Kohala Coast Scenic Driving on Hawaii’s Big Island

A scenic drive along the Kohala Coast and on the volcano’s ridge provides amazing contrasts of climate and vegetation – from dry barren, rocky hills to thick green jungle. It’s mind-boggling that you can see these strikingly different landscapes within minutes and miles of each other. The Kohala area of the Big Island displays one of the most compact examples of leeward and windward climes in Hawaii.

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I do hope you’ll plan some time to drive around the Kohala area as part of your Big Island vacation. Here’s how I recommend you take in this scenic drive:

1. Start on Highway 270 from Kawaihae driving north towards Hawi

Here, you will see dry grasslands with kiawe trees. During humpback whale season (late December through March), try to pull over where safe and possible to whale watch.

2. Continue on Highway 270 driving through the thick rainforest until you reach the end of the road at Pololu Lookout

Notice that as you drive from the leeward side to the windward side that you see more and more green vegetation until you are basically in a tropical jungle.

Continue driving to the literal end of Highway 270 and park where you can legally do so. Here, you can simply take in the view of Pololu Valley, but if you’re up for a bit of a short, but steep hike, follow the Pololu Trail down into the valley to the black sand beach.

3. Double back on Highway 270 and visit the King Kamehameha Statue in Kapa’au

Double back on Highway 270. Stop in the small town of Kapa’au to see the King Kamehameha Statue on the mauka (mountain side) of the road. The statue is in front of the North Kohala Civic Center. The address for the civic center is 54-3900 Akoni Pule Hwy, Kapaau, HI. (Note that there are public restrooms located beside of the civic center.)

4. Visit Hawi

Walk around the shops of this former sugarcane plantation town. From here, we’ve purchased some locally-made art and some crafts.

If you’re looking for lunch or dinner, we’ve enjoyed dining at Bamboo Restaurant in Hawi. Do check their hours in advance as their opening hours vary.

5. Drive across the Kohala summit ridge

From Hawi, turn onto Highway 250 towards the mountain and Waimea. From here, you will travel near the very summit  (over 3,000 feet above sea level) of the island’s only dormant volcano, Kohala.

The cooler air combined with the fertile grasslands makes this area ideal for the picturesque cattle ranches along the ridges. You may want to pull over, where safe to do so, to take in the views of the island and snap some photos. On a clear day, you might even see Maui off in the distance.

6. Go to the Hamakua Mac Nut Factory

Turn right on Highway 19 heading back towards Kawaihae. Turn right onto Highway 270 back toward Kawaihae. Turn right on Maluokalani Street to visit the Hamakua Macadamia Nut factory and visitor center. Here you can sample just about every macadamia nut flavor that’s imaginable. You can also take a self-guided tour to see the factory.

7. Go to the Pu’ukohola Heiau National Historic Site

.Turn back on Highway 270 heading back towards Highway 19 and towards the beach resorts of the Kohala Coast and Kona. Turn right at the signs for Pu’ukohola Heiau National Historic Site. Here, you can learn about ancient Hawaiian culture and history.

I’m not sure exactly how many different scientific climates you might pass on this scenic drive, but if you are like me, you will marvel at the amazing changes you’ll see within minutes and miles. It’s a beautiful contrast that you almost can’t believe unless you see it with your own eyes.

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See more ideas of what to see and do on your Big Island vacation.