The Big Island of Hawaii is a paradise of diverse landscapes, from volcanic craters and black-sand beaches to lush rainforests and cascading waterfalls. While its rugged beauty may seem challenging, the island is surprisingly accommodating to wheelchair travelers. With a wide range of accessible activities, accommodations, and tours, the Big Island offers unforgettable adventures for visitors of all mobility levels.

This comprehensive guide covers helicopter tours, boat excursions, parks and trails, cultural landmarks, shopping centers, accessible beaches, emergency services, transportation, and local accessibility resources. Whether you dream of exploring the majestic Volcanoes National Park, experiencing breathtaking views from a helicopter tour, or cruising the clear waters on an accessible boat, this guide has everything you need to plan a worry-free, memorable trip to the Big Island of Hawaii.

Let’s dive into the island’s top accessible attractions and experiences designed with wheelchair travelers in mind.

Beaches

The Big Island boasts a variety of stunning beaches, from white sand shores to unique black sand and rocky coastlines. While not all beaches are wheelchair-accessible due to rugged terrain, several have been designed with accessibility in mind, offering paved pathways, beach wheelchairs, and ADA-compliant facilities. Here’s a detailed guide to the most accessible beaches on the Big Island:

Most Accessible Beaches

These beaches offer the best accessibility, with paved paths, ADA restrooms, and gentle shorelines:

  • Spencer Beach Park (Kohala Coast) – Features a paved walkway to the beach, accessible picnic tables, ADA restrooms and showers, and calm waters ideal for swimming.
  • Hapuna Beach State Park (Kohala Coast) – A large white sand beach with accessible restrooms, showers, and parking, but no beach mats are available. The slight incline to the sand may require assistance.
  • Old Kona Airport Beach Park (Kailua-Kona) – Offers fully paved paths throughout the park, ADA restrooms, and picnic areas. The shoreline is rocky, making it better for sightseeing.
  • Kahalu‘u Beach Park (Kona) – A snorkeling hotspot with ADA-compliant restrooms, parking, and paved paths leading to picnic and viewing areas. However, direct water entry for wheelchair users is limited.

Beaches With Some Accessible Features

These beaches offer ADA-compliant restrooms and parking, but terrain may require assistance:

  • Kua Bay (Maniniʻowali Beach – North Kona) – Features ADA parking and restrooms, but the steep incline to the sand may require assistance.
  • Punalu‘u Black Sand Beach (South Kona) – Known for black sand and sea turtles, with ADA restrooms, parking, and paved paths to main viewing areas. Beach wheelchairs may be available upon request.
  • Magic Sands Beach Park (Kona) – Offers ADA restrooms, showers, and parking, but sand entry may require assistance.
  • King Kamehameha Beach (Kailua-Kona) – Located at the Courtyard King Kamehameha’s Kona Beach Hotel, featuring fully paved walkways, ADA parking, and restrooms. The gentle shoreline makes water access easier.
  • Honokōhau National Historical Park (Kailua-Kona) – Offers flat, hard-packed trails, ADA parking, and restrooms.

Other Notable Beaches with Accessibility Features

  • Isaac Kepoʻokalani Hale Beach Park (Puna) – ADA parking and restrooms.
  • Keokea Beach Park (North Kohala) – ADA parking and paved pathways.
  • Coconut Island (Hilo) – ADA pathways lead to picnic areas.
  • Onekahakaha Beach Park (South Hilo) – Shallow tide pools with ADA parking and restrooms.
  • Reeds Bay Beach Park (South Hilo) – Small sandy beach with ADA parking.
  • Hookena Beach Park (South Kona) – ADA restrooms and parking, but sand access may need assistance.
  • White Sands Beach Park (Kailua-Kona) – ADA restrooms, picnic tables, and parking.

Beach Wheelchair Rentals

Securing a beach wheelchair on Hawaii’s Big Island is possible through a couple of rental providers, though availability may be limited. Two companies that offer beach wheelchairs for rent in the Kailua-Kona area are Akamai Mothers & Mobility and Cloud of Goods.

Akamai Mothers & Mobility provides all-terrain beach wheelchairs designed specifically for sandy conditions. These wheelchairs offer greater stability and ease of movement on the beach. They operate in the Kona area, and it’s best to contact them directly to confirm availability and arrange for rental.

Cloud of Goods is another option for renting a beach wheelchair on the Big Island. They provide wheelchairs equipped with inflatable tires suitable for sand, adjustable seating, and a sturdy frame. One advantage of Cloud of Goods is that they offer delivery services in the Kailua-Kona area, making it more convenient for visitors who may not have transportation to pick up equipment.

Since availability may be limited, advance reservations are highly recommended to ensure that a beach wheelchair is ready for your visit. Contacting these providers directly will give you the most accurate information regarding availability, features, and rental terms. If a beach wheelchair is not available, consider visiting beaches with accessibility features, such as firm pathways or mats that allow standard wheelchairs to reach the shore.

Parks, Cultural Sites, and Trails

  • Volcanoes National Park: Home to some of the world’s most active volcanoes, including Kīlauea and Mauna Loa. The park features lava fields, craters, and lush rainforests. Many areas are wheelchair accessible:
    • Kīlauea Visitor Center – Fully accessible with wheelchairs available upon request.
    • Jaggar Museum Overlook – Paved pathways with excellent crater views.
    • Crater Rim Trail – The 1.2-mile stretch from Jaggar Museum to Kīlauea Military Camp is accessible.
    • Sulfur Banks Trail – A paved path with boardwalk sections for an easy wheelchair-friendly experience.
    • Earthquake Trail – A paved former road with minimal elevation changes, making it one of the most accessible trails in the park.
  • Waipi‘o Valley Lookout: Panoramic views of the valley, cliffs, and black sand beach. There is ADA parking, restrooms, and paved paths.
  • Puakō Petroglyph Park: Over 3,000 ancient petroglyphs on lava rock. Find ADA parking, flat trail sections, and lookout points.
  • Puʻuhonua o Hōnaunau National Historical Park: This sacred site, once a place of refuge in ancient Hawaiian society, offers scenic coastal views and cultural history. While the visitor center and some trails are accessible, areas such as the Royal Grounds and Puʻuhonua are undergoing improvements for accessibility. Beach wheelchair rentals are temporarily unavailable. Check with the National Park Service before visiting.
  • Liliʻuokalani Gardens (Hilo): Paved paths, ADA restrooms, and picnic areas.
  • Hawaii Tropical Botanical Garden: Paved paths (steep in some areas).
  • Rainbow Falls (Hilo): Paved paths and viewing platforms.
  • Kaloko-Honokōhau National Historical Park: Flat trails through cultural sites.
  • Pana‘ewa Rainforest Zoo & Gardens (Hilo): The only tropical rainforest zoo in the U.S. featuring exotic animals and botanical gardens. Fully paved paths, ADA restrooms, and picnic areas.
  • Mokuaikaua Church: The oldest church in Hawaii, featuring a ramp at the north entrance and off-street parking.
  • Greenwell Store Museum: Experience Kona in the 1890s at the H.N. Greenwell Store, showcasing a multi-ethnic society centered on ranching and farming. The museum is accessible with easy parking.
  • Greenwell Gardens: Explore over 200 species of plants that thrived in traditional farms and native forests of Kona before Captain Cook’s arrival. The path surface is flat-gravel and grass.
  • Herb Kane Art Gallery: Located in the lobby of the King Kamehameha Hotel, this gallery displays original watercolors by the renowned island illustrator. Features ample parking and a level lobby area.
  • Portuguese Sweet Bread Baking: The Kona Historical Society practices traditional Portuguese bread baking in a large wood-fired forno, located in the pasture below the H.N. Greenwell Store Museum.

Tours

  • Anelakai Adventures (Kona): Wheelchair-accessible outdoor tours and beach excursions.
  • Blue Hawaiian Helicopters: Experience the Big Island from the skies with stunning views of active volcanoes, waterfalls, and coastlines. This tour operators offer wheelchair-friendly services with accessible aircraft, ground support, and personalized tours. The tour includes assistance with boarding and deplaning as well as wheelchair storage during tours.
  • Therapeutic Horsemanship of Hawaii: Offers arena lessons with a Physical Therapist/owner, Nancy Bloomfield. The Horseplay Equestrian Center provides a wheelchair mounting ramp and sidewalkers for safety. This activity is specifically designed for individuals with disabilities.
  • Boat Tours and Ocean Activities: The Big Island offers ocean adventures like whale watching, snorkeling, and sunset cruises. Some tours are wheelchair-friendly with accessible boats and trained crews.

Shopping Areas

  • Queen’s Marketplace (Waikoloa): Paved shopping center with wheelchair-friendly shops and restaurants.
  • Kings’ Shops (Waikoloa): Luxury brands with ADA-compliant restrooms.
  • Kona Commons (Kailua-Kona): Wide walkways and ADA facilities.
  • Hilo Farmers Market: Local crafts and produce (some uneven areas).

Accommodations

  • Hilton Waikoloa Village: ADA rooms, wheelchair-accessible pools, and on-site shuttles.
  • Courtyard King Kamehameha’s Kona Beach Hotel: ADA rooms with roll-in showers and ocean views.
  • Grand Naniloa Hotel Hilo – DoubleTree by Hilton: Oceanfront with ADA rooms and elevators.
  • Mauna Kea Beach Hotel: Offers ADA rooms.
  • Fairmont Orchid: Offers ADA rooms and an accessible beach area.

Transportation

  • Hele-On Bus: The island’s public bus system is partially accessible, but service is limited in some areas.
  • Accessible Rentals: Wheelchair-accessible vans are available through Hawaii Adaptive Equipment (808-334-0611), Mobility Works, and Wheelers.
  • Shuttle Services: SpeediShuttle offers accessible airport transfers and tours.
  • Paratransit Services (Kakoo): Provides door-to-door rides for eligible passengers. Call (808) 961-8744 for reservations.
  • Ride-Sharing Services: Uber and Lyft may offer accessible vehicles, but availability is limited—schedule in advance.

Equipment Rentals

Emergency Services

  • Emergency Contacts:
    • Police / Fire / Medical Emergencies: Dial 911
    • Poison Control Center: 1-800-222-1222
  • Hospitals and Urgent Care Centers
    • Kona Community Hospital (Kealakekua): ADA-compliant, 24-hour emergency care.
    • Hilo Medical Center: Full-service hospital with emergency services.
    • North Hawaii Community Hospital (Waimea): ADA-compliant with ramps and elevators.

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