Top 4 Things to Do in Hawi

The island’s tropical climate allows lush rainforests to grace every hillside leading up to Hawi, allowing the region perfect growing conditions for ample produce such as Kalo (taro), Mai’a (banana), ‘Uala (sweet potato), and Kava (root). The beautiful scenery glimpsed from your window when driving over the Kohala Mountains opens up to a place full of vibrant life and spirit.

The scenery when you arrive at Hawi doesn’t stop. Instead, you can enjoy nightly coastal sunsets, as colorful as the town of Hawi itself, and beaches that are perfect for snorkeling and observing marine life. As a result of the area’s history, there’s a chance that you will find old equipment along the seafloor, a piece of what Hawi used to be. You can even explore on foot with stunning hiking trails to secluded beaches.

Directions to Hawi

The town of Hawi can be accessed either through Highway 270 (Kawaihae to Hawi) and Highway 250 (Waimea to Hawi), but more on that later. When you reach Hawi, you are minutes from the northeastern coast of Hawaii’s Big Island and its well-known Pololu Valley Overlook just to the southwest. Hawi is the perfect way to end your journey through the North Kohala region and is a must-see on your trip to Hawaii.

A Brief History of Hawi

Hawi, now a small community on the northern edge of the Big Island, began as the Kohala Sugar Mill, and after being abandoned, it has since been revived into a vibrant center for unique shops, restaurants, and quaint island life. 

Even before the Kohala Sugar Mill, the site was one of the largest centers during the pre-contact era. North Kohala, a region that Hawi is a part of, was home to Kamehameha I. Kamehameha I was the founder and first ruler of what is now the entirety of Hawaii. You can find a statue of King Kamehameha I just beyond Hawi in the town of Kapaau.

As a result of the town’s idyllic, eclectic boutiques and restaurants, the town has quickly become a must-see destination for many visitors to Hawaii. The town is even a stop along the annual IRONMAN™ World Championship’s bike route!

Even though Hawi is considered the largest town on the north shore of the Big Island, the town was recorded to only have just over 1,000 residents a few years ago by the U.S. Census Bureau. The town’s small population makes for a relaxing experience, true to the laid-back atmosphere of the island. 

While there are countless places to visit in the townsite of Hawi, below are just the starting points and a few of our very favorites for your exploration of the quaint island spot.

Your trip to Hawaii's Big Island wouldn't be complete without a stop in the eccentric town of Hawi! The eclectic destination is home to many opportunities to pick up unique items while shopping or spend the evening enjoying authentic Pacific Rim-style cuisine. As they say in Hawaii, A ‘o ia!