Facility Overview

Prince Kuhio Plaza - P-7 provides designated open-air surface parking at Prince Kuhio Plaza, the largest enclosed regional shopping mall on the Island of Hawaiʻi. Situated on the southern edge of Hilo along the Mamalahoa Highway (Hawaii Belt Road / Route 11) and East Puainako Street, this sector offers direct, level ground-floor vehicle access. Because it is a spacious open surface lot without low overhangs or parking garage deck restrictions, it comfortably accommodates passenger sedans, oversized pickup trucks, SUVs, lifted four-wheel-drive vehicles, and high-roof adventure vans commonly driven across the Big Island.

Prime Location & Nearby Attractions

Lot P-7 serves as an ideal base for shopping, dining, and community entertainment in Hilo. Key points of interest within immediate walking distance or a short drive include:

• Prince Kuhio Plaza Retail & Anchor Stores: Steps away from Macy\'s, TJ Maxx, Old Navy, American Eagle, Petco, and Longs Drugs (CVS).
• Regal Prince Kuhio: Located directly within the plaza complex, offering first-run films and evening cinema screenings.
• Surrounding Retail Hub: Less than a 3-minute drive from Walmart, Target, Home Depot, and Safeway along the East Makaala and Puainako retail corridor.
• University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo: Roughly 2 miles away (5-minute drive), making this a frequent stop for university students and staff.
• Hilo Bayfront & Downtown Hilo: Approximately 3.5 miles north, providing quick access to historical storefronts, the Hilo Farmers Market, and waterfront parks.
• Hilo International Airport (ITO): Located just 3 miles northeast via Route 11 (Kanoelehua Avenue), making this plaza a convenient first or last shopping stop for island travelers.

Access, Navigation & Transit Connectivity

The facility features multiple ingress and egress curb cuts along Kanoelehua Avenue (Highway 11) and East Puainako Street, allowing motorists to navigate around peak traffic hours smoothly. Wide internal circulation lanes make maneuvering simple during weekend rushes and holiday shopping seasons. For public transit users, the County of Hawaiʻi Hele-On Bus operates regular route stops directly adjacent to Prince Kuhio Plaza, connecting riders across Hilo, Keaʻau, Puna, and cross-island routes to Kona.

Facility Amenities & Key Features

• Spacious, uncovered surface parking with generous aisle widths and clear stall striping.
• No vertical clearance limitations, welcoming high-clearance vehicles, roof-rack-equipped SUVs, and commercial service vans.
• Dedicated Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) accessible parking stalls located near primary mall entrances with curb ramps.
• Exterior security lighting throughout the lot for well-lit evening parking and moviegoing.
• Complimentary parking for mall patrons, cinema attendees, and local shoppers without ticketing gates or automated pay stations.

Ideal For

• Daily shoppers and families visiting regional retail, department stores, and specialty shops.
• Moviegoers attending matinee and late-night film showings at Regal Prince Kuhio.
• Tourists and road trippers stocking up on provisions before venturing toward Volcanoes National Park or the Puna coast.
• Visitors seeking reliable, hassle-free parking with no overhead clearance worries in south Hilo.

Visitor & Driver Tips

Parking at Prince Kuhio Plaza is complimentary for retail customers and plaza visitors during business hours. During weekend afternoons and holiday periods, park slightly farther out along sector P-7 toward the perimeter road for easy, queue-free departures onto Puainako Street. As Hilo is famous for frequent tropical rain showers, consider carrying an umbrella or choosing stalls closer to covered canopy entrances if rainy conditions are expected.