Kohala Coast Tours on the Big Island of Hawaii

The North Kohala district is one of the Big Island's most historically rich and scenically dramatic regions — home to ancient Hawaiian temples, the birthplace of King Kamehameha the Great, the stunning Pololu Valley lookout, and the charming former sugar plantation town of Hawi. Guided Kohala Coast tours explore this often-overlooked corner of the island.

Tours travel along the scenic Kohala Mountain Road with panoramic views of three volcanic peaks, through rolling ranch land and small communities, to the northernmost point of the island where the road ends at the Pololu Valley overlook — a dramatic vista of a lush valley flanked by towering sea cliffs stretching along the windward coast.

Cultural and historical stops include the original Kamehameha statue in Kapaau, ancient heiau (temples) along the coast, the remains of the Kohala sugar mill, and petroglyphs that tell stories of Hawaiian life centuries before Western contact. Knowledgeable guides share the rich history of this region where Hawaiian royalty was born and trained.

Many Kohala tours combine the northern route with visits to other Big Island highlights, creating circle-island itineraries that showcase the dramatic contrast between the island's arid leeward coast and its lush windward valleys.