John inspects a huge Lava Bomb | Kahinahina Scenic Drive - The Upper Road Around Mauna Kea |  |
Distance
37 miles
(total) | Length
7 hours | Best Time
Clear Day |
| Dirt/Rock Road | Car Type
4-Wheel Only! | Location
Mauna Kea |
|
Two roads go around Mauna Kea, the lower Mana Road goes from the 6,500 foot level and comes out in Waimea. The higher Kahinahina Road starts at the 9,000 foot level and goes 37 miles, all the way around Mauna Kea and back out on Saddle road. The upper road is a diverse drive that ranges from 7,200 ft all the way to 10,000 ft. Since the tree line is at about 8,000 to 9,000 ft this drive takes you in and out of a variety of ecosystems interspersed with spectacular Mauna Kea vistas you can not see any other way. Several stops along this 7 hour excursion allow for short explorations and hikes.
(click here for more about the above scenic drive) |
| |
Trail marker at the end of the road | The Scenic Drive To The Summit Of Mauna Loa |  |
Distance
varies
(one way) | Length
varies | Best Time
Clear Day |
| Mostly Paved | Car Type
Any
(see text) | Location
Mauna Loa |
|
A 17-mile (one way) scenic drive, off of Saddle Road, takes you up the side of Mauna Loa, the world's most massive mountain, to the 11,141 foot elevation where the road ends at the Mauna Loa Weather Observatory. Offering fantastic views, colorful lava and a number of interesting stops along the way, this drive can be done in any car. However, we also include in this drive a 4-wheel extension where we go from the Weather Observatory to as close as we can get to the summit, and then couple it with our Mauna Loa Summit Hike.
(click here for more about the above scenic drive) |
| |
Scenic coastline from the upper road | The Kaalaiki Upper Road Scenic Drive in Ka'ū |  |
Distance
15 miles
(one way) | Length
1 hour | Best Time
Clear Day |
Mostly Paved
Some Dirt | Car Type
Any | Location
Ka'ū |
|
Tired of taking the highway between Pāhala and Nā'ālehu? Looking for something new and different, a scenic alternative with a view? We have just the drive for you - Kaalaiki Upper Road Drive.
This approximatly 15 mile road take you between Pāhala and Nā'ālehu on the top of the 2,000 foot pali (hill) that you see from the highway. This is a beautiful drive through fields, meadows, pastures, Koa and Kukui forests, lush green cinder cones, and offers breathtaking views of the ocean and land 2,000 feet below you.
(click here for more about the above scenic drive) |
| |
The Keck Observatory near the summit | The Scenic Drive to the Summit of Mauna Kea | |
Distance
43 miles
(one way) | Length
4 hours | Best Time
Clear Day |
Condition
Fine to 9,000 ft.
4-Wheel recommended after that | Car Type
4-Wheel
recommended | Location
Mauna Kea |
|
A 43 mile scenic drive takes you from sea level in Hilo (or Kona or Waimea) up to the summit of Mauna Kea at 13,796 to the astronomical observatories at the top!
The drive takes you through just about every ecosystem on the island. From the tropical rainforest atmosphere of Hilo on up through the 'Ohi'a forests of Saddle Road and then up the side of Mauna Kea, through ranch land and then up to the top, where little grows and the air is thin. Above 40% of the atmosphere you will have a stunning, 360° view. On a clear you can see Maui and the neighboring islands as well as the active Pu'u O'o vent in Volcano!
This is a perfect day-trip as well as combining it with tours of the fascinating observatories at the top and a view of the sunset as it dips into the ocean.
(click here for more about the above scenic drive) |
| |
Green Sand from Road To The Sea | Green Sand Beaches at Road To The Sea |  |
Distance
6 miles | Length
3 hours | Best Time
Clear Day |
Condition
Rough Unpaved Road
4-Wheel last 3 miles | Car Type
4-Wheel | Location
Near South Point |
|
The Hawaiian Islands are known for many different colors of sandy beaches. Maui has pink sand beaches, Oahu is famous for the white sand beaches, and many of the islands, especially the Big Island, have stunning black sand beaches.
The Big Island, however, also has green sand beaches created by volcanic activity. While most people are familiar with the beautiful green sand beach at South Point there are actually many pockets of green sand throughout the island, and that is the goal of this Scenic Drive, to get to the secluded green sand beach at the end of Road To The Sea.
(click here for more about the above scenic drive) |
| |
The beautiful Onomea Bay | Onomea Bay Scenic Drive |  |
Distance
4 miles | Length
30 minutes | Best Time
Clear Day |
Condition
Narrow Paved Road | Car Type
Any | Location
Onomea |
|
While this is not exactly a little known scenic drive, being one of the more popular drives on the island, we think that this 4 mile scenic drive on the Hāmākua Coast is a must do drive. This beautiful road twists and snakes through a lush tropical rain forest lined with streams. Several stops allow for breathtaking views of the ocean, coast, and the collapsed Onomea Arch. The Hawai'i Tropical Botanical Garden can be found about halfway and a nearby interesting and short hike down the old donkey trail to the ocean provides you with stunning photographic and scenic opportunities.
(click here for more about the above scenic drive) |
| |
Cars line up for the scenic drive | Kahuku Ranch Dedication and Scenic Drive |  |
Distance
10 miles | Length
2-3 hours | Best Time
Clear Day |
Condition
Dirt Road | Car Type
Parts Rental Car
Parts 4-Wheel | Location
South Point |
|
On September 2nd, 2004 the Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park held the official dedication of the acquisition of the 116,000 acre Kahuku Ranch near South Point. As a part of the ceremony the park opened up the Ranch and allowed us to drive through on a wonderful scenic drive.
(click here for more about the above scenic drive) |
| |
Lava overruns a No Parking sign | Chain of Craters Road Scenic Drive |  |
Distance
18.3 miles | Length
1-2 hours | Best Time
Clear Day |
Condition
Paved Road | Car Type
Rental Car | Location
Volcano |
|
An 18.3 mile scenic drive in the Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park has many scenic stops, side trails and other scenic drives. The drive starts at a fascinating stand of Lava Trees and continues through a large assortment of things to see and do including a huge petroglyph field, and then ends where the lava crosses the road at the ocean.
(click here for more about the above scenic drive) |
| |
Hilina Pali Overlook | Hilina Pali Scenic Drive | |
Distance
8.2 miles | Length
1-2 hours | Best Time
Clear Day |
Condition
Narrow Paved Road | Car Type
Rental Car | Location
Volcano |
|
An 8.2 mile scenic drive in the Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park passes through the Koa'e Fault, an unusual geological feature. Brown lava flows and native plants can be found through out this drive that ends at the Halina Pali overlook - a breathtaking ocean view from a 2000 foot cliff. A number of interesting stops along the way offer a chance to stroll and investigate more of Hawai'i.
(click here for more about the above scenic drive) |
| |
Beautiful Tree Lined Drive | Honolulu Landing to Kumukahi Lighthouse |  |
Distance
6 miles | Length
1-2 hours | Best Time
Not Rainy |
Condition
Dirt Road | Car Type
Rental Car | Location
Puna |
|
This beautiful drive is a nature lovers dream. Starting at the historical Honolulu Landing site, the road goes through wonderful native plant life with several interesting stops along the way. The drive ends at the Kumukahi Lighthouse and includes the short Kapoho Cemetery walk.
(click here for more about the above scenic drive) |
