Built in 1917 by a Japanese mail-order bride and her husband, the late Kinzo and Osame Manago, as a restaurant with futons for their customers to sleep on, this still has the feel of old Hawai‘i. The Manago Hotel endures as a piece of old Hawai‘i attracting visitors from around the world. Located in the heart of Captain Cook, the hotel sprawls along the makai (ocean) side of Highway 11 across from Arthur L. Greenwell Park. Large portraits of the late founders greet guests who enter the high-ceilinged lobby, along with dark wooden counters and cabinetry. At the helm of the Manago today is the couple’s grandson, Dwight, 62, who is often seen manning the front desk.

82-6155 Mamalahoa Hwy, 

Captain Cook, HI 96704 

(808) 323-2642 

https://www.managohotel.com/

Keoki's is a cute little place next to the main highway, with a sign that says they serve the best fish & chips on the island.  Keoki’s has the freshest fish. They give you big portions and offer a  special that’s perfect for 2 people. They also have kids’ meals, sweet potato fries, and a baked fish taco that’s to die for.

83-5315 Mamalahoa Hwy, 

Captain Cook, HI 96704

(808) 328-9000

Well-known for their pulled pork and pulled chicken sandwiches, half-rack ribs, baked beans, and tangy coleslaw. There might be a line but it’s worth the wait.

83-5308 Mamalahoa Hwy # B, 

Captain Cook, HI 96704

(808) 328-1227

https://www.facebook.com/Big-Jakes-Island-B-B-Q-189247791108226/

For authentic hawaiian food, head to They’ve been featured on the food network’s best thing I ever ate. Pork laulau’s are made daily, and you’ll feel like you’re eating at a hawaiian aunty’s house. They’re closed on sundays. The coffee shack has an island-style breakfast and lunch menu, pizzas, salads, and desserts. If you eat out on their lanai, you’ll have a beautiful 26-mile view along the kona coastline.

83-5409 Mamalahoa Hwy A, 

Captain Cook, HI 96704

(808) 328-9566

If you haven’t eaten at any of the previous stops on the tour, we’ll guide you to Sundried Specialties where you can try some ono poke, fresh from the ocean. If nothing else stop by to try their salted dried fish. It’s different but yummy!

Have you ever dreams of eating donkey balls? Probably not. But on Hawaii’s Big Island, it’s a must-have experience. Don’t worry, it’s not what you think. The Donkey Balls Factory and Store is a Big Island staple, paying homage to the destination’s go local, made fresh philosophy. Based on local legend, the crude-sounding store actually sells artisanal chocolates, made in-house from Guittard Chocolate.

Best of all, visitors to the store can watch the candy being made through the clear glass factory room, as well as enjoy free samples of numerous varieties at the counter (if you don’t see the kind you want to try, just ask!)

Your go-to place for fresh fruit, maybe even some you’ve never seen, like dragon fruit and star fruit or have you ever had a rambutan? Their sandwiches are great - you might want to pick up some for the drive. They have amazing fruit options and it is always fresh. South Kona Fruit Stand is a great option after a couple hours of snorkeling or visiting great spots in the area.

Google Maps: 19.413031, -155.880658

At this point, you might need a bite to refuel and where better than a bakery that specializes in Hawaiian sweet bread. “Punalu'u Bakeshop” Na’alehu means “the volcanic ashes” in Hawaiian. It’s the southernmost community in the US with a post office.

There are fewer than 900 people living here, and it’s a nice quiet rural town. There's a popular bakeshop in this area called “Punalu'u Bakeshop” and Shaka Restaurant and Bar, known as “the southernmost bar.”

Kealakekua Bay is a marine life conservation district. Since the water at the bay is usually calm, underwater life thrives, along with the coral reef, making it a wonderful spot for scuba diving and snorkeling. Hawaiian spinner dolphins often come into the bay, especially in the morning.  Kealakekua is also a wonderful place for kayaking - you can rent Kayaks here and paddle over to the Captain Cook Monument. At the bay you can also find restrooms, showers, a few picnic tables, and barbecue grills.

Punalu'u is well known in Hawaiian culture and legends. It is known as a “Wahi Pana”, or sacred place, and was seen as an oasis in the Ka’u desert. Punalu'u beach is famous not only for its black sand, but also for its sea turtles. Green sea turtles are usually all over the place here, sleeping on the beach and swimming next to you in the ocean. If you see them, be sure to keep your distance. These are protected animals and getting too close will result in a fine. 

Whittington is a peaceful little rest area with picnic tables and excellent views of the ocean and surrounding cliffs. If you’re short on time, you might want to skip this spot and stay on the road towards Volcanoes National Park, plus there’s a black sand beach coming up next!

Give yourself an adrenaline rush and cool off from the hot Hawaii sun by cliff jumping! Wouldn’t you like to have the confidence to say you jumped off the southernmost point in the United States? The jump is only about a 40-foot-drop where the water is about 20 feet deep, so there is plenty of room for you to jump in. There are no rocks to look out for, making it the perfect spot to take the plunge.

If jumping is not something you would want to try, the area is still fantastic for taking pictures and picnics. Enjoy the view and remember - you're in the far south of the United States!

Google Maps: 18.914871, -155.682967

Green sand beach came from the green olivine crystals that make up the sand. The crystals are from the cinder cone beside the beach that formed during an eruption 49,000 years ago. Green sand beach is also known as “Papakōlea Beach” - a mix of the words papa and kōlea. Papa means ‘flats’ while kōlea is the Hawaiian name for the Pacific golden plover. Go swimming in an ancient volcano’s cinder cone with green sand. It is a spot not to be missed when traveling to the Big Island.

Google Maps: 18.936161, -155.646446

The Huehue lava tube is an enormous and ancient lava tube formed from Hualalai Volcano. Have a look for it on your left-hand side as you’re driving down Mamalahoa Highway. Please note, this lava tube used to be accessible to the public but has recently been closed off to visitors. So drive-by only.

Pu'u Wa'a Cinder Cone Trail is a 8 mile daint circle trail situated close to Waikoloa, Hawaii that highlights excellent wild flowers and animals. The trail is essentially utilized for climbing, strolling, nature trips, birding, and steeds and is open all year. Steeds are likewise ready to utilize this trail. This is a one of a kind topographical trail that resembles jello! It used to have an obsidian mine is still a piece of a working farm. This is a simple climb to the top where you can see Mauna Kea, Mauna Loa, Hualalei and North Kohala.

Pu'u Wa'a Wa'a Cinder Cone Trail

19.801463, -155.839652

Kailua-Kona, HI 96740, USA

The summit of Mount Everest is higher above sea level than the summit of any other mountain, but Mauna Kea is the tallest when measured from base to summit. Astronomers from around the world explore the universe from its peak and Hawaiian’s have many ancient spiritual connections to this special site. For visitors, it is one of the clearest places on the planet for viewing the night sky and offers a rare opportunity to experience the polar tundra in Hawaii.

We do not recommend you drive past the visitor’s center to the summit, it is steep, four-wheeled drive only and not recommended for visitors. Visitors information station is plenty high to get a feel for mauna kea. If you’re visiting during the day you can stop at the visitor’s information station where they often have one of the solar telescopes to view the sun. But we really recommend is visiting in the evening when you can enjoy the center’s stargazing program from 8pm - 9pm. Call this number to get weather conditions on a recorded phone line:

Approximate time: 30 minutes This is a brief stop that accompanies a mini 1.2 mile hike to see some neat lava tree molds. Lava trees form when fast-flowing lava moves through a forest and completely surrounds moist trees. The tree burns up on the inside as the lava cools on the outside, resulting in a lava shell left in the shape of the tree.

This 1.2 mile (1.9km) loop trail reveals a story of struggle and survival for some of Hawai‘i's rarest plants and animals. This "bird park" is a kīpuka created by the Keamoku flow from Mauna Loa. A kīpuka is an area of old-growth forest spared between lava flows. Kīpuka Puaulu became the Park's first Special Ecological Area in 1985. The main attractions for this easy hike are the stunning amount of birds in the area and the well-protected native rainforest. Even if you're not a bird expert, you'll enjoy hearing and seeing the diversity of the avian life in the kīpuka.

Google Maps: 19.437641, -155.303050

Volcano national park offers dramatic volcanic landscapes, as well as glimpses of rare flora and fauna. The park encompasses two active volcanoes: Kīlauea, one of the world's most active volcanoes, and Mauna Loa, the world's most largest shield volcano. Check out our audio driving tour of Volcanoes National Park, it will take you to all our favorite spots.

Please note: there is no food or drinks in the park and some spots are closed because of Covid 19 and the 2018 Kīlauea eruption.

In ancient times, Pu'uhonua was known as the city of refuge, and offered a sanctuary to lawbreakers. Within the park are a number of historical landmarks like the grounds where the Ali’i (royalty) lived within the Pu'uhonua.

While you’re there try the guided audio tour of the park and check out the carved tiki statues. Please keep in mind that this is a very sacred spot for Hawaiians and should be treated with respect. There is a nominal entrance fee per vehicle.

Big Island Bees makes honey from all sorts of flowers that are grown on the island. With over 2,500 hives and 125 million bees they know their stuff. Stop by to walk through the museum, look at the shop (which has body care products too!), and try some of their locally-produced honey -- for free! You can also do a guided tour of the facility.

Built in 1917 by a Japanese mail-order bride and her husband, the late Kinzo and Osame Manago, as a restaurant with futons for their customers to sleep on, this still has the feel of old Hawai‘i. The Manago Hotel endures as a piece of old Hawai‘i attracting visitors from around the world. Located in the heart of Captain Cook, the hotel sprawls along the makai (ocean) side of Highway 11 across from Arthur L. Greenwell Park. Large portraits of the late founders greet guests who enter the high-ceilinged lobby, along with dark wooden counters and cabinetry. At the helm of the Manago today is the couple’s grandson, Dwight, 62, who is often seen manning the front desk.

82-6155 Mamalahoa Hwy, 

Captain Cook, HI 96704 

(808) 323-2642 

https://www.managohotel.com/

The summit of Mount Everest is higher above sea level than the summit of any other mountain, but Mauna Kea is the tallest when measured from base to summit. Astronomers from around the world explore the universe from its peak and Hawaiian’s have many ancient spiritual connections to this special site. For visitors, it is one of the clearest places on the planet for viewing the night sky and offers a rare opportunity to experience the polar tundra in Hawaii.

We do not recommend you drive past the visitor’s center to the summit, it is steep, four-wheeled drive only and not recommended for visitors. Visitors information station is plenty high to get a feel for mauna kea. If you’re visiting during the day you can stop at the visitor’s information station where they often have one of the solar telescopes to view the sun. But we really recommend is visiting in the evening when you can enjoy the center’s stargazing program from 8pm - 9pm. Call this number to get weather conditions on a recorded phone line:

The ‘Imiloa astronomy center is part of the University of Hawaii at Hilo, and is a gathering place that integrates science and Native Hawaiian culture. They have a visitor’s center, with wonderful exhibits, programs, and events. Since Hawaiian society was built on exploration and observation, Hawaiian cultural practices have become an important part of ‘Imiloa’s exhibits. (Hours: Tuesday-Sunday from 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.)

You can turn into Pahala Town to check out the Ka'u Coffee Mill and get some free samples of this delicious coffee and macadamia nuts at their gift shop. They also offer free tours at 10am, 12 noon, and 2pm daily. The tour lasts about 30 minutes. If you don’t need a midday pick-me-up, skip this spot as it’s a slight detour.

This spot is currently closed but offering curbside pick up and ordering because of Covid 19.

Kona Coffee is some of the most renowned java in the world. Here’s your chance to learn about the famous brew and what it takes to fill a mug. At this coffee farm living museum you can take a self-guided tour through the orchard, farmhouse, and coffee mill.

Here you will find costumed interpreters that bring the past to life by demonstrating traditional crafts, agricultural tasks and the daily duties of people back then. Outdoors, you’ll see the family donkeys and free-range chickens.

Just outside Hilo is the only rain forest zoo in the US, Panaewa Zoo. The zoo is free to enter and is open every day except Christmas and New Year's. This is a perfect spot to bring the kids! While you’re there look for the zoo’s stars, two Bengal tigers. The white one is named tzatziki and the orange one is named sriracha. 

As we approach Hilo you have the option to take a quick detour to Mauna Loa Macadamia Nut Farm. At the farm visitors are invited to walk around and learn more about this Hawaiian delicacy. You can also watch the Macadamia Nut Candy being made, see their finished products, and taste test the farm’s many assorted flavors.

Please note: Mauna Loa Macadamia Nut Farm is currently closed due to Covid 19.