Hawi is a charming and historic Big Island town in scenic North Kohala known for its ideal weather, expansive rolling ranchlands and stunning island vistas. Our Hawi vacation rentals offer the ideal place to relax and enjoy an idyllic Big Island vacation.

Things To Do
The North Kohala region of the Big Island offers a variety of activities for fun on your Hawaii vacation. Horseback rides and ATV Tours are great ways to explore the pasturelands, and hiking and ziplining are also popular. The Kohala Coast is an excellent place to see humpback whales passing by offshore during the winter months. A nice drive to see the picturesque countryside follows Route 250 from Hawi for about 27 miles toward Waimea along a high ridge with panoramic views of the Kohala Coast and Mauna Kea volcano. It's also fun to drive south from Hawi along the coast and visit the posh Kohala Coast resorts which offer a variety of activities as well as some great beaches.

Nearby Beaches
Mauna Kea Beach (also called Kaunaoa Beach) is nice for swimming and snorkeling with clear, blue water lined by a crescent of golden sand. Hapuna Beach is also known for its clean and clear water and wide sandy beach with good swimming and snorkeling. The scenic Anaehoomalu Bay is definitely worth a visit with a picturesque beach that is the site of ancient Hawaiian fishponds and you can see green olivine crystals in the salt and pepper sand.

Restaurants
Hawi has some nice places to eat including the Bamboo Restaurant and Gallery where you can dine on creative Island cuisine in a historic, restored plantation building. Sip on a Lilikoi (passion fruit) Margarita and enjoy some fresh island fish and creative dishes utilizing fresh local produce. Close by is the Kohala Coffee Mill where you can get a great breakfast as well as homemade soups and sandwiches. For a wider range of dining choices visit Waimea town or the Kohala Coast resort areas where you can enjoy some exceptional cuisine.

Shopping
Hawi has a variety of interesting shops including the Bamboo Restaurant and Gallery where you will find many hand-crafted Hawaiian products and artwork. In the historic 1932 Toyama Building see the vintage treasures, hand-painted silk and ukuleles at the "As Hawi Turns" shop. Elements & Fine Crafts in downtown Hawi features the handiwork of local artisans including high-quality jewelry. More shopping opportunities can be found in Waimea town and the Kohala Coast resort areas where you can browse the boutique shops.

Getting Around
A rental car is recommended when staying in Hawi vacation rentals so you can explore the countryside as well as nearby towns and beaches, the resort areas of the Kohala Coast, and day trips to Kona and Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. The island's bus service, called Hele On Bus, is free and stops at various points around the island including transportation between Kona and Hilo every day except Sunday.

Weather and Ocean Conditions
The Big Island, including the Hawi region of North Kohala, is known for its sunny weather which remains relatively stable all year around. The Kohala and Kona coastlines on the western shore are the warmest and driest areas while Hilo on the northeast shore receives abundant rainfall making this area lush and green. The temperature is cooler at higher elevations like Kona Coffee Country and atop Kilauea Volcano though these areas still can be quite warm during the days. The North Kohala region, including Hawi and Waimea town, is known for its cool afternoon fogs rolling across the grassy hillsides. The Kona and Kohala Coast regions see average daily temperatures around 80 degrees F., perhaps a bit warmer in the summer and a bit cooler in the winter, with nighttime temperatures dropping about 15 degrees. Ocean conditions vary widely at Big Island beaches with many areas exposed to strong currents and potentially dangerous surf, particularly during the winter months. Numerous beaches provide good protection from the open ocean and provide safe areas for swimming and snorkeling. Visitors are urged to only visit lifeguarded beaches for water activities and heed all posted warnings. Check with lifeguards about the safest areas to participate in the activities you choose.

Vacation Info
Hawi vacation homes provide the optimal way to enjoy your Hawaii vacation with all the luxuries of resort living and all the comforts of home including nearby shopping, dining and entertainment. Browse through our Hawi vacation rental listings to get an understanding of the different amenities and property features we offer. Our goal is to provide you with a with an unforgettable Hawi accommodation for your dream Big Island vacation. We take pride not just in having the largest selection of high-quality vacation rentals in Hawi, but also in the fact that we stand behind our product and make sure only the best of the best properties are listed on our site. If you have questions about our Hawi rentals or which destination is best for your vacation needs, please give us a call and we will be happy to assist you.

History
The North Kohala region is rich in Hawaiian culture with several major historic sites including Puukohola Heiau and the birthplace of King Kamehameha I. Hawi was once a booming sugar plantation town surrounded by the vast sugarcane fields of the Kohala Sugar Plantation which shut down in the 1970s.