Since we've hired our wonderful part-time employee, Dustin and I get to go riding together again! Here is the great route we enjoyed this week.
- From Big Island Motorcycle Co. head north on Hwy 19 to the next light (1 mile). Make a right toward Waikoloa Village.
- Pass the village and continue until the road comes to a T intersection. Make a right onto the Old Mamalohoa Hwy, aka Hawaii Belt Road.
- Take this road into Kona, about 20 miles, looking for the turnoff on your left onto Hwy 180 toward Holualoa. This turnoff is not well marked, but is right after you pass the traffic light for Hina Lani St., look for the left hand turn lane.
- Enjoy the Kona upper road twisties as you ride through Holualoa and Kona's famous coffee country. If you are interested in visiting coffee farms, try our
Kona Coffee Route (scroll to the end of the page) and
coffee farm recommendations.
- A nice place to stop if you need a break at this point is the town of Holualoa. There is a great little coffee shop, a mini mart, and plenty of art galleries and historic buildings to check out as you give your legs a stretch.
- Continue heading south. The road ends at an odd intersection, a stop sign. Make a left onto Hwy 11 heading south toward Captain Cook.
- After 4 miles of so, make a right onto Napo'opo'o Rd. This is not a well marked turnoff, so keep your eyes peeled.
- This road descends down to the ocean from 2000', opening up to gorgeous views of Kealakekua Bay, where the Captain Cook Monument is located.
- Be sure to take a right at both stop signs you encounter on this road.
- Where road meets ocean you will be able to see the Captain Cook Monument across the bay as well as a close-up view of an ancient Hawaiian heiau, or temple.
(The middle blurry dot on the far side of the bay)
- After you've had your fill of turtles and crashing waves, head back up Napo'opo'o by making a left at the first (immediate) stop sign.
- At the next stop sign, make a right onto Middle Keei Rd., enjoying glimpses of the quaintest Hawaiian homes and farms.
- After a few miles, make a right at the next stop sign, onto Painted Church Rd. and keep your eyes out for the left hand turn into the Painted Church parking lot. This church, it's insides completely covered in murals, is worth a stop not only for the paintings, but for the beautiful views and a stroll around the well-kept gardens.
- From the parking lot, make a left back onto Painted Church Rd.
- At the stop sign, make a left onto City of Refuge Rd. which takes you to a T intersection.
- Make a left at the T onto Hwy 11 heading north toward Kona.
- Now here's the tricky part. Your lunch spot is a place called The Coffee Shack which has very little parking (good thing you are on a motorcycle) and requires a left turn against traffic. Please, please, please be careful making this left (if there is parking) and if you miss it and pass it, not to worry, there is a right turn just up the road where you can turn around and figure out where to park.
- Now the not so tricky part, the Coffee Shack has amazing views and great food, so grab a table and take a load-off. We recommend the pizzas (best crust EVER) and any of the desserts in their glass case of temptation.
- Depending on how much riding you have left in you after lunch, there are two ways to get back to Big Island Motorcycle Co. You can simply retrace your path, or if you are tired and don't feel like re-navigating the twisties, simply follow Hwy 11 all the way (40 miles) to Waikoloa Beach Drive and hang a left, a straight shot.
View Big Views South Kona Cruise in a larger map
For more information on motorcycle rentals, click on the "Rentals" tab above, call us at 808-886-2011, or write to BigIslandMotorcycleCo [at] yahoo.com
For more routes, click on the "Motorcycle Routes" tab above
