East Shore/Puna Tour
Mauna Loa Macadamia Nut Farm, Kapoho Tide Pools/ Waiope Pools, Ahalanui, Isaac Hale Beach Park, End of HWY 137
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Duration:
5-6 hours or longer, depending on your plans Mauna Loa Visitor Center: 1 hr HWY 137: 1 hr with stops Kapoho Pools: 1-2 hrs Ahalanui: 1 hr Beaches: 1-2 hrs Distance: Hilo – Kaimu Beach: 43 miles (~ 69km), over HWY 137, 1.5 hrs HWY 137: 14 miles (~ 22,5 km), 0.5 hrs/ 1hr with stops Kaimu Beach – Volcano: 41 miles (~ 66km), 1 hr Kona – Hilo: 85/124 miles (~ 137/200km), 2 – 3 hrs What to bring: Sturdy shoes, sunscreen and rash shirt, snacks and water, camera/underwater camera |
Great to combine with your drive from Hilo to Volcano since most sights are only a short detour away.
Getting here from Hilo: Take HWY 19 South towards the airport and make a right onto HWY 11. Getting here from Kona/Waikoloa: As mentioned in the North of Hilo Tour you are facing over 100 miles by just getting here excluding the tour itself. At least reverse the tour and drive back over Saddle Road. Take HWY19/11 South towards South Point and continue further to Volcano. From HWY 11 make a right onto HWY 130 and start with the Mac Nut Farm and then continue first to the end of HWY 137 by using 130. |
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1st stop: Mauna Loa Macadamia Nut Farm, 16-701 Macadamia Road Keaau – http://www.maunaloa.com/visitor-center/ Leaving Hilo on HWY 11 you come along the huge Mauna Loa factory that is located outside the city limit. I recommend a stop if you haven’t been to a macadamia farm before. The visitor center explains the harvest and processing to guests and shows the packaging as well, before they sample the different flavors to you. If you like to see the orchards you are welcome to do a 3-mile drive over the property. Besides the nuts sampling you have to try the macadamia nut ice cream, which is hard to get on the mainland. If you plan to purchase nuts compare the prices at the local supermarkets first because sometimes Foodland and ABC Stores have offers even factory prices cannot beat. |
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From Mauna Loa factory follow HWY 130 down to Pahoa, the island’s outlaw town. From there take HWY 132 to get to the Northern end of the East Shore.
After 1-2 miles you are entering the area of Lava Tree State Park with trees covered in thick lava. To see them you have to do a hike for 30-60 minutes into the park, if this is too much effort just continue on 132.
At the end of HWY 132 make a right onto HWY 137.
After 1-2 miles you are entering the area of Lava Tree State Park with trees covered in thick lava. To see them you have to do a hike for 30-60 minutes into the park, if this is too much effort just continue on 132.
At the end of HWY 132 make a right onto HWY 137.
2nd stop: Kapoho Tide Pools/ Waiope Pools
HWY 137 becomes very lush and wild and totally differs to parts of 132. When you hit Kapoho Kai Road make a left and follow the road until its end. From there keep left and drive through the small community with vacation rentals.
At the end of the street you will reach a very small parking lot in front of several pools that are divided by lava rocks.
If you come here during the week you easily get a spot, otherwise park on the street. Besides the many tiny pools in front of you there are more to the left and right. Those were included in the adjacent properties as natural swimming pools.
Within the public pools you can expect lots of colorful fish, sometimes even turtles. The water is very clear and shallow making it an awesome snorkelspot for experienced snorkelers, beginners, and kids. Those who want to rest a bit should occupy one of the flat lava rocks to use them as sunchairs.
3rd stop: Ahalanui
Further down HWY 137 you approach Ahalanui, a kind of natural volcanic Jacuzzi. The volcano warms the spring and ocean-fed pool and a man-made seawall keeps the warm water inside. The setting is very scenic with tall palm trees and lush vegetation lining the pool.
Just make sure you don’t come here on a Wednesday when Ahalanui is closed.
By now you are in lushest part of HWY 137. This region is also called Puna and receives a lot of rain over the year.
4th stop: Isaac Hale Beach Park
Just around the corner from Ahalanui you should stop at Isaac Hale Beach Park. This is a popular local spot and you might not be quite welcome since tourists come down here rarely. Just ignore the looks and marvel at the beautiful scenery for some time. The beach is bad for swimming and more known amongst surfers since high waves occasionally hit the shore.
5th stop: Turn out South of MacKenzie State Beach
Behind Isaac Hale Beach Park follows MacKenzie State Park and later a branch to the lower left side. Don’t miss this beautiful lookout over the ocean with bended tall palms trees that almost reach into the water. This beautiful setting here is barely seen by other tourists since no one seems to have the idea driving HWY 137. In my opinion the eden-like setting is as impressive as Road to Hana on Maui if not even better.
Behind Isaac Hale Beach Park follows MacKenzie State Park and later a branch to the lower left side. Don’t miss this beautiful lookout over the ocean with bended tall palms trees that almost reach into the water. This beautiful setting here is barely seen by other tourists since no one seems to have the idea driving HWY 137. In my opinion the eden-like setting is as impressive as Road to Hana on Maui if not even better.
6th stop: End of HWY 137
The end of the road around milemarker 22 was formed by a lava flow in 1990. Before the eruption three little fishing villages and a beautiful black sand beach followed behind the cut off but were covered by tons of lava.
However, park your car, even if the small hippie village with its weird characters scares you and take a walk over the lava field to the shore. If you have luggage in your car split into groups and take the hike separately.
Walking down to the ocean you will see palm trees planted by residents to rebuild the lava-covered beach. The display at the beginning of the path gives you an idea how the area looked before Kilauea’s eruption.
On your way you will pass red lava rocks that are popular with people meditating.
At the far end you finally reach the coastline with a rough ocean and beautiful shore in front of you. Don’t attempt to enter the ocean since the surf will just smash you against the cliff.
If Kilauea is erupting during your stay there are locals that offer walks over the flowing lava stream. Well, these tours aren’t a walk in the park and the quality differs a lot. I cannot help but I have the impression that if you get in trouble, e.g. being cut off by a lava stream from the rest of the group, they might leave you behind. A reason is the paperwork you have to sign in advance where you assure not to claim any liabilities etc. from the tour operators if something happens.
However, if you want to do a tour the prices range from $30 – 150 per person. The best experience you’ll have during night. Definitely bring a long stick, a flashlight, and sturdy shoes with thick soles (these might start melting during the tour!). The tours are only permitted if residents operate them and even then they are a legal limbo. You will see some tourists doing the lava walk on own account but don’t worry: they might run into a ranger from Volcano National Park who tries to separate the wheat from the claff.
Here are two links of tour operators, please note that I dissociate myself from any liabilities or responsibilities!
Kupahua Adventures: http://onegreatearth.com/kupahua-surface-flow/
Kalapana Lava Trek: http://kalapanalavatrek.com/
By following the road to HWY 130 to the North you come to the intersection of 130 and HWY 11 that brings you to Volcano (West) or back to Hilo.