SIGHTS & ACTIVITIES

THINGS TO DO & SEE WHILE YOU ARE HERE

Kehena Beach

WHALE WATCHING is a two minute walk from the castle to the cliff across the street. The best whale watching is from December to March.

5 to 20 minutes from the Castle:

KEHENA BEACH
Created in 1955 by the lava flow, this is one of our few black sand beaches left after the flow destroyed Kalapana Beach in the early 1990's. A trail leads down to the beach. When surf is high, currents can be strong and swimming is recommended for experienced and strong swimmers only. Clothing is optional and on Sunday you may be lucky enough to enjoy an impromptu concert of local musicians. It is very beautiful and peaceful, especially in the early morning when the dolphins visit for a romp.
This is approximately a quarter of a mile from the castle and a very pleasant ten minute walk.

KALAPANA

Covered in 1990 by lava, this was once a treasured fishing village with sacred temples and ancient ceremonial grounds. You can still see some houses cars and signs that are half covered in lava and see how the current residents are trying to restore their houses, gardens and surrounding land. The lava also covered a famous black sand beach. Come explore and eat at a small, well-known drive-in with "ono" (good!) local food. Hike out on the lava to the newly-forming black sand beach. You can often-times see plumes of smoke from the current lava flow as it falls into the sea.

On the way to Pahoa

You can see the volcano's plumes.

Pahoa Village & nearby

The closest town to the castle is fifteen minutes away. Built at the beginning of 1900 it began as a mill town and in the sugar cane days it was the crossroads for the railway.  It has several excellent restaurants, a grocery store, natural food store, health clinic & doctors' offices, pharmacy, banks, arts & crafts shops and two Farmer's Market on Sunday.