Frank's Big Island Travel Hints: Kona Coast South of Honaunau to Ka'u
Driving south on Hwy 11 there isn’t too much to stop and see for several miles, so enjoy the panoramic views. Soon your Tour Guide will give you information about Ho’okena Beach and Milolii.
Ho’okena is a lovely gray sand beach about 5 miles off the main hwy. This is a nice beach for swimming, snorkeling and picnicking. There are some trails to hike and decent restrooms. Camping is also available by permit only. Your Tour Guide will give more information about trails to hike, camping, and where to get snorkel gear and camping permits.
Driving
a few miles further, headed toward the volcano park, is the turn off
for Milolii. Again about 5 miles off the main highway, Milolii is one
of the last fishing villages in Hawaii. On the way down the views are spectacular, so keep your camera handy. Tour Guide
will give you lots of history about this area, so make sure you listen
to it on the way. If you are up for a short hike, park at the Miloli'i
County Beach Park and hike the shoreline trail to beautiful, secluded,
empty Honomalino Bay.
As with anywhere you travel, make sure to lock your vehicle when you leave it and don’t leave valuables in plain sight.
Tour Guide
will show many other great places to explore as you continue driving
south. We’ll jump ahead at this point to the southernmost town in the United States,
Na’alehu. This quaint plantation town is a throwback to when sugar cane
was the main export. Na’alehu boasts being a favorite spot for Mark
Twain to rest and enjoy the old Hawaii
lifestyle. The Punalu’u Bakery has become famous throughout the state
for their sumptuous sweet bread. These are just two great reasons to
stop and take in some of the local flavor.
Driving about 10 miles further south, your Tour Guide will recommend the Punalu’u Black Sand Beach, one of the top 44 sites on the Big Island.
This beach is not only famous for the jet black sand but also for the
Hawaiian Green sea turtles and the Hawksbill sea turtles who reside
nearby. Often you can see these magnificent creatures sunning on the
black sand and, at certain times of the year, nesting and laying their
eggs. All turtles in Hawaii
are endangered species so touching them is forbidden and a $20,000
dollar fine is strictly enforced. Get up close for photos but please
leave them alone. Tour Guide will give you some of the rich history of this area as well.
Driving south from Punalu’u Black Sand Beach, you will notice the highway begin to ascend toward the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. Just after you see the Volcano Park
sign, there will be a small parking lot, on the ocean side of the hwy,
called the Ka'u Desert Trail Head. A one mile hike on this trail will
bring you to the warrior footprints and a petroglyph field. Tour Guide gives the stories and history of this fascinating area.
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