Enjoy Sunset with a Fine Cigar in Hawi

Perched above the northern Big Island coast, this is a sunset outing built around a good cigar, a small pour of local liquor, and a wide-open Pacific view. Host Richard sets the tone at his rustic lounge near Puʻu Kehoni, where you can see toward Maui, Lanai, Kahoʻolawe, and Hualalai. The setting also looks toward Kokoiki, tied to the birth of King Kamehameha.

I like the intimate size, with no more than 12 people, and the freedom to bring your own cigar or try from Richard’s selection of premium and rare cigars. I also like the relaxed pace: this is less a sightseeing rush than an evening of conversation, sea air, sunset color, and possibly stars.

The main drawback is simple: this is a cigar-centered activity, so it will not suit anyone sensitive to smoke. You also need to arrange your own transportation, climb two steps, and accept that poor weather can change the plan.

Key points at a glance

• Sunset from Puʻu Kehoni: Sit above the ocean with views toward Maui, Lanai, Kahoʻolawe, and Hualalai.
• Host Richard: Expect easy conversation, cigar guidance, and discussion of local history and spirits.
• Premium cigar choice: Bring your own or sample from a selection that includes rare cigars.
• Two coastal stops: The outing includes Moʻokini Heiau and Upolu Point.
• Small-group setting: The maximum is 12 people, though the atmosphere may feel more personal than a standard tour.
• Included local liquor: A pour to pair with your cigar is included, while additional alcohol is BYOB.

A sunset evening with a slower rhythm

Most Big Island outings ask you to keep moving. This one asks you to stop.

You meet at 4:30 pm at 56-3029 Akoni Pule Highway in Waimea, then spend about two hours around the northern coast and the host’s ocean-facing property. The timing is designed for the changing light rather than a long list of attractions. The payoff comes as the sun drops, the coast darkens, and the sky takes over.

I like that the evening does not try to disguise what it is. This is not a broad sightseeing tour with a cigar added on at the end. The cigar, drink, setting, and conversation are the center of the outing. If you enjoy that combination, the focus feels refreshing. If you do not smoke, you may still appreciate the view and company, but you should know that tobacco is central to the plan.

The atmosphere is described as rustic, funky, and comfortable rather than polished or formal. That matters. You are not being ushered into a luxury tasting room with a strict script. The appeal comes from a personal outdoor setting, a host who enjoys conversation, and a view that does most of the work.

Richard’s cigar lounge and the art of taking your time

Richard is the host, and his role is important here. He welcomes you at the property entrance, helps set the evening in motion, and gives you room to choose how involved you want to be with the cigars.

If you already know your way around tobacco, you can bring a favorite cigar or select from his stock. If you are new to cigars, this is a gentler introduction than buying a random cigar and hoping for the best. You can ask about the choices, take your time, and enjoy the ritual without needing to act like an expert.

The selection includes premium cigars and rare unicorn cigars. That phrase means especially hard-to-find choices, not a promise that every guest will receive a particular brand or style. Availability can vary, so treat the selection as part of the fun rather than a guaranteed menu.

The pace also works well for couples and friends. One person can focus on the cigar while another pays more attention to the sunset or conversation. A family booking included a 75-year-old guest enjoying a first cigar, so beginners are not out of place. Still, I would not bring children simply because the activity allows most people to participate. The evening is designed around adult conversation, liquor, and tobacco.

Buddy, Richard’s Pomeranian, may join the gathering. If you are uncomfortable around dogs, let Richard know ahead of time. Service animals are allowed.

Moʻokini Heiau and the northern coast

The itinerary includes Moʻokini Heiau, an important historic site on the northern tip of Hawaiʻi Island. The heiau is associated with traditional Hawaiian religious practice, so it deserves a respectful approach. You may not spend a long, guided period there, but its presence gives the evening a stronger sense of place than a generic sunset stop.

Moʻokini Heiau is also part of a rugged coastal setting. The point is not a manicured park or a built-up resort view. The northern coast feels exposed and open, with wind, ocean sound, and big horizons. That raw setting fits the cigar lounge well.

You should not expect a conventional museum visit or a detailed formal tour of the site based on the information provided. The value is in seeing a meaningful place within the wider coastal route, then returning to the quieter sunset setting.

The second stop is Upolu Point. This is another northern coastal viewpoint, and it helps frame why the outing works: the far end of the island gives you distance from resort crowds and a broad view across the water. On a clear evening, you may see Maui, Lanai, Kahoʻolawe, and Hualalai.

The views depend on weather and visibility. The coast can be beautiful even when clouds soften the sunset, but you should not book this expecting a guaranteed perfect orange sky. Richard cancels when storms are expected, and if rain arrives during the gathering, the lounge provides shelter while you watch the weather move through.

What makes the view worth the drive

The best part of this setting is scale. You are not looking at one narrow beach or a single postcard angle. You are looking across open ocean toward several islands, with the northern Big Island coast below and the sky changing by the minute.

At sunset, the view is naturally the main event. Later, the setting can shift again. With less daylight, the stars become part of the evening, and the sound of the ocean and wind gives the gathering a quieter feel. The sky is not guaranteed to show the Milky Way, but clear conditions can make the final part of the visit especially memorable.

This is why the experience can appeal even to someone who is not deeply interested in cigars. You can treat the cigar as one part of a wider sensory evening: sea air, tobacco, a drink, conversation, and fading light. But be honest with yourself. Smoke remains part of the setting, and the activity is not designed as a non-smoking sunset picnic.

Bring a light layer if you tend to get cold in wind. That is practical advice for any exposed coastal sunset, though exact conditions vary. You should also arrive ready to stay put for a while. The pleasure here comes from not rushing.

Local liquor, BYOB rules, and what you actually receive

The $49 price includes liquor to enjoy with your cigar. Richard does not sell alcohol, and additional alcohol is not included. You may bring your own if you want something beyond the included pour.

This arrangement keeps the offering simple. You are paying for the setting, hosting, cigar experience, and included liquor rather than an open bar. If you are comparing it with a larger sunset cruise or a formal tasting, the value comes from the small group and personal setting, not from the amount of food or drink.

You should not expect a meal. The provided details mention cigars and liquor, but no dinner or substantial refreshments. Eat beforehand if you need a full meal, and do not assume that extra drinks will be supplied.

The drink pairing is part of the atmosphere, not a structured spirits class. Richard has a strong interest in cigars and rum, and conversation may touch on local spirits and the island. If you want a formal tasting with measured pours and printed notes, this is not that kind of evening.

Group size, comfort, and practical limits

The maximum group size is 12. That is small enough to support conversation, but it does not guarantee a private booking unless you reserve the available places for your own party. The setting is most appealing when you enjoy meeting people and sharing a relaxed evening.

The activity requires ascending two steps. Most people can participate, and service animals are allowed, but the property is not presented as fully step-free. If you have mobility concerns, contact the host before booking and ask about the exact access route.

Transportation is not included. You need to reach the meeting point on your own, and the host meets you at the gate. This detail matters because the property is described as somewhat off the main route. Plan your drive carefully and allow time to find the entrance. The experience ends back at the meeting point.

The activity is offered in English. Confirmation arrives when you book, and the standard start time is 4:30 pm. Since sunset timing changes through the year, the amount of post-sunset darkness during your visit can vary.

Weather can change the entire mood

Weather is not a minor footnote here. The activity depends on being outdoors and on seeing the coast, so storms can affect both comfort and safety.

Richard cancels when storms are expected. If poor weather causes the cancellation, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. If weather arrives during the evening, the lounge offers a place to enjoy the storm from cover. That can become a memorable part of the setting, but it will not produce the clear sunset many people are hoping for.

You can cancel for a full refund if you do so at least 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations or changes made inside that window are not accepted for a refund. Keep the local cut-off time in mind when making plans.

I would avoid scheduling this on the only evening you have available if your Big Island plans are tightly packed. Give yourself room for weather changes. The flexibility is useful, but a rescheduled sunset may not fit a short itinerary.

Who will enjoy this Big Island experience

This is a strong choice for:

• Couples looking for a quiet evening with a sense of occasion
• Cigar smokers who want to try premium or rare selections
• Beginners who would like guidance before choosing a cigar
• Friends who enjoy conversation more than a busy activity schedule
• Visitors who prefer local character to a polished resort production
• Anyone who values coastal views, sunset, and stars

It is less suitable for:

• Anyone who dislikes tobacco smoke
• People seeking a meal or a full bar
• Visitors without their own transportation
• Anyone needing fully step-free access
• People who want a tightly scheduled sightseeing tour
• Guests who need a guaranteed clear sunset

The activity can work for a family group if the adults are comfortable with the cigar and liquor focus. The fact that a first-time smoker enjoyed it at age 75 suggests the experience is not limited to longtime cigar fans. Still, the best match is an adult who enjoys a slow evening and does not need constant entertainment.

Is $49 a fair price?

At $49 per person, I see the value in the personal setting and the included liquor. You are not simply paying for a viewpoint. You are paying for access to a hosted evening, a cigar selection, a place to sit, and the chance to spend sunset at a property chosen for its ocean views.

The price is less attractive if you plan to bring your own cigar, skip the liquor, and care only about seeing the sunset. You may find free coastal viewpoints elsewhere. The difference is that this outing gives you a host, a lounge, and a social setting rather than just a roadside stop.

The small group is another part of the value. A maximum of 12 keeps the gathering from feeling like a large excursion, and the experience is designed around conversation. I would book it for the overall evening, not as a bargain way to see the coast.

Should you book it?

Book this if you want a distinctive Big Island evening built around a cigar, a local pour, and a sunset view toward the neighboring islands. Richard’s relaxed hosting, the rustic lounge, the Moʻokini Heiau and Upolu Point stops, and the possibility of stars give it more character than a standard sunset photo stop.

Skip it if smoke bothers you, you need a meal, or you want guaranteed weather and easy included transportation. For the right person, the $49 price is fair because the setting and personal hosting are the real attractions. Bring a light layer, arrange your own ride, and leave your schedule open enough to enjoy the evening without watching the clock.

FAQ

Where does the experience start?

It starts at 56-3029 Akoni Pule Highway, Waimea, Hawaii 96743.

What time does the activity begin?

The listed start time is 4:30 pm.

How long does the experience last?

It lasts approximately two hours.

Where does the activity end?

It ends back at the meeting point.

What locations are included?

The itinerary includes Moʻokini Heiau and Upolu Point.

Is transportation included?

No. You must arrange your own transportation to and from the meeting point.

Are cigars provided?

You may bring your own cigars, and Richard also offers a selection of premium and rare cigars.

Is alcohol included?

Liquor to enjoy with your cigar is included. Additional alcohol is not included, but you may bring your own.

How many people can join?

The activity has a maximum capacity of 12 people.

What happens if the weather is poor?

If storms are expected, the activity may be canceled. You will be offered another date or a full refund. If weather arrives during the gathering, you can enjoy it from the lounge.

Is the experience accessible to everyone?

Most people can participate, but the activity requires ascending two steps. Service animals are allowed.

Can I cancel for a refund?

Yes. You can receive a full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start time are not accepted.