Kea'au

Big Island Town Guide

Kea'au

Kea'au is an East Hawaii service town and Puna gateway near Hilo, known for its Ola'a plantation roots, local shops, commuter traffic and access to Puna roads.

Kea'au, Big Island

Kea'au, formerly known as Ola'a, is located in the eastern part of the Big Island in the Puna District. The town is surrounded by an Ohia forest, and nearby are black-sand beaches and a plethora of botanical gardens. The town's 20-hectar greenhouse Pacific Floral Exchange and Hi'iaka Healing Herb Garden are the most visited.

Kea'au was once connected to the neighboring towns of Hilo and Pahoa by the Hawaiian Consolidated Railway. The railroad was used to transport agricultural products and passengers in the 19th century until it was destroyed by the 1946 tsunami.

Today, the town is a bedroom community for Hilo's workforce. On weekdays in the mornings and late afternoons, the traffic is bad in this area as everybody commutes to and from work in Hilo.

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Leslie B.

Fri Dec 31, 2021

There are no close accessible beaches near Keaau. It was a small village for the Puna Sugar Plantation and is just a service stop for the community. The quaint historic village has been completely replaced with a hodge podge of modern buildings and businesses. The traffic is absolutely horrible!

Location and Directions

Kea'au is located south of Hilo in East Hawaii, near the junction of Highway 11 and Keaau-Pahoa Road. From Hilo, drive south on Highway 11 toward Kea'au. From Pahoa, follow Keaau-Pahoa Road northwest toward the town center.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Where is Kea'au on the Big Island?

Kea'au is in East Hawaii, south of Hilo and north of Pahoa. It sits near the junction of Highway 11 and Keaau-Pahoa Road, making it a gateway to the Puna District.

What is Kea'au known for?

Kea'au is known as a growing East Hawaii service town, a former Ola'a plantation-area community, and a practical crossroads between Hilo, Puna and Hawaii Volcanoes National Park routes.

Is Kea'au a beach town?

No. Kea'au is inland and is not a beach town. Visitors usually use it for services, errands, food stops and access to Hilo, Pahoa, Puna roads and volcano-area drives.

What activities fit a Kea'au stay?

Kea'au pairs well with volcano tours, sightseeing tours, private tours and zipline tours in the broader East Hawaii and Puna area.

Are there vacation rentals in Kea'au?

Yes. Kea'au and the surrounding Puna District have vacation rentals, rural homes and residential neighborhoods. Hilo is also nearby for visitors who want more town services.