Welcome to Puakō – A Hidden Gem on the Kohala Coast
Before you head out to find this cache, consider grabbing a deli sandwich, a plate lunch special, or a fresh slice of pizza from nearby. Then take a relaxing drive down Puakō Road, all the way to the park at the end. Enjoy the sweeping ocean views, or dive in for a refreshing snorkel—this spot has some of the clearest water on the island.
Puakō is a small oceanfront community tucked away on the Big Island’s sunny Kohala Coast. Known for its stunning cobalt-blue waters and top-tier snorkeling and diving, it remains one of Hawai‘i’s best-kept secrets. Just a stone’s throw away is the famous Hapuna Beach—one of the island’s largest and most beautiful white-sand beaches.
This area averages only 10 inches of rain a year, making it one of the driest regions on the island and a perfect destination for sunny-day adventuring.
One of Puakō’s most unique features is its rich cultural history. Just inland, the Puakō Petroglyph Archaeological Preserve holds more than 3,000 ancient stone carvings—symbols and figures etched into lava rock, offering a powerful window into Hawai‘i’s past.
As you drive through the neighborhood, you’ll notice a mix of long-standing local homes, elegant beachfront estates, and vacation rentals. The small-town charm is real—there’s only one general store, but it has character for days.
Don’t miss Hokuloa Church, a historic gem built in 1859 by Reverend Lyons. Fluent in Hawaiian and deeply connected to the culture, Lyons composed several well-known hymns—including “Hawai‘i Aloha,” often considered the islands’ unofficial anthem.
Take some time to wander Puakō’s shoreline and discover its many tide pools, filled with marine life and natural wonders. Offshore, this area offers some of the best nearshore scuba diving on the island, with lava tubes, coral reefs, and underwater caverns waiting to be explored.
So come for the cache, stay for the serenity—and let Puakō’s quiet magic reveal itself to you.