Guidebook for Kailua-Kona
Food Scene
Huggo's
75-5828 Kahakai RdOn the Rocks
75-5824 Kahakai RdIsland Lava Java
75-5801 Ali‘i DrThey offer short, free guided tours and have pretty good coffee.
43 locals raden deze aan
Greenwell Farms Inc
81-6581 Mamalahoa HwyThey offer short, free guided tours and have pretty good coffee.
A hard to find gem on the island. Some of the best local food offerings. They are only open for breakfast and lunch. We went for breakfast and were amazed, try the coffee pancakes.
27 locals raden deze aan
808 Grindz Cafe
75-5660 Kopiko StA hard to find gem on the island. Some of the best local food offerings. They are only open for breakfast and lunch. We went for breakfast and were amazed, try the coffee pancakes.
This one’s on the main strip next to Lava Java. Reasonable pricing, good food, and good views as well.
35 locals raden deze aan
Bongo Ben's
75-5819 Ali‘i DrThis one’s on the main strip next to Lava Java. Reasonable pricing, good food, and good views as well.
Really good coffee shop for breakfast and coffee while in a hurry.
30 locals raden deze aan
Green Flash Coffee
75-6000 Ali‘i DrReally good coffee shop for breakfast and coffee while in a hurry.
Causal and reasonably priced. Tacos are nowhere near as good as Texas, but it’s still a good spot.
52 locals raden deze aan
Splashers Grill
75-5663 Palani RdCausal and reasonably priced. Tacos are nowhere near as good as Texas, but it’s still a good spot.
Parks & Nature
Kahaluu Bay
Ali‘i DriveSea Turtles and snorkeling
Great beach nearby the condo. Sometimes the surf is rough, but it’s a great spot. Great snorkeling spot to the right.
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Magic Sands Beach Park
Ali'i DriveGreat beach nearby the condo. Sometimes the surf is rough, but it’s a great spot. Great snorkeling spot to the right.
Gorgeous beach. Great for spending a lazy day. Take a picnic and comfy beach blanket.
66 locals raden deze aan
Manini'owali Beach (Kua Bay)
Gorgeous beach. Great for spending a lazy day. Take a picnic and comfy beach blanket.
Take good walking shoes for walking on sandy beach, but you must go find this swimming hole. It is an amazing freshwater refuge right off the beach.
Queens Bath near Kiholo Bay
Take good walking shoes for walking on sandy beach, but you must go find this swimming hole. It is an amazing freshwater refuge right off the beach.
Park at the Honokohau Marina and walk to the right. There’s a walking trail to see a preserved Hawaiian settlement. We’ve actually seen more sea turtles here than anywhere else on the island.
45 locals raden deze aan
Kaloko-Honokohau National Historical Park
Park at the Honokohau Marina and walk to the right. There’s a walking trail to see a preserved Hawaiian settlement. We’ve actually seen more sea turtles here than anywhere else on the island.
It takes about 2.5 hours to drive up to the observatory from where you’re staying. Most rental companies specifically prohibit driving past the observatory to the top, and there’s not really a road, so you’ll probably need to book a tour to get there. You’ll need layers with warm clothes for this because it is very cold at the top (there sometimes is snow). The view is breathtaking. https://www.lovebigisland.com/stargazing/
33 locals raden deze aan
Onizuka Center voor International Astronomy Visitor Information Station
Mauna Kea Access RoadIt takes about 2.5 hours to drive up to the observatory from where you’re staying. Most rental companies specifically prohibit driving past the observatory to the top, and there’s not really a road, so you’ll probably need to book a tour to get there. You’ll need layers with warm clothes for this because it is very cold at the top (there sometimes is snow). The view is breathtaking. https://www.lovebigisland.com/stargazing/
About a 30-45 minute drive from Kailua-Kona. Gorgeous spot to see, especially near sunset. It is a national park, so there is about a $5 entrance fee. You can walk around and see pristine beaches, replicas of ancient Hawaiian royal grounds. Take your swimsuit and snorkel gear and leave them in your trunk. After you walk around the grounds you will want to walk over to the right of the park and take a swim at the sight they call Two Step. This is probably the second best snorkel spot on the island. Leave your car parked at Place of Refuge, change in their bathrooms, and then walk over to Two Step for a quick dip.
270 locals raden deze aan
Pu'uhonua O Hōnaunau National Historical Park
State Highway 160About a 30-45 minute drive from Kailua-Kona. Gorgeous spot to see, especially near sunset. It is a national park, so there is about a $5 entrance fee. You can walk around and see pristine beaches, replicas of ancient Hawaiian royal grounds. Take your swimsuit and snorkel gear and leave them in your trunk. After you walk around the grounds you will want to walk over to the right of the park and take a swim at the sight they call Two Step. This is probably the second best snorkel spot on the island. Leave your car parked at Place of Refuge, change in their bathrooms, and then walk over to Two Step for a quick dip.
Shopping
Alii Gardens Marketplace
75-6129 Ali‘i DrGreat spot for gifts and souvenirs
There’s only one Costco on the island and it’s near Kailua-Kona. Apparently it is the spot where many locals go for family reunions on Saturdays (not kidding). You can go there at the beginning of the trip if you have a membership to stock up on food, sunscreen, beach supplies, and fill up. They have the cheapest gas on the island too!
153 locals raden deze aan
Costco Wholesale
73-5600 Maiau StThere’s only one Costco on the island and it’s near Kailua-Kona. Apparently it is the spot where many locals go for family reunions on Saturdays (not kidding). You can go there at the beginning of the trip if you have a membership to stock up on food, sunscreen, beach supplies, and fill up. They have the cheapest gas on the island too!
They offer limited produce, but you can stock up on other groceries and a major plus is they sell liquor!
72 locals raden deze aan
Walmart
75-1015 Henry StThey offer limited produce, but you can stock up on other groceries and a major plus is they sell liquor!
Great spot to go for cheap souvenirs and fresh produce. https://www.lovebigisland.com/kona-farmers-market/
68 locals raden deze aan
Kona Farmers Market
75-5767 Ali‘i DrGreat spot to go for cheap souvenirs and fresh produce. https://www.lovebigisland.com/kona-farmers-market/
Entertainment & Activities
Royal Kona Resort
75-5852 Ali‘i DrGreat luau right across the street from the condo
Arts & Culture
There are many opportunities to see free hula shows on the island aside from a luau. We really enjoyed the one at the Queens marketplace located at the Waikoloa resort, check out the calendar for days with free shows.
83 locals raden deze aan
Queens' Market Place
69-201 Waikōloa Beach DrThere are many opportunities to see free hula shows on the island aside from a luau. We really enjoyed the one at the Queens marketplace located at the Waikoloa resort, check out the calendar for days with free shows.
St Benedict Catholic Church
84-5140 Painted Church Rd