Exploring Puna on the Big Island
Jun 7th, 2005, 05:23 AM
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Exploring Puna on the Big Island
When I next visit the BI, I will plan to spend two nights on the east side in order to visit Hilo and nearby waterfalls, Puna, and VNP. Will Volcano Village be a good base from which to explore Puna? Can you do a pretty thorough exploration of Puna - if you don't stop for long anywhere - in half a day; or is it pretty much a full day thing? (Want to take the pretty roads, see the tidepools...) I even thought about spending one night in Hilo and the next in Volcano but that might be too much hopping around/luggage lugging. What are some sights in the Puna area that you would recommend not missing?
Jun 7th, 2005, 08:23 AM
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I love the Puna area, it's rural, lush and lovely. My favorite place is the lagoons at Kapoho for snorkeling. If you like to snorkel, plan some time there during your Puna explorations. IMHO the coral there is the most beautiful on the island. There is blue, purple and yellow, along with lots of fish. In some places you can feel warm springs bubbling up through the coral and lava.
We think that the drive along the red road to Kalapana is one of the most beautiful on the island. At the end, where the lava has covered the road, we usually buy local honey at the stand there and take the sort walk out over the lava to the new black sand beach (Kaimu) that is forming.
We also enjoy Ahalanui warm pond, which is a volcanically heated warm pond, for a relaxing float and have visited many times. Since the water temperature stays really warm, I would not go in with an open cut or sore, since bacteria like those conditions.
There is a beautiful black sand beach, Kahena, along the red road, but you should be aware that it is clothing optional.
Just outside of Pahoa is Lava Tree Park, which is interesting.
There are good places to eat in Pahoa, like Luquins for Mexican food, and a new Thai place we tried this time, Suki Thai that we really liked. Paulo's has wonderful Italian and at the new Pahoa center there is a 24 hour gas station, the Malama Market that has a good deli section and the Aloha Outpost internet cafe with wonderful tropical dreams ice cream.
Have a wonderful time!! I love the Big Island.
We just returned from an 11 day stay in Puna, where our son lives full time. If you click on my name, you'll find a short report of our visit.
We think that the drive along the red road to Kalapana is one of the most beautiful on the island. At the end, where the lava has covered the road, we usually buy local honey at the stand there and take the sort walk out over the lava to the new black sand beach (Kaimu) that is forming.
We also enjoy Ahalanui warm pond, which is a volcanically heated warm pond, for a relaxing float and have visited many times. Since the water temperature stays really warm, I would not go in with an open cut or sore, since bacteria like those conditions.
There is a beautiful black sand beach, Kahena, along the red road, but you should be aware that it is clothing optional.
Just outside of Pahoa is Lava Tree Park, which is interesting.
There are good places to eat in Pahoa, like Luquins for Mexican food, and a new Thai place we tried this time, Suki Thai that we really liked. Paulo's has wonderful Italian and at the new Pahoa center there is a 24 hour gas station, the Malama Market that has a good deli section and the Aloha Outpost internet cafe with wonderful tropical dreams ice cream.
Have a wonderful time!! I love the Big Island.
We just returned from an 11 day stay in Puna, where our son lives full time. If you click on my name, you'll find a short report of our visit.
Jun 7th, 2005, 10:23 AM
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I totally agree with everything GloriaE said.
To address some of your Q's, yes Volcano Village is a good base to explore Puna, not nearly as close as Hilo but close enough. I rec just staying put at VV. We felt we did a pretty thorough exploration of Puna in a half-day (from 2pm to 7pm) after a long morning at VNP (Crater Rim Drive and Kilauea Iki Trail). Quick drive thru Pahoa, quick exploration of Lava Tree Park, road to easternmost point of BI, snorkel at Kapoho Tide Pools, leisurely dip at Ahalanui pool, couldn't find Kahena, but did venture out to new Kaimu black sand beach before sunset...NICE!!!
I probably would've appreciated 1-2 more hours for Puna to relax at the Kapoho Tide Pools a bit longer and to have fit in the natural steam rooms, but you could see most of GloriaE's highlights in 5 hours or less.
To address some of your Q's, yes Volcano Village is a good base to explore Puna, not nearly as close as Hilo but close enough. I rec just staying put at VV. We felt we did a pretty thorough exploration of Puna in a half-day (from 2pm to 7pm) after a long morning at VNP (Crater Rim Drive and Kilauea Iki Trail). Quick drive thru Pahoa, quick exploration of Lava Tree Park, road to easternmost point of BI, snorkel at Kapoho Tide Pools, leisurely dip at Ahalanui pool, couldn't find Kahena, but did venture out to new Kaimu black sand beach before sunset...NICE!!!
I probably would've appreciated 1-2 more hours for Puna to relax at the Kapoho Tide Pools a bit longer and to have fit in the natural steam rooms, but you could see most of GloriaE's highlights in 5 hours or less.
Jun 8th, 2005, 04:23 PM
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Gloria E did a great job of hitting the highlights, we've been red road fans for nearly 20 years.
Pahoa is a cool little town, although it's changed quite a bit.
There's a drive-in out the red road that makes great fruit shakes and fish sandwiches. Can't recall the name, but it's a nice stop.
Also try to hit the Hilo Farmer's Market.
Pahoa is a cool little town, although it's changed quite a bit.
There's a drive-in out the red road that makes great fruit shakes and fish sandwiches. Can't recall the name, but it's a nice stop.
Also try to hit the Hilo Farmer's Market.
Jun 8th, 2005, 07:26 PM
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I think I'm remembering right?!! I hope...that ice cream stand at the end of the road. I'm pretty sure that is the place I got the BIGGEST AND BESTEST Banana Split I have ever eaten. I ate it ALL by myself and did not need dinner!!! It was soo good!!!!
Jun 9th, 2005, 09:32 AM
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I spent a half-day exploring the Puna area, and it was wonderful. Not to say that I wouldn't love more time here but we didn't feel rushed either.
We had a perfect day weather-wise and it's the most beautiful part of Hawaii we saw. Even driving down the roads was amazing.
We had breakfast in Pahoa then dropped by Isaac Hale beach to watch the surfers. People pointed out the small warm pool there and told us not to miss Ahalanui down the road. We didn't but first we went to the Kapoho tide pools. We didn't have snorkel gear but we waded around and looked at fish. We had the entire area to ourselves for a while. Then we went back to Ahalanui which was just pure heaven. Picture floating in warm water listening to the waves crash right nearby....
Then we drove to the end of the road and walked to the new black sand beach at Kaimu. Again, we had it to ourselves for some time. That was all we had time to do, but there are more little wonders to explore that way with more time.
We had a perfect day weather-wise and it's the most beautiful part of Hawaii we saw. Even driving down the roads was amazing.
We had breakfast in Pahoa then dropped by Isaac Hale beach to watch the surfers. People pointed out the small warm pool there and told us not to miss Ahalanui down the road. We didn't but first we went to the Kapoho tide pools. We didn't have snorkel gear but we waded around and looked at fish. We had the entire area to ourselves for a while. Then we went back to Ahalanui which was just pure heaven. Picture floating in warm water listening to the waves crash right nearby....
Then we drove to the end of the road and walked to the new black sand beach at Kaimu. Again, we had it to ourselves for some time. That was all we had time to do, but there are more little wonders to explore that way with more time.
