Guidebook for Pāhoa & Hilo
Drinks & Nightlife
Wednesday Night Market, 5-10pm, not to be missed! Super fun, lively, with live Hawaiian Music, yummy local eats, and true ALOHA Spirit! : )
171 locals recommend
Uncle Robert's Awa Bar and Farmers Market
12-5038 Kalapana Kapoho Beach RdWednesday Night Market, 5-10pm, not to be missed! Super fun, lively, with live Hawaiian Music, yummy local eats, and true ALOHA Spirit! : )
Some of the best, high-quality food in Pahoa. Great dinner place! : )
240 locals recommend
Kaleo's Bar & Grill
15-2969 Pahoa Village RdSome of the best, high-quality food in Pahoa. Great dinner place! : )
Open air restaurant, with decent food and cocktails. Cute date place!
9 locals recommend
Pineapples Island Fresh Cusine
332 Keawe StreetOpen air restaurant, with decent food and cocktails. Cute date place!
Jackie Rey's Ohana Grill Hilo
64 Keawe StFine dining in Hilo
Everything Else
Locally known as "Da Natch"! There's one in Hilo and one in Pahoa. Mostly organic, non-GMO food and groceries. Somewhat pricey though.
116 locals recommend
Island Naturals Pahoa Market & Deli
15 -1870 Akeakamai LoopLocally known as "Da Natch"! There's one in Hilo and one in Pahoa. Mostly organic, non-GMO food and groceries. Somewhat pricey though.
Mālama Market
15-2714 Pahoa Village RdTypical grocery store in Pahoa
Local surf spot, with a family-friendly swimming spot at the Boat Ramp. Walk to the right of the Boat Ramp for 1 minute, then look to your right for the Queens Bath.. : )
101 locals recommend
Isaac Hale Park
13-101 Kalapana - Kapoho RdLocal surf spot, with a family-friendly swimming spot at the Boat Ramp. Walk to the right of the Boat Ramp for 1 minute, then look to your right for the Queens Bath.. : )
Great, easy park to take the kids. Water only goes up to their neck. : )
65 locals recommend
Onekahakaha Beach Park
74 Onekahakaha RdGreat, easy park to take the kids. Water only goes up to their neck. : )
Lava Tree State Monument
Hawaii 132Pretty cool little park.
Great retreat center with lots of yoga classes, concerts, events..
13 locals recommend
Hawaiian Sanctuary Retreat Center
13-3194 Pahoa Kalapana RdGreat retreat center with lots of yoga classes, concerts, events..
Nice Hilo beach with easy access to shoreline, nice picnic areas, safe swimming, ice-cold water, and often -- BIG TURTLES that come and swim around you! (Plz note that unless you are native Hawaiian, you are not allowed to touch them).
140 locals recommend
Carlsmith Beach Park
1815 Kalanianaole StNice Hilo beach with easy access to shoreline, nice picnic areas, safe swimming, ice-cold water, and often -- BIG TURTLES that come and swim around you! (Plz note that unless you are native Hawaiian, you are not allowed to touch them).
Open daily, shop here for local fruits, food and goods ~ Twice as big on Wednesdays..
246 locals recommend
Hilo Farmers Market
Mamo StreetOpen daily, shop here for local fruits, food and goods ~ Twice as big on Wednesdays..
Open only on Sundays from 8am-2pm, this large open-air market near Pahoa has about a hundred different vendors selling all kinds of food, fruit, gifts and goods ~ Super fun and excellent place to get brunch or lunch on a Sunday.
169 locals recommend
Maku'u Farmer's Market
15-2131 Keaau-Pahoa RdOpen only on Sundays from 8am-2pm, this large open-air market near Pahoa has about a hundred different vendors selling all kinds of food, fruit, gifts and goods ~ Super fun and excellent place to get brunch or lunch on a Sunday.
Imiloa Astronomy Center
600 Imiloa PlFun, educational place to take the kids!
Baby Octopi! So many kinds of Octopi! Kids will love it! :)
On Kona side.
12 locals recommend
Kanaloa Octopus Farm
73-4460 Queen Ka'ahumanu HighwayBaby Octopi! So many kinds of Octopi! Kids will love it! :)
On Kona side.
5 min south of Pahoa. They offer yoga classes, ecstatic dance, spa treatments, all kinds of workshops, etc. Nice venue.
13 locals recommend
Hawaiian Sanctuary Retreat Center
13-3194 Pahoa Kalapana Rd5 min south of Pahoa. They offer yoga classes, ecstatic dance, spa treatments, all kinds of workshops, etc. Nice venue.
Food scene
Fine dining with a gorgeous view of Hilo Bay ~ Also pretty near the Hilo airport. Also, a great date place!
137 locals recommend
Hilo Bay Cafe
123 Lihiwai StFine dining with a gorgeous view of Hilo Bay ~ Also pretty near the Hilo airport. Also, a great date place!
Amazing, fresh Thai fusion with locally sourced organic ingredients! Huge portions! :)
26 locals recommend
Tina's Garden Cafe
168 Kamehameha AveAmazing, fresh Thai fusion with locally sourced organic ingredients! Huge portions! :)
Ning's Thai Cuisine
15-2955 Pahoa Village RdGreat Thai restaurant in Pahoa, for dinner!
Hip, conscious, yummy food with lots of kombucha flavors on tap ~
34 locals recommend
Conscious Culture Cafe
110 Keawe StHip, conscious, yummy food with lots of kombucha flavors on tap ~
Great Breakfast & Lunch place in Pahoa! Has a "Kids' Corner" for kids to play
130 locals recommend
Tin Shack Bakery
15-1500 Akeakamai LoopGreat Breakfast & Lunch place in Pahoa! Has a "Kids' Corner" for kids to play
Pele's Kitchen
152923 Pahoa Village RdGreat breakfast place in Pahoa!
Super cool, healthy elixirs & food ~ Fascinating menu. Feels like you just walked into a trendy LA health bar ~ Wifi, friendly vibe. Near the airport.
27 locals recommend
VIBE cafe & health bar
750 Kanoelehua AveSuper cool, healthy elixirs & food ~ Fascinating menu. Feels like you just walked into a trendy LA health bar ~ Wifi, friendly vibe. Near the airport.
Sweet Cane Cafe
48 Kamana StNice vegan cafe with ample seating, amazing healthy food.
Super cool, conscious little shop with local fruits, goods and crafts ~ Support local farms & artists! :)
14 locals recommend
The Locavore Store
333 Kamehameha AveSuper cool, conscious little shop with local fruits, goods and crafts ~ Support local farms & artists! :)
Hula Hula's
93 Banyan DrUpscale restaurant in the Grand Naniloa Resort in Hilo
Great food, in Orchidland nearby.
One of the closest restaurants to Hawaiian Paradise Park.
Kaleo's Bar and Grill
Great food, in Orchidland nearby.
One of the closest restaurants to Hawaiian Paradise Park.
Only on Sundays, from 8am - noon.
Great place to get some local foods and fruits and gifts.
169 locals recommend
Maku'u Farmer's Market
15-2131 Keaau-Pahoa RdOnly on Sundays, from 8am - noon.
Great place to get some local foods and fruits and gifts.
Hilo Burger Joint
776 Kilauea AveGreat burgers in Hilo! :)
Ponds Hilo
135 Kalanianaole StNice ambiance on the water, in Hilo.
Standard dinner faire.
Volcano Village Lodge
19-4183 Kawailehua RdExcellent restaurant at Volcano National Park.
Gift Shops
Jungle Love
15-2660 Keaau-Pahoa RdCute gift shop in Pahoa and in Hilo!
Cute giftshop & tea lounge with all kinds of beautiful, exotic clothes, jewelry, merchandise, etc! Often has small concerts and such in the tea lounge..
6 locals recommend
Grapes A Wine Store
207 Kilauea AveCute giftshop & tea lounge with all kinds of beautiful, exotic clothes, jewelry, merchandise, etc! Often has small concerts and such in the tea lounge..
Sightseeing
A lot of the park closed after the eruption, but there are still some nice hikes. Enjoy a drink / meal and awesome view of the crater at Volcano Lodge as well.
880 locals recommend
Hawaii Volcanoes National Park
A lot of the park closed after the eruption, but there are still some nice hikes. Enjoy a drink / meal and awesome view of the crater at Volcano Lodge as well.
Intensely beautiful and wild, black sand beach in Lower Puna. Be careful, the waves can be intense. Wild dolphins frequent the waters here. Hike down a small cliff to get here. Clothing optional.
177 locals recommend
Kehena Black Sand Beach
Intensely beautiful and wild, black sand beach in Lower Puna. Be careful, the waves can be intense. Wild dolphins frequent the waters here. Hike down a small cliff to get here. Clothing optional.
Cool hiking. Dont leave your valuables in the car.
56 locals recommend
MacKenzie State Recreation Area
State Highway 137Cool hiking. Dont leave your valuables in the car.
See where the lava came and stopped just in time, and then created a new black sand beach. Walk on the trail to the right of the enclosed harbor to get to some natural hot springs. Attend with respect, no loud talking or drinking, smoking.
101 locals recommend
Isaac Hale Park
13-101 Kalapana - Kapoho RdSee where the lava came and stopped just in time, and then created a new black sand beach. Walk on the trail to the right of the enclosed harbor to get to some natural hot springs. Attend with respect, no loud talking or drinking, smoking.
Richardson Ocean Park
2355 Kalanianaole StA nice beach park, with swimmable waters. Family friendly.
Beautiful waterfall, very easy hike. About 25 minutes north of Hilo.
341 locals recommend
Akaka Falls State Park
875 Akaka Falls RdBeautiful waterfall, very easy hike. About 25 minutes north of Hilo.
Rainbow Falls
Nice easy waterfall in Hilo
Boiling Pots, Hilo, HI 96720, USA
Nice waterfall in Hilo
Shipman Beach / Haena Beach
Nice coastal area in Hawaiian Paradise Park.
On Kona side. It's a lot to drive there and back in one day, so best to stay the night in Kona after doing this activity.
50 locals recommend
Manta Ray Dives of Hawaii
74-380 Kealakehe PkwyOn Kona side. It's a lot to drive there and back in one day, so best to stay the night in Kona after doing this activity.
Nice place near Jade's Lava Sanctuary, to enjoy a little stroll and watch the sunset. Next to Uncle Robert's Market..
Kaimu Beach
Nice place near Jade's Lava Sanctuary, to enjoy a little stroll and watch the sunset. Next to Uncle Robert's Market..
City advice
Customs and culture
Avoid eating local, unwashed produce.
Rat Lung Worm can be deadly. Always wash local veggies super well or freeze / cook them.
Getting around
You will need a car.
Big Island is very big!
And public transportation is scarce and slow.
You will need a car here.
We also rent cars, on the Hilo side, so please inquire.
Customs and culture
Do not take rocks, lava, other natural items off the island!
It's considered very bad luck.
Travelling with kids
Be careful ~
Hawaii is wonderful, but it's not Disneyland.
The nature is beautiful, and yet can also kill you if you're not careful and respectful.
Never turn your back on the ocean, and be careful about high waves and undercurrents (especially at Kehena Beach).
People drown there every season...
Also if you get a cut or scrape, treat it well. Staph is common here, and can be deadly as well.