Hidden Gems of Hawaiʻi Island: 12 Secret Spots Locals Whisper About

Ever followed the scent of ʻōhiʻa blossoms into a misty forest, or watched the ocean turn liquid silver with no one else around?

Big Island scene

That’s the magic of Hawaiʻi Island’s hidden gems—the mauka-to-makai places we keep close to our hearts. Not just pretty viewpoints, but spots that feed the spirit, honor culture, and quietly hold our community together.

These aren’t bucket-list trophies. They’re the trails where kamaʻāina clear their heads after work, the beach parks where aunties grill at sunset, the seed library where neighbors keep kalo and bean lineages alive. Ready to see the Big Island the way locals do?

The List: 12 Secret(ish) Spots Locals Love

Puʻu Waʻawaʻa Cinder Cone — Kona Mauka

Wind in the mamane trees, the calls of ʻapapane, and big-sky views of Mauna Kea, Mauna Loa, and Hualālai. The trail climbs an old puʻu through dryland forest restoration—quiet, vast, and humbling.

• ●Insider tip: Start at dawn for cool temps and unreal light. Brush and boot-scrub before/after to protect against Rapid ʻŌhiʻa Death.
• ●Price: Free

Makaʻula Oʻoma Cloud Forest — Kona Mauka

A hushed, ferny labyrinth where mist beads on lehua and the air smells like wet earth. The canopy closes overhead and suddenly the world goes soft—perfect pau hana decompression.

• ●Insider tip: It gets muddy—proper shoes and a light shell help. Bring a thermos and listen for native birds when the rain lets up.
• ●Price: Free

Keōkea Beach Park — North Kohala

Rocky, rugged, and deeply local. Pavilions for ʻohana picnics, a small protected cove when conditions are kind, and that Kohala coastline drama that makes you breathe deeper.

• ●Insider tip: Weekdays are bliss. Strong currents outside the cove—this is a chill-and-watch-the-sea spot more than a swim beach.
• ●Price: Free

Ulu Laʻau (Waimea Nature Park) — Waimea

A community-built oasis right in town: native plant gardens, a murmuring stream, and views up to Kohala’s slopes. It’s where folks walk keiki, talk story, and reset.

• ●Insider tip: Grab hot malasadas in Waimea and take a slow stroll at golden hour. Stay on paths—this is a labor of love by volunteers.
• ●Price: Free

Lapakahi State Historical Park — North Kohala

An ancient coastal fishing village with stone house sites, canoe slides, and salt-scented wind. Interpretive signs bring daily life of this place into focus; the ocean pounds just beyond.

• ●Insider tip: Go late afternoon for soft light and fewer people. Wear closed shoes—the ʻaʻā will chew up slippers.
• ●Price: Free

Mahaiʻula to Makalawena — Kekahā Kai State Park (Kona)

Powdery white sand, turquoise shallows, and a lava-crossing walk that keeps the crowds down. Mahaiʻula has old coconut trees and a chilled vibe; Makalawena feels like a postcard that forgot to be crowded.

• ●Insider tip: The access road is rough—drive slow and low. No shade or services; pack water, sun protection, and give honu and monk seals wide space.
• ●Price: Free

Kaumana Caves — Hilo Mauka

A lava tube that swallows sound—cool, damp, and sparkling with mineral threads where roots pierce from above. The staircase drops you into instant adventure.

• ●Insider tip: Bring two light sources and a helmet; turn around before you’re tempted to squeeze. Never go during heavy rain and avoid touching delicate formations.
• ●Price: Free

Pohoiki (Isaac Hale) New Black Sand Beach — Puna

Born from 2018 lava, this surreal coastline is all fresh basalt, warm breezes, and thunderous surf. The boat ramp now meets a crescent of new sand—rebirth you can stand on, with geothermally warmed "hot spring" ponds tucked behind the berm.

• ●Insider tip: Strong currents, no lifeguards—most folks just beach-walk and tidewatch. Those warm ponds can harbor bacteria; after rain, avoid any standing water due to leptospirosis risk.
• ●Price: Free

Puʻu Loa Petroglyphs — Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park

A boardwalk through a sea of pāhoehoe leads to thousands of kiʻi pōhaku—pecked images recording generations of life. It’s quiet here; you feel time stretching out.

• ●Insider tip: Sunrise or sunset for shadows that make the carvings sing. Stay on the boardwalk—never touch or step on petroglyphs.
• ●Price: Park entry fee

Hawaii Island atmosphere

Donkey Mill Art Center — Holualoa, Kona

Where Kona’s creative pulse lives: printmaking, ceramics, weaving, exhibits, and a courtyard that smells like coffee and clay. Locals come to make, not just look.

• ●Insider tip: Pop in during open studio hours and ask about kamaʻāina classes. The nearby Holualoa galleries make a great art stroll.
• ●Price: Free to visit; class fees vary

Hawaiʻi Island Seed Library — Hilo Public Library

A tiny drawer system with a huge impact: take seeds, grow food or flowers, and return seeds for the next neighbor. Think ʻulu, beans, lettuce, and local favorites—community resilience in a shoebox.

• ●Insider tip: Bring labeled envelopes of seeds to share, and ask the librarian for planting calendars by microclimate. Perfect for keiki science projects.
• ●Price: Free

Pololū Valley Lookout & Trail — North Kohala

Cliffs, ironwood scent, and a black-sand beach that hushes even chatty friends. The descent is short but steep; the valley mouth feels sacred and wild.

• ●Insider tip: Sunrise is magic and parking is limited—be patient and respectful of residents. Stay off the dunes, watch for high surf, and pack out every crumb.
• ●Price: Free

Local Context: How We Think About “Hidden”

On the Big Island, “hidden” doesn’t mean secret gate codes—it means slower places that reward kuleana and patience. Microclimates rule: Kona can be blazing at noon while Waimea is sweater weather and Hilo is softly raining. Locals choose ocean spots based on swell and wind, and they clean boots before forest hikes to protect ʻōhiʻa. Hidden gems are less about bragging rights, more about relationship with ʻāina.

Know Before You Go

• ●Ocean safety first: When in doubt, don’t go out. If there’s no lifeguard, assume conditions are hazardous.
• ●Respect culture: Heiau, petroglyphs, rock walls, and burial sites are kapu—look, don’t touch, and stay on marked paths.
• ●Protect forests: Brush shoes/gear to prevent Rapid ʻŌhiʻa Death. Keep dogs leashed only where allowed.
• ●Pack in/pack out: No trash cans in many places. Leave it cleaner than you found it.
• ●Sun and water: There’s often zero shade. Bring a hat, reef-safe sunscreen, and more water than you think.
• ●Car sense: Don’t leave valuables visible at trailheads and beach parks.
• ●Drones: Not allowed in national parks and restricted in many areas—check rules first.

FAQ

• ●

  What’s the best season for Big Island hidden gems? Dry months (May–September) are great for remote beaches; shoulder seasons bring fewer people. Forest trails shine year-round—just prep for rain in Hilo/Volcano.

• ●

  Do I need 4x4 for these spots? Usually no. Roads to Mahaiʻula are rough but passable if you go slow. When in doubt, park mauka along the highway and walk.

• ●

  Are these good for keiki? Many are, with caution. Ulu Laʻau, Donkey Mill, and the Seed Library are very keiki-friendly. Steep or surf-exposed places (Pololū, Pohoiki) require close supervision.

• ●

  How do I be respectful at cultural sites? Stay on paths, don’t touch or sit on rock features, keep voices low, and pack out everything. If cultural practitioners are present, give space and aloha.

Pro Tips From Locals

• ●Go early or late for solitude and softer light.
• ●Check surf forecasts and wind before committing to a makai day.
• ●Keep a “car kit”: headlamp, small first-aid, extra water, towel, brush for your boots.
• ●Swap coordinates for stewardship: pick up 10 pieces of microplastic, thank volunteers, and teach keiki why it matters.

If this guide nudged you off the beaten path (in the best way), you’ll love what’s happening around the island this week—come explore related events → and make a whole adventure out of it.