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Puna District Region
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Location: Puna District
When you get back to Highway 137 in Puna take a left and head south toward our next stop, Ahalanui Park. The road begins to narrow after mile marker 10, so be prepared to scoot over a bit to let others by. Also, it is considered good form to allow other drivers who are in more of a hurry to pass you. Ahalanui and its thermally heated waters is makai between the 10 and 11 mile markers. The 1.3-acre park is sublimely peaceful with its giant swaying palm trees and ocean views. It was opened by the county in 1993 and features a large thermal pond with a sandy bottom which has been outfitted with cement walls and access ladders. A small inlet allows ocean water to flow in and out with the tides while keeping the temperature around 90 degrees. There are picnic tables, barbecue pits and portable toilets available. The parking lot is open from 7 a.m.-7 p.m.
When you get back to Highway 137 in Puna take a left and head south toward our next stop, Ahalanui Park. The road begins to narrow after mile marker 10, so be prepared to scoot over a bit to let others by. Also, it is considered good form to allow other drivers who are in more of a hurry to pass you. Ahalanui and its thermally heated waters is makai between the 10 and 11 mile markers. The 1.3-acre park is sublimely peaceful with its giant swaying palm trees and ocean views. It was opened by the county in 1993 and features a large thermal pond with a sandy bottom which has been outfitted with cement walls and access ladders. A small inlet allows ocean water to flow in and out with the tides while keeping the temperature around 90 degrees. There are picnic tables, barbecue pits and portable toilets available. The parking lot is open from 7 a.m.-7 p.m.
Location: Puna District
Just about a mile down the road from Ahalanui at the junction of Highway 137 and Pohoiki Road in Puna is one of the most popular beaches in the area. This is proven by the large amount of cars and trucks parked along side the road. Isaac Hale is right on Pohoiki Bay which is the only place on the Puna coast to launch a boat. Since it is such a popular location, visitors are not usually welcomed with open arms. The surfing is excellent but only for the experts.
Just about a mile down the road from Ahalanui at the junction of Highway 137 and Pohoiki Road in Puna is one of the most popular beaches in the area. This is proven by the large amount of cars and trucks parked along side the road. Isaac Hale is right on Pohoiki Bay which is the only place on the Puna coast to launch a boat. Since it is such a popular location, visitors are not usually welcomed with open arms. The surfing is excellent but only for the experts.
Location: Puna District
Kehena Black Sand Beach is at mile marker 19 on highway 132 in Puna. In the past Kehena used to be very popular because of its two black sand beaches and easy access. However, in 1975 a large earthquake sent the stairs crumbling and dropped the beach three feet.
Kehena Black Sand Beach is at mile marker 19 on highway 132 in Puna. In the past Kehena used to be very popular because of its two black sand beaches and easy access. However, in 1975 a large earthquake sent the stairs crumbling and dropped the beach three feet.
Location: Puna District
People don't come to MacKenzie State Park for the swimming, it's mostly the scenery and fishing visitors are after. This portion of Puna's coast is jagged lava fingers and leaning palms. The ocean often punishes these low cliffs, so steer clear of the edge. There is a picnic area perfect for a nice lunch. However there is no potable water.
This area does not have the best reputation, so be wary of shady types. Camping is allowed with permit, but not advisable.
People don't come to MacKenzie State Park for the swimming, it's mostly the scenery and fishing visitors are after. This portion of Puna's coast is jagged lava fingers and leaning palms. The ocean often punishes these low cliffs, so steer clear of the edge. There is a picnic area perfect for a nice lunch. However there is no potable water.
This area does not have the best reputation, so be wary of shady types. Camping is allowed with permit, but not advisable.
Location: Puna District
Sometimes it is very easy to forget amid the vast beauty of the Big Island that deep below the surface a primal force is at work. A force so powerful that it can create new land and new life while simultaneously destroying what humans have so carefully built. Unfortunately for the residents of Kalapana and its neighboring villages in the Puna district, this was a very painful realization. In 1990, Pu’u O’o began sending rivers of molten earth their way until eventually the area was buried in 50-75 feet of lava, leaving only small pockets of land “kipukas” untouched. What used to be neighborhoods, schools, businesses and sacred places are now just a sea of jagged black lava.
Sometimes it is very easy to forget amid the vast beauty of the Big Island that deep below the surface a primal force is at work. A force so powerful that it can create new land and new life while simultaneously destroying what humans have so carefully built. Unfortunately for the residents of Kalapana and its neighboring villages in the Puna district, this was a very painful realization. In 1990, Pu’u O’o began sending rivers of molten earth their way until eventually the area was buried in 50-75 feet of lava, leaving only small pockets of land “kipukas” untouched. What used to be neighborhoods, schools, businesses and sacred places are now just a sea of jagged black lava.
Location: Puna District
If you would like to explore the easternmost point of Hawaii, continue on the dirt road portion of Highway 132 in Puna for approximately two miles. Built in 1934 this is not a picturesque lighthouse. The 125-foot steal beacon is a reminder of the fickle nature of Pele and her lava flows. One night in 1960 the town of Kapoho was completely smothered in a lava flow. As if by design, the flow split and encircled the beacon, sparing it from destruction.
If you would like to explore the easternmost point of Hawaii, continue on the dirt road portion of Highway 132 in Puna for approximately two miles. Built in 1934 this is not a picturesque lighthouse. The 125-foot steal beacon is a reminder of the fickle nature of Pele and her lava flows. One night in 1960 the town of Kapoho was completely smothered in a lava flow. As if by design, the flow split and encircled the beacon, sparing it from destruction.
Location: Puna District
Just outside Pahoa take a left onto Highway 132 (Pahoa-Kapoho Road) to head to our next stop. As you get closer to the park the road will become gradually more enclosed by a majestic tree tunnel that shades the road in jungle beauty. Take a left into the park just past mile marker two. The parking lot will be on your right. A loop trail will guide you through an impressive jungle of vining plants, orchids, and bamboo. Along the trail are bulbous black stumps partially covered in small green plants. These are the lava trees. In 1790 a lava flow from Kilauea engulfed this rainforest with pahoehoe (smooth) lava over 10 feet deep.
Just outside Pahoa take a left onto Highway 132 (Pahoa-Kapoho Road) to head to our next stop. As you get closer to the park the road will become gradually more enclosed by a majestic tree tunnel that shades the road in jungle beauty. Take a left into the park just past mile marker two. The parking lot will be on your right. A loop trail will guide you through an impressive jungle of vining plants, orchids, and bamboo. Along the trail are bulbous black stumps partially covered in small green plants. These are the lava trees. In 1790 a lava flow from Kilauea engulfed this rainforest with pahoehoe (smooth) lava over 10 feet deep.
Location: Puna District
The coastal land in Puna is so new, that sand beaches are fairly unusual, especially near Kapoho. Instead the coast is a strand of Swiss-cheese mottled lava tide pools that are excellent for snorkeling. To reach the tidepools head south on Highway 137 at the intersection with Highway 132. Locally, Highway 137 is referred to frequently as “Red Road.” The road was originally paved with the red cinders from the 1960 Kapoho lava flow. Now it’s mostly patchy black pavement.
The coastal land in Puna is so new, that sand beaches are fairly unusual, especially near Kapoho. Instead the coast is a strand of Swiss-cheese mottled lava tide pools that are excellent for snorkeling. To reach the tidepools head south on Highway 137 at the intersection with Highway 132. Locally, Highway 137 is referred to frequently as “Red Road.” The road was originally paved with the red cinders from the 1960 Kapoho lava flow. Now it’s mostly patchy black pavement.
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