Hidden Gems: Hawaii Big Island
Old sugar towns, windward gardens and the village beside the volcano.
Plan a Quieter Hawaii TripHidden Gems on Hawaii’s Big Island
Hawaii Island is so big that its quieter side is most of it. The hidden gems Hawaii Big Island regulars love are spread around the island, so plan bases rather than day trips. Away from the Kona and Kohala resort coasts, the hidden gems on the Big Island are its old sugar towns, windward gardens and waterfalls, cool ranch country and the village at the edge of the volcano.
Hilo
A rainy, unhurried bayfront town with gardens, a farmers market and older buildings. Waterfalls such as Rainbow Falls are a short drive away.
The Hamakua Coast
Highway 19 north of Hilo crosses deep gulches toward Honokaa, a small former plantation town, and Laupahoehoe Point, a quiet, memorial-marked peninsula.
North Kohala
The towns of Hawi and Kapaau, the original King Kamehameha statue, and the Pololu Valley lookout at the end of the road.
Waimea and Volcano
Waimea is cool ranch country between the coasts; Volcano Village sits in the rain forest beside Hawaii Volcanoes National Park.
Why the Windward Side Is Worth It
Many visitors stay on the sunny Kona side and make one long day trip to the volcano. Spending two or three nights in Hilo or Volcano instead changes the trip: you have time for gardens, waterfalls, the farmers market and the national park in the quiet early morning, without hours of driving.
The Waipio Valley road is closed to visitors, but the lookout at its top is open and is one of the finest views on the island. Further north, the Pololu Valley lookout offers a similar view of sea cliffs and valleys; if you hike the trail down, follow posted guidance and stay off private land.
For the island’s full guide, see Best of Hawaii Island.
Visiting Respectfully
- At Puuhonua o Honaunau National Historical Park, the place of refuge, stay on paths and treat the grounds as sacred.
- Mauna Kea’s summit is a sacred place as well as an observatory site. Follow the posted rules and altitude advice, or enjoy the stars from lower elevations.
- Do not drive on beaches or lava flows outside marked roads, and do not take lava rock.
- Volcano conditions change; check the national park before you go.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are hidden gems on Hawaii's Big Island?
Hilo’s gardens and bayfront, the Hamakua Coast and the town of Honokaa, the North Kohala towns of Hawi and Kapaau, the cool upland town of Waimea, and Volcano Village beside the national park.
Can I drive into Waipio Valley?
No. The steep road into the valley has been closed to visitors since 2022 under a rolling Hawaii County emergency rule, with access limited to residents and permitted uses. The lookout at the top remains open.
Plan a Hilo or Volcano Stay
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