Hawaiʻi the Big Island
Eroded hills from Mauna Loa's geologic past are visible from Hwy 11 between Naʻalehu and Pahala.
Must-see attractions in Hawaii
Hana & East Maui
Just west of mile marker 29, an impressive coastal sea arch is visible from the Piʻilani Hwy.
Pearl Harbor & Leeward O‘ahu
Protects green expanses higher up the mountainsides.
The Road to Hana
There’s only space for a few cars before the bridge at the 10-mile marker, but unless it’s been raining recently don’t worry about missing this one. The…
Haleakalā National Park
As the sun rises, this collection of domed observatories shimmers just beyond the summit. Nicknamed Science City, this area is, unfortunately, off-limits…
Kona Coast
Many tour cruises launch from the small pier at this protected bay. While not worth going out of your way for, the small beach, picnic tables and sand…
The Road to Hana
For a secluded dip, Haipuaʻena Falls, 0.5 miles past the 11-mile marker, provides a deep and serene pool. Since you can’t see the pool from the road, few…
Puna
It's as if the ambitions of David Fukumoto have been continually cut back by fate – including an alleged $30 million pesticide disaster and severe…
The Road to Hana
For more than a century the Koʻolau Ditch has been carrying up to 450 million gallons of water a day through 75 miles of flumes and tunnels from Maui’s…
North Kohala
In 1855 Protestant missionaries Elias and Ellen Bond built this church on their vast estate. It's not a must-see, but the towering banyan trees and…
Moloka'i
Half a mile beyond the Wavecrest Resort condo development, at mile marker 13, you'll spot ʻUalapuʻe Fishpond on the makai (seaward) side of the road. This…
Keauhou Kahaluʻu Heritage Center
Kona Coast
This unstaffed cultural center showcases a few small exhibits on native Hawaiian culture, with a focus on temple building, cultivation, fishing, and holua…
Waimea Canyon & the Westside
The evocative skeleton of this 19th-century sugar mill still looms over Waimea. Pumping out sugar from the Westside, it fueled Kaua‘i’s economy until 1945…
Kailua-Kona
This county park serves as a very minor green lung breathing a little bit of oxygen into an adjacent three-way intersection on Ali'i Drive. Beyond a nice…
Waimea Canyon & the Westside
The precise spot where Captain Cook first set foot on Hawaiian soil being unknown, a large boulder near the mouth of Waimea River was arbitrarily chosen…
Haleakalā National Park
The iron-rich cinders in this flat-top hill, which lies immediately southeast of the summit building (in the direction of Hawaiʻi, the Big Island), pack…
Waimea Canyon & the Westside
Between Kekaha Beach Park and Polihale State Park, the Westside's biggest beach stretches for around 15 miles. Much of it is taken up by the US Navy’s…
Hana & East Maui
Anchors the town park, which has a baseball field, tennis courts and a playground, all behind Travaasa Hana resort. There are also public restrooms –…
Kihei
This long sandy beach at the northern end of Kihei is a popular morning launch for outrigger canoes and kayaks. After the wind picks up in the afternoon,…
Kihei & South Maui
A lava rock monument honoring French explorer Jean Francois de Galaup La Pérouse marks the entrance to La Perouse Bay. La Perouse, who arrived in 1786,…
Hawaiʻi the Big Island
This gate marks the end of the drivable portion of the road through Kahuku Unit as well as the Pali o Kaʻeo trailhead and an alternative starting point…
South Kona Coast
This county beach park is pocked with tide pools. On weekends in particular, locals are pretty protective of this park, and facilities are limited to…
South Kohala
This sunny harbor is a good spot for a picnic or a place to just chill and watch the boats roll in. Beware of flies that swarm by the rubbish bins.
Moloka'i
The local softball field is usually busy. It's off Ainoa St next to the baseball field.
Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park
A deep pit crater on the northeast edge of Mauna Loa's summit caldera. The crater collapsed inward when lava left the summit.
Hawaiʻi the Big Island
The rusty carcasses of 37 windmills from the failed Kamaoa wind farm lie next to their foundations along South Point Rd.
Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park
A prominent, semicollapsed volcanic crater along the Mauna Iki Trail.
North Shore & Upcountry
Near downtown Makawao, this arena hosts a rodeo the weekend closest to July 4 and polo matches in the fall.
Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park
True to their name, these dual yawning craters are just west of Cone Crater on the Mauna Iki Trail.
Poʻipu
West of Shipwreck Beach, condo-covered Makahuena Point is the southernmost tip of Kauaʻi.
Moloka'i
This local baseball field is a prominent landmark on the east side of town, off Ainoa St.
Waimea Canyon & the Westside
Continue up the hillside for 100yd beyond Glass Beach for long-range ocean views.
Hawaiʻi the Big Island
The Swedish Space Corporation's satellite tracking station along South Point Rd.
Hana & East Maui
Light station on Pu'uki'i Island in the southern section of Hana Bay.
Moloka'i
Make Horse Beach supposedly takes its name from days past when wild horses were run off the tall, dark cliff on its northern end; make (mah-kay) means …
