Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Two side roads also make intriguing detours or shortcuts back to Pahoa:
Pohoiki Rd
connects Hwy 137 with Hwy 132, and is another shaded, mystical mana path winding
through thick forest dotted with papaya orchards and wild
noni
(Indian mulberry). Fur-
ther south,
Kamaʻili Rd
, connecting with Hwy 130, is another pleasant country ramble.
When hunger strikes, pull up to the
Hot Dog Guy
(intersection of Hwy 132 & Pohoiki Rd;
hotdogs $5-7; daily until sunset;
) for some bison, reindeer or all-beef hotdogs grilled
to order and nestled in a whole wheat bun.
Kapoho Beach Lots
Top-notch
snorkeling
awaits beyond the locked gates of this seaside community - per-
fect for a family reunion or getaway.
The
many
vacation rentals here are ideal for family getaways, with many houses boast-
ing flexible, multiroom sleeping arrangements. One terrific option is
Pualani
(
805-225-1552;
www.bigislandhawaiivacationhomes.com
; Kapoho Beach Lots; 2-bedroom house
$145;
) a modern, open-plan home with hot tub, wraparound lanai, bikes and beach
incl breakfast $90-110, ste $175)
, which qualifies as a Fantasy Beach House. All units feature
gleaming hardwoods, ocean-view lanai, wraparound windows and use of a sauna and
whirlpool tub. The sprawling Master Suite is a worthy splurge. Check airbnb.com and
vrbo.com for more information.
This stretch of coast is technically open only to those living or renting within its gates.
Champagne Pond
is a famous snorkeling spot out here, but you must access it either by
knowing someone in Kapoho, or via the lava road (4WD only) that leads from Kumukahi
Lighthouse (because all coast in Hawaiʻi is technically public land, you're not tres-
passing in this scenario).
Kapoho Tide Pools
The best snorkeling on the Big Island's windward side is this sprawling network of
tide
pools
(suggested donation $3; 7am-7pm)
- officially named the Wai Opae Tide Pools
Marine Life Conservation District. Here Kapoho's lava-rock coast is a mosaic of protec-
ted, shallow, interconnected pools containing a rich variety of sea life. It's easy to pool-
hop for hours, tracking saddle wrasses, Moorish idols, butterfly fish, sea cucumbers and
much more. For interesting coral gardens, head straight out from the blue house; sea
turtles like the warm pocket a bit further south and octopuses are known to visit here.
