

Hamakua Coast
Curvy, cozy and impossibly green, the Hamakua Coast is a verdant time portal on the Big Island’s northeastern side. Often referred to as the “Hamakua Heritage Corridor,” this 50-mile stretch of two-lane road passes through small, historic towns and offers a sumptuous buffet of scenery around every hairpin turn. Sugar was once king along this coast, and though the last field was planted in 1994, vestiges of the plantation past lay scattered along the trail.
Leave the city of Hilo behind and venture north toward Akaka Falls, continuing past the Hawaii Tropical Botanical Garden to the town of Laupahoehoe. Here you’ll find the Laupahoehoe Train Museum, a small building that showcases the history of the Hawaii Consolidated Railway. The train was vital for transporting sugar from the fields to the port of Hilo, although a devastating tsunami in 1946 obliterated the tracks.
Continue along a serpentine road oft likened to the Road to Hana, and make a stop in sleepy Honoka‘a for a dose of small town charm. Ranching and farming are big in these parts, and the rural economy and coastal location make for a haven for free-spirited artists. Continue further to Waipio Valley, the official end of the road, and if your legs are feeling up for the journey, take a hike down the state’s steepest road to the taro-lined valley floor. Waipio is the valley where King Kamehameha was hidden away as a child, and the way of life and secluded surroundings have changed little since the days of the king.
Tours and tickets to Experience Hamakua Coast
You are viewing Virtual Experiences in Big Island of Hawaii. See more Virtual Experiences around the globe. 🌎
4 results

Big Island Circle Tour and Volcano - Coffee, Waterfalls and Waipio Valley

Experience Hawai'i Big Island Helicopter Flight from Kona

Circle Island Tour

Circle Island Experience from Kona
FAQ’s
Should I book Hamakua Coast tickets in advance?
How much does it cost to visit Hamakua Coast 2021?
What's the best way to experience Hamakua Coast?
- Big Island Circle Tour and Volcano - Coffee, Waterfalls and Waipio Valley
- Experience Hawai'i Big Island Helicopter Flight from Kona
- Circle Island Tour
- Circle Island Experience from Kona
Things to do near Big Island of Hawaii
- How to Get Off the Beaten Path on the Big Island of Hawaii
- How to Spend 3 Days on the Big Island
- How to Spend 1 Day on the Big Island
- Where to Stay on the Big Island of Hawaii
- Don't Miss These Must-Do Activities on the Big Island of Hawaii
- First-Timers Guide to the Big Island of Hawaii
- Things to Do on the Big Island of Hawaii This Summer