Puna Coast Sights - Big Island Hawaii

Here are the best Puna Coast Sights (Big Island, Hawaii)

Kalapana and Kaimu Beach

Kalapana used to be a Hawaiian fishing village and was buried under a thick layer of lava in 1990. The old Kaimu beach was once one of the most famous black sand beaches. Seaward of the old beach is a new Kaimu beach, which mainly consists of black cobble stones. It is a black sand beach in the making. Because of high surf and strong currents Kaimu beach is not really a suitable for swimming and diving. Entry is free, there is no gate.

Star of the Sea Painted Church

The Star of the Sea Painted Church was built in the 1930’s by missionary priest Father Evarest Gielen, who is also the artist of the detailed paintings inside the church. After the church was endangered by the 1990 lava flow, which ultimately covered Kalapana, the residents decided to move it to its current location. A trucking company volunteered to move the church for free. The church is part of the Kalapana Hawaiian Cultural Center now.

Opening hours: Opening Hours: weekends
Location: Highway 130, 1 mile north of Kalapana

Red Road

The Red Road got its name because of the red cinder pavement. Even though some local residents protested most of the original pavement had to be resurfaced with black asphalt. The county wouldn’t use red cinder because it contains bunker oil, which is, according to environmental laws, not allowed to use for paving anymore. When the county offered to supply red paint for volunteers to spray on the new pavement, the protesters were silent.

The Red Road runs along the Puna coast from Kapoho to Kalapana, where it abruptly ends due to lava that covered the road.

Kehena Beach

This small and very popular black sand beach is clothing optional and the attract people of various lifestyles to come together, hang out and having a good time. More information on Kehena Beach and other Puna Beaches.

Isaac Hale Beach Park

Isaac Hale Beach Park is a great picnic hangout, best surf spot in Puna (called Pohoiki") and has Puna’s only boatramp. More information on Isaac Hale Beach Park and other Puna Beaches.

Kapoho Tide Pools

The Kapoho Tide Pools are a series of large interconnected tide pools, that are geothermally heated. More information on Kapoho Tidepools see Puna Beaches.

Cape Kumukahi Lighthouse

Cape Kumukahi is not just the easternmost point of the Big Island, but the easternmost part of all the Hawaiian Islands. The Kumukahi Lighthouse was spared by a lava flow in 1960, which left sea of lava surrounding the lighthouse, while Kapoho was entirely destroyed by the same lava flow. Hawaiians believe that Pele was pleased with the lighthouse keeper because he was kind and offered her food. Famous for its strong trade winds and fresh air, the visit to the lighthouse is similarly mysterious and invigorating.

For the history of Cape Kumkahi see: www.Lighthousefriends.com

Location: Highway 132 is called Kapoho Kumkahi Lighthouse Road (unpaved) after the intersection with Red Road (Highway 137), follow that road to the very end.

Old Puna trail (BEACH ROAD)

The Old Puna trail or Beach Road is a not fully develop trail along the Puna coastline from Hawaiian Paradise Park to Haena Beach (it even connects from there all the way to Hilo International Airport). Even though it is a little bit rough it offers a great opportunity for a nice bike ride. The Old Puna trail probably exists since the 1830s and leads past tropical fruits trees, rainforest and flowers like wild orchids. Haena Beach is a Nene goose sanctuary and you can sometimes even spot Hawaiian Monk seals there. The trail is probably 5 miles each way.

Location: Starting point is the end of Beach Road on the Hilo side.