Big Island region
Puna
Raw lava land and rain forest
The island’s easternmost district, south of Hilo — rain forest, small off-grid communities around Pāhoa, and a coastline remade by the 2018 lower East Rift Zone eruption.
Photo: Oleg Chursin via Unsplash
Go if…
You want to see how young the island really is, and a quirky rental suits you.
The trade-off
Services are sparse, and many of the old coastal sights are now under lava.
Things to do
Our picks in Puna
Puna
Pohoiki Black Sand Beach (Isaac Hale Beach Park)
Standing on sand that didn't exist a decade ago is something you can only do on this island. Come to look around and explore, not to swim.
Read morePuna
Lava Tree State Monument
A strange, shady, short wander that breaks up a Puna drive nicely, and it's free.
Read moreShave Ice & SweetsPuna
Mauna Loa Macadamia Nut Visitor Center
An easy stop on the drive between Hilo and Volcano, with free samples and a short garden walk to stretch your legs.
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