The Hawai‘i Island district of Hāmākua, meaning “breath of God,” is a fitting name for the scenic stretch of Highway 19 within its boundaries. Stretching 50 miles between Hilo and Waipi‘o Valley, it’s bordered by botanical gardens, lush valleys, spectacular ocean views, and small towns founded in the late 1800s when sugar was king.
But this drive delivers more than beautiful scenery. Tours of working farms—among them apiaries, orchards, and tea fields—offer insights into the area’s economic backbone: agriculture. Cultivate great memories on an adventure-filled south-to-north Hāmākua Coast road trip that stops at any or all of these 5 must-visit farms.