A visit to Kapaau is included on most tours of the Big Island’s North Coast, along with other top area attractions like the village of Hawi, the Pololu Valley Overlook, and the Kohala Historical Sites State Monument. You can learn about the region’s rich culture and history at the Kohala Welcome Center.
More adventurous visitors can choose a zipline canopy adventure tour from Kapaau and fly through the rainforest and enjoy views of the Pacific from the park’s suspension bridges. You can also choose a hike through the region’s historic sugar plantations or to the Kohala waterfalls.
The town of Kapaau is located on the northern end of Hawaii’s Big Island near the town of Hawi and Halaula, about a 40-minute drive from Waimea and 60 minutes north of Kailua-Kona. Public transportation options are limited in the North Kohala area, so it’s easiest to reach Kapaau with a rental car or tour from Waimea or Kailua-Kona.
Hawaii enjoys year-round warm weather, so it is a pleasant place to visit any time of year. The summer months and winter holiday season are the busiest times in Hawaii, so visit outside of that time to avoid the crowds. The Kohala Welcome Center is open year-round but opening hours vary throughout the week, so it’s advisable to check on these before you visit.
