Pepeekeo offers a clear contrast between sugarcane history and coastal trails: the trails feature sea cliffs, individual access points to predominantly rocky shoreline areas, and Onomea Bay. When planning, it’s worth distinguishing the routes by their respective access points. Some run along the upper edge of a cliff; the steep, pedestrian-only access to Onomea Bay is the Onomea Donkey Trail.
Sugarcane History in Pepeekeo
The Metcalf Plantation was renamed Pepeekeo Sugar Company in 1874. In 1971, Pepeekeo Sugar Company was incorporated into Hilo Coast Processing Company. Sugarcane cultivation in the Pepeekeo area continued until the late 1980s. The Hāmākua Division of the Hilo Railroad is a separate regional landmark: it was built from 1909 to 1913 to serve sugar mills north of Hilo.
Coastal Trails with Different Access Points
Sugar Mill Road is a footpath along the upper edge of the sea cliff south of Pepeekeo Point. Hiking, fishing, and nature watching are possible there. The Kapehu Coastal Access Trail also runs along the top of a gulch: from the parking area, the footpath follows the upper edge of Kapehu Gulch to the sea cliff and the mouth of Kapehu Stream.
The North Pepeekeo Coastal Trail runs along high sea cliffs; shoreline access is limited and leads mostly to rocky areas. Hiking, nature watching, swimming, and fishing are among the activities available on the Onomea Donkey Trail. From Old Mamalahoa Highway, the steep, pedestrian-only Onomea Donkey Trail descends to Onomea Bay. If you’re looking for a trail to the bay, the difference between this access point and the limited shoreline access on the North Pepeekeo Coastal Trail is a helpful point of reference.
The Alakahi Trail follows the old Onomea Access Road along the sea cliff to Alakahi Stream, then descends to the shoreline. Unlike the Onomea Donkey Trail, the route described here is tied to Alakahi Stream and the shoreline. Onomea Stream plunges through the gulch into Onomea Bay. The Onomea Sea Arch collapsed in an earthquake in 1956.
Conditions and access details on coastal trails may change; check them before setting out.
Scenic Route and Onomea Bay
The Pepe'ekeo Scenic Route is a four-mile spur along Old Mamalahoa Highway. A viewpoint near the southern end of the Scenic Drive offers a view of Onomea Bay. Together with the course of Onomea Stream through the gulch to the bay, this stretch of coast offers specific points of reference if you’d like to combine a scenic drive with a view of the bay. Check access conditions at the viewpoint locally.
Bus, Garden Visitor Center, and a Refreshment
According to the schedule effective February 1, 2026, Hele-On Bus Route 80 runs through Hilo, Pepeekeo, Honoka'a, Waimea, and the resorts of South Kohala. The Pepe'ekeo Post Office on Highway 19 is listed as a stop. Schedules may change without notice, so check the route before traveling.
As a local landmark, the Hawaii Tropical Botanical Garden visitor center is about 1.5 miles along Old Mamalahoa Road from Kulaimano Road. Check current accessibility before setting out. What's Shakin' Big Island offers fruit smoothies and shakes. The address is 27-999 Old Mamalahoa Highway, Pepeekeo, Hawaii 96783, United States; check current opening status before visiting.
Discover more destinations: Keaau, Nanawale Estates, Honokaa, Kalaoa, Fern Forest, Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, Holualoa, Waimea.
Return to the main travel overview: Hawaii.
