The old village of Papaaloa is located on the Big Island’s scenic Hamakua Coast and still retains its old plantation town charm including its old storefronts. Papaaloa is located about 16 miles from Hilo and 5 miles from Laupahoehoe.
A post office, gas stations, restaurants and a variety of shops make Papaaloa an enjoyable place to stop as you drive along the island’s northeast shore. Enjoy local cuisine at the Papaaloa General Store.
Papaaloa is home to about 600 people and is one of the many small towns along the scenic Hamakua Heritage Corridor Drive from Hilo to Waipio Valley. Nearby to Papaaloa is the cascading Akaka Falls as well as Hawaii Tropical Botanical Gardens.