Where to stay in Puna? Kapoho, Kalapana or Pahoa

Hi all:

My s.o. and I finally booked our tickets to the Big Island for our HI vacation in September (it seems so far away still! but I am already getting excited!) We will spend 5 nights on the west side (we fly in and out of Kona) and 4 nights in a more laid back place. I%26#39;ve been searching the net for laid-back and somewhat private accommodations in Puna district and I realized i basically have 3 choices: Kalapana, Kapoho or Pahoa.

There are a couple of very nice looking ocean view cottages in Kalapana at a great price but it seems so far away from everything! Is it really isolated? (e.g. peaceful cove cottage and another one on vrbo) Is it a relatively easy drive (%26amp; what about at night?)

Kapoho is a bit more expensive and I%26#39;ve read that you should stay at Kapoho beach lots (for safety reasons??). Is it like a vacation home park? are the houses really close together or are they relatively private? is it that much closer to Pahoa? with some of the properties, it is really hard to tell how close they are to town...

I also saw some newer looking rentals in Pahoa, is that a better option?

We are in our early 30s, adventurous, laid back and very experienced travellers but we of course want to make sure we don%26#39;t put ourselves in a situation where we would be unsafe.

Thanks for all your suggestions!!

TC

Where to stay in Puna? Kapoho, Kalapana or Pahoa

Kapoho and Pahoa are both in the Puna district of the Big Island. I would recommend Kapoho over Pahoa village. Kapoho is also know as ';Vacationland'; because of the high number of vacation rentals in the neighborhood. It is a safe area, more so than Pahoa town, and almost a little too quiet at night. The homes are divided by trees and bamboo fences and do not feel too cramped, and there is a great tide pool area (some of the best on BI) within a short walk. Just be cautious when you are looking for a place because some of the homes are really nice, and others are dumps. Pahoa doesnt have much as far as retail, so really you should consider how close it is to Hilo. You will have to back track within 6 miles of Hilo just to get anywhere on the island anyway.

Where to stay in Puna? Kapoho, Kalapana or Pahoa

well, Kapoho and Kalapana are about equally far from Pahoa, and from there to town.

Are you sure the Pahoa rentals are in Pahoa town? Everything around there has a Pahoa mailing address and isn%26#39;t necessarily in the town. do you have addresses? Like canopyboy, I wouldn%26#39;t choose Pahoa town. It%26#39;s nicer to be near the ocean.

You have other choices, one of which is Hawaiian Paradise Park aka HPP. There are numerous rentals down near Kaloli Pt. These are all closer to Hwy 11 and Hilo than the first two places.

Oh and you have another popular choice near Kalapana, which is Kehena.

Kapoho Beach Lots is a gated and expensive subdivision; Vacationland homes are older. Vacationland is easy access to the Wai Opae tidepools; Beach Lots access to Champagne Cove. I consider both areas safe on a personal level. There is theft everywhere if you leave things unlocked, mostly out of cars, but I wouldn%26#39;t worry about safety except that the ocean can be wild on the east side. Use caution unless in a protected area.

Someone (or two) recently got swept off the cliffs at HPP due to a rogue wave. It%26#39;s not necessarily a good idea to go stand on the edge for that reason. Be safe and have a great time.