Guidebook for Kailua-Kona
Food Scene
Great home-cooked meals, wonderful desserts. Try the flourless chocolate torte!
18 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Strawberry Patch
79-7491 Hawaiʻi Belt RdGreat home-cooked meals, wonderful desserts. Try the flourless chocolate torte!
Kaya's Kawanui Inc
79-7300 Hawaiʻi Belt RdSuperb coffee and gluten-free baked goods
Local grass fed beef make the best burgers on the island
45 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Annie's Island Fresh Burgers
79-7460 Hawaiʻi Belt RdLocal grass fed beef make the best burgers on the island
La Bourgogne French Restaurant
77-6400 Nalani StTry the lamb chops! Divine.
Sam Choy's Kai Lanai
78-6831 Ali‘i DrI love the way Sam Choy grills fish.
Bangkok House
75-5626 Kuakini HwySome of the best Thai food on the island
Island Lava Java
75-5801 Ali‘i DrGood place to watch waves and passersby.
Really good brunches and dinners. Very fresh food, lovingly prepared.
61 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Holuakoa Gardens and Cafe
765897 Kona Belt RdReally good brunches and dinners. Very fresh food, lovingly prepared.
Wonderful Indian food. Palak paneer and Lamb curry are my favorites.
23 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Kamana Kitchen
75-5770 Ali‘i DrWonderful Indian food. Palak paneer and Lamb curry are my favorites.
Even though I try to avoid pasta, I generally can find some fish and vegetables I love here.
47 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Cafe Pesto - Kawaihae
61-3665 Akoni Pule HwyEven though I try to avoid pasta, I generally can find some fish and vegetables I love here.
Akule Supply
78-7138 Kaleiopapa StreetBeautiful location on Keauhou Bay
Wonderful Italian food. Small, family owned restaurant with excellent food.
26 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Mi's Waterfront Bistro
75-5770 Ali‘i DrWonderful Italian food. Small, family owned restaurant with excellent food.
Amici Vista Italian Restaurant
78-7000 Ali‘i DriveGood Italian food in Kailua-Kona
El Maguey
74-5563 Kaiwi StVery reasonably priced, simple Mexican food
The Coffee Shack
83-5799 Mamalahoa HwyThe best view ever. Great breakfasts.
Delicious crepes, both sweet and savory, and good coffee
16 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Peaberry & Galette
78-6831 Ali‘i DrDelicious crepes, both sweet and savory, and good coffee
Kona Coffee And Tea
14-4960 Waiopae RdLocal farmers grow this estate coffee. Really delicious.
Distinctive menu and fantastic food... Venison, rabbit, antelope... many dishes you simply won't find anywhere else. Divine home made millet bread.
102 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Kilauea Lodge Restaurant
19-3948 Old Volcano RdDistinctive menu and fantastic food... Venison, rabbit, antelope... many dishes you simply won't find anywhere else. Divine home made millet bread.
The local waiters and busboys stop and do hula at lunchtime. Its not polished, glitzy hula, but more like your neighbor's luau-style hula. Full of character, this place.
47 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Bamboo Restaurant & Gallery
55-3415 Akoni Pule HwyThe local waiters and busboys stop and do hula at lunchtime. Its not polished, glitzy hula, but more like your neighbor's luau-style hula. Full of character, this place.
Lunch specials are very good, relaxed atmosphere.
126 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Jackie Rey's Ohana Grill Kona
75-5995 Kuakini HwyLunch specials are very good, relaxed atmosphere.
Delectable sushi and sake, even if you like your fish cooked (as I do!) Try a 'Trio' of small samplers.
50 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Sushi Rock Restaurant
55-3435 Akoni Pule HwyDelectable sushi and sake, even if you like your fish cooked (as I do!) Try a 'Trio' of small samplers.
Vegan raw, yet scrumptious! Try their spaghetti squash cooked in coconut milk, with cashews. Or their 'better than beef' burgers. The breakfast menu includes healthy alternatives and baked goods, as well as eggs.
19 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Under the Bodhi Tree
68-1330 Mauna Lani DrVegan raw, yet scrumptious! Try their spaghetti squash cooked in coconut milk, with cashews. Or their 'better than beef' burgers. The breakfast menu includes healthy alternatives and baked goods, as well as eggs.
Great location on the water, serving coffee, kombucha, and good food.
69 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Daylight Mind Coffee Company
69-201 Waikōloa Beach DrGreat location on the water, serving coffee, kombucha, and good food.
Red Water Cafe
65-1299 Kawaihae RdDelicious food in Waimea.
Try the fish tacos with lettuce wrap, if you want a really low carb lunch. The Mango Chicken salad is delightful too.
66 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Tommy Bahama Restaurant, Bar & Store
68-1330 Mauna Lani DrTry the fish tacos with lettuce wrap, if you want a really low carb lunch. The Mango Chicken salad is delightful too.
Parks & Nature
Wonderful place to kayak and snorkel across the bay, at the monument. Also try snorkeling at Two Step, era the City of Refuge Park.
89 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Kealakekua Bay
Wonderful place to kayak and snorkel across the bay, at the monument. Also try snorkeling at Two Step, era the City of Refuge Park.
Waialea Beach
Old Puako RoadOne of my favorite snorkel spots
Spectacular coastline view of secluded valley, steeped in Hawaiian history.
117 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Waipio Valley
Spectacular coastline view of secluded valley, steeped in Hawaiian history.
I-Akaka Falls State Park
875 Akaka Falls RdIconic Hawaiian waterfall
What's Hawaii without waterfalls? This one is magnificent, particularly after a rain.
337 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Rainbow Falls
What's Hawaii without waterfalls? This one is magnificent, particularly after a rain.
Windsurfing and a great place for ocean sports. Rocky beach.
29 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Anaehoomalu Bay
Windsurfing and a great place for ocean sports. Rocky beach.
Beautifully powdery white sand beach; worth the effort to get there.
80 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Makalawena Beach
Hawaii 19Beautifully powdery white sand beach; worth the effort to get there.
Another beautiful but rocky beach. Check out the Queen's Bath.
10 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Kīholo Bay
Another beautiful but rocky beach. Check out the Queen's Bath.
An idyllic spot to bask in turquoise waters for a perfect morning's swim
6 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Kua Bay Access Road
Kua Bay Access RoadAn idyllic spot to bask in turquoise waters for a perfect morning's swim
Easy snorkeling, shallow a long way out, lots of turtles and colorful reef fish
239 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Kahaluu Bay
Ali‘i DriveEasy snorkeling, shallow a long way out, lots of turtles and colorful reef fish
The world's best observatories take advantage of clear skies at 13, 796 ft elevation. A stop at the Visitor's Center at 9,200 ft is a must.
161 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Mauna Kea
The world's best observatories take advantage of clear skies at 13, 796 ft elevation. A stop at the Visitor's Center at 9,200 ft is a must.
Luxuriate in natural volcanic heated warm ponds while swimming with reef fish and turtles. Divine! This isn't a sandy beach, but a very interesting hot pond surrounded by lava.
83 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Kapoho Tide Pools
Luxuriate in natural volcanic heated warm ponds while swimming with reef fish and turtles. Divine! This isn't a sandy beach, but a very interesting hot pond surrounded by lava.
The massive stone walls of this ancient "City of Refuge" may have inspired the design of the Onion House.
270 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Pu'uhonua O Honaunau National Historical Park
State Highway 160The massive stone walls of this ancient "City of Refuge" may have inspired the design of the Onion House.
Good place to spot whales, and to interact with them if you're extremely lucky. I like to walk along the ocean from the end of Puako Drive, heading south.
9 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Puako Bay
Good place to spot whales, and to interact with them if you're extremely lucky. I like to walk along the ocean from the end of Puako Drive, heading south.
I love the snorkeling here, but be careful getting in and out if the water's rough. You enter the water not from a sandy beach, but from a shelf of lava rock. Great place to see spinner dolphins 'up close and personal' if they're in the mood. Let them approach you.
21 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Two Step ukuphila nokuphepha
I love the snorkeling here, but be careful getting in and out if the water's rough. You enter the water not from a sandy beach, but from a shelf of lava rock. Great place to see spinner dolphins 'up close and personal' if they're in the mood. Let them approach you.
After the tidal wave, a huge area was set aside for green space, which gives Hilo its unique charm.
22 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Liliʻuokalani Botanical Garden
123 N Kuakini StAfter the tidal wave, a huge area was set aside for green space, which gives Hilo its unique charm.
Everything Else
This hotel has an interesting collection of artwork, set in extensive grounds that can be accessed by boat or monorail. Some of my featherwork is in their permanent collection!
27 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Hilton Waikoloa Village
69-425 Waikōloa Beach DrThis hotel has an interesting collection of artwork, set in extensive grounds that can be accessed by boat or monorail. Some of my featherwork is in their permanent collection!
Night diving with manta rays in Kona is one of the top rated diving experiences on the planet. This is one of many dive shop excursions.
50 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Manta Ray Dives of Hawaii
74-380 Kealakehe PkwyNight diving with manta rays in Kona is one of the top rated diving experiences on the planet. This is one of many dive shop excursions.
Walua Road
Walua RoadEasy stroll through a lovely neighborhood, within walking distance of the Onion House.
Fantastic setting. I love three botanical garden.
55 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Umauma Falls Zipline & Rappel Experience
31-313 Old Mamalahoa HwyFantastic setting. I love three botanical garden.
This helicopter company rescued me, and about 80 other people, out of the wilderness area of Kalalau Valley on Kauai, hours before Hurricane Iniki blasted the island with 225 mph winds. I'm grateful!
6 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Blue Hawaiian Helicopters
99 Kaulele PlThis helicopter company rescued me, and about 80 other people, out of the wilderness area of Kalalau Valley on Kauai, hours before Hurricane Iniki blasted the island with 225 mph winds. I'm grateful!
Knowledgeable guides will make the most of your opportunity to learn about this unique history and landscape.
21 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Hawaii Forest & Trail Kona Headquarters
73-5593 Olowalu StKnowledgeable guides will make the most of your opportunity to learn about this unique history and landscape.
Arts & Culture
I've sold my artwork through this gallery for decades, and Maria has one of the finest collections of Pacific art on the island.
9 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Gallery of Great Things
65-1279 Kawaihae RdI've sold my artwork through this gallery for decades, and Maria has one of the finest collections of Pacific art on the island.
See the wide variety of arts created on this island at the Harbor Gallery. Cafe Pesto is a great place to eat next door, with changing art exhibits on the walls.
Harbor Gallery
See the wide variety of arts created on this island at the Harbor Gallery. Cafe Pesto is a great place to eat next door, with changing art exhibits on the walls.
Uncle Robert Keli’iho’omalu's free-spirited Wednesday night market, with jovial Hawaiian music and awa bar, has become the liveliest scene on this island. He declared it "Sovereign Kingdom of Hawaii"
59 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Kalapana
Uncle Robert Keli’iho’omalu's free-spirited Wednesday night market, with jovial Hawaiian music and awa bar, has become the liveliest scene on this island. He declared it "Sovereign Kingdom of Hawaii"
This art center has classes, events, and pot-luck dinners you can drop in and join, with a small exhibition space. It's got a friendly atmosphere and is an easy place to meet fellow artists.
16 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Donkey Mill Art Center
78-6670 Mamalahoa HwyThis art center has classes, events, and pot-luck dinners you can drop in and join, with a small exhibition space. It's got a friendly atmosphere and is an easy place to meet fellow artists.
Sightseeing
One of my favorite small towns in the state. It's got an aura all its own.
88 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Hawi
One of my favorite small towns in the state. It's got an aura all its own.
Watch the glow of molten lava from Halemaumau Crater, literally from your bed. The restaurant is quite good, but the view is spectacular.
79 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Indlu yaseVolcano
1 Crater Rim DriveWatch the glow of molten lava from Halemaumau Crater, literally from your bed. The restaurant is quite good, but the view is spectacular.
If you want to browse through unique artist's galleries and individual craftsmen's products, this is the place for you. Eat at Holualoa Cafe while you're there.
57 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Holualoa
If you want to browse through unique artist's galleries and individual craftsmen's products, this is the place for you. Eat at Holualoa Cafe while you're there.
Spectacular coastline views and a good hike. One of seven remote valleys... Waipio Valley is on the other end of this chain of untouched wilderness valleys.
140 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Pololu Valley
Spectacular coastline views and a good hike. One of seven remote valleys... Waipio Valley is on the other end of this chain of untouched wilderness valleys.
This magnificent stone temple, or heiau, was built by Kamehameha, and is still the site of important Hawaiian cultural gatherings.
27 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
I-Pu'ukohola Heiau National Historic Site
62-3601 Kawaihae RdThis magnificent stone temple, or heiau, was built by Kamehameha, and is still the site of important Hawaiian cultural gatherings.
Fascinating rock art done by Native Hawaiians.
18 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Puako Petroglyph Park
1 N Kaniku DrFascinating rock art done by Native Hawaiians.
I love going up on this sacred mountain, and observing the island from this vantage point. Sunsets and sunrises are spectacular.
48 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Maunakea Observatories Support Services
177 Makaala StI love going up on this sacred mountain, and observing the island from this vantage point. Sunsets and sunrises are spectacular.
Essentials
This is where I met my sweetheart! (A friend asked, "What aisle?")
51 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Island Naturals Market & Deli - Hilo
1221 Kilauea AveThis is where I met my sweetheart! (A friend asked, "What aisle?")
Good place for a quick bite and to stock up on healthy snacks.
61 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Island Naturals Market & Deli Kailua-Kona
74-5444 Makala BlvdGood place for a quick bite and to stock up on healthy snacks.
KTA Super Stores
74-5594 Palani RdBest fresh fish in town.
If you're cooking for a crowd, this is the answer! If you're a member but forgot your card, they can look it up for you by your phone number.
153 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Costco Wholesale
73-5600 Maiau StIf you're cooking for a crowd, this is the answer! If you're a member but forgot your card, they can look it up for you by your phone number.
Getting Around
This seems to be one of the best ways to get a good deal on car rentals. I've used them many times.
Discount Car Rental Corporation
This seems to be one of the best ways to get a good deal on car rentals. I've used them many times.