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Pahoa Town (Puna, Big Island)
Pahoa Town is a western-style road village that seems to be stuck in time. With wood boardwalks and Victorian style decoration, this is truly a great place to hang out and to have some good food. It might remind you of some sort of outlaw town from the Wild West, but you will love the funky stores, down-to-earth clothing boutiques, and art galleries in during the day.
There is even Thai, Mexican and Italian food of great quality available here. All restaurants here are owner operated and offer very personal service. And there is also the historic Pahoa Village Inn, which operates since 1910.
Akebono Theater
The Akebono Theater is currently the oldest operating theater in Hawaii. It was built around 1919 and is not just used for plays, dances and musicals, but also for classic film presentations. The theater had some rough times when it showed B-rated movies, but after being fully renovated this theater definitely got a second wind.
Address: Highway 130 (Pahoa)
Phone: (808) 965-9943
Lava Tree State Park
The Lava Tree State Park is evidence of what happens when hot lava coats wet ohia trees. Even though the trees burnt to ashes, the wetness of the trees has cooled the lava enough to shape a mold where the tree once stood. Some of the best lava trees are at the entrance of the park. More about Lava Tree State Park and other Puna Parks.
Location: Off Highway 132 (Pahoa-Kapoho Road), turn left onto Lava Tree Road
Puna Geothermal Venture
Even though the Puna Geothermal Venture is built on the lower east rift zone of Kilauea where lava flows erupted in 1955 (Hawaiian Volcanoes National Park) it’s guided tours are organized out of Pahoa. That’s why I included this information here.
The Puna Geothermal Venture is a commercial producer of electricity using volcanic heat. It began operating in 1993 and is actually converting steam into electricity and is able to supply 25% of the power needed for the Big Island. It is quiet, is environmentally friendly and a steady supplier of electricity. The venture is not open to the public, but it offers guided tours from Monday to Friday that have to be booked 7 days in advance and cannot exceed groups of 30 people. Cameras are allowed.
Phone: (808) 965-6233
Click here to schedule a tour
