On the Road – Three Driving Tours

This old cane road is a great drive which starts with a stop at the Punalu’u Bakery for a Lilikoi Malasada.

Instead of heading back out onto the highway, make a right and head for the hills.
There’s a blind spot in the road about a half mile in, a few bumps, and some potholes, so take it slow.
Catch it on a good day and enjoy the mountain vistas, the green pastures, and an occasional coastal view.
Stop above Na’alehu for a great view of the town. This is cattle and coffee country, and you’ll see both along the way.
It’s a meandering drive that lands you just above Pahala, where you can cut over to the road out to the Ka’u Coffee Mill and the Buddhist Temple in Wood Valley.
Once you are back in Pahala, you can make your way to the highway and head back towards Na’alehu.
Of course, it’s a heck of a lot easier if you take our detailed map book with you.
Combine all of this with a visit to Punalu’u Black Sand Beach and another stop at the bakery, and you have a great afternoon drive.

No matter where you begin your around the island trip, if you want to end up where you started, plan a full day of sightseeing.

The driving time is approximately 5-6 hours without traffic delays.
With stops, we suggest you leave early and plan for a full day.
You’ll pass through Volcano, stop in Hilo for a look around Front Street,
Then, take the 4 mile scenic drive north of Hilo, stop at Akaka Falls
You can make an 18 mile detour to the Waipio Valley Lookout, then have lunch in Waimea
Either drop down and stop at Hapuna Beach Park or take the faster mountain road, and end up in Kailua-Kona.
From there, it’s a stop at Kealakekua Bay and Pu’uhonua O Honaunau National Historic Park or Ho’okena Beach Park.
Now, you are less than an hour away from a big comfy chair on the lanai at Kalaekilohana.

There are a few places where a 4×4 can definitley be helpful.

If you are here on Saturday or Sunday, a visit to the new part of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park is enhanced by having a 4×4 vehicle.
It allows you to travel over the sometimes rough gravel road that goes up to the upper trail heads.
There are also a few spots between Naalehu and Punalulu where relatively safe use of 4×4 is possible.
It can also come in handy for parking at the lower parking area at Ka Lae.
Of course, all of this can still be accomplished without a 4×4, but it can make it easier.
One place where a 4×4 is not recommended, and is not legally allowed is the drive out to Papakolea Green Sand Beach.