'''Kailua-Kona''', commonly called '''Kona''', is a major tourist destination town on the Big Island of Hawaii.

Get in

By plane

'''Kona International Airport at Keahole''' ({{IATA|KOA}}), also known as '''Keahole Airport''', 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, Northwest, US Airways, and United. Japan Airlines, through its JALways subsidiary, also operates non-stop service from Narita Airport to Kona. Direct service from Vancouver, Canada is provided by Air Canada and Westjet.

By boat

Get around

Traffic was pretty minor before, but in recent years has become more 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.

See

  • '''Coffee plantations''' abound, see for example '''Bayview Farms''', which has a short free tour and samples of the Kona coffee. And at '''UCC Hawaii Coffee Factory Outlet''' [http://www.ucc-hawaii.com/?page=shop/index&ps_session=a01072b803baa9fc38dc182ff33aacac], you can enjoy Roastery Tours and Roastmaster Tours.
  • Do

  • "Sea" Hawaii Rafting. 3-1397 Hiolani Street. 808) 325-7444. ttp://www.seahawaiirafting.com. am-5:30pm. 75. Get up close and personal with the Hawaiian coastline and marine life with '''Sea Hawaii Rafting'''. Our Zodiac adventures are state of the art and environmentally friendly. We offer whale watching excursions, waterfall tours and private charters. Our experienced captains and crew will lead you to discover the best Hawaii has to offer.
  • "Yoga" Hale. 7-6530 Naniloa Dr.. 808) 938-9980. ttp://www.yogahale.com. 20. '''Yoga Hale''', located in Kailua-Kona in Hawaii's Big Island, offers two class sessions daily in our relaxing home studio. Our 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. Whether you're a neighbor or simply visiting Hawaii's Big Island, we hope to share the comfort and safety of our ha'le to enrich your yoga experience.
  • "Kona" Surf Adventures. 74-5606 Pawai Pl., Suite 103. 808) 334-0033. ttp://www.konasurfadventures.com. 99. Learn to surf with the best instructors on Hawaii's Big Island at '''Kona Surf Adventures'''. All instructors are CPR, First Aid and lifeguard certified as well as trained in professional rescue. You and your family will be well taken care of!
  • 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.
  • Buy

  • '''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.
  • '''Donkey Balls''' [http://www.donkeyballs.com/], these world famous premium chocolate covered Hawaiian macadamia nuts are known for their quality and weird name. '''Named #1 treat in Kona for years'''. Two locations, downtown Kailua in the Kona Inn Shopping Center, and in Historic Kainaliu.
  • Kona is a resort area with many tourist-oriented gift shops (cf. ABC stores).
  • Salt-water fish: Stockly's Aquarium is a family owned business with healthy fish and a friendly knowledgeable staff.
  • '''Costco'''- there's a costco between town and the airport if you need to stock up.
  • Eat

  • '''Bubba Gump's''' - A pretty good chain restaurant. The view is great and the food is fine. You can enjoy both a nice view and dishes with ocean breeze.
  • '''Shave Ice''' - Shave ice can be found everywhere during the tourist season. It's one of Hawaii's best treats. More than just a snow cone, the ice is specially shaved so it's smooth and creamy. Especially good with ice cream in the bottom.
  • '''O's Bistro (formerly Oodles of Noodles)''' - A wonderful restaurant that used to be the noodle shop of the famous chef Amy Ota. The seared Ahi and Saipan are great. In the Crossroads Shopping Center off Henry Street in downtown Kona-Kailua.
  • The Coffee Shack. ighway 11 in Captain Cook. etween mile markers 108 and 109. ttp://www.coffeeshack.com/. Great food-awesome views in this tiny little resturaunt 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. ****
  • Pancho and Lefty's. 5-5719 Alii Dr, Kona. Great Mexican food on the Big Island, right on one of Kona's main strips. Service is so-so, but food is great and the price is good.
  • You Make the Roll. iyashi's. 5-5725 Alii Dr Ste D101, Kailua-Kona, Island of Hawaii, HI 96740-1772. An amazing hole-in-the-wall Sushi shop with great prices.

    Drink

  • '''LuLu's''' is just down Alii' Drive and upstairs from Bubba Gump's, is open air and is a pretty cool place to hang out and knock back some beers.
  • '''Huggo's''' is another good place to hang out, especially '''Huggo's on the Rocks''' which is next door and usually has a band. It's right on the water with great sunsets.
  • '''Kona Brewing Company'''
  • '''Quinn's Almost By The Sea''' Is known for their fish sandwiches.
  • '''Jamba Juice''' [http://www.jambajuice.com]
  • '''Java on the Rocks'''- ''' Huggo's on the Rocks''' in the morning for Coffee drinks and Oceanside seating.
  • .

    Sleep

  • '''Holua Resort at Mauna Loa Village''', [http://www.shellhospitality.com/hotels/holua_resort/index.html]. 78-7190 Kaleiopapa St, 808-324-1550. 73 air-conditioned villas, with private lanai or patio with ocean, mountain or golf course view. Villas are fully furnished and available in two floor plans.
  • '''Kona Coast Resort''', [http://www.shellhospitality.com/hotels/kona_coast_resort/index.html]. 78-6842 Alii Dr, 808-324-1721. Resort with two swimming pools, three Jacuzzis, sauna, children_fs pool and playground, tennis courts, volleyball, fitness center, and on-site activities like hula lessons and dive instruction
  • Kona Tiki Condo. 5-6082 Alii Drive. 1/2 miles from the center of Kona. 88-go2-kona. ww.konatikicondo.com. 85-95. Kona Tiki Condo is a fully furnished air conditioned condo with a Tiki motif. Located in a ocean front complex with 2 pools. Watch the dolphins play from the sandy sunning beach. In the evenings everyone gathers at beach and cabana to watch the fantastic Kona sunsets in a family style atmosphere.

  • Red Time Realty LLC - Vacation Rentals, Timeshare Rentals. action rental. 5-5782 Kuakini Hwy Ste. C2C. irst floor Kona Alii building next to Lava Java. 08-331-0882. ttp://www.redtimerealty.com/vacation_rental.php. Units available at Kona Coast, Mauna Loa Vilage, Kona Hawaiian Village, Bay Club Waikoloa, Paniolo Greens, Royal Sea Cliff in addition to whole owned condos and homes. Units are 1, 2, and 3 bedrooms featuring swimming pools, hot-tubs, fitness centers, and concierge at resort locations. Reasonable rates and discounts for multiple week reservations.

  • Yoga Hale. ightly Rentals/Surf & Yoga Retreats. 7-6530 Naniloa Street. 08-938-9980. ttp://www.yogahale.com. 75.
  • Kolea Beach Villas. olea Rentals. 9-1000 Kolea Kai Circle. 7 miles north of KOA airport on the Kohala Coast at Waikoloa Beach Resort. 08-987-4519. ttp://www.koleabeachvillas.com. 200-$600/night. Kolea is the only beachfront vacation rental complex in the Waikoloa Beach Resort. Kolea offers contemporary two and three bedroom ocean view villas. Kolea is located on A'Bay, which offers a white sandy beach, awesome snorkeling, and water activities.

    Contact

    Wireless Internet

  • '''Lava Java''', Alii Drive. Free WiFi with a purchase.
  • '''Safeway'''. Free WiFi (requires 2 clicks to log in).
  • Rio's Closed.
  • Get out

  • Hawaii Volcanoes National Park is awesome, but a long drive. Easily 2+ hours. If you want to see the volcano really up close take a helicopter, you get a great view. Just inside the park entrance is Halemaumau crater the center of Kilauea. Which as of this writing is releasing enormous amounts of volcanic gas and steam. This gas and steam forms a cloud of vog that has traveled as far as Oahu.
  • Kaloko-Honokohau National Historical Park is located on the coast between Kailua Town and Kona airport. It provides beaches, archeological sites, and day hiking.
  • '''Mauna Kea''' (13,000+ ft) has great telescopes and worth the drive, again long. Dirt road for much of the drive up, but not bad. Also, don't let everyone scare you about Saddle Road, the road that splits the island, it is fine, narrow and hilly, but if you pay attention you can drive it, and it will save you an hour and a half to get to Hilo and the east side of Hawaii.
  • Puuhonua o Honaunau" url ="www.nps.gov/puho. the city of refuge- located just a few miles south from the center of Kona town- this National Park is a monument stuck in time, the tall coconut palms and the serenity of the place it's easy to feel the presence of the Hawaiian ancestors at time when the Kapu Laws were in effect. </do>