Holualoa

Understand

In ancient times, the area was considered the premier place to live due to the excellent weather and good water. Many kings made their homes here. Later, missionaries built churches and residences, turning the tiny fishing village into a small seaport. It was the home of King Kamehameha I, who united the Hawaiian Islands. Because the mountains block the northeasterly trade winds, Kona gets very little rain and enjoys more than 300 days of sunshine a year. Kona is also home to the Hawaiian International Billfish Tournament and the Ironman Triathlon World Championship.

Getting there

By plane 1 Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport at Keahole (also known as Keahole Airport KOA IATA). It is the main commercial airport for the Kona coast, serving the Kona area and the resort areas of Kohala to the north. Hawaiian Airlines and Go! Airlines offer non-stop interisland service from Honolulu and Kahului, as well as trans-Pacific service from selected cities on the West Coast of the United States. Besides Hawaiian, service from the U.S. mainland is also provided by Alaska, American, Delta, and United. Direct service from Vancouver, Canada is provided by Air Canada and Westjet.

Getting around

Traffic is congested. Driving in tourist-oriented areas can be slow, but the town is generally not large enough to have serious problems. Walking is a manageable way to travel in town, but you should rent a car if you want to get to resorts, beaches and other cultural locations. Kailua-Kona is a place for ocean and outdoor recreational activities. Surfing, fishing, diving, boating, snorkeling and swimming are all popular sports in Kailua-Kona, as are hiking, biking, caving, and four wheeling. There are also many important cultural sites in the town, including the first Christian church in the islands, the Queen's Palace, and petroglyphs that can be found at Kaloko-Honokahou National Park.

Kona Trolley. 9AM-9:15PM. Travels from the Sheraton Keauhou, along Alii Drive and through the Old Industrial area, stopping at various points on the way. $2. (updated May 2020)

See

Coffee plantations. Coffee plantations abound, see for example Bayview Farms, which has a short free tour and samples of the Kona coffee.

1 Kaloko-Honokōhau National Historical Park (Kaho NHP), ☏ +1 808-326-9057. 8:30AM-4PM. [1] Honokohau Beach usually has plenty of Hawaiian green sea turtle (Honu) basking in the sun to see (keep 20 ft/6 m away). You can also snorkel in the 'Ai'opio fishtrap, the canoe house and the historic Hawaiian sites. Beach is best accessed from the South side. Has petroglyphs and walking/hiking trails. The visitor center, Hale Ho'okipa, is located half a mile north of the entrance to Honokohau Harbor. Alternatively, access the south end by way of Honokohau Boat harbor. Free. (updated Feb 2019)

2 Sadie Seymour Botanical Gardens, Kona Outdoor Circle Educational Center, 76-6280 Kuakini Hwy (1hr walk south of downtown Kona), ☏ +1 808 329-7286. M-F 9AM-4PM. (updated Dec 2017) 3 Hulihe'e Palace, 75-5718 Ali'i Dr. M-Sa 9AM-4PM. Was built in 1838 for Hawaiian royals to vacation. Now it's a museum with Victorian artifacts. $10. (updated Feb 2019) 4 Mokuaikaua, 75-5713 Alii Dr. Daily 7:30AM-5:30PM. Hawaii's first Christian church. free. (updated Mar 2019)

Do

Kona Manta Ray Snorkel Tours, 78-7138 Kaleiopapa St, ☏ +1 808-313-1116. Get up close and personal with manta ray inhabitants of the Hawaiian coastline.

Yoga Hale, 77-6530 Naniloa Dr, ☏ +1 808 938-9980. Offers two class sessions daily in our relaxing home studio. Studio can accommodate up to 15 people per class in a comfortable poolside environment. Yoga mats are available (nominal fee) as well as props & towels. Offering 4 types of classes, Yoga Hale provides a calming environment and class structure that novices and yoga experts can enjoy. $20. Kona Mike's Surf Adventures, Kahaluu' Beach, Kahalu'u Rd, ☏ +1 808 334-0033. Learn to surf with instructors. All instructors are CPR, First Aid and lifeguard certified as well as trained in professional rescue. $99. 1 Kahaluu Beach. There is great snorkeling at a local beach park called Kahaluu. It can be crowded, but it's pretty worth it. You can rent equipment in town and at the beach. Kahaluu also has a lovely little bar next to it when you're tired of drinking salt water. Secure storage lockers are available for $5 from the Kahaluu Snack Wagon parked on the beach from 10AM to 3:30PM. (updated Dec 2016) Hawaii Lifeguard Surf Instructors, 75-5909 Alii Dr (between Alii Cove and Kona Reef Resort), ☏ +1 808 324-0442. Takes 2½ hours. Professional surfing lessons and paddle tours 7 days a week. 13+ years in business. Taught by certified lifeguards. $106. 2 Kekaha Kai State Park (just north of Kona on Hwy 19; coming from Kona, go past mile marker 89 and turn left towards the water at the sign for the Veteran's Cemetery), ☏ +1 808 961-9540. Daily 8AM-7PM. Also called Kua Bay, Kekaha Kai is an absolutely beautiful white sand beach. The beach is mostly used for body boarding as it has a steep shorebreak and can be dangerous to inexperienced swimmers. Newly paved road (ok for 2WD) all the way to beach. Beach has bathrooms, fresh water fountains and showers. (updated Feb 2019) Wild Hawaii Ocean Adventures (WHOA), Honokohau

Buy

The main shopping drag in Kailua-Kona is Ali'i Drive. In addition to lots of bars and restaurants, here you'll find a variety of shops catering to many different interests. Lots of small shops here sell T-shirts, sunglass, sandals and souvenirs of all sorts. Others specialize in jewelry or local arts and crafts.

Kona Coffee. Kona Coffee is widely recognized as one of the top coffees in the world. Look for 100% Pure Kona Coffee, as there are many 10% Kona Blends that do not have the same taste. UCC Hawaii Coffee Factory Outlet, enjoy Roastery Tours and Roastmaster Tours. Donkey Balls. These world famous premium chocolate covered Hawaiian macadamia nuts are known for their quality and weird name. Named #1 treat in Kona for years. In Historic Kainaliu. ABC stores. Everything from deli, groceries, fine wines & spirits, drugs & cosmetics, gifts, souvenirs and local apparel. Four locations in Kailua-Kona. 1 Costco, 73-5600 Maiau St (Between town and the airport.), ☏ +1-808-331-4800. M-F 10AM-8:30PM, Sa 9:30AM-6PM, Su 10AM-6PM. 2 Walmart, 75-1015 Henry St (+1 808-334-0466). Daily 6AM-midnight. (updated Nov 2016)

Eat

Budget 1 The Coffee Shack, Hwy 11 in Captain Cook (between mile markers 108 and 109). Great food and awesome views in this tiny little restaurant overlooking Kealakekua Bay. Breakfast and Lunch items. If you're on you're way to Volcano National Park, be sure to get up early and to make this a stop on the way. 2 Habaneros, 78-6831 Alii Dr, #K4 (in the Keauhou Shopping Center near the movie theaters), ☏ +1 808 324-4688. A cute little restaurant that serves authentic Mexican for lunch and dinner. 3 Pancho and Lefty's, 75-5719 Alii Dr, ☏ +1-808-326-2171. Tu-Sa 11AM-9PM. Great Mexican food on the Big Island, r