Hilo to Kona/Waikoloa: The Road Trip We’d Do Again
Turn the transfer day into one of the best days of the trip.
Big Island Coffee Roasters
Start with genuinely excellent coffee in Hilo. We loved the four-pour tasting flight, and the kids loved the hot chocolate.
Kaumana Caves
This was the lava-tube experience we preferred. It is undeveloped, dark and uneven, so bring a real headlamp or flashlight and good shoes. The tube is associated with Mauna Loa's 1880–81 lava flow. Explore only as far as you are comfortable and turn around.
Hilo quick stops
Rainbow Falls: nice and easy, but for us not essential unless conditions are good for rainbows. Hilo Farmers Market: much more fun—buy unfamiliar local fruit and try it.
Onomea Scenic Drive + trail
We loved this stretch. The drive hugs lush coastline and the short trail drops toward the ocean with excellent views.
Hawaiʻi Tropical Bioreserve & Garden
Not cheap for a family, but the flowers and manicured tropical grounds were unreal. You can glimpse parts of the garden from the neighboring trail, but we still thought the paid garden was worthwhile.
ʻAkaka Falls
A very easy roughly half-mile loop through lush vegetation to a 442-foot waterfall. We parked just outside the gate and walked the extra steps rather than paying the vehicle parking fee. For us, this was the waterfall stop to prioritize over Rainbow Falls.
Waipiʻo Valley Lookout + fruit
The sea cliffs, lush valley and black-sand coastline are spectacular. It was foggy when we arrived, but the view changed dramatically within about 15 minutes—wait before giving up. Nearby Waipiʻo Fruit Shack was a great surprise for exotic fruit, a colorful place to sit, and useful Wi-Fi.