The Island of Hawai'i
Big Island
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This island offers a variety of places to explore and escape to, while also offering an array of high end and local shops to enjoy some retail therapy. No other island lets you enjoy a fiery volcano, snow covered mountains and a green or black sand beach all in one day. From swimming with manta rays in Kona, horseback riding in Hamakua, admiring enormous waterfalls in Hilo, to basking in the sun on a black or green sand beach in Ka’ū, The Island of Hawaiʻi has every type of adventure you could imagine. It doesnʻt stop there, this island also includes some of Hawaiiʻs most incredible natural wonders and cultural treasures in so many varying environments for you to choose from. Here at The Land Office, we specialize in the Kaʻū and South Kona area, so we canʻt wait to share with you why we all have fallen in love with this little slice of heaven we call Kaʻū.
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Ka'ū
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Geographically located on the most southern end of the Big Island, it sits prominently on the slopes of Mauna Loa. Home to world-renowned coffee, lava caves, multi-coloured beaches and rich nutritious soil. Ka’ū is a sleepy and peaceful part of the Big Island that offers stunning sightseeing and the longest underdeveloped coastline in the Hawaiian Islands. This is that special place where time slows down and you're reminded to take things nice and slow in order to enjoy the little things in life.
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Land of Adventure
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The adventurous type of all ages will have no shortage of activities to do in Ka’ū. The most southern tip of the USA is a 60ft cliff that offers the daredevils among us a thrill of a lifetime to jump over an old lava tube turned blow hole. Nearby you'll also find a geological oddity, called Green Sands Beach which is created by a common mineral found in lava on Big Island called olivine, which stays deposited on this beach because itʻs heavier than other minerals.
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We also have a vast network of hiking trails, coastal walking routes, and lava tubes which offers a chance for you to explore some of Hawaiiʻs greatest natural wonders. One of them being our famous black sand beach called, Punalu’u Beach which is home to many Hawaiian hawksbill turtles who come here to basc in the sun and lay their eggs.
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The world famous Hawaii Volcanoes National provides a chance to enjoy a planned or guided tour throughout their many hiking trails. It's also easy enough to do a self-motivated hike or drive throughout the park and see what looks fairly tranquil these days but, in 1959 was a seething lava lake, with lava fountains up to 1,900 feet. There truly is no place like Ka’ū anywhere in the world.
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Where to Eat
2 shopping centers
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4 grocery stores
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7 restaurants
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2 cafes
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2 bakeries
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2 farmer markets
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4 food trucks
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Ka’ū has some of the richest soils on the Island of Hawai’i due to itʻs location on the slopes of Mauna Loa. These slopes are rich in nutritious soil and the perfect amount of rainfall to encourage fruits, vegetables and flowers to grow easily. However, coffee, macadamia and sugar have been historically the main crop this region has seen.
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Thanks to this rich nuritioning soil Ka’ū is world-renowned for having the best coffee, beating Kona several years in a row. You won’t find a shortage of coffee farmers willing to take curious coffee consumers on tours and explain more about what makes their coffee so special, not to mention the opportunity to sample and buy the best coffee in the world.
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Something for Everyone
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For all your do-it-yourself projects to basic home improvements you can find 2 hardware stores conveniently located throughout Kaʻū. There are also 3 salons to choose from for those days of self care. If you're looking for a special gift for loved ones there are also many sundry stores throughout Kaʻū selling a variety of novelty and handmade items.
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Basic Amenities
MedicalThere are two medical clinics, one hospital and one pharmacy in Kaʻū. There is also a veterinarian office and a dentist in this district.
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FinancialA Credit Union as well as a Bank of Hawaii is located in Kaʻū.
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AutomobileFor your auto services there are five gas stations, two auto repair shops and one auto outlet.
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Education
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Ka’ū has two public elementary and middle schools, as well as one charter elementary and middle school in Volcano. There is one high school serving all of Ka’ū located in the historic plantation town of Pahala. There are also several private schools located around the island as possible alternatives if desired.
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The Rest of Big Island
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In Kona you will find the dryer side of the island. This has a wide array of shopping centers and large outlets stores like Walmart and Target. One of the islands main airports is located here, which has direct flights to all the other islands and to some cities in the mainland. Thereʻs also an abundance of various restaurants, cafes and food trucks to try out on a day trip into town. Thereʻs a handful of beaches and some offer great snorkeling as well. There is also a costco available for larger purchases, which living in Ka’ū helps to reduce cost and trips to stores. You'll easily find everything you would need from pampering yourself at a spa to getting those last bits of materials for your home building project.
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In Hilo you will find the wet side of the island, thanks to this there is no shortage of waterfalls to explore. The town of Hilo is another major town on the Big Island where the other airport on island is located. Here you will find a shopping mall, filled with a theater and various stores selling everything from clothes to jewelry while also hosting craft fairs around the holidays throughout the year. You will also find a large amount of restaurants and cafes from well known places to family run eateries.
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