A Visit to Miloli’i and Honomalino beach on the Big Island (updated 2023)

Miloli’i is the rugged fishing village on the south side of the Big Island and about a 30 mile drive from Captain Cook area. Unchanged and sleepy Miloli’i is a quiet community and a different vibe and place on the Big Island. The windy paved road down to the village is slow with dramatic views of the coastline areas and you pass a mixture of old run down mixed with brand new homes in an eclectic mix of old and new in the most barren landscape with no trees.  One of the oldest fishing villages in Hawaii, early Polynesians settled in the area and established this fishing village. Over 8 lava flows have entered the area and into the ocean and devasting other villages and creating this rocky coastal area that has remained unchanged from its early roots.

How to get to Miloli’i

Drive down Highway 19 from Kona area about 40 miles south until you see the Miloli’i sign and turn right down Miloli’i road about 4 miles down a windy road to the old fishing village at the bottom.

Once you get to the bottom the landscape changes dramatically with palm trees, scented plumerias and actual trees along the coastline from the mostly desolate parts above.

When you enter the park area below, there’s a lot of children around the area so do drive carefully and slowly and the beach park area has no actual beach but a covered pavilion, picnic tables and the rugged and protected coast to snorkel or just enjoy from the coastline.

Weather in Miloli’i

Weather is variable but mostly sunny and exposed in the hike area with some forested parts that are beautiful to pass through. Bring sun protection, water and good hiking shoes for your hike to Honomolino Beach

Miloli’i Church

Close by to the beach park Is the historic yellow church of the Hauʻoli Kamana’o Congregational Church. Established in 1865, the church was built under the direction of the Rev. John D. Paris. If you want to do the short trek to Honomalino beach, then look out for the Molili’i church as a starting point.

Hike to Honomalino Beach

Distance – approximately 1.5 miles roundtrip

Difficulty easy on gravel road

One of the most scenic hikes on the south side of the island to experience, Honomalino Beach is beautiful and lush. Walking through gorgeous coastline the varies from forested and exotic plants to jagged rocks and changing coastal views, the Honomalino beach hike delivers.

Park at the Miloli’i beach area

From the parking lot of Miloli’i beach park, look for the yellow Miloli’i church and walk down the road until you see a placard starting point to Honomalino beach with dense undergrown and lush plantings that skirt around the coastline. (Do not go down the private road on the left side to homes facing the coastline). Walk down the thick shrubbed path with beautiful lantana flowers and desert like night blooming Cereus with all their fuzzy spent blooms that only last the night. The coastal route skirts that scenic bay and if the tide is high, you need to pass through and take off your shoes (unless you have wet walking shoes) to continue onto the beach area which to another placard that shows where the trail continues.

Continue on through a thick forested area with fallen trees creating tunnels and cactus trailing in snake patterns, more colorful lantana flowers and other thick mesquite trees creates this enchanted trail that follows the rugged coastline and you pass through on of the most recent lava flows into the area with aa lava flowing directly into the ocean.

Arriving the beach area at Honomalino

Eventually you get to see a growth of old coconut trees in the distance where the trail heads to Honomalino beach. Eventually you reach the crescent shaped black sand beach which is typically safe and protected to swim in, but do check conditions before you enter the ocean. About a half mile long, the Honomalino beach is natural and usually not crowded because of the hiking efforts to get to this isolated beach.

Further down from the beach the rugged coastline has small coastline arches, a small blow hole and the beautiful waters and coastline to enjoy until you hit a home at the end that is private property and a fire road that you can continue on back to the highway.

More details to hiking Honomalino

Watch for high tide or you may have to walk through an area barefoot through the bay areas or wear water shoes.

Leave no trace on your hike or bring a bag for any trash you may find along the way to take out.

Make sure to stay on the trail and do not go into private areas that say private property do not enter.

Avoid walking through areas of lava rock walls or ancient burial sites along the way.

Early morning hikes is better to avoid the direct sun and heat on the trail head.

Bring your camera or cell phone for gorgeous captures of this scenic area.

Check out these other topics to visiting the Big Island

Explore the Green Sand Beach at Papakolea at South Point

Hike from Punalu’u to Kamehame beach

A visit to South Point or Ka Lae

Explore Whittington Beach Park

A visit to Na’alehu town

The black sand beach at Punalu’u

Conclusion to visiting Miloli’i and Honomalino Beach

For Big Island fun, you’ll love explore all fun activities and attractions around this easy trips to explore around the entire island. Hope this gives you some great ideas of things to do and see around the town and outlying areas to visit for cheap and on budget. If you can think of other suggestions or tips, please share them in the comment section below, thanks.

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