Kohala and the Hāmākua Coast: Kona to Hilo the northern way
From Kona to a royal temple, valley lookouts at the ends of the road and the waterfalls of the Hāmākua Coast to Hilo.
- Distance
- approx. 190 km (118 mi)
- Driving
- 2 h 07 min
- Suggested days
- 3
- Stops
- 7
- States
- HI
- Best time to go
- December–February
- Tolls and vignettes
- None expected
- Updated
- July 11, 2026
At a glance: 3-day road trip of about 190 km (118 mi) with 7 stops, from Kailua-Kona to Hilo. About 2 h 07 min of driving in total. Best time to go: December–February. No toll roads expected for a car.
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Photos along the route
Route description
From Kailua-Kona, drive north on Highway 19 across the lava fields of the Kona coast for about 45 minutes to Kawaihae. Puʻukoholā Heiau National Historic Site preserves the large stone temple built by Kamehameha I in 1790–91; a short trail leads to viewpoints, as entry to the heiau is not allowed. Entry is free, and there is a small visitor center.
Highway 270 continues north along the Kohala coast to Hāwī and ends at the Pololū Valley Lookout, over a green valley with a black boulder beach. The trail down is steep and muddy, and parking is very limited, so come early. Return to Hāwī and take the Kohala Mountain Road (Highway 250) over the hills to Waimea for ranch views.
From Waimea, Highway 19 descends to Honokaʻa, and Highway 240 ends at the Waipiʻo Valley Lookout above a deep valley sacred to Hawaiians. The steep road into the valley is restricted to residents and permitted tours, so the lookout is the place to stop. Back on Highway 19, the Hāmākua Coast is lined with gulches, waterfalls and old sugar towns.
Near Honomū, a side road leads to ʻAkaka Falls State Park, where a paved loop through rain forest reaches a 442-foot waterfall; non-residents pay an entry and parking fee. In Hilo, Rainbow Falls tumbles over a lava cave and often shows a rainbow on sunny mornings. The whole route with side trips is about 170 miles; Hilo is the base for the drive to Volcano.
Which stops are on Kohala and the Hāmākua Coast?
In driving order. Distances are estimates between consecutive stops.
- 1Start
Kailua-Kona
HI - 256 km
Puʻukoholā Heiau National Historic Site
HistoryKawaihae, HIA large stone temple built by Kamehameha I in 1790–91 on a hill above Kawaihae Bay. Visitors view it from a short trail, as entry to the heiau is not allowed; sharks often cruise the bay below.
- 326 km
Pololū Valley Lookout
ViewsHāwī, HIThe end of Highway 270, where cliffs drop into a green valley with a black boulder beach. The trail down is short but steep and muddy; parking along the road is very limited.
- 422 km
Waipiʻo Valley Lookout
ViewsHonokaʻa, HIA viewpoint at the end of Highway 240 over a deep valley and black-sand beach of cultural importance to Hawaiians. The steep road into the valley is restricted to residents and permitted tours.
- 565 km
ʻAkaka Falls State Park
NatureHonomū, HIA 442-foot waterfall seen from a paved loop of under half a mile through rain forest with bamboo and ginger. Non-residents pay an entry and parking fee; the loop has steps.
- 619 km
Rainbow Falls, Hilo
NatureHilo, HIAn 80-foot waterfall on the Wailuku River in Hilo, falling over a lava cave. Come on a sunny morning to see a rainbow in the spray; the lookout is steps from the free car park.
- 73 km
Hilo
HI
How do you drive Kohala and the Hāmākua Coast in 3 days?
3 days, split by driving time. Campsites from OpenStreetMap: check opening dates before you go.
- Day 1: Kailua-Kona → Puʻukoholā Heiau National Historic Site · 35 mi · 0 h 37 minOvernight nearby, for example: Malama Kiholo (14 mi).
- Day 2: Puʻukoholā Heiau National Historic Site → Waipiʻo Valley Lookout · 30 mi · 0 h 32 minOn the way: Pololū Valley Lookout.
- Day 3: Waipiʻo Valley Lookout → Hilo · 53 mi · 0 h 57 minOn the way: ʻAkaka Falls State Park, Rainbow Falls, Hilo.Overnight nearby, for example: Trailer Parking (2 mi).
When is the best time for Kohala and the Hāmākua Coast?
The most pleasant months are usually December–February. Still fine, with some compromises, in March–June and September–November. July and August are the busiest months: book campsites early.
Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons
More routes for the best months
Practical guides for this route
Photo by Malivez on UnsplashDriving in the US: The Rules European Visitors Most Often Get Wrong at the Wheel
Photo by Aleksandr Dalakian on UnsplashFuel, Tolls and Distances: Practical US Driving Math for Motorhome and Camper Travelers
Photo by Tracy Zhang on UnsplashUS national parks: entry fees, passes and reservations in plain terms
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FAQs
How long is Kohala and the Hāmākua Coast: Kona to Hilo the northern way?
3-day road trip of about 190 km (118 mi) with 7 stops, from Kailua-Kona to Hilo. About 2 h 07 min of driving in total.
How many days do you need for Kohala and the Hāmākua Coast: Kona to Hilo the northern way?
We suggest 3 days: about 2 h 07 min of driving, which leaves time for the stops.
Where does Kohala and the Hāmākua Coast: Kona to Hilo the northern way start and end?
It starts in Kailua-Kona and ends in Hilo.
Which states does Kohala and the Hāmākua Coast: Kona to Hilo the northern way pass through?
Hawaii.
Where can you camp along Kohala and the Hāmākua Coast: Kona to Hilo the northern way?
OpenStreetMap lists 3 campsites and motorhome stopovers within 19 mi of the stops on this route. For example: Malama Kiholo, Trailer Parking and Waiakea Camp Site.
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