Beaches, Snorkeling, Tidepools

Keaukaha is a 4-1/2 mile stretch of oceanfront area laced with fish ponds, little islands, and lava rimmed black and white sand beaches.

Onekahakaha Park
Onekahakaha Park is the largest area with picnic tables, restrooms, showers, and large shallow white-sand bottomed pool protected by breakwater. This is one of the few white sand beaches in Hilo. The second pond located to the north is not protected by breakwater. It is deeper with a rocky bottom and large sea urchin population

James Kealoha Park
Restrooms, lifeguard, landscaped grounds, brackish water ponds surrounded by lush foliage and white sand swimming area. Easy entry to the swimming area.

Richardson's Ocean Park
Most popular snorkeling spot in the Hilo area. The waters are protected from the current and home to a variety of fish and other marine life. Good area for surfing, kayaking and diving. There is an expanse of of black sand beach and easy access to the ocean. Beach fronted by 8Hawaii Beaches and 8Surfriders

The Warm Pool, Ahalanui
On route 137. It is volcanically fed from a spring at one end and the ocean at the other. Temperatures vary but are often around 90. The surrounding palm trees offer shade and great picnic opportunities. About 10 Minutes from Sea Watch, 8Palms, 8Mangos, and 8Orchids.

Wailoa State Park
Large park in downtown Hilo. Open grassland with 3 soccer fields, sand volleyball courts, and large lagoon with bridge across the water.

Punalu'u Black Sand Beach
Popular surf spot south of Volcano

Kahena Beach
Requires a hike down a rough ancient trail. Swimsuit optional. A great place to stop if you're not shy!

Vacationland
Just past the Kahena Beach, there are tidepools to explore at Vacationland. Bring a mask, snorkel, and fins.

Bicycling

There are several bike trails in the area.

Biking Around the Area
Explore historic Hilo or the Beach Parks on a cruiser!

Competition Biking
Several races occur annually: Battle of the Saddle, Kulani Trails, Nick Rott Memorial Bike Festival, and the Mauna Loa Macadamia Nut Challenge.

Bird Sanctuary

Bird Park amid the Koa Forest. Self-guided tour of the bird park and forest

Cultural Events

Local seasonal events

East Hawaii Cultural Center
East Hawaii Cultural Center. Exhibits change frequently. Song, dance, theater regularly featured. Works by Hawaii's most distinctive artists.

Merrie Monarch Hula Festival
Competitive Hula between local, mainland, and international hula schools. Tickets go on sale January 1st of every year.

Slack Key Festival
In Hilo on the 3rd Sunday in July.

Volcano Art Center Gallery
Art works, crafts and gifts by over 300 Hawaiian artists: music, hand-crafter koa furniture, paintings, prints.

Fishing

The best places to fish

The Front Yard
Bring your pole or rent one and fish in the front yard of the 8Mangos, Sea Watch, 8Palms, or8Orchids homes. Walk along the coast and find your lucky spot. A local secret.

Alfred's Tropical Fishing Adventures
Tours and Excursions available for our guests. Spend a half or full day fishing with "Uncle Al," a local fisherman with 40 years fishing experience. Uncle Al will provide Guests with all the equipment, and transportation to secret fishing spots. 1/2-day: $50/person, Full-Day: $75/person. Call 808-982-8452 for reservations.

Gardens

Landscapes worth seeing...

Coconut Island
Coconut Island is known as the "healing island" where people could find cures from disease.

Hawaii Tropical Botanical Gardens
A Garden in a Valley on the Ocean with over 2000 species of flowers, palms and plants, natural streams, and cascading 3-tier waterfall. This is the only botanical garden fronting the ocean in Hawaii. Call 808-964-5233.

World Botanical Gardens
300 acres of former sugar cane fields. Includes an 80 meter orchid "wall." The garden continues to grow and also contains a 3-tiered Umauma Falls. Close to Akaka and Kahuna Falls.

Nani Mau Gardens
20 acres of sculptured gardens. Stroll through the elegant gardens, sit by a lily pond, or visit the soothing waterfalls. Garden View Restaurant all-you-can-eat-buffet.

Lili'uokalani Park
30 acres of manicured gardens and majestic island. Beautiful 30 acre park was designed and landscaped to honor Japanese immigrants to Hawaii. This is one of the largest Japanese-style gardens outside of Japan.

Akatsuka Orchid Farm
Tour their greenhouse or shop in their store where they can arrange for shipment of flowers and plants.

Golf

Golf courses within driving distance

Volcano Golf & Country Club at Kilauea
The oldest golf course on the island sits at 4000 feet on the Kilauea Volcano. This course boasts spectacular views of Mauna Loa. Par: 72 / 18 holes, Rating: 70.8 / 128

Discovery Harbor Golf Course Course in Waiohinu
About 1.5 hours from Hilo and Keaau Properties.

Mauna Kea Golf Course
Located on the Kohala Coast.

Hilo Municipal Golf Course
18- hole course. Close to all Hilo and Keaau properties.

Hapuna Golf Course
On the Kohala Coast. About 2 hours from Hilo and Keaau properties.

Naniloa Country Club
9-hole course. Close to Hilo airport.

Sea Mountain Golf Course
Located in Pahala.

Waikoloa Village Golf Course
Located at Waikoloa Village.

Hamakua Country Club
9-hole course in the town of Honoka'a

Waimea Country Club
Par: 72 / 18 holes, Rating: 71.4

Hiking

Trails from seashore to mountaintop. Hike in the volcano. Explore the Thurston Lava Tube. Hike around and gaze at the stars atop the summit of Mauna Kea. Stroll along bird trails, or into the valleys of majestic waterfalls.

The Coast in front of your house
Walk along the Coast to the Ocean Beach Park. Or, continue hiking approximately 2.5 miles along the coast at the end of the street and discover a lovely, isolated white sand beach.

Volcanoes National Park
Hike the volcano or wander around the Volcanoes National Park. Call 808-985-6000.

Waipio Valley
Laced with waterfalls, rivers, streams, taro patches and fish ponds, and wild trees. The valley can be seen by foot, horse, wagon, shuttle or helicopter.

Rainbow Falls
The roaring water falls 80 feet into a large pool. Hike for the best view! About 2 miles upstream, see Pee Pee falls a 5 spouted waterfall.

Cape Kumukahi Lighthouse
See where the lava just stopped flowing and spared this lighthouse. Even more amazing than it sounds!

Coconut Island
This little island can be seen from Banyan Drive. Explore the island by foot. This little island is surrounded by coconut trees and provides a great setting for swimming, picnics or fishing.

Hula

Merrie Monarch Festival
Hula Performances The world's most prestigious hula competition is held in Hilo April 4-10. Festivities include a parade, craft show, hula performances, and more. Tickets must be purchsed months in advance.

Macadamia Nuts

Visit the Mauna Loa Factory
Mauna Loa Very close to Keaau and Hilo Properties. Taste the treats at Mauna Loa. Self-guided tour, gift shop, outdoor cafe and ice cream stand.

Hilo Hattie
Retail chain store in Hilo will package and ship nuts & other gifts to your friends and family back home.

Movies

Play It Again Video
Good selection of Movie Rentals in the Keaau Shopping Center, especially of older movies and less expensive than Blockbuster.

Prince Kuhio Theaters
Waiakea Theaters 9 Multiplex Cinema located at the Mall.

Blockbuster Video
Movie Rental near Prince Kuhio Plaza in Hilo.

Museums

Historic Downtown Hilo
Tour Self-guided walking tour with 17 historical stops include the Tsunami Museum and Zen Buddhist Mission.

Lyman House Museum & Mission House Guided walking tours of downtown. Museum exhibits include: Polynesian navigation techniques, mineral rock collection, flora and fauna of Hawaii, native Hawaiian artifacts, influences of immigrant groups. And modern display or art by local artists. Themes change frequently.

Tsunami Museum
Fire and Water exhibit shows historic destruction caused by volcanos and tsunamis. Photos, videos, interviews with survivors.

East Hawaii Cultural Center
Displays of local art and culture of Hawaii.

Jagger Museum at the Volcano
Hawaiian Volcano Observatory

Ranches

Visit the largest cattle ranch in Hawaii.

Parker Ranch
The Parker Ranch sits on 225,000 acres in Waimea. Ride a horse-drawn wagon, shop in the cowboy gift shops, dine with Hawaiian cowboys at the Parker Ranch Grill, and visit historic homes and gardens.

Rainforests

Off the beaten path...

Waipi'o Valley
A spectacular slice of rainforest bounded by a black sand beach and 2900 foot cliffs and 1300 foot Hi'ilawe falls. Drive the area or participate in a safari tour.

Scuba Diving

Local dive areas
Richardson's Ocean Park in Hilo abounds with turtles, spinner dolphins, tropical fish, and even whales. Most of the diving in East Hawaii is done from the shore, but charter dive boats are available.

Shopping

Something for everyone
Liberty House Prince Kuhio Plaza in Hilo
JC Penny's Prince Kuhio Plaza in Hilo
Sears Prince Kuhio Plaza in Hilo
Hilo Hattie Prince Kuhio Plaza in Hilo
Safeway Hilo
WalMart Hilo
Office Max Hilo
Ross Store Hilo
Sak 'n Save Keaau
Ace Hardware Keaau
Border's Bookstore Hilo

Tours

Downtown Walking Tour
Tour Historic Downtown Hilo. Maps for Self-guided tour.

Banyan Drive Tour
Walk the street lined with Banyan Trees. See Liliuokalani Garden park and Coconut Island.

Helicopter Tours
Flights leave from the Hilo Airport.

Nani Mau Gardens
Self-guided garden tours of majestic gardens and soothing waterfalls.

Mauna Loa Macadamia Nut Factory
Self-guided tour, macadamia nut gift shop, and outdoor food court.

Kipuka Tours
4-wheel drive tour for 1-7 passengers

Volcano Winery
Located between 2 active volcanoes in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. Free tasting year-round.

Volcanoes

Hawaii Volcanoes National Park
This 377 square-mile park terrain ranges from arid expanses of lava flow to lush green jungles. The park is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The latest eruption of Kilauea continues its fireworks. Watch as the molten lava pours into the surf to create the newest land on earth. Drive to Kilauea's summit and see lava fields caused by past eruptions, craters, sulfur banks, steam vents, pit craters, cinder cones, and walk through a lava tube. At night, view the glow of Kilauea's outbound lava flow. Hike through the Thurston Lava Tube. Visit the Jagger Museum.

Lava Tree State Park
Walk through a lava forest that destroyed the village of Kapoho. Stop to see hollow columns of lava where ohi'a trees once stood, curious shapes sculpted by the goddess Pele.

Mauna Kea Summit Tour
Check out the world's greatest concentration of telescopes at 13,796 feet. The Visitor's Information Center offers free tours every Saturday and Sunday (weather permitting).

Star Party at Mauna Kea
Hosted by the Onizuka Center for International Astronomy. Open Thursday - Sunday for free stargazing, a brief discourse on astronomy, and viewing of Mauna Kea film show.

Mauna Loa
Towering over Kilauea is Mauna Loa. Still an active volcano, this is the most massive mountain in the world.

Volcano Winery
Located between 2 active volcanoes in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. Free tasting year-round.

Volcano Art Center
Features local arts and crafts

Waterfalls

The most majestic landscape on the island...

Akaka Falls
442-foot waterfall on a winding path through bamboo groves and wooden footbridges

Rainbow Falls
The roaring water falls 80 feet into a large pool.

Umauma Falls
Fabulous triple-tier fall.

Winery

Near Volcano National Park

Volcano Winery
Tasting room open daily: Volcano Blush, Guava Chablis, and Symphony