Kohala District

About a 20-minute drive north from Kona International Airport you enter South Kohala. Lava fields blanket the coastal plains.

Photo courtesy Waikoloa Beach Resort Golf Course

The colors—matte black, rust red, glossy black—and textures—jagged, chunky, ropey—provide a historical map of the eruptions that have flowed from Hualalai volcano over the centuries. The “Gold Coast” of Hawaii Island, South Kohala is the sunniest area in Hawaii. Less than 9 inches of rainfall annually works out to 360-plus great beach or golf days, with eight world-class resorts to help you indulge. Each resort is a green oasis nested within the black lava landscape, a world unto itself, that has carved its own identity, whether it be with a priceless collection of Asian and Oceanic art, a swim with dolphins, family fun, Hawaiian cultural programs, a sheltered beach, an ancient petroglyph field, championship golf, exceptional dining or a world-class spa. And every resort offers in-room broadband Internet so you can send the day’s photos home right away.

Continuing up past the little harbor of Kawaihae into North Kohala (about a 45-minute drive from the Kona Airport), the coastal road continues through dry, sunny grasslands spotted with cactus until suddenly the landscape turns green. This region, the “thumb” on the map of Hawaii Island, is the perfect complement to South Kohala. Now, lush tropical foliage fills the landscape. The former sugar cane villages of Hawi and Kapaau have restored old buildings and reinvented themselves as delightfully funky and colorful art communities with galleries and eclectic eateries.

Pololu Valley. Photo courtesy Big Island Visitor Bureau.

Not far beyond, the road abruptly ends at one of Hawaii’s most breath-taking views: the overlook far down into Pololu Valley and its black sand beach. Another road meanders up the flank of Kohala volcano through cool pastures where lazy cattle occasionally get herded by paniolo (Hawaiian cowboys) on horseback. And then, just when it can’t possibly get any better, a white pueo (the native Hawaiian owl), appears outside your car window as you crest a ridge leading into Waimea town with the peak of Mauna Kea far across the plain. North Kohala is full of surprises. Take your time.

• Kohala Average temperatures: 79° in winter 85° in summer
• Annual rainfall: 4.8 inches

Kohala District Photo Gallery

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These Kohala photos show the art galleries and eateries in two historic villages near botanical gardens and the sprawling pasturelands of a huge cattle ranch.