13 Hidden Gems in Puna: Big Island’s Most Overlooked District

1. Private Hiking Tour to Secret Tidepool

Led by Josh, a longtime off-grid Big Island local, this private hiking tour takes you through a tropical jungle and over a rugged lava rock coastline to an off-the-beaten-path, secluded tide pool.

This intermediate hike takes about 30-40 minutes (about half a mile each way). The first third is through the jungle while the rest of the hike is over rocky lava along the coastline (keep your eyes out for sea turtles). 

During the tour, Josh will point out unique plants (like walking trees!) and share insights about the ecosystem and tide pool biology.

Once at the tidepool, you’ll have time to swim, explore, or just relax in a tranquil setting. The water is calm and safe, with both deep and shallow areas, good for wading or snorkeling. 

What’s Included:

• Information, guided hike with Josh to and from the tide pool
• Relaxing time at the tidepool to swim, explore, and chill

What to Bring:

• Closed-toe shoes with good grip for the lava rock trail
• Water shoes for exploring the tide pool
• Bathing suit & towel (there are no restrooms at the site)
• Snorkeling mask or goggles (optional, but highly recommended)

2. 2018 Kilauea E-Bike and Hiking Tour

Explore the dramatic aftermath of the 2018 Kīlauea eruption on this unique e-bike and hiking tour through the lava-scarred landscape of Pāhoa. 

Ride through the affected areas, learn about the eruption’s impact, and hike across hardened lava flows.

This 2-hour privately guided tour offers a mix of e-biking and hiking, but the main focus is on exploring the fissures and lava fields rather than covering long distances on the bike. 

Stacy will give her firsthand accounts of the Big Island’s most recent volcanic events.

You’ll cross three fissures before reaching Fissure 8, the most powerful vent from the eruption, learning about the eruption’s devastation and the resilience of the local community along the way.

What’s Included:

• Electric bike & helmet
• Umbrellas (for sun or rain)
• Local guide with firsthand knowledge
• Up-close access to Fissure 8 from private property

3. Lava Tree State Monument

Lava Tree State Monument is a unique park known for its fascinating lava formations. 

It’s an interesting stop if you are in the area, but I wouldn’t go out of my way to visit. 

Entrance is free.

4. Star of the Sea Painted Church

The Star of the Sea Painted Church is a historic Catholic church with a beautifully painted interior, featuring biblical scenes and Hawaiian-inspired motifs. 

Originally built in 1927 in Kalapana, the church was relocated here in 1990 to protect it from an advancing lava flow from Kīlauea. 

The church is open for visitors to come and admire the artwork, created by Belgian missionary Father Evarist Gielen, who painted the walls and ceilings to resemble a grand European cathedral.

Mass is held here the first Friday of the month.

Entrance is free.

5. Uncle Robert’s Night Market

The famous Uncle Robert’s Night Market is held every Wednesday evening starting at 5pm at Uncle Robert’s Awa Bar in Kalapana. 

It’s definitely a local’s hangout and gives you some insight into community life and a chance to try some kawa (kava), a traditional, ceremonial drink in Polynesian culture, used for its calming and numbing properties, acting as both a sedative and anesthetic. I think of it as something between alcohol and marijuana.

💁‍♀️ Tab’s Trip Tip: during the weekdays there are few food vendors here that are open for you to get stuff like smoothies and plate lunches.

6. Kehena Black Sand Beach

Tucked below some cliffs like its own little oasis, Kehena Black Sand Beach has the softest black sand I’ve found on the island. 

Getting down to the beach takes a little effort, as the trail is a bit steep, but it’s a short and manageable hike.

There is a small gravel parking lot or you can park along the shoulder of the road. 

⚠️ To avoid break-ins, don’t leave valuables in the car or in plain sight. 

There are no restrooms here. 

There are also no lifeguards, so use your best judgement to swim. The waves here can get rough and are not always safe for swimming.

Heads Up! This is a nudist friendly beach 🙈 , so visitor discretion is advised. 

7. Pohoiki Black Sand Beach and Hot Spring

Pohoiki Black Sand Beach at Isaac Hale Beach Park is the Big Island’s newest black sand beach, created by the 2018 Kīlauea eruption.

The black lava pieces broken up by the ocean completely reshaped the coastline, destroying and landlocking the original boat ramp—once a launch point for fishermen and boat tours—and leaving behind a rugged, pebbly shoreline. 

The beach is more pebbly than sandy and swimming in the ocean here is not advised due to strong currents.

While the pond doesn’t get too busy, because of its small size, expect to make friends and get cozy with the people who are there. 

The park has restrooms and a picnic area, but no lifeguards.

8. Farmers Markets

Farmers markets are a great way to buy locally grown fruits and vegetables, support small businesses and artisans selling handmade crafts, eat freshly made food, and enjoy free live music.

The Puna District has a few farmers markets on the weekends:

• Kaimu Farmer’s Market (Kalapana) – Saturdays 8am-12pm – 60+ vendors on a red rock gravel lot
• Hilo Coffee Mill Farmer’s Market (Mountain View) – Saturdays 9am-2pm – ~10 vendors under a covered lanai at Hilo Coffee Mill
• Maku’u Farmer’s Market  (Pāhoa) – Sundays 7:30am-2pm – 170+ vendors on the 5-acre Hawaiian Homelands Farm Lots

9. Roadside Vendors

At any given time on any given day, you’ll see roadside vendors along Keeau-Pahoa Rd sitting beneath tents selling their wares. 

It could be fruits and vegetables, freshly caught fish, a variety of plate foods, or handmade crafts.

Just keep your eye out and pull over to the ones that intrigue you.

10. Kazumara Cave Tours

Kazumara Cave is a lava tube 400-600 years old, formed when a vent on the east side of Kilauea Caldera erupted.

It’s the world’s longest continuous lava tube, measuring at 42.5 miles long! It’s also the deepest cave in the United States at 3,613 feet deep.

There are 3 tours to choose from:

1. Lava Falls – an easy to moderate 2hr tour hiking uneven lava floors for 2/3 mile 
2. Pit Room – a moderate to challenging 4hr tour involving scrambling over rubble and ascending lava cascades
3. Maze – a challenging 4-6hr tour for experience spelunkers only as rappelling and free climbing.

Call to make reservations.

11. Coffee

Of course I have to put coffee on this list because I always need to know where to get my next fix!

These are places you can find Big Island coffee:

• Hilo Coffee Mill  (Mountian View) – this off-the-beaten-path coffee shop serves up different blends of Hawaii coffee and is set on 24 acres of land with some coffee trees on property
• Poppy’s (Keeau) – a sweet little outdoor shack on the side of Keeau-Pahoa Rd that is an experience you have to see for yourself
• Kohala Coffee Co. (Pāhoa) – they have a drive-thru (rare on this island) and serve multiple flavors of nitro cold brew

12. Bakeries

I’m also a sucker for good pastries and baked goods, and the Puna District surprisingly delivers!

• Mt View Bakery (Mountian View) – established in 1936, this unassuming bakery is famous for their stone cookies and delicious flavors-of-the-day mochi donuts
• Big Island Bakehouse (Keeau) – ever-changing menu with unique items like lilikoi cinnamon rolls, lemon meringue cruffin, and bomboloni

13. ‘Awapuhi Labyrinth 

The ‘Awapuhi Labyrinth is a tranquil walking path created in 1999 by Christie and John Wolf. This 90-foot diameter labyrinth is a replica of the 13th-century design found in France’s Chartres Cathedral but double the size.

Entrance is free and is open from sunrise to sunset. Look for the Little Free Library at the entrance and follow the footpath to the labyrinth. 

Is the Puna District Worth Visiting?

The Puna District is pretty out of the way from the Big Island’s more popular attractions, which is why most first-time visitors tend to skip it—either because they don’t know about it or other spots take priority.