Kohala
🌺 Things to do
4 curated experiences
Kīholo Bay
Kohala Coast
Turquoise lagoon and black-lava bay north of Kona with green sea turtles in the shallows; a fifteen-minute walk in from the highway lot. Bring water — no shade.
Waialea Bay (Beach 69) & Lava Lava Beach Club
Kohala Coast
Shaded white-sand beach south of Hāpuna with the best beginner snorkelling on the coast, then a sunset drink with feet in the sand at Lava Lava Beach Club in Waikoloa. Her standard Kohala afternoon.
Hapuna Beach
Kohala Coast
The most consistently swimmable beach on the Big Island — a half-mile crescent of white sand with warm, clear water and reliable surf conditions for bodyboarding. Consistently voted Hawaii's #1 beach for swimming. Almost no shade on the beach itself; the Hapuna Beach Resort above rents umbrellas. In winter (November–February) north swells build and the beach becomes excellent for bodyboarding, though non-swimmers should check conditions. A restorative contrast after days of lava and volcanoes.
Pololū Valley Lookout & Beach Trail
North Kohala
The most dramatic valley viewpoint on the Big Island — a sweeping panorama over Pololū Bay and the green-walled valley, with the north Kohala sea cliffs stretching beyond in both directions. The 10-minute descent to the black sand beach is steep but manageable and completely worth it (swimming is prohibited due to powerful shore break and currents). The black sand, wild vegetation, and total isolation create a landscape that feels genuinely primordial. An ideal drive-and-stop on the way back from a North Kohala day.
🥾 Hikes
1 trail
🏨 Where to stay
9 vetted properties
Fairmont Orchid, Hawaii
★ FeaturedKohala Coast
Gracious resort on Pauoa Bay with a protected swimming beach (rare for the Kohala Coast). Spa Without Walls treatment areas are outdoor, set in lava rock gardens. Brown's Beach House at sunset is romantic and excellent.
Hilton Waikoloa Village
Kohala Coast
62-acre fantasy resort: monorail, boat rides, dolphin lagoon, multiple pools. Overwhelming in the best way for families. The Dolphin Quest program (swim with dolphins) is world-class — book months ahead. Buy the resort fee package upfront — it saves money.
The Westin Hapuna Beach Resort
Kohala Coast
Directly above Hapuna Beach — consistently voted Hawaii's #1 beach for swimming. Contemporary renovation completed 2019. Beach access alone justifies the room rate. Excellent value compared to its Four Seasons neighbor.
Mauna Kea Beach Hotel, Autograph Collection
Kohala Coast
A classic — opened in 1965, the first true luxury resort in Hawaii. Private Kauna'oa Beach is exquisite. An extraordinary Asian and Pacific Art collection (1,600 pieces) lines the corridors. Lunchtime at the Pavilion is a Hawaii tradition.
Mauna Lani, Auberge Resorts Collection
Kohala Coast
Stunning lava-field setting with ancient Hawaiian fishponds and a petroglyph trail on property. CanoeHouse restaurant is one of the Big Island's finest. 3,200 acres — feels boundless. Sunset manta gatherings at the beach cove are nightly.
Waikoloa Beach Villas
Kohala Coast
Two-bedroom condos in the Waikoloa Beach resort, a short walk to the Queens' shops and the bay. Full kitchen, pool; the family alternative to the Marriott.
🍽️ Where to eat
1 place our scouts eat
📅 Events
49 on the calendar
2026-01-01
New Year's Day Virtual Run - Hilo (Big Island)
2026-01-03
Quadrantid meteor shower (peak)
The Quadrantids are one of the year's strongest meteor showers, with a brief, sharp peak in early January that can produce 40 or more meteors per hour under dark skies. Because Hawaiʻi has some of the clearest, darkest skies in the U.S., the islands are a superb place to watch. Look in the hours before dawn, away from town lights — a high-elevation spot or a dark leeward beach is ideal. No telescope needed; just let your eyes adjust for 20 minutes.
2026-01-18
Playtri Hawaii Camp
2026-02-28
Big Island Road Runners Waikaumalo Fun Run
2026-03-29
HATA 5K Fun Run
2026-04-04
43rd Annual Mac-a-thon
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