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Kona Region
Location: Kona
Nestled at the bottom of the Hualalai Volcano, is the main western city of Kailua-Kona. In ancient times, this 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.
The main street, Ali'i Drive, runs along the oceanfront through the heart of the city from Kailua Pier to the Kuamo'o Battlefield. This charming town mixes numerous historical sites with modern tourist attractions. Restaurants, shops, and hotels abound. Sunsets viewed from the seawall are almost always spectacular. During the right conditions the ocean will crash the party and send waves smashing into the bay wall and onto the sidewalks (and unsuspecting tourists!)
Nestled at the bottom of the Hualalai Volcano, is the main western city of Kailua-Kona. In ancient times, this 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.
The main street, Ali'i Drive, runs along the oceanfront through the heart of the city from Kailua Pier to the Kuamo'o Battlefield. This charming town mixes numerous historical sites with modern tourist attractions. Restaurants, shops, and hotels abound. Sunsets viewed from the seawall are almost always spectacular. During the right conditions the ocean will crash the party and send waves smashing into the bay wall and onto the sidewalks (and unsuspecting tourists!)
Location: Kona
Pu’uhonua o Honaunau (poo-oo-ho-noo-ah o hoe-now-now), formerly known as Place of Refuge at Honaunau, is an incredibly beautiful and educational experience that no trip to the Big Island should be without. After you pay your $5 per vehicle fee and walk past the educational displays, you round a corner and are transplanted into the world of the ancient Hawaiians. You are walking on the grounds were generations of ali'i (ruling class) Hawaiians lived and worked.
Pu’uhonua o Honaunau (poo-oo-ho-noo-ah o hoe-now-now), formerly known as Place of Refuge at Honaunau, is an incredibly beautiful and educational experience that no trip to the Big Island should be without. After you pay your $5 per vehicle fee and walk past the educational displays, you round a corner and are transplanted into the world of the ancient Hawaiians. You are walking on the grounds were generations of ali'i (ruling class) Hawaiians lived and worked.
Location: Kona
Like anything worthwhile, Makalawena Beach makes you work a little bit to enjoy it. This secluded white sand beach is a crescent broken up by rocky lumps of lava. Palms and other trees rim the dunes near the northern end where you are greeted with picnic tables and some wild chickens. It's not likely that you will run into many people here and those that you do meet, may not be fully clothed - consider yourself warned.
Like anything worthwhile, Makalawena Beach makes you work a little bit to enjoy it. This secluded white sand beach is a crescent broken up by rocky lumps of lava. Palms and other trees rim the dunes near the northern end where you are greeted with picnic tables and some wild chickens. It's not likely that you will run into many people here and those that you do meet, may not be fully clothed - consider yourself warned.
Location: Kona
Kona Coast or Kekaha Kai State Park is 1,600 acres of beautiful sand and pristine blue waters. There are actually several beaches in the park which is accessed via a partially paved 1.5 mile road (caution: driving on unpaved roads may be in violation of your car rental agreement) located between the 91 and 90 mile markers on Highway 19 north of Kona. There are two beaches here and access to a third much more secluded one called Makalawena.
Once you reach the first parking area you can take the path to your right and north to Mahai'ula Bay a lovely crescent of white sand and clear waters. This is a popular beach with people and honu who choose nice warm spots to sun bathe. (Remember: do not touch or get to close to the honu). Many freshwater springs bubble up through the sand and sometimes form small pools. The mixture of salt and freshwater can sometimes make the water cloudy and therefore undesirable for snorkeling. The swimming however is fine and there are plenty of shady spots to spread out a beach blanket. Just be mindful of strong currents and monitor ocean conditions.
Kona Coast or Kekaha Kai State Park is 1,600 acres of beautiful sand and pristine blue waters. There are actually several beaches in the park which is accessed via a partially paved 1.5 mile road (caution: driving on unpaved roads may be in violation of your car rental agreement) located between the 91 and 90 mile markers on Highway 19 north of Kona. There are two beaches here and access to a third much more secluded one called Makalawena.
Once you reach the first parking area you can take the path to your right and north to Mahai'ula Bay a lovely crescent of white sand and clear waters. This is a popular beach with people and honu who choose nice warm spots to sun bathe. (Remember: do not touch or get to close to the honu). Many freshwater springs bubble up through the sand and sometimes form small pools. The mixture of salt and freshwater can sometimes make the water cloudy and therefore undesirable for snorkeling. The swimming however is fine and there are plenty of shady spots to spread out a beach blanket. Just be mindful of strong currents and monitor ocean conditions.
Location: Kona
Kiholo Bay is a little puddle of blue and green from this vantage point. The mixture of sea and fresh water gives it this interesting blend. The hike to see this lava-rimmed bay is long and hot, so this is a good way to cheat and see it without all the extra work.
The lava around the bay dates to the 1859 Mauna Loa lava flow.
Kiholo Bay is a little puddle of blue and green from this vantage point. The mixture of sea and fresh water gives it this interesting blend. The hike to see this lava-rimmed bay is long and hot, so this is a good way to cheat and see it without all the extra work.
The lava around the bay dates to the 1859 Mauna Loa lava flow.
Location: Kona
Also called Manini'owali Beach, this lovely little pocket of sand used to be very difficult to access, but since a multi-million dollar road has been paved right through the lava- it's a snap to enjoy this Big Island Gem. This beach has full facilities including restrooms and showers, water, barbecues and picnic tables. It is very popular on the weekends, not to mention parking can be a nightmare, so you might want to aim for the weekdays.
Also called Manini'owali Beach, this lovely little pocket of sand used to be very difficult to access, but since a multi-million dollar road has been paved right through the lava- it's a snap to enjoy this Big Island Gem. This beach has full facilities including restrooms and showers, water, barbecues and picnic tables. It is very popular on the weekends, not to mention parking can be a nightmare, so you might want to aim for the weekdays.
Location: Kona
At the end of Ali'i Drive in Keauhou is where the ancient Hawaiian kapu system met a bloody end. At the end of the road near mauka is the Lekeleke Burial Grounds - the spot of a fierce battle between the traditionalist Kekuaokulani who wanted to preserve the old ways and the royal forces who were fighting to end them.
At the end of Ali'i Drive in Keauhou is where the ancient Hawaiian kapu system met a bloody end. At the end of the road near mauka is the Lekeleke Burial Grounds - the spot of a fierce battle between the traditionalist Kekuaokulani who wanted to preserve the old ways and the royal forces who were fighting to end them.
Location: Kona
An unassuming white building with a sloped green roof, the wooden exterior of St. Benedict’s Catholic Church gives nothing away about the beauty of its interior. As you walk the creaky floorboards of this 19th century church you are surrounded by vivid frescos depicting various stories from the Bible.
An unassuming white building with a sloped green roof, the wooden exterior of St. Benedict’s Catholic Church gives nothing away about the beauty of its interior. As you walk the creaky floorboards of this 19th century church you are surrounded by vivid frescos depicting various stories from the Bible.
Location: Kona
A slice of ancient Hawai'i amid the modern day Kona, Ahu'ena Heiau was reconstructed by King Kamehameha as his retreat and the place where he mentored his successor Liholiho. There are three main structures on the "paepae" (stone platform). The first, the Hale Mana which was thatched with ti leaves and trimmed with fern, was where the King and his advisers met, the prince was tutored and prayer was held.
The Hale Pahu housed the great ceremonial drum and the large white tower, 'Anu'u was where the high priest received and proclaimed answers he elicited from the gods.
A slice of ancient Hawai'i amid the modern day Kona, Ahu'ena Heiau was reconstructed by King Kamehameha as his retreat and the place where he mentored his successor Liholiho. There are three main structures on the "paepae" (stone platform). The first, the Hale Mana which was thatched with ti leaves and trimmed with fern, was where the King and his advisers met, the prince was tutored and prayer was held.
The Hale Pahu housed the great ceremonial drum and the large white tower, 'Anu'u was where the high priest received and proclaimed answers he elicited from the gods.
Location: Kona
The Kona Historical Society Museum is actually housed in the H.N. Greenwell Store, a restored general store originally built in 1875 to serve the needs of the Euro-American residents living in Kona at the time.
Inside, costumed guides will show you recreated merchandise from the time period. There are also plenty of historical panels which illustrate what life was like in decades past in Kona.
The Kona Historical Society Museum is actually housed in the H.N. Greenwell Store, a restored general store originally built in 1875 to serve the needs of the Euro-American residents living in Kona at the time.
Inside, costumed guides will show you recreated merchandise from the time period. There are also plenty of historical panels which illustrate what life was like in decades past in Kona.
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