Guidebook for Kailua-Kona
Parks & Nature
This is one of our favorite beaches! Only a 7 minute drive from the house. To avoid the crowds and get better parking, plan to arrive before 9:00 AM.
Caution: From Oct-Jan this beach has high-surf warnings.
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Kua Bay
This is one of our favorite beaches! Only a 7 minute drive from the house. To avoid the crowds and get better parking, plan to arrive before 9:00 AM.
Caution: From Oct-Jan this beach has high-surf warnings.
Our longest, most iconic beach of The Big Island! 35 minute drive from the cottage. Mornings and evenings typically are the best times as it is less windy.
Caution: From Oct-Jan this beach has high-surf warnings.
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Hāpuna Beach State Park
Old Puako RoadOur longest, most iconic beach of The Big Island! 35 minute drive from the cottage. Mornings and evenings typically are the best times as it is less windy.
Caution: From Oct-Jan this beach has high-surf warnings.
With a beach on one side of the road and a running trail on the other, Old Airport is a wonderful place to take your morning run, watch the sunset, throw a frisbee, or hang a hammock and relax. There are showers and bathrooms available at this park.
*Not a swimming beach*
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Old Kona Airport State Recreation Area
75-5560 Kuakini HwyWith a beach on one side of the road and a running trail on the other, Old Airport is a wonderful place to take your morning run, watch the sunset, throw a frisbee, or hang a hammock and relax. There are showers and bathrooms available at this park.
*Not a swimming beach*
Whether you want to take in the sights from the lookouts or go on the different hikes/walks, Volcanoes National Park is well worth a stop. It is a 2 hour drive from the house, so be prepared for a day trip or plan to stay a night on that side of the island.
Tip: Plan for some mist or rain.
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Hawaii Volcanoes National Park
Whether you want to take in the sights from the lookouts or go on the different hikes/walks, Volcanoes National Park is well worth a stop. It is a 2 hour drive from the house, so be prepared for a day trip or plan to stay a night on that side of the island.
Tip: Plan for some mist or rain.
The lookout boast gorgeous views and there are many cute shops and stops along the way as you go through Kohala/Hawi.
Tip: If you want to hike down into the valley, plan to arrive earlier in the day morning (before it gets too hot or crowed), bring water, shoes with good tread as the descent into the valley is very steep.
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Pololu Valley
The lookout boast gorgeous views and there are many cute shops and stops along the way as you go through Kohala/Hawi.
Tip: If you want to hike down into the valley, plan to arrive earlier in the day morning (before it gets too hot or crowed), bring water, shoes with good tread as the descent into the valley is very steep.
Liliuokalani Park en Tuinen
189 Lihiwai StOften called Beach 69, this is a great place to swim and relax. One of the few spots with natural shade. For calmer conditions, plan to arrive before 11:00 AM.
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Waialea Beach
Old Puako RoadOften called Beach 69, this is a great place to swim and relax. One of the few spots with natural shade. For calmer conditions, plan to arrive before 11:00 AM.
A short drive from the house, this is a beautiful place to walk and watch the sunset. This is not really a swimming beach, but there are often plenty sea turtles that come in to rest in the evenings that can be observe from afar. Best place to park is on the north side of the harbor by the walking path.
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Kaloko-Honokohau National Historical Park
A short drive from the house, this is a beautiful place to walk and watch the sunset. This is not really a swimming beach, but there are often plenty sea turtles that come in to rest in the evenings that can be observe from afar. Best place to park is on the north side of the harbor by the walking path.
Can be accessed from Kukio (the sheltered tide pool in the pictures) or from Hualalai Four Seasons. Plan to arrive early as the beach passes are limited. Other than the tide pool, not many places to swim but it is beautiful.
Kukio Beach, Hawaii 96740, Verenigde Staten
Can be accessed from Kukio (the sheltered tide pool in the pictures) or from Hualalai Four Seasons. Plan to arrive early as the beach passes are limited. Other than the tide pool, not many places to swim but it is beautiful.
Four-wheel drive or an off-road capable vehicle is highly recommended. There gravel road from the highway down to the beach, and it is rough in places (particularly towards the very end). If you have the right vehicle, it is a beautiful beach with typically lots of shade. After parking, be prepared to walk 5-10 minutes in full sun to the beach.
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Mahaiultyula Beach
Four-wheel drive or an off-road capable vehicle is highly recommended. There gravel road from the highway down to the beach, and it is rough in places (particularly towards the very end). If you have the right vehicle, it is a beautiful beach with typically lots of shade. After parking, be prepared to walk 5-10 minutes in full sun to the beach.
Arts & Culture
Hawaii's 1st Christian church! A beautiful, old structure built by the Hawaiian people.
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Mokuaikaua Church
75-5713 Ali‘i DrHawaii's 1st Christian church! A beautiful, old structure built by the Hawaiian people.
Pu'uhonua O Hōnaunau National Historical Park
State Highway 160
Hulihe'e Palace
Painted Church
Essentials
Safeway
75-971 Henry St
KTA Super Stores
74-5594 Palani RdForgot something but don't want to go all the way back into town? Matsuyama is a small gas station and convenience store on 4 minutes up the road. They also have a store even closer down the road. Great for those late-night ice cream cravings!
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Matsuyama Food Mart
73-4354 Hawaiʻi Belt RdForgot something but don't want to go all the way back into town? Matsuyama is a small gas station and convenience store on 4 minutes up the road. They also have a store even closer down the road. Great for those late-night ice cream cravings!
Entertainment & Activities
KBXtreme Premier Entertainment Center
75-5591 Palani RdWaikoloa Luxury Cinemas
69-201 Waikōloa Beach DrIf you're heading south and interested in Kona coffee, the tours at Greenwell Farms might be worth checking out! Most of the tours are free and schedules can be found online on their website.
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Greenwell Farms Inc
81-6581 Mamalahoa HwyIf you're heading south and interested in Kona coffee, the tours at Greenwell Farms might be worth checking out! Most of the tours are free and schedules can be found online on their website.
Food scene
If you're headed down south for the day, make sure to stop by Kaya's for a kombucha and pastries!
All-natural vibes with gluten-free and vegan options.
Some of da best poke (raw fish) on the island!
Make sure to make reservation as waiting time can be long, but worth the wait.
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Umekes Fish Market Bar & Grill
74-5599 Pawai PlSome of da best poke (raw fish) on the island!
Make sure to make reservation as waiting time can be long, but worth the wait.
Our "go to" for beach day bites!
Our 'ohana's favorites:
Breakfast (ends at 10)
-French toast plate (ask for haupia butter on the side)
-breakfast burrito (with spam)
Lunch and Dinner:
-Spam musubi (snack size)
-spicy garlic chicken plate
-Kalbi short rib plate
You just can't go wrong here! Call in your order for fast pick up(:
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Pine Tree Cafe
73-4040 Hulikoa DrOur "go to" for beach day bites!
Our 'ohana's favorites:
Breakfast (ends at 10)
-French toast plate (ask for haupia butter on the side)
-breakfast burrito (with spam)
Lunch and Dinner:
-Spam musubi (snack size)
-spicy garlic chicken plate
-Kalbi short rib plate
You just can't go wrong here! Call in your order for fast pick up(:
Great coffee and donuts (weekends)
We love HICO for their quality coffee and consider it some of the best in Kona. The vibe is super fun and trendy and they have great t-shirt, hats, and loose bean coffee for gifts for home!
*not a big food menu if you're really hungry, and don't go if you're in a rush!
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HiCO - Hawaiian Coffee
74-5599 Pawai PlGreat coffee and donuts (weekends)
We love HICO for their quality coffee and consider it some of the best in Kona. The vibe is super fun and trendy and they have great t-shirt, hats, and loose bean coffee for gifts for home!
*not a big food menu if you're really hungry, and don't go if you're in a rush!
If you're looking for an extra special dinner, this is where we go for our anniversary every year and it never disappoints.
We always order the steak plate and fish plate for dinner. So 'ono!
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Merriman's Big Island
65-1227 Opelo RdIf you're looking for an extra special dinner, this is where we go for our anniversary every year and it never disappoints.
We always order the steak plate and fish plate for dinner. So 'ono!
Casual and feels like eating in your own home! My dad went to highschool with the owner, and you can taste his love for his business in the food. Beautiful sunset views, wonderful company...
This is our go to for date nights. Make sure to call ahead for reservations.
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Keei Cafe
79-7511 Hawaiʻi Belt RdCasual and feels like eating in your own home! My dad went to highschool with the owner, and you can taste his love for his business in the food. Beautiful sunset views, wonderful company...
This is our go to for date nights. Make sure to call ahead for reservations.
Punalu'u Bake Shop
95-5642 HI-11
Big Island Brewhaus
64-1066 Mamalahoa HwyIsland Lava Java
75-5801 Ali‘i DrGood breakfast, lunch, and ocean views.
Foster's Kitchen
75-5805 Ali‘i DrKenichi Pacific
6831 Ali‘i DrOla Brew
74-5598 Luhia StGreat local taproom
If you're in the mood for fried chicken, this is the place to go in Kailua-Kona! There is also often live music which can range from fun to loud.
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Willie's Hot Chicken
74-5599 Pawai PlIf you're in the mood for fried chicken, this is the place to go in Kailua-Kona! There is also often live music which can range from fun to loud.
One of our favorite breakfast stops if you find yourself on the south side of Kona. Amazing views of Kealakekua.
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The Coffee Shack
83-5799 Mamalahoa HwyOne of our favorite breakfast stops if you find yourself on the south side of Kona. Amazing views of Kealakekua.
Coffee shop has great gifts and also sells their 100% Kona coffee.
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Kona Coffee & Tea
74-5588 Palani RdCoffee shop has great gifts and also sells their 100% Kona coffee.
Arise Kona Bakery and Cafe
Great place to get some work done while in a cute environment.
Handmade on island, they have locations in Kailua-Kona town (15 minutes from the house), Kealakekua, and Waikoloa.
Gypsea Gelato
Handmade on island, they have locations in Kailua-Kona town (15 minutes from the house), Kealakekua, and Waikoloa.
Sightseeing
Rainbow Falls
‘Akaka Falls, Hawaii 96720, Verenigde Staten
Waipio Valley Lookout
City/town information
Waimea is about a 35 minute drive north from the house. The small town has deep ranching roots and the area is beautiful. Great food and coffee and farmer's markets on most Saturdays.
Tip: Be prepared for the potential of wind and/or rain.
Waimea
Waimea is about a 35 minute drive north from the house. The small town has deep ranching roots and the area is beautiful. Great food and coffee and farmer's markets on most Saturdays.
Tip: Be prepared for the potential of wind and/or rain.