Red Road (Kapoho-Kalapana Road)

Red Road, also known as Kapoho-Kalapana Road, follows Highway 137 through Puna lava fields, tropical vegetation, black-sand shore areas and places reshaped by the 2018 Kilauea eruption.

View overview Plan Your Visit

Red Road (Kapoho-Kalapana Road), Big Island

The Red Road (also known as Kapoho-Kalapana Road 137) is a scenic coastline drive in the Puna district on the Big Island's southeastern shore. The road was called Red Road because of its unique red cinder pavement. However, this pavement only remains at the northern stretch of the road (the Kapoho end). The rest of the road was resurfaced with traditional black asphalt in 2000. Nevertheless most people still call it the Red Road.

For the most part it is a narrow (about 8 feet wide) and winding road right along the ocean, over small hills, through lava fields and lush vegetation. This is what makes this drive unique in Hawaii – the great variety in scenery and great views. You will have to slow down because there are many blind hills and curves, but you will want to take your time anyway.

Along the way are a few points of interest – Ahalanui Pond (a volcanically heated pond where you can enjoy a dip), MacKenzie State Park (a large park with many trees from where you can watch the waves crash into steep sea cliffs) and Kehana Beach (a remote black sand beach and one of the few unofficial nude beaches in Hawaii). Once you arrive in Kalapana (a village that doesn't exist anymore after it was destroyed by a lava flow in 1990), there is another unique attraction, the Kaimu Beach Eco-Path, an easy trail across a lava field that will take you to a small black sand beach).

Key Features

Highway 137 scenic road through the Puna District
Also known as Kapoho-Kalapana Road
Historic Red Road nickname comes from older red cinder pavement
Sections were changed or covered by the 2018 Kilauea eruption
Access varies between Kalapana, Pohoiki, Isaac Hale Beach Park and Kapoho
Passes lava fields, tropical vegetation, sea cliffs and black-sand shore areas
Narrow sections, limited shoulders and local traffic require slow driving
Closed lava recovery areas and barriers must be respected
Check current Highway 137 access before leaving Pahoa
Older maps and descriptions may not match today's road conditions

Daily Activity Picks

Featured Big Island Activities

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is Kapoho-Kalapana Road called Red Road?

The nickname comes from the red cinder pavement that once covered more of the road. Most sections were later resurfaced with black asphalt, but the Red Road name remained part of local Big Island vocabulary.

How did the 2018 Kilauea eruption change Red Road?

Lava from the 2018 lower East Rift Zone eruption covered parts of Highway 137 and reshaped access between Kapoho, Pohoiki and nearby shore areas. Some places that older maps show no longer look the same.

What happened to Kapoho?

Kapoho was heavily affected by the 2018 eruption, when lava covered the Kapoho Bay area and nearby neighborhoods. This is one reason current access can differ from older descriptions of the road.

Why is Kalapana part of Red Road history?

Kalapana was a longtime Puna community before lava flows in 1990 destroyed much of the village and changed the surrounding landscape. The area remains closely connected with Big Island lava history.

What makes the scenery along Red Road unusual?

The drive brings together young lava, older tropical growth, ironwood-shaded sections, black-sand shore areas and sea-cliff viewpoints. Few Big Island roads show so much recent volcanic change in such a short distance.