Puako

Puako is a quiet South Kohala shoreline community known for tide pools, lava-rock shore, snorkeling spots, reef flats, petroglyphs and nearby resort beaches.

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Puako, Big Island

Pukao is a small oceanfront community on the Big Island's Kohala Coast. The town is one of Hawaii's best kept secrets, known for its crystal clear, cobalt blue waters, and top notch snorkeling and diving conditions. Hapuna Beach, one of the nicest white-sand beaches on the island, is a stone's throw away from Puako. This area is one of the driest on the Big Island, receiving only about 10 inches of rain per year.

Pukao's main attraction though is its large collection of intricate petroglyphs carved into volcanic rocks. At the Puako petroglyph field, visitors can see over 3,000 breathtaking vestiges of these ancient rock drawings.

The community has a mixture of working-class homes, as well as a few upscale mansions and vacation rentals. When it comes to shopping, there aren't many options here as there's just one general store.

Hokuloa Church is located right on Puako Road. It was built in 1859 by Rev. Lyons, who was very knowledgeable in the Hawaiian language. He composed many ballads, including "Hawaii Aloha," which has become the unofficial anthem of Hawaii.

The best way to enjoy the charm of Pukao is to stroll along its shore and explore the many tide pools, which are home to a wide variety of marine life. Offshore is one of the best nearshore scuba diving locations on the Big Island, with many caverns, lava tubes and a fantastic reef to explore.

Key Features

Quiet South Kohala shoreline community
Mostly lava-rock shore with tide pools and reef flats
Puako Beach Drive follows a narrow residential shoreline
Known for snorkeling areas when ocean conditions are calm
Green sea turtles are often seen near the rocks and shallows
Nearby Puako Petroglyph Archaeological Preserve has lava rock carvings
Close to Hapuna Beach Park, Waialea Bay, Mauna Lani and Waikoloa
Limited parking and narrow beach access lanes
Best approached with respect for homes, reef areas and marine life
Population: 267 at the 2020 Census
ZIP code: 96743

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Frequently Asked Questions

What does Puako mean?

Puako is often translated as sugarcane blossom. The name is tied to this dry South Kohala shoreline, where lava rock, reef flats and old coastal settlement patterns define the area.

Why is Puako known for tide pools?

The lava-rock shore creates shallow pockets, reef shelves and small pools along parts of the coastline. These areas change with tide, swell and season, so they can look very different from one visit to the next.

What are the Puako petroglyphs?

The nearby Puako Petroglyph Archaeological Preserve has many rock carvings made in lava. The figures include human forms, symbols and designs that help show long use of this South Kohala area.

How is Puako different from Hapuna Beach?

Hapuna Beach is a broad white-sand beach park with an open swimming beach. Puako is narrower and rockier, with tide pools, reef flats, residential access lanes and a quieter shoreline setting.

What wildlife is often seen around Puako?

Green sea turtles are often seen resting near lava rocks or moving through the shallows. Keep distance from turtles and other marine life, and avoid stepping on coral or fragile reef areas.