15 Secret Valley Towns on Hawaii’s Big Island That Are Perfect for a Tranquil Escape
Are you seeking a peaceful slice of paradise where palm trees rustling in the breeze drown out the ping of incoming emails? While Hawaii’s Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism reported that 10.5 million tourists visited the islands in 2023, savvy nature enthusiasts discovered hidden, quiet valley towns off the main tourist routes.
These quiet getaways provide stunning views, authentic cultural experiences, and genuine digital disconnection. This rundown features fifteen hidden towns on Hawaii’s Big Island and several bonus gems that impressively become increasingly charming and secluded. Experience beaches warmed by lava flows alongside coffee groves shrouded in mist and ranchlands where wild horses thrive beyond the number of visitors.
You will receive insider tips for reaching these destinations, learn activities to engage in, and recognize why your upcoming retreat needs more aloha spirit and less Wi-Fi connectivity.
Hakalau
Located 15 miles north of Hilo along the lush Hamakua Coast, Hakalau embodies the opposite of a crowded resort experience. It offers panoramic ocean views, thundering waterfalls, and tropical green gulches to explore. The island’s history reveals itself through historic plantation remains surrounded by guava and monkeypod tree canopies.
Three hundred residents create a genuine community atmosphere, and life slows down to Hawaii Standard Time. Explorers will find the network of valleys and streams ideal for adventures. Parking is free (and plentiful). Head down Scenic Mamalahoa Highway to experience the fresh, rain-kissed air.
Kalapana
Resilience manifests as a physical location, with Kalapana serving as its precise street address. After being buried by lava flows in the 1980s and ’90s, this town emerged, featuring stunning black sand beaches and sci-fi-worthy lunar landscapes. Kalapana offers visitors the unique opportunity to witness new land forming. Exploring this area gives you the sensation of entering an ancient Hawaiian creation story.
Tip for explorers: You need durable footwear and a camera to capture the surreal sunsets over the lava fields. You can reach the destination via Highway 130, starting at Pāhoa, but please monitor volcanic activity before traveling.
Pahala
If you believe “rush hour” belongs in dictionaries instead of daily life, Pahala welcomes you with open arms. Pahala sits peacefully between Ka‘ū coffee plantations and open pasture lands while offering slow mornings surrounded by vast natural beauty.
The modern Pahala attracts coffee enthusiasts, offering breathtaking views of emerald hills to birdwatchers and those seeking relaxation. Enjoy local coffee at a mill or walk the slopes to view expansive ocean panoramas. Highway 11 offers a smooth driving experience, but be prepared to encounter passing cows and wild turkeys.
Kaimu
Kaimu stands adjacent to Kalapana, allowing visitors to experience volcanic sand between their toes during two-afternoon visits. The freshly restored black sand beaches are ideal for relaxation, as recent volcanic flows have created stunning natural displays.
You won’t find any major chains or tacky tourist shops here because locals greet you with smiles while surfers enjoy perfect waves. Drive to the end of Highway 137 to get free parking at the Kaimu Beach Eco Park lot.
Naalehu
The southernmost town in the U.S. offers an environment that may be the most laid-back. While Naalehu serves as a base for visiting natural sites such as Papakōlea Green Sand Beach and Punalu’u’s black sands, visitors will encounter a town characterized by isolation and minimalism.
Stop by Punalu’u Bake Shop to get your favorite malasada before relaxing at the town park’s green space. The town of Naalehu is situated along Highway 11, between Volcano and South Point, making it an accessible and highly rewarding stop.
Ocean View
Ocean View presents vast ranchlands and expansive skies that will fulfill your desire for panoramic and uninterrupted views. This 11-square-mile Hawai’i’s Ka‘ū district community attracts stargazers and those seeking solitude. Your encounters in this area will be with goats rather than fellow travelers.
Pack enough supplies, as Ocean View lacks large resorts and bustling streets. Take Highway 11 to Ocean View and prepare for breathtaking views that will make you forget your phone.
Kurtistown
Kurtistown sits just south of Hilo yet feels entirely separate from its busy atmosphere by exuding small-town aloha. Verdant forests and orchid farms surround this locale, where neighbors greet you by name, and mornings begin with coqui frog calls. Volcanoes National Park is just a short walk from this location, making it an ideal starting point for adventurous travelers.
Fresh produce stands appear at every turn, and the sweet scent of blooming ginger is carried on the breeze. Pro tip: Renting a car helps you explore the area while Highway 11 is your main access route.
Hawi
This former sugar town sits at the island’s northern tip and is now a leafy sanctuary where artists and yogis find solace beside those dreaming of painting the sea. The walkable downtown area features galleries and smoothie bars, and a killer Thursday farmers’ market is among its attractions.
Five miles to the west, you’ll find Pololū Valley, which offers cliffside trails with breathtaking green views. The Akoni Pule Highway (270) leads visitors directly to the center of Hawi, with clear signs to guide the journey.
Kualapuu (Molokai)
Kualapuu maintains a small size, even by Hawaiian standards, and promotes a traditional Hawaiian way of life through its agricultural lifestyle and slow pace. Pineapple fields stretch to the horizon, sunsets unfold alongside a rustic picnic table, and natural conversations with locals occur.
The genuine plantation coffee experience awaits at Coffees of Hawaii’s small café. To reach the town from Molokai Airport, take Highway 460, which offers a peaceful drive where you can activate your cruise control to “meditate.”
Maunaloa (Molokai)
In western Molokai, the village of Maunaloa exists in a timeless bubble, and days hold no significance. This small village features expansive ocean views, a traditional plantation ambiance, and a tight-knit community. Take daytime walks through the open meadows or enjoy distant island views from peaceful overlooks.
Due to the limited public transit options, driving remains the preferred way to get around Molokai. With rental cars available at the airport, be sure to pack snacks and a sense of curiosity.
Puako
The “Gold Coast” region, located north of Kona, offers Puako visitors turquoise tide pools, minimal traffic, and magical sunsets. The small population of 800 residents creates a relaxed atmosphere, complemented by excellent snorkeling opportunities, while keeping commercial activities to a minimum. Explore the nearby ancient petroglyph fields to understand the area’s rich history.
Drive to Puako through Puako Beach Drive, branching from Highway 19, because you will need your walking shoes more than your car keys.
Kahakuloa (Maui)
Want to know what “remote” really means? Kahakuloa warns to “strap in” because visitors reach this coastal cliff jewel through a thrilling, narrow drive that matches the destination’s unforgettable nature. The area supports fewer than 100 residents, while traditional Hawaiian dwellings blend with breadfruit and banyan trees.
Buy banana bread from local vendors and then hike through the valley or kayak through hidden coves. Traveling on the Kahekili Highway requires a rental vehicle and nerves of steel.
Kula (Maui)
There’s simply no more tranquil spot in Upcountry Maui than Kula. The lavender fields, undulating hills, and refreshing breezes create a sense of complete separation from Maui’s bustling tourist south shore. The Ali’i Kula Lavender Farm has become an Insta-famous destination because farm tours are plentiful in the area. No other location compares to this spot regarding peace and visual beauty for deep breathing.
Drive cautiously on the picturesque Kula Highway (Route 37) as it twists through the landscape. Along the way, stop at stands to buy strawberries.
Hana (Maui)
Hana is Maui’s most distant location, where the term “remote” reaches its peak meaning. Enjoy a bucket-list driving experience along the curvy Hana Highway, which has 600 twists and turns! The Hana Highway leads to discoveries of rainforests and waterfalls beside black sand beaches that look like they belong in a digital screensaver. Once there, surrender to slow, intentional living.
Explore Waianapanapa State Park trails on foot or swim at Hamoa Beach, where local sea turtles are the only crowd you’ll encounter. Visitors must drive to reach this location, while local bed and breakfast accommodations provide a strong incentive to prolong your stay.
Lāna’i City (Lāna’i)
The small island of Lāna’i contains Lāna’i City, which embodies the 1920s through its plantation-era architecture and tall pines around Dole Park. Enjoy pure air and exceptional pineapple without interruption from stoplights or busy traffic.
Participate in the local art scene, trek through the Garden of the Gods, or chat with a local over coffee about the delightful weather. Visitors can arrive on Lāna’i by taking a ferry from Maui or boarding a brief flight from Honolulu.
Disclaimer – This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information. It is not intended to be professional advice.
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