Top 3 Things to Do in Pahoa

Pahoa’s deep island culture is infused into the main street boutiques, restaurants, craft stores, and galleries. Walk along the town’s old boardwalk (which is over one hundred years old), and step inside the rustic, Wild West-style buildings to explore all that the town has to offer. If you look hard enough, you might even be able to make out carvings on those buildings that state 1910 and 1900, an indication of just how old buildings are in Pahoa.

Spend the early afternoon perusing the sights to be seen in the area and then finish your evening off by relaxing in the island's oldest movie theater. You can find the most shops in Pahoa within The Pahoa Marketplace, even though this venue doesn't provide the same level of intrigue and character that Pahoa’s main street offers.

Directions to Pahoa

Getting to Pahoa from Hilo International Airport only takes approximately 30 minutes, making it an easy jumping-off point for your trip to the Big Island. From Hilo International Airport, head south of the Hawaii Belt Road (Highway 11), then take a left onto Keaau Pahoa Bypass Road (Highway 130). From there, it’s just a few turns to arrive in the quaint town of Pahoa.

A Brief History of Pahoa

Pahoa’s history also included a sugar cane factory and tofu factory, both of which have now been closed for quite some time. In fact, the tofu factory was the starting point of a potentially destructive fire that blazed in the heart of the town in 1955 when the factory’s wood-fired furnace got out of control. Luckily, this fire was saved by a civilian farmer who happened to have a truck filled with water.

Despite the sleepy nature of Pahoa, life is never boring here. The landscape continues to change as a result of volcano activity. In May of 2018, a new volcano developed out of the ground just two miles outside of the town! So, Pahoa’s residents experienced some major loss to homes and town buildings. A lava lake formed as it made its way from the new volcano to the ocean, with explosive fissures sending lava shooting out along the way.

Pahoa gives off a “hippie” town vibe; it’s filled with people who are living alternative or New Age lifestyles. But with the recent changes and natural occurrences in the area, it’s clear that the small town is resilient and positive no matter what!

Pahoa has all the things you’re looking for in a Hawaiian vacation. It’s peaceful, beautiful, and bursting with life. For nature lovers, spa-goers, history buffs, and foodies, Pahoa is the destination of your dreams. Book your visit!