Activities

We have some camping gear that you may borrow to experience an overnight in the elements. Please note that camping does require permits, or the police may come in the night to evict you. Our absolute favorite place to camp is behind a row of coconut palms at Ho'okena Beach State park. Enjoy the surf all day, swim with dolphins in the evening, and just take a break from e-v-e-r-y-t-h-i-n-g.

There are lots of fun hikes all over the island. Here are just a few that are close by:

• Shipman Beach Hike: The trail is usually pretty muddy, but the trophy of the hike is a beautiful white sand beach.
• Lava Tree State Monument: When a lava flow swept through a forest in 1790, lava encircled the trees and created molds of them. It is a short hike. If you would like to see more recent lava, just drive one more mile down the road and you will be standing on the cooled lava from the fast-moving East Rift lava flow from 2018.
• Kīlauea Iki Trail: There are many hikes throughout Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park. A good hike to do during the day is along a solidified lava lake.
• Devastation Trail: When Kīlauea is active, this hike is amazing to do in the evening or very early morning. When you get to the end of the trail, you will peer down into an active lava lake. The red glow of the molten lava is most impressive at night.

Here are some great places to immerse yourself in the water:

• Beaches of Hilo: This website outlines the most popular beaches in Hilo, and their amenities.
• Isaac Hale Beach Park: Please be careful as the water is often very rough with strong rip currents. The hot springs have a lot of bacteria activity, so do not enter the springs if you have cuts (and wash yourself well when you get out).
• Kehena Black Sand Beach: Please be careful as the water is often very rough with strong rip currents.

The SeaParadise website has a good overview of surfing on the Big Island. Richardson and Honoli'i are both popular surfing spots.

Stand Up Paddle-boarding is a relaxing way to enjoy the water. LoveBigIsland has a good write-up of places to try SUP. Our favorite experience is renting from Hilo Ocean in Hilo and walking across the street to Reeds Bay; fun could not be any easier. You don't have to book an adventure tour with them. You can just rent the gear and lead yourself where you feel comfortable.

Some of our prior team members consider the We Are One serving to be the highlight of their activities on the island. On the second and fourth Saturday of every month, we gather at the Mo'oheau Bandstand in Hilo from about 4-5pm and serve food to people free of charge. We invite you to come with us and give back to the community in a very fulfilling way, and maybe meet some new lifetime friends.

The towns near us all have a variety of goods for you during your stay, or to bring back to that special someone at home. Check out Volcano, Kea'au, Pāhoa and Hilo. Don't miss out on the farmers markets. Maku'u Farmers Market has a wide selection of goods, and delicious food to try. Hilo Farmers Market has fruit that you probably have never seen or tasted; however they can be a bit pricey.