Hilo Hawaii Activities in 3 Days

Published in Hilo Activities

Hilo Hawaii Activities in 3 Days

To cover Hilo and East Big Island in 3 days requires splitting up East Big Island into 3 geographical areas.

Day 1:  Downtown Hilo and surrounding area

Day 2:  Volcano National Park and South Big Island

Day 3:  Puna and Kalapana lava flows (or Optional North Big Island horseback at Waipi’o Valley)

DAY 1: Downtown Hilo and Surrounding Area

Day 2:  Volcano National Park and South Big Island

Day 2 is a mix of very different sights as well as a road trip.  Many tourists don’t venture south beyond the Volcano National Park, and that is a shame.  Looking at a map you will see that Highway 11 to Volcano National Park continues south and around the Island.  As you continue south, there is less and less to see.  If it wasn’t for the great vista of South Point, there would be no reason to go that far. But it isn’t THAT far.  The beauty of a three day visit is that this middle day can be more relaxed.  If you compare the “Hilo in 2 Days” to this “Hilo in 3 Days” I split the 2nd day and expand it.  In the “Hilo in 2 Days” visit one goes up highway 11 to Volcano National Park and no farther.  Then drives back down and around through Puna.  This is difficult to do in one day.  In a 3 day visit we leave the Puna leg for day 3 and continue south to South Point.

  • Start at Highway 11 and the coast (Ken’s Pancakes on the corner).
  • Stop 1 – Hilo Coffee Mill.  There are two coffee mill choices in East Big Island.  If you want your coffee early, your first stop is Hilo Coffee Mill.  If you like coffee early this stop is just 15 minutes up Highway 11 and will be your first stop.  It consists of a coffee shop and gift shop in one house and a peek at their milling room next door.  It is right off highway 11.  See my post at:  https://hilovacationhomes.com/activity/hilo-coffee-mill/.  If you want to view a larger, nicer coffee mill and can wait until the afternoon, skip this stop and wait until the Ka’u coffee mill beyond Volcano National Park.
  • Stop 2 – Volcano Winery.  Booze up at Volcano Winery and have lunch in the town of Volcano.  This is just past the entrance of the Volcano National Park.  The wine is a bit odd, but the area is beautiful, the shop is cute, the price is right and the snacks are great.  Again, the trick is getting in and out quickly.  No need to linger here.  See my post at: https://hilovacationhomes.com/activity/volcano-winery/
  • Stop 3 – Volcano National Park.  As of January 2022 you can usually see lava in the caldera as it slowly fills up the caldera.  Asl the employees at the visitor center which direction to walk to.  However, if your highlight is seeing the volcano, this is anti climatic.  After this possible lava viewing go half a mile farther and view the steam vents in the parking lot overlooking the crater.  For my post on the Volcano National Park, go to: https://hilovacationhomes.com/activity/volcano-national-park/
  • Stop 4 – Thurston Lava tube.  While still in the National Park drive back to the visitors center and make a right.  You will see signs for Thurston Lava tube.  Parking can be a pain.  It is a small tube, and not that exciting.  It is free and the walk down to the tube is through lush rain forest type ferns.  Very beautiful.  A better lava tube is planned for day 3 and its right in Hilo.  To see by post on Thurston Lava tube click https://hilovacationhomes.com/activity/thurston-lava-tube. 
  • Stop 5 – Ka’u Coffee Mill.  After leaving the park you will make a left, continuing south.  You will soon be at your highest elevation of about 4,000 feet around the 30 mile marker and start your decent to the ocean.  Nothing much to see except the slops of Mauna Loa to the right.  After you are closer to the ocean you will see the ocean to your left.  Your first stop is the town of Pahala and the Ka’u coffee mill www.kaucoffeemill.com after the 51 mile marker.  You can also wait to see this on the way back, but they close at 5.  You will see signs for Ka’u coffee and Pahala.  It is cute to go through small Hawaiian towns and appreciate their simple livelihoods and small schools and stores.  Follow the signs.  You drive a couple miles down a small road until you reach a rather large coffee operation.  The whole area is very pretty, which is why this trip is worthwhile.
  • Stop 6 – Punalu’u Beach Park.  Back on highway 11 your next stop is Punalu’u Beach Park only about 4 miles farther south.  Look for the sign and left turn.  There is a short drive through a strange golf course and some development to a great black sand beach.  Seeing a green sea turtle lying on the beach is virtually guaranteed.  There is a beautiful natural pond above the shoreline and the remains of an abandoned restaurant that must have been very cool when it was open.  See my post at https://hilovacationhomes.com/activity/punaluu-beach-park
  • Stop 7 – Whittington Beach Park.  Continue south just about 3 more miles until you see the sign for Whittington Beach Park.  It is right off the road and worth just a quick look.  It has a washed out pier and cute feral cats.  See my post at: https://hilovacationhomes.com/activity/whittington-park/
  • Stop 8 – Punalu’u Bake Shop.  The next stop is the small town of Naalehu.  Your destination is the Punalu’u Bake Shop.  You will see their breads in all the major stores.  It is a cute bakery, with a lovely yard to sit down and have a sandwich.  See my post at: https://hilovacationhomes.com/activity/punaluu-bake-shop
  • Stop 9 – South Point.  Your last destination is about 25 minutes away.  If you don’t have time, you may decide to head back.  Hopefully you have time.  It is about 10 minutes until the turnoff to Southpoint and about 15 minutes down the Southpoint road.  notice the windmills along the way.  These are new and take advantage of the constant wind at this part of the Island.  Simply park and enjoy the views.  If you go on a weekend you can witness divers and people fishing.  The fact that this is the farthest point south in the United States if pretty cool.  Visit my post for pictures at: https://hilovacationhomes.com/activity/south-point-hilos-americas-southern-point/
  • Driving back to Hilo gives you time to see if there is any entertainment at the Paradise Theater.  For dinner, try the Hilo Bay Cafe hilobaycafe.com ,but only if you can get an outdoor table!

Day 3:  Puna and South Big Island

Today we travel back up highway 11, but quickly turn south on Highway 130 to investigate Puna and see the lava flows of the 1980s, 2014 and 2018.

  • Stop 1- Hilo Zoo (Panaewa Zoo)  It may seem odd that one spends time going to a zoo?  Not here.  See my post at https://hilovacationhomes.com/activity/hilo-panaewa-zoo/   Just a couple miles above downtown Hilo you will see the sign on your right side.  Turn on Stainback Highway and go just 1/2 mile down  to the zoo.  It is close, free and pretty.  Just spend 30 minutes on a leisurely walk before heading on.
  • Stop 2 –  Mauna Loa Macademia Nut Factory.  See post at:  https://hilovacationhomes.com/activity/mauna-loa-macadamia-nut-company .   Less than 2 miles up Highway 11 on your left side is your turn for the Mauna Loa Macademia Nut Factory.  Unless you get sucked into their chocolate gift shop, you don’t want to spend more than 15 minutes here.  The only exception is if it is lunch time.  Their cafe and the beautiful surroundings are great for a bite to eat.  There is lots to do, and this is NOT a highlight despite the tour buses you might see.
  • Stop 3 -Transfer station lava flow. See post at: https://hilovacationhomes.com/activity/pahoa-transfer-station-lava-flow/   About 2 miles above the nut factory is the intersection for highway 130.  You will go down until you enter the town of Pahoa.  As you enter, stay to the right on the smaller road.  If you went straight and into a turnabout, you can make a right and end up on the hill side of Burger King. After a few hundred yards turn right on Apaa street. The transfer station (dump) is after the left bend.  See the lava as it flowed through the fence and came within yards of overcoming the area.
  • Stop 4 – Drive through Pahoa.  Drive back to Keaau-Pahoa road and turn right to continue.  This will take you through the hippie town of Pahoa.  Don’t blink, you might miss it.  Lunch outside at Kaleo’s Bar and Grill is great.  Just beyond that is the Sacred Heart Church.  Just beyond the church is the intersection of highway 130 and 132.  If you are running short on time, you are only 10 minutes away from Leilani estates – the lava flow of 2018.  See my post here: https://hilovacationhomes.com/wp-admin/post.php?post=1260&action=edit
  • End of Highway 130:  About 20 minutes after Leilani Estates you reach the end of highway 130.  Why does it end?   During the 1980s lava destroyed the whole town and covered the highway.  Today, brave souls have rebuilt homes.  Of course there are NO utilities and access is a struggle.
  • Dinner at Ponds on Hilo Bay.  A nice quiet restaurant overlooking a quiet inlet at the end of Hilo bay.  Excellent food.  My post is at: https://hilovacationhomes.com/hilo-east/ponds/