Hamakua Coast Overview

The drive along Rte. 19 (Hawaii Belt Rd.) between Hilo and Waimea features some of the most spectacular scenery on the Big Island. Waterfalls peek around each bend and brilliant blossoms dot the mountainside. Although Hamakua was once the sugarcane gold mine of the Big Island, not a single plantation remains. Attempting to fill the void left by sugar’s decline, the area has become engaged in historical preservation—the coast’s official name is the Hilo-Hamakua Heritage Coast. From Hilo’s historic downtown to botanical gardens and Honokaa’s early-1900s facades, a drive down the coast is a journey into the Hawaii of yesteryear.

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