Puna
At Keaau town, Highway 130 leads southeast to the Puna District, a sprawling area of semi-dry lavalands with large country residential subdivisions. The road passes through Pahoa town, reminiscent of a wild west town, complete with old wooden storefronts lining its narrow main street.
Highway 130 continues south from Pahoa and terminates at the Kalapana and Kaimu areas on the coast. This is where lava flows from the early 90’s covered several acres of land and destroyed roads, power lines, and many homes. The historic Star of the Sea Painted Church was rescued from the advancing lava flows and was moved to a location along the road just above the Kaimu area.
Highway 132 leads east from Pahoa to Cape Kumukahi Lighthouse and terminates at the coast after intersecting with Highway 137. Then Highway 137 follows the southeast coast from Cape Kumukahi past Issac Hale Beach Park, MacKenzie State Park, Opihikao and Kehena Beach to its intersection with #130 at Kaimu. The road provides some spectacular rugged coastal views of this quiet, remote area of the Big Island.
