7 Coziest Mountain Towns In Hawaii
Hawaii's islands contain some of the most exquisite mountain and volcano terrain. Mauna Kea is the world’s tallest peak from base to peak, with 19,700 feet of its total 33,496 feet underwater. Maua Loa is the most active volcano, and Haleakalā, Kīlauea, and Hualālai are shield volcanoes that have been known to accumulate snow, despite the tropical weather. Swim, surf, and ski in the same day in these seven coziest mountain towns in Hawaii.
Waimea
For a relaxing afternoon in Waimea, spend the day among the white sandy beaches and tranquil waters at Samuel M. Spencer Beach Park. Being one of the northernmost white sand beaches found on the Big Island, the change from rockier shores also makes the beachfront ideal for camping. Named after former judge Samuel M. Spencer, who is also credited with helping develop the North Kohala Coast, the park also features a hiking trail at the southern tip that leads to a smaller, secluded beach, Mau’umae Beach. For even more beach enjoyment, Waialea Bay Beach is a more secluded and uninhabited beach due to its distance from hotels and resorts. Considered one of the best snorkeling beaches on the island of Hawaii, Waialea Bay Beach is notorious for dolphins and humpback whale viewing during the winter months. The shoreline is made up of a combination of white sandy beaches and rocky patches, while the bay includes several different reef areas featuring ample marine life.
Volcano
Volcano is the gateway to one of the biggest hot spots on the Big Island, well, two of them actually. It’s the last town before entering Volcano National Park, which is home to two of the world’s most active volcanoes, Kīlauea and Mauna Loa. But the national park features more than just active volcanoes; visitors can hike, explore, and discover their way through the Sulphur, lava, and volcanic gases. The Nāhuku Lava Tube was created from molten lava that formed a cave once the lava flow cooled. Discovered in 1912, the tube led to increased park tourism by anxious visitors wanting to see the hundreds of lava drippings that adorn the delicate tube. Enjoy a short hike to the entrance of the tube and the adjoining native rainforest. For more volcanic activity, take a walk through Haʻakulamanu, the Sulphur Banks, which emit volcanic gases from the ground along with groundwater steam. The steam temperature can be measured up to 205 degrees!
To get a view of the volcanoes from the summit, hike the Crater Rim Trail around one of the most active volcanoes in the world. From the edge of the Kilauea summit caldera from Uēkahuna to Keanakākoʻi Crater, the trails show the affected areas of the 2018 summit collapse that led to subsequent eruptions, steam vents, and lush rainforest.
Hawi
Experience a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity in Hawi with a trip down a zipline at Kohala Zipline. Comprised of 8 ziplines, 6 sky bridges, and a rappel, this is the only full canopy tour on the Big Island. Tours included feature zipping from tree to tree, or high above the forest floor, followed by a swim beneath a private waterfall. Hit speeds of up to 45 MPH while catching views of the Kohala Coast, Maui, and ancient Hawaiian agriculture systems. For more focus on the island’s agriculture systems, visit the Hawi Farmers Market and pick up some native goods. The market serves a rural district with a prosperous agricultural history, and that is displayed by the vendors and their offerings. With a variety of options from coconuts, pumpkins, tomatoes, and herbs, to candles, baked goods, honey, jewelry, crafts, and more.
After grazing for some local produce, get an in-depth look at the island's history with a tour around Mo'okini Heiau. Part of the Kohala Historical Sites State Monument, Mo'okini Heiau is one of the oldest and most sacred places of worship in Hawaii. At its peak, the monument reached 250 feet on the east, being its longest barrier, and 112 feet on the south, the shortest wall. Once the part of the Hawaiian religion that depended on the spiritual ground was abolished, only ali'i and kahuna were allowed to enter Mo'okini Heiau. What remains of the temple can be reached by a dirt road.
Honokaa
The charming historic town on the Hāmākua Coast, Honokaa, is sure to delight farm fans of any variety. Begin by taking a tour of Mauna Kea Tea. Walk through native Ohia tree forests and fruit trees to get to the tea house and enjoy tea in the fields. Wild orchids, seasonal flowers, and the occasional farm animal are more delightful sights you might encounter on your walk through the diverse vegetation. Take your tea in the fields, surrounded by the beauty and calmness, and observe how tea plants grow and learn the benefits of them being grown in a unique setting. Another farm showcasing local delicacies is the Honokaa Chocolate Company, which features guided tours. Established in 2017, the farm stemmed from a dream of owner Mike Pollard to create premium chocolate from cacao descended directly from his Hawaii farm. Pollard’s chocolate has earned him over 50 awards, and he delights in sharing his award-winning sweets with eager guests. Crafted from premium cacao and organic cane sugar, this rich chocolate should be chewed and then savored for thirty seconds before swallowing to take in the full flavor.
A different but equally memorable kind of farm is the Waipi'o on Horseback. Horse around at this scenic 500-acre cattle ranch that offers stunning mountain and ocean views. Tours take riders through the largest Dwarf Malaysian coconut orchard on the island, as well as through apple banana groves, exotic fruit trees, and tilapia fishponds. Traversing alongside the historic Hamakua Ditch, the ride goes through protected historic landmarks marked by land that irrigated the sugarcane fields during the plantation era.
Kula
Immerse yourself in even more local wonder and agriculture at another island’s lavender farm, Ali’i Kula Lavender. Featuring more than just lavender, the farm displays scenes of beauty with its native plants and flowers, as well as unmatched panoramic views of Maui. Explore over 10 acres of gardens while overlooking the central alley of the island. Located at 4,000 ft on the slope of Haleakala Mountain, the farm houses approximately 55,000 lavender plants and 20 different varieties of lavender. For a farm of different sorts, folks over 21 can spend an afternoon at Ocean Organic Farm & Distillery. Enjoy a guided tasting of Ocean Vodka, FY Gin, Brum Rum, and Tiki-la Purista Agave Spirits while taking in the stunning views from the foothills of Haleakala Mountain. The tasting also provides a learning experience to discover how Polynesian sugar cane varieties are nurtured and cultivated, sustainable farming practices, the transformation of organic cane juice into premium spirits, and more. Grab a drink and head to the Farm Café to pair your beverage with an item from its seasonal menu that features locally grown produce, flatbreads, and Maui-style pūpūs.
Haleakala Mountain and the National Park it resides in are major attractions on the island of Maui, and one of the best ways to view it is from an aerial view. Just outside of Haleakala National Park, Skyline Hawaii takes adventure junkies across canyons with 90-foot drops, at speeds of 45 MPH, over six ziplines of excitement. The eco-tour provides striking views of Haleakala and provides education on Hawaii’s diverse flora, fauna, and culture, surrounding the beauty of the native forests.
Makawao
More farms, more tours, from chocolate to lavender, to spirits, the tropical farmland makes for unique growing trends. Take a sweet stroll through the fruit fields at the Maui Pineapple Tour. Take the 1.5-hour trip through the working pineapple farm and learn about the growing cycle and cultivation techniques used to produce the superior Maui Gold Pineapple. And the best part? All visitors get a free pineapple with every tour. Packaged for airport transport, out-of-state guests can bring their golden gem home with them at the end of their trip. For another decadent experience, tour Maui Vanilla Farm. The farm produces select goods from its own-grown vanilla and passion fruit. Join a tour of the working farm and learn how vanilla is grown, cured, and extracted while enjoying a vanilla beverage, passion fruit treats, and a signature vanilla dessert.
Not quite a farm, but an exquisite garden, The Sacred Garden on Maui, sits under a serene Kukui forest and features two labyrinths. The journey of the labyrinth is a three-part path of discovery. The walk into the labyrinth, the center, and the return journey back out are a time for friends to contemplate and let go of inner obstacles, meditate, and integrate the insights learned on the path. The medieval 11-circuit labyrinth and a classical 7-circuit labyrinth are enclosed in the garden.
Lanai City
For historically local attractions, Lanai City is home to multiple, including the Kaunolu Village Site, which is one of the most popular. The largest surviving ruins of a Hawaiian village on all of the islands, the village was an ancient fishing community from the 1400s and consisted of religious structures, residences of priests, and isolated petroglyphs. Approximately 86 house platforms, 35 stone shelters, 9 piles of stones marking graves, and more than 30 detached pens occupy the former village that sits on the southern sea cliffs overlooking Kaunolu Bay. Another spiritual location on the island is Keahiakawelo. The rock garden is an enigmatic lunar topography populated with boulders and rock towers. Formed by centuries of erosion, the rock towers and spires are part of what used to be a native dryland desert, in which some parts have survived today. From the rock site, visitors can get a clear view of the islands of Molokaʻi and Oʻahu.
For the ultimate beach day, soak in the seclusion at Polihua Beach. Sprawling along the northern shores of Lanai, the beach is at the end of a rutty trail, discouraging most people from visiting. But those who take the trek are rewarded with peace and quiet along the two miles of sandy shores.
Surrounded by water on all sides. Hawaii is most notably visited for its golden beaches, dazzling blue water, and epic surfing. But there’s a side of Hawaii that doesn’t get broadcast about as much, the mountainous side, the volcanic parts. But those are the parts of this tropical island that hold unique beauty, as Hawaii is, after all, a volcano. The tropical atmosphere also makes for diverse growing conditions, and farm tours are a huge part of Hawaii’s tourism culture. Vanilla, pineapple, coffee, cacao, and so much more thrive in the island environment, and guests are encouraged to visit the working farms where these delicacies are cultivated and learn the growing techniques and sample the farm’s harvests.
