Hawaii Between Volcanic Roads and Cultural Heritage

Volcanic Roads around Kīlauea

Crater Rim Drive is a scenic road around the summit of Kīlauea. Chain of Craters Road is a scenic route that descends the volcano’s slopes to the sea. The descriptions emphasize different aspects: one road circles the summit, while the other runs from the slopes down to the sea.

Road access can vary depending on volcanic activity and park conditions. So check the current conditions before driving. This lets you plan around actual access rather than assuming a particular road will be open.

Hawaiian Cultural Heritage and Historic Trails

Puʻukoholā Heiau was built by Kamehameha the Great between 1790 and 1791 and played a decisive role in the unification of the Hawaiian Islands. The construction date places the site in a specific historical period; its significance also reaches into the history of unification.

The Ala Kahakai National Historic Trail is a 175-mile corridor of culturally and historically significant trails. It passes through ancestral landscapes, ancient Hawaiian sites, and more than 200 ahupuaʻa. Several sections are open for hiking. Because access varies by section, check which sections are accessible before you travel.

Kaloko-Honokōhau National Historical Park also tells the story of Hawaiian settlement: an ancient settlement extends across parts of four ahupuaʻa. The figures refer to different contexts: the trail passes through more than 200 ahupuaʻa, while the settlement encompasses parts of four. This makes it possible to see a far-reaching historic trail corridor and a specific settlement area as distinct aspects of cultural heritage.

Waterfalls, Pools, and Coastline

At ʻAkaka Falls State Park, a 0.4-mile self-guided loop trail winds through lush tropical vegetation to viewpoints overlooking Kahuna Falls and ʻAkaka Falls. ʻAkaka Falls plunges 442 feet into a stream-eroded gorge. The loop trail therefore combines views of two waterfalls with a walk through tropical vegetation.

At Wailuku River State Park, Boiling Pots consists of a series of large pools connected by underground water flows or cascades. Rainbow Falls, also in Wailuku River State Park, is 80 feet high. On many mornings, rainbows appear in its mist. The two sites offer contrasting water features: a series of connected pools and a waterfall whose mist can catch the morning light.

Pana'ewa Rainforest Zoo & Gardens is home to 82 species and almost 300 animals in a lush rainforest setting. On the coast, the Maniniʻōwali (Kua Bay) section of Kekaha Kai (Kona Coast) State Park offers the opportunity to swim when the sea is calm. You can reach Honokōhau Beach from the Kaloko-Honokōhau National Historical Park visitor center via a 20-minute walk. Access information was updated on June 2, 2026; check current conditions before your visit.

Getting Oriented and Getting There

For a general sense of the geography: the island of Hawaiʻi is divided into six major districts or regions: Hāmākua, Hilo, Puna, Kaʻū, Kona, and Kohala. Travelers can fly into Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport at Keāhole (KOA) in Kona. Since flight options can change, it is a good idea to check current options before your trip.

Hawaiʻi County offers free public transit on the Hele On (Let’s Go) Bus, with service between Kona and Hilo Monday through Saturday. Routes and schedules are important planning details; check them before you travel.

Discover More Destinations

Pahoa, Keaau, Pepeekeo, Hilo, Volcano, Waikoloa Village, Kailua Kona, Puako, Mountain View, Holualoa, Captain Cook, Naalehu, Kealakekua, Kapaau, Waimea, Eden Roc, Kalaoa, Paauilo, Honokaa, Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, Pahala, Kukuihaele, Hawaiian Paradise Park, Kawaihae, Papaikou, Nanawale Estates, Kahaluu-Keauhou, Orchidlands Estates, Fern Forest, Hawaiian Beaches, Fern Acres.

For the broader travel overview: Hawaii.