Hawaii Island - Five recommended driving courses on the Big Island of Hawaii! Enjoy a comfortable trip with a rental car!

Hawaii Island, nicknamed the Big Island

The Big Island of Hawaii is located in the Pacific Ocean and is rich in natural beauty and protection.

Approximately 950,000 residents live in the area and enjoy sightseeing in a quiet environment.

The area has a wide variety of climatic zones and offers a diverse natural environment.

This article will introduce you to driving on the Big Island of Hawaii and provide up-to-date information. If you are interested in the Big Island of Hawaii, please refer to this article!

 

What is the Big Island of Hawaii like?

Hawaii Island is known for its many volcanoes, especially the Kilauea Mountains, which are active volcanoes and are located in the World Heritage Volcanoes National Park.

The lava fields and beautiful beaches around the volcano are attractive for their natural scenery.

The major cities are Hilo and Kona, with tourist spots scattered throughout the region.

The volcanic sights are concentrated in the Hilo area, while the beautiful coastal beach resorts are concentrated in the Kona area.

 

How to get to Hawaii Island

Direct flights from Japan to the Big Island of Hawaii depart from Haneda Airport, while flights from other airports must go through Oahu.

The flight time from Oahu to the Big Island of Hawaii is approximately 50 minutes, served by JAL and Hawaiian Airlines.

If you wish to stay in Hilo, you can still take a connecting flight to Hilo International Airport.

Flight time from Japan to Hawaii varies depending on the point of departure and takes approximately 8-10 hours (as of 2024).

 

Attractions of the Big Island of Hawaii

The Big Island of Hawaii is full of mysterious and extraordinary attractions not found on any other island.

If you would like to visit the Big Island of Hawaii, we encourage you to learn about what kind of spots are available before you visit the area!

 

Spectacular, untouched wilderness

The main attraction of the Big Island of Hawaii is its active volcanoes and spectacular natural spectacle.

The island has active volcanoes that continue to erupt and shape the land.

South Point also offers beautiful ocean and black sand beaches surrounded by sheer cliffs, and is home to a wide variety of creatures, including wild sea turtles.

 

A powerful volcano

The Big Island of Hawaii is a mecca for volcano tourism, and Mount Kilauea is especially famous.

Tours that allow visitors to observe the powerful magma and crater are popular at this active volcano.

Hawaii Volcanoes National Park is also home to many volcanoes, including several extinct volcanoes.

 

Beautiful Beaches

On the Big Island of Hawaii, you can watch sea turtles and seals on the beach, and enjoy beautiful coral reefs, tropical fish, dolphins, whales, and other marine life.

A marine life sanctuary also exists, and the area's abundant wildlife and natural beauty are attractive.

 

Shopping and dining are also recommended.

The Big Island of Hawaii offers shopping and dining, especially in Kona and the western area, where there are luxury brand stores and gourmet restaurants.

Coffee lovers will find coffee plantations attractive, and Hilo also offers locally produced goods.

The Big Island of Hawaii is the perfect place to enjoy good food and shopping!

 

Let's learn about culture and history.

Hawaii Island is the birthplace of King Kamehameha the Great, and is a new island, created about 500,000 years ago.

Polynesian peoples settled in the area about 1,500 years ago, and Hawaiian culture developed.

The island is protected as a sacred site and Polynesian culture and traditions are still respected.

King Kamehameha the Great also preserved the culture, and the ancient culture and traditions have taken root in modern Hawaii.

 

Driving on the Big Island of Hawaii is great!

The best way to enjoy Hawaii Island is to drive around the vast island.

You can enjoy the spectacular scenery unique to the Big Island while driving on the long road.

 

Driving Attractions on the Big Island of Hawaii

The Big Island of Hawaii is perfect for driving! We will tell you about the attractions of driving on the Big Island of Hawaii!

 

Driving while surrounded by spectacular scenery is great!

 

The Big Island of Hawaii is rich in spectacular scenery, and there are great driving spots in every region.
Volcanoes, canyons, beaches, waterfalls, and green areas provide an extraordinary experience while enjoying spectacular scenery.
From the volcanic parks in the east to the coast in the west, from the southernmost point in the south to the power spots in the north, a drive is recommended to enjoy the stunning scenery.

 

Roads on the Big Island of Hawaii are easy to drive, even for beginners.

 

Hawaii Island offers many easy-to-drive routes for beginners, including mountain and ocean highways, roads connecting Hilo and Kona, beautiful coastal roads, and driving routes within Volcanoes National Park.

With the exception of some trails and long roads, the area is widely paved and the distance to the destination is just right.

 

Efficiently visit tourist spots

It is a bit inconvenient to visit the sights on the vast island by bus, unless you take a tour bus.

It is too far to go on foot, and it is still best to tour the area efficiently by car.

 

A wider range of activities

One of the challenges of traveling to the Big Island of Hawaii is the difficulty of getting around the vast island in the limited number of days available.

Bus tours are convenient, but they limit your freedom.

Driving around in a car gives you freedom of movement and allows you to make the most of your time.

 

I can make a detour.

The advantage of driving is that you can make stops at your own time.

Bus tours require you to follow a limited schedule and give you less flexibility, but driving allows you to freely stop at places that interest you.

 

Luggage is not a burden

When you go away, you may worry about your luggage.

Group tours require lighter luggage and can cause anxiety when traveling far from home.

However, if you travel by car, you can leave your luggage in the car, so you don't have to worry about other people, and you don't have to worry about where to put your luggage in the bus.

 

Cautions and Rules for Driving in Hawaii

It contains important information about driving in Hawaii.

An international driver's license is required in Hawaii, but can be easily obtained if you have a domestic driver's license.

It is possible to drive around the island of Hawaii, but due to the long distances, you must plan ahead and be careful not to leave your luggage in the car.

It is also important to familiarize yourself with different traffic rules.

 

Car rental agencies available on the Big Island of Hawaii

There are many places to rent a car on the Big Island of Hawaii, from major well-known stores to budget car rental agencies.

We recommend five of the best car rental agencies in the area!

 

Hertz Car Rental

Hertz Car Rental is a well-known car rental agency throughout Hawaii.

It is recommended for both short and long distances and is a popular choice for first-time visitors.

Store Features Car rentals on the Big Island of Hawaii are conveniently located at each international airport and resort.

Beginners can easily rent a car and can choose from a variety of models, which can be booked in advance from Japan.

Hours of operation and fees Please note that stores located in resort parks and hotels are open from 8:00 am to 4:30 pm and often close in the afternoon on weekends.

The hours of operation of the stores in the airport are as follows

Kona International Airport: 5:00 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. (open year-round)
Hilo International Airport: 6:00 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. (open year-round)

Rates vary depending on the type of car and package, so please check the Hertz Car Rental website for details.

Hertz Car Rental

Access Once you arrive at the airport store and complete the formalities and baggage collection, you will see the car rental counter right on your path.

For access to other branches, please refer to the office information below.

Hertz Hawaii Office Locations
https://www.hertz-japan.com/rentacar/misc/index.jsp?targetPage=M_Hawaii_Locations.xml&POS=JP&lang=ja

 

Budget Rent-a-Car

This is another major, reliable car rental agency that is popular for its clean vehicles.

Recommended for short distances.

Store Features There are many discount promotions and membership benefits available, advance reservations can be made, and there are a variety of car models to choose from.

Hours of operation and fees Hours of operation are as follows

Kona International Airport Branch: 5:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. (open seven days a week)
Hilo International Airport Branch: 6:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. (open seven days a week)

Rates vary depending on the applicable campaign and vehicle type.

For more information, please visit the Budget car rental website.

Access Stores on the Big Island of Hawaii are located in Kona and Hilo International Airports.

Please note that at Kona International Airport, you will need to take a shuttle bus to get there.

 

Dollar Rent-a-Car

For those who just want to rent a car at a low price, we recommend Dollar Rent A Car.

Several package plans are also available for more economical use.

Store Features Car rental stores on the Big Island of Hawaii do not require an international driver's license.

Reservations can be made by phone prior to departure.

However, please note that there may be different locations for lending and returning vehicles.

The store is staffed and the process is smooth.

Hours of operation are usually from 5:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m., and the restaurant is closed on irregular holidays.

For more information on advance reservations, please visit the official Dollar Rent-A-Car website.

Access Located within the Kona International Airport, the shuttle bus will take you there upon arrival at the airport.

 

Avis Car Rental

This car rental store is popular for its low prices and excellent service.

Store Features Minivans and vans are also available on the Big Island of Hawaii for large groups, and all types of vehicles are reasonably priced.

In addition, 24-hour telephone service in Japanese is available.

Japanese-language services are available at 1-800-890-0046.

For more information on how to make reservations, please refer to Avis Car Rental Hawaii.

Hours of operation and fees vary from store to store, but are generally as follows

Kona International Airport Branch: 6:00 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. (open seven days a week)
Hilo International Airport Branch: 6:30 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. (open year-round)

Rates vary depending on the type of car.

For more information and reservations, please visit our Hawaii Reservations and Quotes page.

Access Located in Hilo, Kona's international airport.

At Kona International Airport, take a 5-minute shuttle bus ride from the arrival lobby to the car rental counter.

 

Alamo Rent a Car

Recommended for those who drive long distances and want to rent a car at a low price.

Store Features An international driver's license is not required on the Big Island of Hawaii.

The company also offers a full range of Japanese-language services, including GPS and a 24-hour telephone service.

In addition, online check-in is available to facilitate the process.

Online check-in is available at the link below. Online check-in hours and fees vary by location, but general information is as follows

Kona International Airport Branch: 5:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. (irregular holidays)
Hilo International Airport Branch: 5:30 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Hilton Waikoloa: 7:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. and 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. (irregular holidays) For detailed reservations and rates, please visit the official Alamo Rent A Car Hawaii website.

Access There are stores at each international airport and at the Waikoloa Beach Resort.

Waikoloa is about 30 minutes from Kona International Airport along the Kona Coast.

 

Five recommended driving courses on the Big Island of Hawaii

After renting a car, take a drive through the recommended driving trails on the Big Island of Hawaii!

 

Kailua-Kona to Hilo

The drive from Kailua-Kona in the west to Hilo in the east is about 77 miles (124 km) and takes 1.5 to 2 hours.

Recommendations When driving around the Big Island of Hawaii, the shortest route is the southbound Highway 190 and Saddle Road, but the northbound route is also an option and is dotted with sights.

Both routes will take you to your destination while enjoying beautiful scenery.

 

saddle load

Saddle Road is a long road that runs between Mauna Kea, famous for its astronomical observation, and Mauna Loa, the highest mountain in the world when measured from the ocean floor.

Recommendations The saddle road allows visitors to enjoy the wide road with beautiful mountains and the volcanic island's unique cinder cone hills.

Weather permitting, the observatory on Mauna Kea is also visible.

 

Chain of Claytors Road

Chain of Claytors Road in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park is another recommended driving spot, approximately 30 km long and leading to the ocean.

Recommendations The road in Volcanoes National Park is a highlight of the volcanoes and lava fields.

It is possible to get off the bus en route and explore the lava fields.

The scenery around Mt. Kilauea is particularly breathtaking, making it an ideal driving course for volcano sightseeing.

You can also enjoy the beautiful starry sky at night.

 

Kohala Mountain Road

Also known as Route 250, it is a 43-km long state highway located in North Kohala.

Surrounding the area is a grassy pasture.

Recommendations The drive is pleasant while enjoying beautiful pastures and blue skies, and you can see cattle and horses grazing on the Kohala Ranch.

You can also enjoy the beautiful sea and green cliffs in the Pololu Valley and enjoy nature at its best.

 

Route 19

Route 19 is the road connecting Kona and Hilo and is roughly 160 km long.
This is the direction where Waikoloa Resort is located.

Recommendations The ocean side route from Kailua-Kona to Hilo includes Waikoloa, a lava tunnel, and Puuhonua o Honaunau National Park with ancient Hawaiian historic sites,
And with many tourist attractions such as the spectacular Hamakua Coast, it is recommended for both driving and sightseeing.

 

Recommended attractions that can be reached by rental car

These are some of the recommended spots that can be reached through the above mentioned courses!

 

Hawaii Volcanoes National Park

Hawaii Volcanoes National Park is home to the famous active volcano, Mt. Kilauea, which is a must-see attraction for volcano tourists.

The entire park is recognized as a World Heritage Site and is well worth a visit.

Recommendations Kilauea is a rare park where visitors can see ongoing volcanic activity, flowing magma, and black lava fields.

There is also Halemaumau Crater, where you can observe the volcano and crater from the closest point to land on the Big Island of Hawaii and enjoy a powerful view.

Access From Kailua-Kona, take the 190 to Saddle Road and drive the southbound way.

The distance is long and the time required is about 3 hours.

 

Mauna Kea

The mountain is famous for its astronomical observatories, with the summit home to observatories from 11 countries around the world.

Its elevation is the highest in Hawaii, well over 4,000 meters.

Recommendations This beautiful mountain is famous for stargazing and sunsets from its summit.

A drive around the area is also recommended to see the observatory and the exterior of the high mountains.

A four-wheel drive vehicle (4WD) is required to reach the summit, so if you are not used to driving on mountain roads, it is safer to take a tour.

Access It is located 1.5 hours south of Highway 190, with the Onizuka Visitor Center on the way.

If you can drive on mountain roads, though, you can enjoy the drive from the visitor center to the summit in a four-wheel drive vehicle,

Due to the high altitude, it is recommended to be prepared for cold conditions and to be in good physical condition before going.

Rainbow Falls

This waterfall is called Rainbow Falls or "Rainbow Falls" because a rainbow is created by the spray from the waterfall.

The height is 15 m and the drop is about 24 m, which is not that high, but the large volume of water makes it very powerful.

Recommendations The site has deep ties to ancient Hawaii and is considered sacred in numerous myths and legends.

It is said to be inhabited by the goddess of waterfalls and has a mysterious atmosphere.

Whether or not you can see a rainbow depends on the timing, but just looking at the beautiful waterfall is a heart-warming experience.

Access It is located on the Wailuku River, which flows through downtown Hilo and is only 5 minutes from Hilo.

 

Akaka Falls

Located in Akaka Falls State Park, this powerful waterfall is said to have the largest drop in Hawaii.

Hiking routes have been built around the area.

Recommendations This is a place of beautiful waterfalls surrounded by tropical rainforest and an abundance of tropical plants.

It is as if you are in a huge botanical garden, and just staying in the clear air will soothe your body and soul.

Access From Kailua-Kona, take Hwy 190 to Hwy 19 and drive inland for two hours.

You will reach Akaka Falls State Park, where the falls are located.

 

hero

Hilo is the largest city on the Big Island of Hawaii and is famous for its large population of Japanese Americans.

The population is about 40,000, mostly Japanese-Americans and Asians.

It is also home to the University of Hawaii at Hilo and is considered the educational hub of Hawaii.

Recommendations Hilo is a town developed by Japanese Americans and is a tourist-friendly place with many store names and signs in Japanese.

There are many local restaurants, perfect for enjoying local delicacies.

In addition, the nearby Volcanoes National Park attracts many people to visit the volcanoes.

Access The drive across from Kailua-Kona to Hilo takes about 2.5 hours.

The Hilo International Airport is less than 10 minutes from town.

 

summary

We introduced the attractions and driving on the Big Island of Hawaii.

Driving on the vast island of Hawaii is a liberating and enjoyable experience.

Suitable for those who wish to visit spots freely.

Follow the rules and enjoy driving on the Big Island of Hawaii!