From Hawaii Volcanoes National Park and stretching  north and east to the coast, Hawaii Island’s Puna District is perhaps the most overlooked of the nine districts found on the largest of the Hawaiian Islands. Measuring in at just under 320,000 acres, the Puna district is slightly smaller than the island of Kauai and is home to countless incredible landscapes and attractions, including some of the best hidden gems in Hawaii. From hippie towns and lava formations to stunning beaches and incredible parks, these eight hidden gems found in the Puna district are an absolute delight to explore.

1. Pahoa Town

Pahoa Village Center, 15-2880 Pahoa Village Rd, P?hoa, HI 96778, USA
Ian Gratton/Flickr
This charming Hawaiian census-designated place is home to less than 1,00 residents, and a laid-back vibe. It is often described as the hippie capital of Hawaii, and is full of little boutiques, mouthwatering eateries, galleries, and the state’s oldest movie theater.

2. Pohoiki Hot Spring at Isaac Hale Park

Isaac Hale Park, 13-101 Kalapana - Kapoho Rd, P?hoa, HI 96778, USA
Steve Butterfield/Google Reviews
There is little better after a long hike than jumping into the ocean for a quick swim – except maybe slipping into a steaming hot spring fed by the expansive Pacific Ocean and warmed geothermally by flowing lava deep beneath the surface. Surrounded by green grass, palm trees, and a brand new black sand beach, Pohoiki is the ultimate retreat. It's also the only hot spring or warm pond to survive the 2018 eruption along Kilauea's East Rift Zone. Other popular springs, like Ahalanui Hot Pond, were filled in with lava during the eruption. Pele giveth, and Pele taketh away.
Matt McGee/Flickr
Isaac Hale Park is definitely one of our favorite hidden gems in Hawaii. This oceanside park is a popular surf spot and boat launch; the park is one of only a few places on the Big Island’s southern shore with such facilities. The park is named in honor of Private Isaac K. Hale, who served in the United States Army's 19th Infantry Regiment, 24th Infantry Division during the Korean War and was killed in action north of the 38th parallel on July 12, 1951.

3. Kehena Black Sand Beach

Kehena Black Sand Beach, Hawaii 96778, USA
Frank Schulenburg/Wikimedia Commons
The Hawaiian Islands are home to several gorgeous black sand beaches, including this picturesque stretch of sand. Sometimes known as Dolphin Beach, Kehena is also a known spinner dolphin hangout. The beach was formed during a 1955 lava flow, and is one of the few places in Hawaii that allows nudity.

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4. Volcano Village

Volcano, HI, USA
Rosa Say/Flickr
Tucked away near Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, Volcano Village is home to 2,500 residents and little else. This artistic little community is home to countless galleries and is the perfect place for a creative retreat.

5. Kilauea Caldera

K?lauea Crater, Hawaii 96778, USA
Howard Ignatius/Flickr
Though technically the entrance to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park is in the Ka’u district, Kilauea Caldera is located in Puna. The fiery home of one of Hawaii’s most revered gods, Pele, Kilauea is both Hawaii’s youngest shield volcano on land, as well as the most active. The volcano is also experiencing one of the most long-lived eruptions known to man – the eruption began in 1983 on the eastern rift zone and has continued on-and-off ever since. Two eruptive events, in fact, occurred in 2023.

Take a look at this YouTube video from Big Island Video News to see lava fountains from the latter of the 2023 eruptions:



This YouTube video shows how Kilauea Caldera appeared just a few months earlier:

6. Lava Tree State Monument

Lava Tree State Monument, HI-132, P?hoa, HI 96778, USA
Frank Hamm/Flickr
A 17-acre park that features a forest of lava trees, the result of a lava flow in 1790 that swept through the forest, leaving behind lava molds of the tree trunks. The park is free to visit, and features a 0.7-mile loop path and picnic tables.

7. Mauna Loa Macadamia Nut Corporation

Mauna Loa Macadamia Nut Visitor Center, 16-701 Macadamia Road, Keaau, HI 96749, USA
Thank You (24 Millions)/Flickr
The Mauna Loa Macadamia Nut Factory tour is an excellent stop for a rainy day on the Big Island. While visiting, you can buy their products and learn about the harvesting of Hawaii’s most famous nut.

8. MacKenzie State Recreation Area

MacKenzie State Recreation Area, HI-137, P?hoa, HI 96778, USA
Howard Ignatius/Flickr
This secluded park covering 13 acres on Hawaii Island’s rural southern coast featuring tall ironwood trees, volcanic sea cliffs, and quite a few paranormal encounters. Portions of the King's Trail wind through the park, and according to the National Park Service, improvements to this ancient coastal trail were made in the mid 1800s by prisoners and those unable to pay their taxes. Legend has it that the souls of prisoners who died while working on the trail still wander around the park.

Since Puna is relatively small, you could easily put together a road trip and visit many – if not all – of these places in a single weekend. For more incredible places to discover and hidden gems on Hawaii Island, check out this Natural Wonders Road Trip, as well as every stop you should make within Hawaii Volcanoes National Park.

Are there any places in Puna district that we missed and should know about? Be sure to let us know in the comments!

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More to Explore

Hidden Gems In Hawaii

Trent Jonas | January 12, 2024

While the Aloha State is a popular destination for tourists from around the world, there are still plenty of hidden gems in Hawaii to be discovered on all of the islands. Some of our favorites on Maui include:

  • The road from Ulupalakula to Nu'u Refuge on Maui. Many people drive the famous Road to Hana - and you should, too - but don't forget that there's another side to Maui, one that's less crowded and starkly beautiful in its own special way. You can actually get to this drive from the Kipahulu District of Haleakala National Park, but the road between Kipahulu and Nu'u Refuge is a narrow, one lane (as in, you may have to back up if you meet an oncoming car) road that winds along sheer cliffs above the ocean. We don't recommend this route.
  • Polipoli Spring State Recreation Area and Kula Forest Reserve on Maui. This adjacent nature areas are fantastic places to explore Maui's Upcountry without the amount of visitor traffic you'll see at the nearby Summit District of Haleakala National Park.

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