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Within 10 Minutes ::
Within 30 Minutes ::
Within
1 Hour North ::
Heading South ::
Useful Local
Links The Kona Coast is the leeward or west side of
the Big Island with incredible diversity. You can
explore ancient lava flows, historic Hawaiian heiaus and
baths, hidden beaches, or native villages with catchment
water and solar electricity. As you move south, the
stark lava flows around Keahole-Kona International
Airport are soon replaced by lush tropical vegetation as
you drive upland from the coast.
The mountains of Hualalai (8,000 ft.) and Mauna Loa
(13,000 ft.) oversee the coast, often from cloud banks.
Offshore, whales frequent our waters all year, while
tropical fish, turtles, moray eels, manta rays, and
dolphins feast over coral beds. Rainfall ranges from 20"
to 60" a year and temperatures vary from 80 degrees
during the day to a cool 50 degrees at night in the
higher elevations, but wait 5 minutes or drive 5 miles
and the weather may change at any time.
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Within 10 Minutes.... Pu'uhonua O Honaunau
was a "Place of Refuge" to provide political and
criminal asylum. The sacred precinct is preserved as a
National Historical Park. The beautiful site on a
peninsula of black lava has the preserved and restored
remains of a royal palace and three heiaus, houses, fish
pond, beach, and canoe landing. It is located at
Honaunau Bay 2 miles down the mountain, which is a
premium snorkeling and diving spot.
Ho'okena Beach is
a beautiful small, curved beach of black and white sand.
Safe swimming, though a little too sandy for great
snorkeling. Usually very quiet on weekdays, this is a
locals beach at weekends. An ideal get-away spot.
Kealakekua Bay is
a designated underwater state park to protect its myriad
multi-hued fish. Shoals of intensely colorful fish can
always be found, and the bay is a favorite haunt for
spinner porpoises (dolphin) who delight visitors with
their aquabatics. Choice snorkeling, scuba diving, and
kayaking - kayakers frequently get surrounded by schools of
dolphin.
Captain Cook's Monument
lies on the north side of Kealakekua Bay and marks the
approximate spot where he died. The monument can be
reached by sea, and also by a steep trail from the top
of Napo'opo'o road. The adventurous will be rewarded by
the beauty of the place, and by the excellent
snorkeling.
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Honaunau Bay |
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The Painted Church
of St. Benedict at Honaunau is the oldest Catholic
church on the island, constructed in 1875. The small
wooden church has brilliantly hued murals depicting
biblical scenes on the interior walls, painted by Father
John Velge between 1899 and 1904.
The Amy B. Greenwell
Ethnobotanical Garden in Captain Cook shows examples
of how Hawaiians lived with and used the land during the
various periods of their history. Continuously
growing and maturing, it is a peaceful and truly
informational place to visit. Donations are accepted,
and self-guided maps point out significant plants.
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Within 30 Minutes... - heading
north from Bayview InnThe Kona
Historical Society Museum in Kealakekua is set in a century-old
former general store building. It has a collection of
photographs and family heirlooms describing Kona's
history from the point of view of its immigrant farmers.
The museum is open Monday through Friday from 9am to
3pm.
Holualoa, a
quaint artists town where locals share their crafts in
the many old shops nestled along the roadside.
Kailua-Kona is famous for its cultural sites and shopping areas. King Kamehameha resided here from 1812 until his death in
1819. The missionaries' first introduction to the Big
Island was here in 1820. Kailua-Kona is the hub for
many Kona Coast activities: a submarine excursion or
sunset dinner cruise, para-sailing and wind surfing,
fishing or whale watching, and so on.
Kahalu'u Beach is one of the best protected snorkeling and scuba beaches,
among many that stretch along the rocky but gentle
coast. Ideal for young children and beginners, but it
gets very crowded on weekends.
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Captain Cook Monument |
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Within an Hour
- heading north from Kona Bayview Inn
Hapuna Beach Park is
one of the finest white-sand beaches in the world (top
ten by Conde Nast). You park and walk down a paved path
to the beach. There is very little rain here, about 6"
per year, so this beach has practically guaranteed great
weather. At Hapuna a covered pavillion, picnic tables,
showers, restrooms and a small hot dog and cold drink
stand make this an easy beach to visit.
Spencer Beach Park is a very protected beach, perfect if you have small
children or don't like big waves. There are easy paths
from the parking area and public rest rooms. At Spencer
Park is Pu'ukohola Heiau (temple), Hawaii's most famous
and largest heiau. Another small heiau as well as an
information shack and nice trails to the coast are all
at the same location. The history of these ancient
temples built by King Kamehameha is fascinating. From
this area you can see the four largest mountains from
one spot: Hualalai, Mauna Loa, Mauna Kea and the Kohala
Mountains.
Kawaihae is a
commercial harbor, and home of the famous Kawaihae Canoe
Club. A convenience store, galleries, a shop or two, a
dive rental shop and several good restaurants serving
Mexican, Italian and local cuisine are all located in a
small shopping center. This is not really a town, but
serves a number of residences and small housing areas,
as well as the boating community.
Lapakahi Park is
an ancient Hawaiian village. Paved paths lead down to
the water's edge, with plaques along the way explaining
about what you pass, native trees and their uses, native
stone house platforms, etcetera.
Hawi Town is at
the northern tip of the Big Island, and until the 1970's
was a sugar farming community. Hawi (pronounced "Havee")
has a couple of unique restuarants and shops and is
known for a statue of King Kamehamaha. Windy Upolu Point
is the northernmost point on the Big Island, with a
beautiful view of Maui.
Pololu Valley is
a beautiful valley cut out of about 400 foot cliffs by a
small river that still meanders through at the bottom.
There is a quite steep 30-minute hike to get to the
bottom.
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Heading South from
Kona Bayview Inn
Volcanoes National Park is a not-to-be-missed experience. Called the world's
only "drive-in" volcano, the park is open 24 hours a day
all year. As well as the spectacular Kilauea Crater,
there is a superb visitor center, The Thomas A Jagger
Museum, Thurston Lava Tube, Sulphur Banks, Volcano House
Hotel and Restaurant, Art Galleries and more. Crater Rim Drive
provides an easy way to see all the sites, and there are
numerous hiking trails from very easy to very difficult. Out of
the Park, the drive down Chain of Craters Road provides
spectacular coastal views, and ends at a short hike to the most
recent lava flow area.From the Farm to
the Park is an easy two-hour drive on the main highway, but you
may want to plan extra time to stop at some of the interesting
places on the way.
Naalehu is a quaint town that straddles
the highway, with several good restaurants for breakfast or
lunch on your way.
Punalu'u Black Sand Beach
is a short side trip off the main highway, and very
picturesque.
Pahala is a typical example of
an old sugar mill town. The mill has unfortunately been
dismantled now.
Useful Local Links
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