Originally Posted by
egcarter
Cellphone coverage here generally follows the Belt Road around the island, plus Hilo and Kailua village areas. As long as you don't stray too far from it, you'll be able to use the phone OK.
There is a relatively new 'minitower' around the area of the Painted Church near Kalapana according to a Verizon rep. Apparently it was installed for the hordes of visitors visiting the lava viewing area at the northern end of Chain of Craters Rd. Not sure if other carriers have access to it or not but I had excellent coverage for several miles up and down the coast in that area. During my previous visit in 2005, I had to drive 7 miles straight uphill towards Pahoa before I could receive coverage.