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Hawaii Belt Road: Captain Cook to Nāʻālehu, South Kona and Kaʻū, Hawaii
Photo: Ken Lund · CC BY-SA 2.0 · cropped

Drives Hawaii Hawaiʻi Island

Hawaii Belt Road: Captain Cook to Nāʻālehu

HI 11 · Captain Cook → Nāʻālehu

Leisurely46 mi1 hr 10 min2,400 ft climbHigh point ≈ 2,100 ftOne way
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The drive

This is the long southern leg of the Hawaiʻi Belt Road, signed Highway 11 and named the Māmalahoa Highway. It starts at Captain Cook in South Kona and runs 46.2 miles to Nāʻālehu in Kaʻū, passing Hōnaunau, where Route 160 leads down to Puʻuhonua o Hōnaunau National Historical Park, then the black lava country of the Kaʻū coast, Ocean View and Waiʻōhinu.

The bends are gentle and the road is open, with few towns between. It climbs to about 2,100 feet. The Māmalahoa name comes from Ke Kānāwai Māmalahoe, a decree of Kamehameha I.

The South Point Road drive leaves this highway near Waiʻōhinu, and Nāʻālehu is a small town often described as the southernmost community in the United States. It is a scenery drive rather than a twisty one, so plan for a long, unhurried day.

Along the way

  1. Captain Cook
  2. Hōnaunau
  3. Waiohinu
  4. Nāʻālehu
Elevation
2,400 ft of climbing · high point ≈ 2,100 ft
Captain CookNāʻālehu
Curves
Mostly gentle curves
Captain CookNāʻālehu
GentleHairpins

Good to know

  • Ocean View is the main town between Hōnaunau and Waiʻōhinu, so plan fuel and food stops around it.
  • Heavy rain and flash floods can close Highway 11 in Kaʻū, so check the state's weather-related traffic alerts on the day you go.
  • There is a turnoff at Hōnaunau (Route 160) for Puʻuhonua o Hōnaunau National Historical Park; the park charges an entrance fee.

Open all year, weather permitting. Roads close for snow, fire, storms and repairs: before you set off, check Hawaii DOT: weather-related traffic alerts.

Questions about this drive

How long does the Hawaii Belt Road from Captain Cook to Nāʻālehu take?

Captain Cook to Nāʻālehu on Highway 11 is 46.2 miles and takes about 1 hr 10 min without stops.

Is Highway 11 through Kaʻū twisty?

No. The Hawaii Belt Road between Captain Cook and Nāʻālehu is mostly gentle curves over open lava and pasture, so it is a long scenery drive.

Where does the road to South Point leave Highway 11?

South Point Road turns off Highway 11 near Waiʻōhinu, close to the end of this drive, and leads about ten miles to Ka Lae.

Why is it called the Māmalahoa Highway?

Māmalahoa refers to Ke Kānāwai Māmalahoe, a decree of Kamehameha I. The name is used for Highway 11 and the other belt roads around the island.

What you get in the app

Turn by turn, on this roadSpoken directions along the exact route. Carve never reroutes you onto a faster one.
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More drives near here

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Distance, time, elevation, curves and intensity are from Carve's route. Checked 2026-10-28.

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Map of Hawaii Belt Road: Captain Cook to Nāʻālehu, from Captain Cook to Nāʻālehu