6 Best Sights in Big Island, Hawaii

This way-out adventure explores the underbelly of the world's most active volcano via the Kazamura Lava Tube system. The world's longest lava tube system—more than 40 miles long, with sections up to 80 feet wide and 80 feet tall—is 500 to 700 years old and filled with bizarre lava formations and mind-blowing colors. Tours, customized to groups' interests and skill levels, focus on conservation and education and take visitors through beautiful lava caves unlike any others in the world. The tours are by reservation only and are well worth the extra detour (about 40 minutes off the main highway) and planning. Equipment is included. When you make your reservation, you will be given detailed directions to the location.

Tree molds that rise like blackened smokestacks formed here in 1790, when a lava flow swept through the ohia forest. Some reach as high as 12 feet. A meandering trail provides close-up looks at some of Hawaii's tropical plants and trees, and there are restrooms and a couple of picnic pavilions and tables.  Mosquitoes live here in abundance, so be prepared.

This park was one of the few coastal parks in the Puna region spared in the 2018 Kilauea eruption, and overlooking rocky shoreline cliffs in a breezy ironwood grove are a pavilion, picnic tables, and restrooms—but no drinking water. The park is significant for the restored section of the old King's Highway trail system, which circled the coast in the era before Hawaii's contact with the Western world. In those days, regional chiefs used the trails to connect coastal villages, collect taxes, and maintain control over people. Views take in the rugged coast, rocky beach, and coastal dry forest. There's good shore fishing here, so you might see some locals with a line or two in the water.

Founded to serve the sugar plantation community, this little town is reminiscent of the Wild West, with its wooden boardwalks and vintage buildings. Secondhand stores, tie-dye/hemp clothing boutiques, smoke shops, and art and antiques galleries add to the "trippy" experience. In 2014, lava flows from Kilauea almost intruded into the town, destroying a couple of buildings. Residents packed up as smoke from the flows billowed in the near distance and the flows glowed after dark. Then it all stopped within 500 yards of Pahoa Village Road, again ensuring the town's status as a survivor—until 2018, when Pahoa became command central for disaster assistance, Hawaii County Civil Defense, and reporters covering the nearby dramatic eruption of Kilauea. Today Pahoa's funky main street—with buildings dating from 1910—boasts a handful of excellent, local-style eateries. (In 2017, a fire swept through parts of the boardwalk and some buildings, which have been rebuilt.) To get here, turn southeast onto Highway 130 at Keaau, and drive 11 miles and follow signs to the Village.

Located next to Isaac Hale Beach is Madame Pele's newest creation, Pohoiki Black Sand Beach, formed when lava from the Lower Puna eruption of 2018 was pulverized as it flowed into the ocean. This added newly created—albeit rough—sand that washed up on the shore and cut off access to the boat ramp. The beach is open daily from 7 am to 6 pm. There is a portable restroom but no running water in the area. This is not a good swimming beach since the water can be rough and dangerous. To get there, take Highway 137 from Kalapana to an unpaved access route that cuts straight through the lava flow of 2018. Amenities: toilets. Best for: walking.

Dating from the 1930s, this historic church, now a community center, is known for its colorfully painted interior. It was moved to its present location in 1990 just ahead of the advancing lava flow that destroyed the Kalapana area. The church was built by a Belgian Catholic missionary priest, Father Evarist Gielen, who also painted the detailed scenes on the church's interior. Though similar in style, the Star of the Sea and St. Benedict's (in South Kona) were painted by two different Belgian priests. Star of the Sea also holds several stained-glass windows and is on the National Register of Historic Places.