Ka'u: go off the beaten track in Hawaii
Ka'u is the most southerly district in Hawaii and an often-skipped destination for travelers who favor the more resort-laden areas further north. It's an untouched place, made up of macadamia farms, large ranches and an isolated windswept coastline that still feels the same as it did back in the 1950s. It's rarely covered in guidebooks and is unlike any other part of Hawaii, probably why those with an adventurous streak like it. Don't expect a plethora of amenities or 5-star Ka'u vacation rentals, but if you're looking for solitude, you'll find it here in droves.
Ka'u: the most southerly part of the United States
Today, Ka'u is made up mostly of farms. While you're driving across the district, you can stop off at any number of the local coffee plantations to learn about the process of bean to cup and taste some award-winning brews. The South Point of Ka-u is considered the most southerly place in the United States and Na'alehu the most southernmost town. There's not an awful lot to do in this 1 horse town, but it's a fine enough place to break up a journey on the way to the national park and you can grab a bite to eat at Punalu'u Bake Shop.
Make your own adventures in Ka'u
This remote part of Hawaii doesn't have the same variety of water sports found on the rest of the archipelago, so you'll have to create your own adventures when you stay in a Ka'u vacation rental. The Punalu'u Black Sand Beach off Hwy 19 is a good spot for catching some rays and cooling off in the sea, while the Kula Kai Caverns offer spelunking adventures to those who don't suffer from claustrophobia. If you're got a car rental, and you'll probably need one, you can drive along the Road to the Sea stopping for volcanic hiking in lava landscapes.
For wildlife, look to the ocean in Ka'u
Hawaii might be part of the U.S., but this archipelago is one of the most remote on Earth. The relatively short human history hasn't impacted the islands' wildlife. There are no native land-dwelling mammals, so for critter spotting, you'll have to look to the ocean and the sky. If you head down to the coast from your Ka'u vacation rental, you can look out for Hawaiian monk seals, sea turtles, spinner dolphins and if you visit at the right time, humpback whales which migrate to the warm waters during winter to raise their young.