Kohala Coast

If you has only a weekend to spend on the Big island and want to relax and pamper yourself, this is the place to be. The Kohala Coast is a mix of the islands best beaches and swankiest hotels not far from the golf corses, destination spas, ancient valleys and temples, waterfalls and funky artist enclaves. but the real attraction here is the island’s glorious beaches. On a clear day, you can see Maui, and during the winter months, numerous humpbacks .

Rounding the northern tip of the island, the arid coast shifts rather suddenly to green villages and hillsides, leading to lush Pololu Valley in North Kohala.


King Kamehameha Statue

As you drive north, you will find the old sugar plantation towns, now artsy villages of Hawi and Kapaau. New galleries are interspersed with charming reminders of old Hawaii. Great shopping town for everything from designer beachwear to authentic Hawaiian crafts.

A statue of Kamehameha the Great, the legendary king who united the Hawaiian Islands, stands watch over his descendants in North Kohala . The 81/2 foot tall figure bears the Kinds scared feather kihei, mahiole, and kaei (cape, helmet and sash). Read more about this famous king in the section dedicated to him.

Kohala Mountain Road

The road between North Kohala and Waimea is one of the most scenic drives in Hawaii.You are traveling up the spine of the sleeping Kohala Volcano. You will crease at 3564 feet before descending to the sea. There are a few places to pull over and take in the view; the look out at mile marker 8 provides splendid vista of the Kohala Coast and Kawaihae Harbor. Around the 14 mile marker you will start seeing a huge mountain looming in front of you. That is not this island , its Maui, 30 miles across the sea.


Pololu Valley Lookout

At the end of highway 270 is the Pololu Valley lookout. This outstanding vista displays the the raw untamed side of the Big Island. Nearly vertical cliffs are battered unmercifully by the north shore surf. Four hundred feet below is Pololu beach. It can be accessed via a 20 min steep trip down through lush vegetation. At the end of this trail you will find a picturesque black sand beach, a beautiful lagoon and lots of fun roap swings. Take plenty of water and hiking shoes. Thought the beach is not very swimmable, it is very picturesque and a nice place to observe Mother Natures force.  Certainly worth the hike. This was our favorite spot on the North coast

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Beautiful Beaches on the Big Island 3 Day Itinerary