Big Island - Kona side Guidebook
Best Beaches
One of the top 3 beaches on Hawaii. Kohala coast. Approx. 40 minute drive. Gate guard gives parking pass. Limited parking.
70 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Kaunaʻoa (Mauna Kea) Beach
One of the top 3 beaches on Hawaii. Kohala coast. Approx. 40 minute drive. Gate guard gives parking pass. Limited parking.
One of the top 3 beaches on Hawaii. Kohala coast. Approx. 35 minute drive. Plenty of parking plus facilities. Gorgeous.
241 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Hapuna Beach
One of the top 3 beaches on Hawaii. Kohala coast. Approx. 35 minute drive. Plenty of parking plus facilities. Gorgeous.
One of the top 3 beaches on Hawaii. Kohala coast. Approx. 25 minute drive. Leisure or boogie boarding surf. Plenty of parking & facilities.
159 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Kua Bay
One of the top 3 beaches on Hawaii. Kohala coast. Approx. 25 minute drive. Leisure or boogie boarding surf. Plenty of parking & facilities.
Closest beach to our property, @ 6 minute drive away. Fabulous when sandy, sketchy when rocky or rough surf. Great for boogie boarding and sunset views. Has showers & restrooms. Favorite local hangout.
181 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Magic Sands Beach Park
Ali'i DriveClosest beach to our property, @ 6 minute drive away. Fabulous when sandy, sketchy when rocky or rough surf. Great for boogie boarding and sunset views. Has showers & restrooms. Favorite local hangout.
Long stretch of sand. Low waves. Great place to watch sunsets. Good eats at Lava Lava Beach Club.
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ʻAnaehoʻomalu Beach
69-275 Waikōloa Beach DrLong stretch of sand. Low waves. Great place to watch sunsets. Good eats at Lava Lava Beach Club.
Best Snorkeling Spots
Best snorkeling spot on island. Only accessible by boat tour, kayak rental or considerably challenging hike. All 3 very worth the trip.
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Isibhengezo se-Khaphtheni James Cook
Best snorkeling spot on island. Only accessible by boat tour, kayak rental or considerably challenging hike. All 3 very worth the trip.
Best snorkeling, especially for novice or beginning swimmers (easy access). Lots of wildlife, full complement of facilities, lifeguards plus shaded picnic tables for enjoying a bite to eat.
239 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Kahaluu Bay
Ali‘i DriveBest snorkeling, especially for novice or beginning swimmers (easy access). Lots of wildlife, full complement of facilities, lifeguards plus shaded picnic tables for enjoying a bite to eat.
A top snorkeling spot. Named for ease of getting into the water. Immediately deep, tons of fish life to enjoy. No shower, restrooms nor lifeguard. Large lava field to relax or use as your launching pad.
Two Step Beach
A top snorkeling spot. Named for ease of getting into the water. Immediately deep, tons of fish life to enjoy. No shower, restrooms nor lifeguard. Large lava field to relax or use as your launching pad.
Best Eats
Best Hawaiian / Filipino fusion. Don’t miss the Furikake chicken. No seating, take your meal and a couple of beach chairs to Old Airport.
53 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Broke Da Mouth Grindz & Catering
74-5565 Luhia StBest Hawaiian / Filipino fusion. Don’t miss the Furikake chicken. No seating, take your meal and a couple of beach chairs to Old Airport.
Best Ahi Poke unanimously (visitors &can locals). 5 minute drive. Try to avoid 12 noon, or after 2 pm, when supplies run low. Eat there or take to Pahoehoe park, just down the road.
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Da Poke Shack
76-6246 Ali‘i DriveBest Ahi Poke unanimously (visitors &can locals). 5 minute drive. Try to avoid 12 noon, or after 2 pm, when supplies run low. Eat there or take to Pahoehoe park, just down the road.
Best things about Chubby’s: open very late, menu with large selection including many local favorites: Loco Moco, Kalbi, Stir Fry, Korean Wings, etc.
11 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Chubby's Diner
75-5591 Palani RdBest things about Chubby’s: open very late, menu with large selection including many local favorites: Loco Moco, Kalbi, Stir Fry, Korean Wings, etc.
Near downtown & always satisfying. Excellent seafood & environment. Higher on the price scale; In the same location are 3 other good options and distinctively different: Willie’s Hot Chicken, Izakaya Shiono and Kona Brewery.
154 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Umekes Fish Market Bar & Grill
74-5599 Pawai PlNear downtown & always satisfying. Excellent seafood & environment. Higher on the price scale; In the same location are 3 other good options and distinctively different: Willie’s Hot Chicken, Izakaya Shiono and Kona Brewery.
Less than 20 minutes drive south. Fantastic view overlooking Capt. Cook Bay. Both breakfast & lunch are excellent. Try the Lilikoi cheesecake. Avoid long lines at 9 am and 12 noon.
137 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
The Coffee Shack
83-5799 Mamalahoa HwyLess than 20 minutes drive south. Fantastic view overlooking Capt. Cook Bay. Both breakfast & lunch are excellent. Try the Lilikoi cheesecake. Avoid long lines at 9 am and 12 noon.
Matchless location downtown right on the water. Good fare at a slightly elevated price for the spectacular view. Go when the surf is high.
Coffee @ Kai
75-5776 Ali‘i DrMatchless location downtown right on the water. Good fare at a slightly elevated price for the spectacular view. Go when the surf is high.
Very good food. Located downtown. View of the Ocean and of the Volleyball court for lively games sometimes. Lots of places to wander and enjoy after a meal.
77 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Humpy's Big Island Alehouse
75-5815 Ali‘i DrVery good food. Located downtown. View of the Ocean and of the Volleyball court for lively games sometimes. Lots of places to wander and enjoy after a meal.
Most unique Italian seafood with Peruvian flair. Fantastic execution, friendliest owners/chef ever, very high prices. Breakfast and lunch only. 1 hour drive up north in Kawaihae.
Cipriano's Kitchen Kawaihae
Most unique Italian seafood with Peruvian flair. Fantastic execution, friendliest owners/chef ever, very high prices. Breakfast and lunch only. 1 hour drive up north in Kawaihae.
Top notch curry dishes, pad Thai and more. Good prices. Call in ahead to avoid slow service or long waits.
38 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Original Thai Cuisine LLC
75-5629 Kuakini HwyTop notch curry dishes, pad Thai and more. Good prices. Call in ahead to avoid slow service or long waits.
Always satisfies visitors. Expect good food, along with the pizza and famous beer.
226 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Kona Brewing Company
74-5612 Pawai PlAlways satisfies visitors. Expect good food, along with the pizza and famous beer.
Authentic Hawaiian / Japanese. Good service. Medium price range.
54 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Teshima's Restaurant
79-7251 Hawaiʻi Belt RdAuthentic Hawaiian / Japanese. Good service. Medium price range.
Reservations required but hands down best & most authentic Japanese sushi on the island. Recommend chef’s special “Omakase”. Excellent execution & service. Higher price range.
Seiji's Sushi
75-5669 Ali‘i DrReservations required but hands down best & most authentic Japanese sushi on the island. Recommend chef’s special “Omakase”. Excellent execution & service. Higher price range.
Great quality. Best for Happy Hour reduced prices. *** Right across the hallway is their Bento box outlet. Excellent for grab-n-go lunch! ***
43 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Kenichi Pacific
6831 Ali‘i DrGreat quality. Best for Happy Hour reduced prices. *** Right across the hallway is their Bento box outlet. Excellent for grab-n-go lunch! ***
Solid choice of Hawaiian / fusion dishes. Great for sunsets and special occasions.
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Lava Lava Beach Club
69-1081 Ku'uali'i PlSolid choice of Hawaiian / fusion dishes. Great for sunsets and special occasions.
Top-Notch Excursions
Most highly recommended by host and other guests. Multiple time slots posted on their website makes easy planning. Very thorough and friendly tour. 13 minute drive south.
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Greenwell Farms Inc
81-6581 Mamalahoa HwyMost highly recommended by host and other guests. Multiple time slots posted on their website makes easy planning. Very thorough and friendly tour. 13 minute drive south.
Drive up to 9k feet elevation. No 4-wheel-drive needed. Amazing sunset views from nearby hill after a 10 minute hike. Stay for the most fantastic star-gazing you have ever experienced. About 1 hour drive.
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I-Onizuka Center for International Astronomy Visitor Information Station
Mauna Kea Access RoadDrive up to 9k feet elevation. No 4-wheel-drive needed. Amazing sunset views from nearby hill after a 10 minute hike. Stay for the most fantastic star-gazing you have ever experienced. About 1 hour drive.
Historic Sites
One of five Historic Parks. Good hike and tour. Right next to Two Step Beach. About 30 minutes south.
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Pu'uhonua O Honaunau National Historical Park
State Highway 160One of five Historic Parks. Good hike and tour. Right next to Two Step Beach. About 30 minutes south.
Enjoyable historic hike. About 12 minutes north. Beach there often has sea turtles to view.
45 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Kaloko-Honokohau National Historical Park
Enjoyable historic hike. About 12 minutes north. Beach there often has sea turtles to view.
Very rich and valuable site of great importance to Hawaiian history. Worth the visit and self guided tour to learn about the early establishment of Kamehameha I and King and unifier of the Hawaiian islands. About 45 minute drive north by Kawaihae.
Puukohola Heiau National Historic Site
Very rich and valuable site of great importance to Hawaiian history. Worth the visit and self guided tour to learn about the early establishment of Kamehameha I and King and unifier of the Hawaiian islands. About 45 minute drive north by Kawaihae.
Historic palace in downtown Kona. On Ali'i drive, about 10 minutes away by car. Tours by reservation or walk-in. Check website.
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Hulihe'e Palace
Historic palace in downtown Kona. On Ali'i drive, about 10 minutes away by car. Tours by reservation or walk-in. Check website.
In Waimea, @ 1 hour drive north. Small but rich in the rarely known Cowboy history of the Big Island of the late 19th century to today. Go on Wednesday and catch the Farmers Market in the same location.
Paniolo Heritage Center
67-139 Pukalani RdIn Waimea, @ 1 hour drive north. Small but rich in the rarely known Cowboy history of the Big Island of the late 19th century to today. Go on Wednesday and catch the Farmers Market in the same location.
Grocery Shopping
Best all around grocer. Open 24 hours, great for late plane arrivals.
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Safeway
75-971 Henry StBest all around grocer. Open 24 hours, great for late plane arrivals.
Truly worthy local grocery. 2 locations within 10 minutes. Excellent choice for Poke.
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KTA Super Stores
74-5594 Palani RdTruly worthy local grocery. 2 locations within 10 minutes. Excellent choice for Poke.
15 minute drive. Costco is Costco. Some very unique Hawaiian products. Best local price for gas, too.
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Costco Wholesale
73-5600 Maiau St15 minute drive. Costco is Costco. Some very unique Hawaiian products. Best local price for gas, too.
Some groceries. Best prices for souvenirs and travel gifts.
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Walmart
75-1015 Henry StSome groceries. Best prices for souvenirs and travel gifts.
Target
74-5455 Makala BlvdGood grocery prices and souvenirs too.
Best Hikes
2 blocks from our home. (ask hosts for best directions) 7 mile stretch with only slight up & downhills. Beatifully maintained path through neighborhoods with great views along the way.
Walua Rd, Kailua-Kona, HI 96740, USA
2 blocks from our home. (ask hosts for best directions) 7 mile stretch with only slight up & downhills. Beatifully maintained path through neighborhoods with great views along the way.
20 minute drive up north. Multiple trails to choose from. Beginner (30 min) to Advanced (3 + hours). You might get caught in a “Cloud Forest”.
10 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Makahi St trailhead
73-4365 Makahi St20 minute drive up north. Multiple trails to choose from. Beginner (30 min) to Advanced (3 + hours). You might get caught in a “Cloud Forest”.
Way up north and very much worth the drive. 30 minute hike down to spectacular rough & raw black sand beach. @ 45 minute hike back up to your parking spot. Stop in Hawi on the way back for a refreshing shave ice.
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Pololu Valley
Way up north and very much worth the drive. 30 minute hike down to spectacular rough & raw black sand beach. @ 45 minute hike back up to your parking spot. Stop in Hawi on the way back for a refreshing shave ice.
Estimated 4 hour hike (2 up, 2 down). Spectacular views of Kohala coast. Take a lunch to eat up top and make a day of it.
11 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Pu'u Wa'awa'a Cinder Cone State Park
71-1645 Hawaiʻi Belt RdEstimated 4 hour hike (2 up, 2 down). Spectacular views of Kohala coast. Take a lunch to eat up top and make a day of it.