Kona District

Island of Adventure - Kona Coast

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Kealakekua Bay, where Capt. Cook met his death. Photo courtesy Big Island Visitor Bureau.

The Kona District stretches about 60 miles along West Hawaii and is divided into North and South Kona. Kailua-Kona, the bustling, sunny town at the heart of the district, is just a 10-minute drive south from Kona International Airport. This is home to some hip-shaking nightlife, but also Hulihee Palace and the last royal residence of Kamehameha the Great, Ahuena Heiau—all within sight of each other.

South of town is Kealakekua Bay where Captain James Cook first set foot on the island in 1778 and where he was killed. Nearby is Puuhonua o Honaunau, a well-restored Hawaiian “place of refuge” from before Western contact, complete with thatch-roof hale (hut) and heiau (temple) guarded by imposing kii (tiki.)

Intriguing little communities lie just upcountry on the flank of Maunaloa. Holualoa village is dotted with art galleries. Going south through Kainaliu, Kealakekua and Captain Cook, you can literally smell the coffee in this world-famous coffee-growing region.

The whole Kona region buzzes with activity: triathletes at the Ironman in October, champion fishermen at August’s International Billfish Tournament, celebrants at festivals for coffee and chocolate, plus cruise ship passengers, honeymooners, families, golfers, film crews, backpackers, scuba divers, naturalists, shoppers, conventioneers and vacationers from all walks of life any day of the week.

Kona Average temperatures: 76° in winter, 80° in summer
Annual rainfall: 30 inches