Kailua-Kona Area Guide

Welcome to the Big Island’s calmest, most ideal region; Kailua-Kona! Known for breath-taking scenery and wonderful tropical climates, Kailua-Kona is home to a handful of the most gorgeous beaches and resorts on the planet! Originally founded by ancient native Kings as a political epicenter and later used as a royal retreat; the small fishing community has, in recent years, exploded into a thriving tourist development fueled by rapid construction and investment.

History

Kailua is Hawaiian for “two seas,” a reference to the tumultuous currents surrounding the Big Island, a utopian geography known for both sheer beauty and sloping cliff sides.

Kailua-Kona is located along the southwest slope of the Hualalai Volcano near the Kailua Bay, and is known as the calmest area of the island, as “kona” translates to “leeward” or “calm.”

Kailua was originally established by the legendary Hawaiian chieftain King Kamehameha I to be his governmental seat as he unified and consolidated the various kingdoms of the island chain.

Later, it became a vacation home for the Hawaiian family dotted with royal fish ponds demonstrating their prolific development and use of aquaculture.

After the passing of the Great King in 1819, his former residence and glorified battle sites became wonderful national parks in remembrance of Kailua’s rich history.

In 1779, the first European settler made landing on the island’s coast in pursuit of refuge from the area’s dangerous seas. This British expedition led by Captain James Cook ended badly when he attempted to recover a stolen British ship by kidnapping and ransoming a Hawaiian king, resulting in the death of Cook, to whom there is dedicated a local memorial.

Kailua-Kona became known for its amiable climate and rich resources, leading missionaries to build settlements in the area consisting of churches and residences. This officially made the once small fishing village the first seaport in the Hawaiian Islands.

For more information about Kailua-Kona’s extensive history, please refer to the links below:

www.hawaiianhistory.org

www.hawaiian-roots.com

www.hawaii-nation.org

http://www.konaweb.com

Parks and Recreation

Hawaii is a tropical wonderland with looming forestry, rushing waterfalls, and endless stretches of gorgeous white-sand beaches. The official State Park System consists of fifty-three state parks encompassing a total area of over twenty-five thousand acres. Environments range from landscaped garden grounds to wild-land areas inundated with winding trails and naturalistic splendor.

America’s island state offers a robust recreation programming consisting of a diverse breadth of coastal experiences including picnicking, camping, swimming, snorkeling, diving, surfing, kayaking, beachcombing, hiking, as well as premier destinations for bird watchers, anglers, and geological enthusiasts.

Additionally, the Heritage program protects, preserves, and educates on Hawaii’s diverse and rich historical lineage by providing opportunities to survey superbly maintained examples of unfettered Hawaiian landscapes.

There is never any shortage of excitement on this electrifying five-island paradise!

State parks are open year-round and offer guided tours, riverboat cruises, access to various monuments and mountain summits, and much more!

DLNR, Division of State Parks
P.O. Box 621
Honolulu, HI 96809
Phone: (808) 587-0300

Hapuna Beach State Recreation Area
This sixty-two acre stretch of landscaped beaches provides a calm enclave ideal for fishing, snorkeling, body-surfing, as well as sun-bathing, beach-combing and picnicking. Entrance is free and the park offers shelters, pavilions, picnic tables, restrooms, and was named the “Best Beach in America” by Florida International University Professor “Dr. Beach!” A historic trail connects the beach to neighboring resorts and shores, and camping permits are available.

Mauna Kea Beach
Located just north of Hapuna Beach is Mauna Kea Beach, which shares several similar characteristics including a gently sloping shoreline ideal for swimming or snorkeling between two rocky flanks jutting into the emerald green surf. Mauna Kea is one of Hawaii’s best beaches and provides a gorgeous shoreline dotted by shade-bearing palm trees nestled between upscale vacation resorts!

Samuel M. Spencer Beach Park
Named for the island’s county chairman Samuel Spencer, this favorite snorkeling and swimming destination centers on Ohai'ula Beach, a gorgeous shore preceding a gentle underwater slope leading to a shallow reef perfect for snorkeling, diving, swimming, fishing, and sun-bathing. The park includes restrooms, picnic tables, showers, tennis courts, a roofed pavilion, parking lots, a camping area, and a lifeguard tower. The landscape is typified by shade-bearing trees, a diverse population of ornithological specimens including mynahs and sparrows, and open grassy lawns.
Highway Kamuela 270
Kawaihae, HI 96743

Kalopa State Recreation Area
This one-hundred acre public park rests at the end of Kalopa Trail at two-thousand foot elevation in a native ohi'a forest amongst a diverse collection of amenities and recreational opportunities. The park includes a two-mile horse-back riding trail, an arboretum of native botanical life, picnic areas, cabin lodging, clean water, and an adjoining forest reserve.
Honokaa, HI 96727
Phone: (808) 587-0300

Attractions and Activities

Kailua Kona’s temperate weather and gorgeous beaches have beckoned visitors for centuries and brought about a surging real-estate market.

Kailua is the start and finish of the annual Ironman World Championship Triathlon, the annual Kona Coffee Festival, and the Hawaiian International Billfish Tournament.

Kona is world-famous for its signature blend of Arabica Coffee cultivated on the slopes of the mighty Mount Hualalai as well as the craggy face of the volcanic Mauna Loa.

Ali’i Drive
Pace the convivial Mecca of Kailua on this ocean front downtown street peppered with historic sites, public parks, and electrifying shops and bars. Kailua Pier anchors the seafront panorama consisting of over sixty-five shops, cafes, art galleries, and markets.
Known for its pulsing nightlife and rich cultural heritage, Alii Drive borders some of the island’s finest beaches and contains a prolific history dating back centuries. It is currently the finishing point for the Ironman Triathlon as well as the site of former royal residences, historic inns, and 19th Century church buildings. While visiting the drive you can enjoy a delectable seafood feast while watching the fishing vessels depart and return or even soak in the emerald green pacific yourself while snorkeling through lush reefs and coves!
#75-6129 Ali’i Drive
Kailua-Kona
Phone: (808) 334-1381

Mauna Kea Summit
This stunning peak offers incredible panoramic views of the island’s lush tropical landscape as well as close-up encounters with the lava, desert, and valleys that make up the surrounding area. At nearly fourteen thousand feet, this breathtaking summit has become a favorite spot to soak in crisp, clean air and taste the freedom of peering down from high above the islands canopy of mighty trees. Due to the fact that much of the mountainous volcano lies underwater, the one-million-year old summit of Mauna Kea is actually taller than Mount Everest! Due to its altitude and environment, it is one of the best places in the world for astronomical observation and has become the site of many state-of-the-art observatories featuring incredible telescopes able to map the cosmos!
74-5606 Pawai Place
Kailua-Kona, HI 96740
Phone: (808) 322-2366

Coral Reef Snorkel Adventures
Swim with majestic sea creatures such as dolphins, manta rays, and tropical fish while aboard your own tour of the Big Island’s awesome marine world! Charters are available each morning and venture up the Kailua Kona coast providing close encounters with massive dolphin pods, manta ray schools, and tropical reefs. While snorkeling, you will be tutored by Expert Adventurers before coming face-to-face with these gentle and magnificent creatures. Charters provide snacks and lunch, and also operate at night in order to provide thrilling nocturnal encounters!
75-252 Nani Kailua Drive
Kailua-Kona
Phone: (808) 987-1584

Mountain Thunder Coffee Plantation
This award-winning Kona Coffee Plantation has been featured in numerous international publications and broadcasts for its world-class tours and products! The plantation offers free tours as well as V.I.P service and samples of its premium Kona coffee to visitors. The staff specializes in instruction on brewing practices and is very friendly and knowledgeable on organic and domestic blends.
73-1944 Hao St
Ste 354
Kailua Kona, HI 96740
Phone: (888) 414-5662

Kona Mike's Surf Adventures
Ideal for beginner’s or experienced paddlers, this surf camp provides adults and children the knowledge and experience for riding Kona’s legendary ocean curls! Mike’s employs the friendliest and most qualified instructors on the Big Island’s coast and books two surfing adventures weekly. All employees are CPR and First Aid certified as well as trained in professional aquatic rescue, thus allowing a carefree time becoming acquainted with the Ocean’s mighty surf!
75-6129 Ali Drive
Ali'i Gardens Marketplace
Kailua Kona, Hawaii
Phone: (808) 334-0033

Isaacs Art Center
This six-thousand square-foot art museum and gallery enriches the Waimea area with a top-notch collection of oil paintings and paper works showcased and retailed for the benefit of the Hawaiian Preparatory Academy; a coeducational boarding school fostering the growth of excelling young minds from elementary to post-secondary levels. The original building was erected in 1915 and restored less than a decade ago. Isaacs Art Center specializes in mixing its own permanent collection of thirty oil canvas works with temporary exhibits from other galleries. Most of the work has been rendered by renowned Hawaiian artists such as Jean Charlot, Martha Greenwell, D. Howard Hitchcock, Herb Kawainui Kane, Huc-Mazelet Luquiens, Ben Norris, Louis Pohl, Horatio Nelson Poole, Lloyd Sexton, Jr., and Lionel Walden. The arts center is open Tuesday through Saturday 10am to 5pm and includes something for everyone! Enjoy an eclectic and veritably endless arrangement of paintings, books, furniture, quilts, jewelry, photographs, wood-work, glass, ceramics, and much more at this incredible cultural capital!
65-1268 Kawaihae Road, Waimea, HI
Phone: (808) 885-5884
www.isaacsartcenter.org

Events

www.konaweb.com/calendar

http://www.gohawaii.com/big-island/plan-a-trip/events