Beach_Fan

What's this area like? We need somewhere near-ish to the volcano to stay for a few days. I love sun & beaches. I'm afraid Kapoho might be rainy like Hilo. Any insight -- or alternatives -- would be immensely appreciated!

fdecarlo

Kapoho and Pahoa in general are not as rainy as Hilo, but that doesn't mean they're nearly as dry as the west side of the island -- you can still count on receiving some rain, and possibly lots of rain depending on your luck.

There are a few black sand beaches in Pahoa, and also some geothermally heated tidal pools which are great, but no white sand beaches are nearby.

For a trip of a few days, unless you're willing to do some driving every day you'll need to decide between sun/white sand and the volcano/black sand/& possibly rain.

GloriaE

Kapoho has the best snorkling in my opinion on the east side of the island. The Kapoho lagoons were where I learned to snorkle. There are lots of different fish and wonderful corral. No beach, but lava shelf to sit on and put your stuff on while snorkling. We have rented several vacation homes in Kapoho. As fdecarlo said, you are close to Ahalanui park (the warm pond), which is a volcanically heated swimming spot right next to the ocean.

crazy4Hawaii

Gloria
Is there a particular vacation home you would recommend in Kapoho? I'm interested in staying in that area summer 2005 and have been searching around on the web. Mahalo!

GloriaE

Only one of the homes we stayed in is still a vacation rental, that is a small two bedroom. You can find it on www.vrbo.com called "Sunny Kapoho Delight" #16363. It was okay. We just stayed there three days while looking at property to buy three years ago. Small, adequate, walking distance to snorkling. Several others on www.vrbo.com look interesting to me - the one called "Tiki Lounge at Kapoho Tide Pools" sounds like it is new construction. Also, we have a friend Ron with a lovely rental in Hawaiian Shores, which is close to Kapoho, his rental can be found at www.vrbo.com #26816 Pahoa, Hawaiian Shores, Hale Pele. This is close to the home we eventually bought and at the start of a lovely old Hawaiian Road through the rain forest along the ocean to Kapoho. I love this area of Hawaii. Non-touristy, old Hawaiian, lush tropical. The east side does of course get more rain, but that has never bothered us. Still wearing short and flip flops. That is what makes it so beautiful. Most of the time it is at night - but I would avoid Feb. & March - they seem more rainy to me. Relax and enjoy the journey. Aloha

crazy4Hawaii

Gloria -
Do any of the homes have A/C? My husband panics if he can't keep the temp. at about 70 (or even cooler at night). One of the homes on vrbo has three tidepools in the yard. Do you like the area where you and Ron bought houses better than the one right at the tidepools?

GloriaE

Neither of the homes we stayed in had airconditioning and neither does our home. We didn't need it, as there was the ocean breeze. Our home is a little inland, and it does get warm, but we use fans. Ron's home is right near the ocean. We like the area where we bought, but there is no water access from our subdivision, only lovely cliff side ocean. You would have to drive to Kapoho lagoons or the black sand beach or the warm pond to get in the water. If you like to snorkle, Kapoho is a good place. The east side is not a white sand kind of place, more volcanic pools, black sand beaches, tropical rain forest - more old Hawaii.

mcarey

GloriaE thanks for the input. I just happen to surf in after just looking at Kapoho and Pahoa area rentals, but not sure of what kind of area this was sounds like a non touristy type place just what I'm looking for.

Beach_Fan

Thanks, f & Gloria, for your answers. Snorkling in warm lagoons sold me.