The Magic of Puna
Ulu Kai is located in the lower Puna district on the slopes of Kilauea, one of the world’s most active volcanoes, where in 2018 the famous Fissure 8 eruption dramatically altered our local landscape. Still, our favorite local Kehena beach still hums with dolphins and Sunday drumming and the earthy Punatic culture.
Regular redecoration by volcano goddess Pele has helped preserve a simple off-grid, back-to-nature ethic favored by counterculturists, naturalists, and artists. Today, Puna nurtures a unique, socially-conscious, vibrant, and diversely populated neighborhood.
Adventures to local snorkeling spots, waterfalls, and Volcano National Park are within an hour’s drive from our spectacular coastal location, making Ulu Kai an ideal place to stay while exploring everything the Big Island has to offer. A variety of tours are offered by independent companies.
Ulu Kai is located in the lower Puna district on the slopes of Kilauea, one of the world’s most active volcanoes, where in 2018 the famous Fissure 8 eruption dramatically altered our local landscape. Still, our favorite local Kehena beach still hums with dolphins and Sunday drumming and the earthy Punatic culture.
Regular redecoration by volcano goddess Pele has helped preserve a simple off-grid, back-to-nature ethic favored by counterculturists, naturalists, and artists. Today, Puna nurtures a unique, socially-conscious, vibrant, and diversely populated neighborhood.
Adventures to local snorkeling spots, waterfalls, and Volcano National Park are within an hour’s drive from our spectacular coastal location, making Ulu Kai an ideal place to stay while exploring everything the Big Island has to offer. A variety of tours are offered by independent companies.
Local Destinations
Kehena Beach: By taking a right out of our driveway and traveling just 1.5 miles, you will find Kehena Beach, a beautiful black sand, clothing optional beach. Swimming at Kehena can be dangerous due to open sea/high surf conditions and strong currents. Please be cautious and DO NOT swim alone. Spontaneous encounters with spinner dolphins often occur, so remember to bring your mask and snorkel!
Uncle Robert’s Awa Bar / Wednesday Night Market: Known for wonderful authentic Hawaiian music, Uncle Robert’s is one of the few remaining family compounds in Kalapana, a town which was buried by lava flows in 1986. Enjoy the popular and entertaining Wednesday Night Market; explore the informational displays on Hawaiian Sovereignty, and take the walk out to Coconut Beach.
MacKenzie State Park: This state park contains massive lava cliffs, where waves shoot spectacularly into the air. Further down, a large lava shelf makes for entertaining lounging, and the beginnings of a lava tube can be found encroached by the jungle.
Lava Tree State Monument: An excellent example of a forest of lava trees along an 0.7 mile loop trail. This unusual volcanic feature is the result of a lava flow that swept through this forested area and left behind lava molds of the tree trunks.
Pahoa Town: A 25 minute drive away, the historical town of Pahoa houses a collection of artsy stores, basic sundries, and a variety of restaurants and cafes. You will also find a general store, health food store, gasoline, post-office, banks, restaurants, and Internet café. Hilo, a 45 minute drive away, offers a larger selection of stores and services.
Poho’iki Beach: Pohoiki black sand beach is one of the newest (August 2018) black sand beaches on the Big Island and is part of Isaac Hale Beach Park. Pohoiki barely escaped being covered by lava, as neighboring Kapoho was. The fine black sand is formed when the flowing lava explodes upon entering the ocean.
Kehena Beach: By taking a right out of our driveway and traveling just 1.5 miles, you will find Kehena Beach, a beautiful black sand, clothing optional beach. Swimming at Kehena can be dangerous due to open sea/high surf conditions and strong currents. Please be cautious and DO NOT swim alone. Spontaneous encounters with spinner dolphins often occur, so remember to bring your mask and snorkel!
Uncle Robert’s Awa Bar / Wednesday Night Market: Known for wonderful authentic Hawaiian music, Uncle Robert’s is one of the few remaining family compounds in Kalapana, a town which was buried by lava flows in 1986. Enjoy the popular and entertaining Wednesday Night Market; explore the informational displays on Hawaiian Sovereignty, and take the walk out to Coconut Beach.
MacKenzie State Park: This state park contains massive lava cliffs, where waves shoot spectacularly into the air. Further down, a large lava shelf makes for entertaining lounging, and the beginnings of a lava tube can be found encroached by the jungle.
Lava Tree State Monument: An excellent example of a forest of lava trees along an 0.7 mile loop trail. This unusual volcanic feature is the result of a lava flow that swept through this forested area and left behind lava molds of the tree trunks.
Pahoa Town: A 25 minute drive away, the historical town of Pahoa houses a collection of artsy stores, basic sundries, and a variety of restaurants and cafes. You will also find a general store, health food store, gasoline, post-office, banks, restaurants, and Internet café. Hilo, a 45 minute drive away, offers a larger selection of stores and services.
Poho’iki Beach: Pohoiki black sand beach is one of the newest (August 2018) black sand beaches on the Big Island and is part of Isaac Hale Beach Park. Pohoiki barely escaped being covered by lava, as neighboring Kapoho was. The fine black sand is formed when the flowing lava explodes upon entering the ocean.
Day Trips
The Big Island offers a wealth of active adventures and sightseeing.
Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park: Kilauea is sometimes called “the world’s only drive-in volcano.” This Park encompasses 333,000 acres, with 150 miles of hiking trails through volcanic craters, scalded deserts and rainforests, as well as a museum, petroglyphs, a walk-in lava tube and two active volcanoes. The extraordinary natural diversity of the park has been recognized as a World Biosphere site by UNESCO and has been honored as a World Heritage site.
Hawai‘i Tropical Botanical Garden: Nestled in Onomea Bay, this botanical garden showcases over 2,000 species in a 40-acre valley. The valley is a natural greenhouse, protected from buffeting tradewinds and blessed with fertile volcanic soil. Nature trails meander through a true tropical rainforest, crossing bubbling streams, passing several beautiful waterfalls and ocean vistas along the rugged Pacific coast.
Ka Lae (South Point) and Papakolea Green Sand Beach: Travel to the southern cliffs in Ka‘u and gaze out at the endless Pacific Ocean, where there is nothing but deep-blue ocean between the spot you’re standing on and Antarctica. Then, take a one hour hike to Papakolea, a rare green sand beach made of olivine nestled in picturesque Mahala Bay.
Mauna Kea: The tallest mountain in the world (measured from ocean floor to its full height), Mauna Kea is glorious to visit. The world’s most important astronomical observatories are at the peak, and the vantage point renders unforgettable dramatic sunsets. The Mauna Kea Visitor Center is a wonderful place to examine the stars. The summit requires a four-wheel drive.
Hilo: Hilo is home to a wonderful daily farmers' market, a restored art deco downtown, numerous waterfalls, the delightful Imiloa Astronomy Museum, the Tsunami museum, and an array of art galleries, shops, and restaurants.