Laupahoehoe is a small seaside town with its roots in the sugar-industry. Today, it has a beautiful beach park, post-office, police station, one restaurant, Train Museum, and a fantastic open-air eight-lane public swimming pool (with lifeguard) that is free to the public. Just a few minutes away is the recently-renovated 100 year old
Papaaloa Country Store and Cafe with its a fabulous bakery, sandwiches, and burgers, along with a wide selection of groceries and fresh produce. Drive 20 minutes north to get to
Honokaa Town, the gateway to the famous Waipio Valley. Honokaa has several good shops and restaurants and a wonderful art and shop walk the first Friday of every month. In this charming small town, you will find on its main street, the historic Honokaa People's Theatre, along with local boutiques, an antique store, gift shops and restaurants.
Taro Gifts is a great spot to find local-made goods, if you're searching for a memorable souvenir. Just outside of town is the Tex Drive In, which is known for its yummy malasadas (Portuguese doughnuts).
Hilo, 35 minutes to the south and Waimea, 45 minutes to the northwest, both provide a variety of restaurants, shops, nightlife and unique local attractions like zip-lining, botanical gardens, and farmer's markets.
One hour west of Laupahoehoe is the famous
Hapuna Beach and several world-class beach resorts with great golf courses.
Hapuna Golf Course offers spectacular views of the Kohala Coast and the Pacific Ocean while majestic Mauna Kea, Mauna Loa, and Kohala Mountains form the backdrop. With its seemingly endless views and dramatic elevation changes beginning at sea level and rising to 700 feet, Hapuna Golf Course nestles into the rugged desert terrain above the west shore of Hawaii's Big Island. This Arnold Palmer / Ed Seay designed course is a championship links-style design that was built in 1992 and stretches to just under 6900 yards. The challenging play and environmental sensitivity of this course make it one of Hawaii's most unique golf courses. The Pacific Ocean serves as the picture perfect backdrop and can be seen from every hole. Teeing off at just under 700 feet of elevation, the signature par-4 12th hole provides one of the most spectacular panoramic views on the Big Island, where the island of Maui is visible in the distance. Hapuna Golf Course is a favorite among locals and therefore has gained a reputation as one of Big Islands' hidden gems.
Meaning "leaf of lava", Laupahoehoe, refers to the angled lava tip or peninsula formed by ancient pahoehoe (smooth lava) flowing on which the village of Laupahoehoe was built. When you book a beach villa in Laupahoehoe on Paradise Bluff, there is a small grocery shop/restaurant nearby that provides for excellent meals and all necessities. The location is in-between fabulous shopping/farmers market in Hilo and knock out Hapuna beach on the West side. Nestled along the emerald green sea cliffs along the Big Island's Hamakua coastline is the
Laupahoehoe Point Beach Park. This Beach Park has breathtaking ocean panoramas, crashing surf and rugged ava rocks surrounded by lush vegetation. This beach park is situated along the Hamakua coastline north of Hilo, in a very scenic area, known for inspiring beautiful photos, but is well worth the 35 min drive from Laupahoehoe.
Once you arrive at the beach, you will find an inviting park, complete with pavilions, restrooms, and a sprawling lawn providing plenty of room for the keikis (kids) to run around and play. Laupahoehoe Park is relatively secluded, with not much traffic during the weekdays and locals have a special fondness for the area. Regardless of when you go, it is a perfect place to relax and unwind as it is often overcast and shady.
Swimming or snorkeling is not recommended because of the very rough waters. Strong currents and a dangerous surf make Laupahoehoe unsafe for swimming during much of the year, particularly during winter when ocean swells come from the north. Winter swells can be epic here, requiring a thorough understanding of surf swell and undercurrents. Summer surf is typically a little smaller. Hawaii Island. Fishing can be very good from the beach all along the Laupahoehoe Point Beach Park and also directly from the manmade concrete breakwater.
