Makaala StThe top of Maunakea has the most incredible views of stars, observatories, and awesome vistas of the entire island. At almost 14,000 feet it's recommended you acclimatize at the Visitor Center at 9,000 feet for 30 minutes before ascending to the top. Tours are available as 4 wheel drive is suggested to drive higher than the Visitor Center.
Since Mauna Kea summit is near 14,000 feet it is recommended you stop at the Visitor Center (at 9,200 feet) to acclimatize before trying to go to the summit. Not recommend for children. The Ice Age Area is available by hiking.
Mauna Kea Ice Age Natural Area Reserve
Mauna Kea Humu'ula TrailSince Mauna Kea summit is near 14,000 feet it is recommended you stop at the Visitor Center (at 9,200 feet) to acclimatize before trying to go to the summit. Not recommend for children. The Ice Age Area is available by hiking.
Sightseeing cliffs, fishing and tide pools lie at the end of Makuu Road in Keaau.
8 locals recommend
Makuʻu Point
Sightseeing cliffs, fishing and tide pools lie at the end of Makuu Road in Keaau.
Planetarium has free exhibits but a fee for the show. There is an extensive exhibit on navigation as the original Hawaiians did it. There is also a restaurant and gift shop.
92 locals recommend
Imiloa Astronomy Center
600 Imiloa PlPlanetarium has free exhibits but a fee for the show. There is an extensive exhibit on navigation as the original Hawaiians did it. There is also a restaurant and gift shop.
Awesome and so close to Hilo with easy access. You can hike a short distance to the top for a view of the "Boiling Pots".
337 locals recommend
Rainbow Falls
Awesome and so close to Hilo with easy access. You can hike a short distance to the top for a view of the "Boiling Pots".
A remarkable and stunning historic park that has ancient stone walls, tikis, totems, altars, tide pools, turtles, beaches, fish ponds, ranger talks, beach trails, picnicking, canoe building, and all round unsurpassed beauty.
270 locals recommend
Pu'uhonua O Hōnaunau National Historical Park
State Highway 160A remarkable and stunning historic park that has ancient stone walls, tikis, totems, altars, tide pools, turtles, beaches, fish ponds, ranger talks, beach trails, picnicking, canoe building, and all round unsurpassed beauty.
A lot of people object to the cost, but how many times are you coming to the Big Island? This is one way to see it ALL, and it is awesome!!! From the Volcanos to the waterfalls to the ocean and beaches, I loved every minute! Ask about the doors off Hueys for unobstructed photo shoots.
Safari Helicopters
2220 Kekuanaoa StA lot of people object to the cost, but how many times are you coming to the Big Island? This is one way to see it ALL, and it is awesome!!! From the Volcanos to the waterfalls to the ocean and beaches, I loved every minute! Ask about the doors off Hueys for unobstructed photo shoots.
Peepee Falls
Beautiful falls near the road is unspoiled Hawaii.
Kalani
12-6870 Kalapana - Kapoho RdNature retreat with massages and lodging but private.
Nice drive to the falls along the Hamakua Coast. Trail is not rigorous but bring water. Plants and view of falls are spectacular.
20 locals recommend
ʻAkaka Falls State Park
Nice drive to the falls along the Hamakua Coast. Trail is not rigorous but bring water. Plants and view of falls are spectacular.
Beautiful gardens, birds, tiki, ocean views and great hike. Going down into the jungle canyon is a breeze; coming up, not so much. There is an entry fee, but worth it. There are a few minimal restaurants on the way there.
23 locals recommend
Hawaii Tropical Botanical Garden
27-717 Mamalahoa HighwayBeautiful gardens, birds, tiki, ocean views and great hike. Going down into the jungle canyon is a breeze; coming up, not so much. There is an entry fee, but worth it. There are a few minimal restaurants on the way there.
Historic building housing artifacts and telling the story of when Hilo was hit with a tsunami with much loss of life. Exhibits are interesting and explain modern alarm systems. Bayfront location.
115 locals recommend
Pacific Tsunami Museum
130 Kamehameha AveHistoric building housing artifacts and telling the story of when Hilo was hit with a tsunami with much loss of life. Exhibits are interesting and explain modern alarm systems. Bayfront location.
One of the telescopes atop Maunakea offering breathtaking views from the summit, or as near to it as you can go. Not only are the views stunning, but so are the observatories. A surreal place and one of the few on the planet where star gazing is unsurpassed from its lofty site above the clouds.
Gemini Observatory
Mauna Kea Access RoadOne of the telescopes atop Maunakea offering breathtaking views from the summit, or as near to it as you can go. Not only are the views stunning, but so are the observatories. A surreal place and one of the few on the planet where star gazing is unsurpassed from its lofty site above the clouds.
Although it's on the Kona side, this unique dive gets rave reviews. You can either scuba or snorkel from the same boat.
50 locals recommend
Manta Ray Dives of Hawaii
74-380 Kealakehe PkwyAlthough it's on the Kona side, this unique dive gets rave reviews. You can either scuba or snorkel from the same boat.
Food scene
Good food, nice venue. A little more expensive, but I've never gotten anything there I didn't like. Families welcome and can be a bit noisy. Very nearby and easy access with its own parking lot.
240 locals recommend
Kaleo's Bar & Grill
15-2969 Pahoa Village RdGood food, nice venue. A little more expensive, but I've never gotten anything there I didn't like. Families welcome and can be a bit noisy. Very nearby and easy access with its own parking lot.
Nice informal spot where you can eat inside or out. Limited menu but nutritious food carefully prepared. It's far more than a bakery and very nearby.
130 locals recommend
Tin Shack Bakery
15-1500 Akeakamai LoopNice informal spot where you can eat inside or out. Limited menu but nutritious food carefully prepared. It's far more than a bakery and very nearby.
Excellent pizza, but very busy on weekends. It's nearby and they do deliver, but you need to get your order in early.
36 locals recommend
Boogie Woogie Pizza
15-2937 Pahoa Village RdExcellent pizza, but very busy on weekends. It's nearby and they do deliver, but you need to get your order in early.
No matter what I order I never found anything that I didn't like. Located in downtown Hilo on the Bayfront. Upscale and can be noisy.
139 locals recommend
Cafe Pesto - Hilo
308 Kamehameha AveNo matter what I order I never found anything that I didn't like. Located in downtown Hilo on the Bayfront. Upscale and can be noisy.
Local products and vegetarian. Has a "to go" restaurant and outside tables. Very popular with its own parking lot.
116 locals recommend
Island Naturals Pahoa Market & Deli
15 -1870 Akeakamai LoopLocal products and vegetarian. Has a "to go" restaurant and outside tables. Very popular with its own parking lot.
Upscale grocery store similar to Wholefoods. Local products, deli, and bar serving beer and wine. Located in Puna Kai shopping center 10 minutes away. Fresh baked goods, meat and fish.
140 locals recommend
Mālama Market
15-2714 Pahoa Village RdUpscale grocery store similar to Wholefoods. Local products, deli, and bar serving beer and wine. Located in Puna Kai shopping center 10 minutes away. Fresh baked goods, meat and fish.
Fresh fried fish cooked to your order while you wait. To go or eat in house. Very fresh fish. Family atmosphere. Happy place.
57 locals recommend
Pahoa Fresh Fish
Fresh fried fish cooked to your order while you wait. To go or eat in house. Very fresh fish. Family atmosphere. Happy place.
American cuisine in a very comfortable setting. Easy access in Pahoa with the owner often on premises.
27 locals recommend
Black Rock Cafe
15-2872 Government Main RdAmerican cuisine in a very comfortable setting. Easy access in Pahoa with the owner often on premises.
Local grocery store has sushi bar, bakery and deli. Also a small bottle shop. Quick service and in the shopping center in Keaau across the street from McDonalds and also Longs Drug Store. Carries most brands. Parking lot is generally crowded. There are a few fast food places in the same center as well as Ace Hardware.
52 locals recommend
Foodland Kea`au
16-586 Old Volcano RdLocal grocery store has sushi bar, bakery and deli. Also a small bottle shop. Quick service and in the shopping center in Keaau across the street from McDonalds and also Longs Drug Store. Carries most brands. Parking lot is generally crowded. There are a few fast food places in the same center as well as Ace Hardware.
Similar to Peets with inside and a few outside tables. Good coffee and bakery concoctions. Wifi and plug in connections for laptops. Drive thru window for take out.
10 locals recommend
The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf
16-586 Old Volcano RdSimilar to Peets with inside and a few outside tables. Good coffee and bakery concoctions. Wifi and plug in connections for laptops. Drive thru window for take out.
Nearby farmers market open Sundays includes souvenirs as well as produce and items like turmeric honey. Also has prepared local foods and plants, food to go and outdoor covered eating area. Some vendors may not be there due to Covid.
169 locals recommend
Maku'u Farmer's Market
15-2131 Keaau-Pahoa RdNearby farmers market open Sundays includes souvenirs as well as produce and items like turmeric honey. Also has prepared local foods and plants, food to go and outdoor covered eating area. Some vendors may not be there due to Covid.
This is the largest local farmers market located across from Hilo Bay. There are souvenirs as well as groceries. Located in downtown Hilo so lots of restaurants, shops, and entertainment is within walking distance.
246 locals recommend
Hilo Farmers Market
Mamo StreetThis is the largest local farmers market located across from Hilo Bay. There are souvenirs as well as groceries. Located in downtown Hilo so lots of restaurants, shops, and entertainment is within walking distance.
This restaurant has live music and a killer view of Hilo Bay. It also has great food, including some umbrella drinks. Upscale and inside the Noni Loa Hotel.
23 locals recommend
Hula Hula's
93 Banyan DrThis restaurant has live music and a killer view of Hilo Bay. It also has great food, including some umbrella drinks. Upscale and inside the Noni Loa Hotel.
Get the freshest fish right off the boat. Located directly on Hilo Bay you can buy fish to cook if you like.
88 locals recommend
Suisan Fish Market
93 Lihiwai StGet the freshest fish right off the boat. Located directly on Hilo Bay you can buy fish to cook if you like.
Good food, excellent view of Hilo Bay. Dining inside or out on the balcony. Elevator takes you to the second floor where it is located.
137 locals recommend
Hilo Bay Cafe
123 Lihiwai StGood food, excellent view of Hilo Bay. Dining inside or out on the balcony. Elevator takes you to the second floor where it is located.
Burgers and beer in the heart of HIlo across from the bay. Can get noisy.
28 locals recommend
Cronies Bar & Grill
11 Waianuenue AveBurgers and beer in the heart of HIlo across from the bay. Can get noisy.
Ponds is located on the water with a nice ambience. Good tropical drinks, live entertainment. Food is good, but service can be slow so count on getting a drink.
42 locals recommend
Ponds Hilo
135 Kalanianaole StPonds is located on the water with a nice ambience. Good tropical drinks, live entertainment. Food is good, but service can be slow so count on getting a drink.
Very Hawaiian food and atmosphere. Always busy, located in a strip mall with other small businesses. Delicious food including ramen, but I always get the banana macnut pancakes. Hmmmmm. Comfortable seating. Local hangout.
105 locals recommend
Hawaiian Style Cafe Hilo
681 Manono StVery Hawaiian food and atmosphere. Always busy, located in a strip mall with other small businesses. Delicious food including ramen, but I always get the banana macnut pancakes. Hmmmmm. Comfortable seating. Local hangout.
FREE chocolate samples! Lots of people load up with gifts here, like the chocolate dipped pineapple cookies. Big parking lot and very easy access.
67 locals recommend
Big Island Candies
585 Hinano StFREE chocolate samples! Lots of people load up with gifts here, like the chocolate dipped pineapple cookies. Big parking lot and very easy access.