Local Kona

Located just 10 minutes south of Kona International Airport, Kailua-Kona is a lively seaside town that is in the heart of the Kona Coast. Once a sleepy fishing village and a home for Hawaiian royalty, Kailua town is now a place to shop, dine, and learn about Hawaii's rich culture.

Kailua-Kona, also known simply as Kona, has a history that looms much larger than its size would indicate. Nestled at the bottom of the Hualalai Volcano on the Big Island of Hawaii, this area was considered the premier place to live in ancient times due to the excellent weather and water. British explorer Captain James Cook first spotted Hawaii off the coast of Kailua-Kona. Kona is also where King Kamehameha the Great died and where the ancient kapu (taboo) system was discarded.

Most people consider Kona to be the center of the visitor industry on the Big Island. The town has an intoxicating aroma, thanks in part to the Kona Coast's world-famous Kona coffee. The main street, Alii Drive, runs along the oceanfront through the heart of the city from Kailua Pier to the Kuamoo Battlefield, where many lives were lost in fighting over the value of the kapu system.

Historic Hulihee Palace and the Mokuaikaua Church are located right on Alii Drive. Later in life, King Kamehameha lived near the current site of King Kamehameha's Kona Beach Hotel until his passing in 1819. The Ahuena Heiau also resides at the hotel, a reconstructed temple rebuilt by Kamehameha himself. This sacred site is on the register of National Historic Landmarks and is just one of the significant places on the Kona coast.

Today, Kona is one of the world's great sports fishing centers and one of the winter homes for Humpback Whales during December to April.  Kona's shores abound with marine life from Spinner dolphins, tropical fish, green sea turtles, and of course the famous Giant Kona Manta Rays. 

 The original Ironman Triathlon began in Kona and is hosted annually to the World Championship. Kailua Pier is a great place to watch the sunset and is the starting and finishing point of the world-famous Ironman Triathalon

The Kona District stretches about 60 miles along West Hawaii and is divided into North and South Kona. South of town is Kealakekua Bay where Captain James Cook first set foot on the island in 1778 and where he was killed. Nearby is Puuhonua o Honaunau, a well-restored Hawaiian "place of refuge" from before Western contact, complete with thatch-roof hale (hut) and heiau (temple) guarded by imposing kii (tiki.)

Intriguing little communities lie just upcountry on the flank of Maunaloa. Holualoa village is dotted with art galleries. Going south through Kainaliu, Kealakekua and Captain Cook, you can literally smell the coffee in this world-famous coffee-growing region.

The whole Kona region buzzes with activity: triathletes at the Ironman in October, champion fishermen at August's International Billfish Tournament, celebrants at festivals for coffee and chocolate, plus cruise ship passengers, honeymooners, families, golfers, film crews, backpackers, scuba divers, naturalists, shoppers, conventioneers and vacationers from all walks of life any day of the week.

Tourists have discovered the uniqueness of Kona and made it a popular destination. Ask any town resident and you will learn how deeply the people love their town.

* Kona Average temperatures: 76° in winter, 80° in summer

* Annual rainfall: 30 inches