Kailua Kona

Introduction

Kailua Kona, often referred to as "Kona" by the locals, is nestled at the bottom of the Hualalai Volcano. It is the main western city of the Big Island of Hawaii. 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. Now Kona has become known for sport fishing, snorkeling, sunsets and coffee, which is cultivated on the slopes of Mount Hualalai. 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.

Sights and Activities

• Boat tours are available to Kealakekua Bay where you can snorkel near the Captain Cook Monument.
• Scuba diving. Kona has some great diving opportunities during the daytime, but the real thing to do here is the Manta Rays Night Dive. All the dive operators in town do a night dive to see the giant mantas, and this is the best and most reliable place in the world to see them. The manta rays of Kona can be up to 16 feet (5m) wide and weigh almost 2000 lbs (900kg)! On any given night there are 1-20 rays feeding at the dive site, and by bringing lights in the water, plankton (their food) is attracted to feed them. Divers sit in sand on the bottom about 30 feet deep (9m) and watch these huge but harmless fishes swim inches from their faces. A must do! Though it's at night, there is so much light in the water and it's so shallow that this is an easy dive for novice divers, as well as a very rewarding dive for even the most seasoned divers. Snorkelers can also get a great up close view of the mantas at the same time. All you have to do is float on the water and hold a light, it's very easy. You must be PADI-certified to do the night dive, but if you aren't you can do a snorkel night tour (sometimes called "dive" as well), which offers comparable views and excitement. Well-reviewed popular companies that do Manta Ray Night dives include: Big Island Divers, Jack's Diving Locker, Kona Diving Company, Fair Wind, Kona Honu, Pacific Rim Divers.
• Coffee plantations. Coffee plantations abound, see for example Bayview Farms, which has a short free tour and samples of the Kona coffee.
• Kaloko-Honokōhau National Historical Park (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.). Honokohau Beach usually has plenty of Hawaiian green sea turtle (Honu) basking in the sun to see (keep 20ft/6m 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. Free.
• Sadie Seymour Botanical Gardens (Located at the Kona Outdoor Circle Educational Center).

Events and Festivals

Holidays

• New Year’s Eve - The US celebrates the outgoing of the old year and incoming of the New Year quite dramatically. Every state boasts its own parties to ring in the New Year, but none is more extravagant than New York’s Time Square, which sees people overflowing into the neighboring restaurants, bars, parks, beaches, and neighborhoods.
• Martin Luther King Jr. Day (officially Birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr. and sometimes referred to as MLK Day) is an American federal holiday marking the birthday of Martin Luther King Jr. It is observed on the third Monday of January each year, which is around King's birthday, January 15. The holiday is similar to holidays set under the Uniform Monday Holiday Act. The earliest Monday for this holiday is January 15 and the latest is January 21. King was the chief spokesperson for nonviolent activism in the Civil Rights Movement, which successfully protested racial discrimination in federal and state law.
• St Patrick’s Day - March 17 celebrates the US’s large Irish population. Many cities around the country boast boisterous parades and Irish-themed parties, especially New York and Chicago, where the river is dyed green. Be wary of the drunkenness that dominates as this is definitely a party-day.
• Memorial Day - Memorial Day is an important holiday throughout the United States, but not for crazy festivities. Parades commemorating wartime heroes are often held and the day is also the ‘unofficial’ start of summer. Most visitors follow the crowds to parks and beaches, which are capped off with informal BBQs.
• Independence Day - Also known as the Fourth of July, Independence Day celebrates the US’s break from the British during the 18th century. Barbecues, street parties, beach trips, and weekend getaways are commonplace to appreciate freedom.
• Labor Day is a public holiday celebrated on the first Monday in September. It honors the American labor movement and the contributions that workers have made to the strength, prosperity, laws, and well-being of the country. It is the Monday of the long weekend known as Labor Day Weekend. It is recognized as a federal holiday. Beginning in the late 19th century, as the trade union and labor movements grew, trade unionists proposed that a day be set aside to celebrate labor.
• Halloween - Halloween is a fun holiday on October 31 for all generations to dress up in costumes and relive their youth. Children walk around the neighborhood trick-or-treating for candy, while adults attend parties. Other seasonal events include haunted houses, pumpkin farms and carving, and corn mazes.
• Thanksgiving - On the fourth Thursday in November, Thanksgiving is held in almost every home in the US. Tourists will have a hard time finding anything to do as the country essentially shuts down in observation. A typical Thanksgiving meal consists of turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes and pumpkin pie commemorating the original Pilgrim’s feast at Plymouth Rock.
• Christmas - On December 25, Christians celebrate Christmas as the pinnacle of their calendar by attending church and opening gifts from Santa Claus. Almost everything shuts down to promote family togetherness. The northern regions hope to experience a “white Christmas,” with trees and festive lights blanketed by snow.

Sport

• Super Bowl Sunday - the world’s most watched sporting event and one of the highest grossing TV days of the year, Superbowl Sunday is a spectacular extravaganza. Held the first Sunday in February, the Superbowl is the final playoff game between the NFL’s top two teams. The venue rotates every year around America, yet the local parties seem to remain. Pubs, bars and restaurants are great places to enjoy the Superbowl or locals throw their own parties with different variations of betting.
• The World Series is the annual championship series of Major League Baseball (MLB) in North America, contested since 1903 between the American League (AL) champion team and the National League (NL) champion team. The winner of the World Series championship is determined through a best-of-seven playoff, and the winning team is awarded the Commissioner's Trophy. As the series is played during the fall season in North America, it is sometimes referred to as the Fall Classic.

Weather

Kona has a tropical, semi-arid climate (Köppen BSh) with warm temperatures year-round, typical of its latitude in the tropics. It is the warmest place in the United States of America in January on average. The coolest month is February, with an average high temperature of 27.3 °C, while the warmest is August, with an average high of 30.5 °C. In addition to being the warmest place in the United States in January, it is also the city with the highest record low in the United States with an all-time low temperature of 13 °C. Humidity is generally between 50% and 70%. Kona is generally dry, with an average annual precipitation of 814 mm. Mornings are typically clear, while thermal clouds created in the day raise the temperature during the day

Getting There

By Plane

Kona International Airport (KOA) is the major airport on the western side of the Big Island.
There are direct flights to the Big Island with United Airlines from Los Angeles, San Francisco and Chicago. US Airways has flights from Phoenix.
American Airlines and Delta Airlines also serve the airport from Los Angeles.
Some other cities with direct flights include Vancouver (seasonal), Seattle, Oakland and Tokyo.

You can also fly to Oahu/Honolulu first (which has many internationl flights) and connect with Hawaiian Airlines through Honolulu. Kahului has also flights with Hawaiian to Kona Airport.

By Car

Rental cars can sell out, so it's best to reserve one as soon as possible.

Getting 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.

It is easy walking along Alii Drive on the waterfront, which has many stores, restaurants, and hotels.

Eat

• Bongo Ben's Island Café, 75-5819 Alii Dr (Under Lulu's, next to Coconut Grove MarketPlace), ☎ +1 808 329-9203. They have good lunches, OK breakfasts and a great location.
• 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.
• 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.
• Pancho and Lefty's, 75-5719 Alii Dr, ☎ +1-808-326-2171. Tu-Sa 11AM-9PM. 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.
• Da Poke Shack. 10AM-6PM. Raw marinated fish bowls and seafood salads $15-25.
• BaLe, 74-5588 Palani Rd (Kona Coast Shopping Center, near KTA grocery store, on Palani Dr), ☎ +1 808 327-1212. Local-style food, though some of the dishes have a Southeast Asian twist.
• Big Island Grill, 75-5702 Kuakini Hwy, ☎ +1 808 326-1153. Serves authentic local food.
• You Make the Roll (Hiyashi's), 75-5725 Alii Dr Ste D101, ☎ +1 808 326-1322. Although the restaurant itself is nothing more than a take-out counter with a few outdoor cafe-style tables, looks are deceiving. This sushi restaurant is a hidden gem, tucked away in the rear of the Kona Marketplace (entrance faces Sarona Rd.), near Sandwich Island Divers. The sushi is delicious.
• Original Thai, 75-5629 Kuakini Hwy (North Kona Shopping Center), ☎ +1 808 329-3459. The location is a little difficult to find but the food is delicious. edit
• Longboard Legends Pizza, Unit 102 - 75-5742 Kuakini Hwy, ☎ +1-808-329-2211. Monday-Saturday: 11:00-21:00, Sunday: 12:00-20:00. Good for dine in and takeout. 10, 20 and 28in Pizza sizes. Medium is very generous size. Excellent toppings. $10-70.

Drink

• Huggo's. 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.
• Jamba Juice.
• Java on the Rocks. Huggo's on the Rocks in the morning for Coffee drinks and Oceanside seating.
• Kona Brewing Company. A pub known for great hand spun pizzas, local organic salads and fresh beers on draft that you can't find anywhere else. Every Sunday evening local musicians provide live entertainment.

8 LuLu's. Just down Aliʻi Drive and upstairs from Bubba Gump's, is open air and is a pretty cool place to hang out and knock back some beers.

• Quinn's Almost By The Sea. Known for their fish sandwiches.

Sleep

• Beach Villas at Kahaluu (Kahaluu Beach Villas), 78-6721 Ali'i Dr, ☎ +1 808 331-8878. Check-in: 4PM, check-out: 11AM. The Beach Villas at Kahaluu represent the first new beach front condos constructed on Alii Drive in the last 20 years. These villas are large, designer decorated, with the following amenities: infinity pool, spa, gas barbecue, central air conditioning, with plasma TVs. $200 - $250/Night.
• Holua Resort at Mauna Loa Village, 78-7190 Kaleiopapa St, ☎ +1 808 324-1550. 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.
• Holualao Inn, 76-5932 Mamalahoa Hwy, toll-free: +1 800-392-1812. Bed and Breakfast estate surrounded by 30 acres of pasture land, coffee orchards, and tropical gardens, overlooking the world famous Kona coast. $260-375.
• Kona Coast Resort, 78-6842 Alii Dr, ☎ +1 808 324-1721. Resort with two swimming pools, three Jacuzzis, sauna, children's pool and playground, tennis courts, volleyball, fitness center, and on-site activities like hula lessons and dive instruction
• Kona Magic Sands Resort, 75-5776 Kuakini Hwy, toll-free: +1 888-828-6745. Kona's affordable oceanfront hotel where every room is on the water featuring a lush tropical feeling with the convenience of modern amenities
• Mauna Lani Bay Hotel and Bungalows, 68-1400 Mauna Lani Dr (17 mi N of Kona Airport), ☎ +1 808 885-6622. Oceanside resort with all amenities and services including free wifi. Two sandy beaches separated by a fishpond. Several restaurants on-premises and free shuttle to nearby shops and restaurants. If visiting during the full moon make a point of going to the Hawaiian Talk Story performance at the historic cottage on-site. Scheduled from 5:30PM, but go early to get a good seat. Bring a picnic like the regulars do. From $300.
• Outrigger Keauhou Beach Resort. Oceanfront resort located along the Kona Coast. Full service spa, swimming pool, fitness center, six tennis courts and meeting facilities.
• Sheraton Keauhou Bay Resort & Spa, 78-128 Ehukai St (somewhat remote, 15 min from Kailua-Kona, and ~30 minutes from Kona Airport by car), ☎ +1 808 930-4900. Large, older hotel without beach access, situated on solidified lava. You'll need a car to get anywhere. It has a surprisingly cool pool, with a Manta Ray Super Pool & Slide, 200-foot-long water slide, a sand-bottom pool, nearby whirlpools and lush foliage and waterfalls. $160-220.
• Yoga Hale (Nightly Rentals/Surf & Yoga Retreats), 77-6530 Naniloa St, ☎ +1 808 938-9980. $75.

Keep Connected

Internet

There is a very small internet bar/cafe culture in the USA. Even then most of the internet bars/cafes tend be located in major urban centers. Accessible WiFi networks, however, are common. The most generally useful WiFi spots are in coffee shops, fast-food chains, and bookshops, but also restaurants and hotels more and more have a network to connect on. Some of them might require you to buy something and you might need a password too, especially in hotels.

Phone

See also International Telephone Calls

The general emergency phone number is 911. The USA has a great landline phone system that is easy to use. The country code for the U.S. is +1. The rest of the telephone number consists of 10 digits: a 3-digit area code, and a 7-digit number. Any small grocery store or pharmacy has pre paid domestic or international phone cards. These phone cards are very cheap and offer good rates. The once ubiquitous pay phone is now much harder to find. Likely locations include in or near stores and restaurants, and near bus stops. The cellphone network in the states is slowly getting better but is still not as good when compared to other western countries. Cell phones tend to operate using different frequencies (850 MHz and 1900 MHz) from those used elsewhere in the world (2100 MHz). This used to prevent most foreign phones from working in America. Phones must be tri- or quad-band to work in the U.S. Fortunately, technology has meant that most phones should now be able to pick up one of the U.S. networks. Prepaid phones and top-up cards can be purchased at mobile phone boutiques and at many discount, electronics, office supply and convenience stores. A very basic handset with some credit can be had for under $40.

Post

The US Postal Service is a very good and well priced mail system. There are post offices in every small and large town for sending packages internationally or domestically. Although some might keep longer hours, most are open at least between 9:00am and 5:00pm. If wanting to send a letter or postcard it is best just to leave it in a blue mail box with the proper postage. First-class international airmail postcards and letters (up 28.5 grams) cost $1.10. There are also private postal services like FedEx, UPS, TNT and DHL, which might be better value sometimes and are generally very quick and reliable too.

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