Overview:
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Kona Hawaii is on the West Coast of the Big Island, which includes north Kona, the most populous area of West Hawaii. You can find a wide range of sights of attractions to enjoy, from the artist's colony at Holualoa to the town of Kailua-Kona.
South Kona has a feeling of the countryside, and the coffee farms that produce the famous Kona Coffee can be found here. The town on Kailua-Kona is very romantic, with its sun soaked beaches and fiery sunsets. There is no lack of things to do here around the town of Kailua Kona, like snorkeling, scuba diving, deep-sea fishing and surfing. If you tire of the beach, taking a day tour to one of the coffee farms. Shopping is most plentifull around Kona. You could spend a few days alone simply exploring the Kona district.
This area is filled with historic landmarks, such as the Hulihee Palace and the location of Captian Cooks demise, Kealakekua Bay. In South Kona, on highway 60, is a reconstruction at Puuhonua o Honaunau National Historical Park of a place of refuge, where outcasts who had broken the rules of the traditional Hawaiian laws could find a sanctuary. There are also many traditional churches in Kona.
Green Sea Turtles (Honu) are common on the west side of The Big Island. These docile animals are to be appreciated and respected. You can often find them basking on sandy shores within a few feet of sunbathers and snorkelers.
Since this is one of the most visited areas on the Big Island, attractions around Kona are plentiful. You have the entire west coast of the Big Island to choose from, so whether you prefer the rural feel of the south, or the remote beaches of the north, you will find the best way to enjoy the big island your way. You are going to be rewarded with having proximity to the beaches and the Ocean when you decide to book a vacation rental in Kona.
One of the most famous companies that offer tours is the Holualoa Kona Coffee Company, which prides itself on growing all natural pesticide free coffee. You can sample a taste of fresh Kona coffee while you're in the mill. Only 10 minutes south from Kailua-Kona, this is a fun and informative day trip that will reward you with views of the Kona coast from the sloping hills the Kona coffee beans are grown on.
A highlight of Kona Hawaii is the Kona coast state park. This is only 15 minutes outside of town. Get on to the coast road and go north to visit its immaculate white sand beaches. Here, there are no resorts on the beach, so you can enjoy a tranquil and secluded day on the beach. You can go even further if you have a four wheel drive vehicle and go to Kua Bay. The roads are rough but well worth the reward of empty beaches and the pleasant lack of human voices.
If it is night life you desire, try Mask Bar, in town behind Hilo Hatties, the Gay "spot" in Kona. Bubba Gumps, Huggo's On The Rocks, and several others are located within walking distance on Ali'i Drive..the heart of Kona.
Island Diversity:
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Often called the Orchid Isle for its heavy blankets of fragrant orchid flowers, the Big Island was given it’s name to avoid confusion with the other islands of Kauai, Maui and Oahu. In the past, the name Hawaii was used to describe both the chain of islands and the Big Island of Hawaii itself. The Big Island Hawaii is twice as large as the other islands combined and with two volcanoes still active, one which is the most volatile in the world, the island continues growing. Mauna Kea and Kohala are Big Island’s extinct volcanoes while Hualalai is considered dormant. The volcanoes are an integral part of Hawaii and create fascinating landscapes and backdrops that attract thousands each year.
Literally divided in half by a mountain range, the eastern part (Hilo Side) of the Big Island is hit by southwest trade winds bringing an onslaught of rainy Hawaiian weather. The clouds can’t reach the leeward, or west side until they jettison their rain along the windward coast. This creates a major distinction, and a naturally curious ecosystem as the south is riddled with rain while Kohala and Kona, the most popular destinations on the Big Island of Hawaii, take in less than 10 inches annually. Hilo, a popular stop on a Big Island vacation, is an excellent town to visit on the east coast but not recommended for extended stays.
There are several terrific attractions to visit in and around Hilo along the windward side during a Big Island vacation. Traveling north, you’ll reach Akaka Falls and it’s smaller mate, Kahuna Falls. Further northeast is Mauna Kea, a snow-capped volcanic mountain most popular for incredible star gazing opportunities. Big Island tours to the summit are really popular and with some of the world’s most powerful telescopes, visibility is amazing. Big Island activities at Mauna Kea also include a trip to the visitors center and sunset tours. Liliuokalani Garden is perfect for a relaxing afternoon visit. A stroll around the garden, some people-watching and a picnic caps off an afternoon and slows the pace down. For a truly stunning Garden walk, visit the Hawai'i Tropical Botanical Garden, located 8 1/2 miles north of Hilo. This is considered the best garden on the Big Island by most, and has many stunning views and photo opportunities! The Garden features towering Heliconias and Bamboo, beautiful Gingers, a relaxing Koi pond, and a great Visitors Center and Gift Shop.
The Big Island Hawaii is also well known for its fun events and holidays. When in the area on a Big Island vacation don’t miss any current events or you’ll miss a chance to experience the Aloha spirit at its finest. In April Big Island activities include attending the Merrie Monarch Hula Festival in Hilo. With total emphasis on Hawaiian history and culture, the week-long festival hosts demonstrations, craft fairs, art exhibits, exciting performances, a large parade and a three-day hula competition! Each year in Kona, Big Island Hawaii hosts the Ironman Triathlon World Championships which kicks off in October. Coffee lovers flock to the fun Kona Coffee Festival each year in November to taste world renowned Kona coffee.
There are so many Big Island activities to enjoy that a well-planned trip is the best way to go. Popular tours include snorkeling, whale watching, scuba diving, dolphin sails and helicopter tours. Horseback riding, Hawaii hiking, cycling, and scenic drives are also great ways to see more of the island’s stunning landscape. Volcanoes National Park is a must-see on a list of things to do on the Big Island and can be explored in many ways, for a few hours or a few days. Big Island beaches are unique and display golden, green and black sand. Though smaller in number than the other islands, they exhibit a raw, powerful beauty and many are great for an afternoon of family seaside fun.
An important aspect to know is the Big Island of Hawaii is not easily driven around. The loop encompasses more than 200 miles and stopping to see attractions makes the trip much longer. Visitors can make an adventure of it easily beginning with exploring the Kohala and Kona areas first. Hit the north coast next and drive around stopping in Hilo for a look around and a nice lunch. Leaving Hilo, the next obvious stop is Volcanoes National Park. If there’s time, consider taking a full day to explore the fascinating and uniquely beautiful and dramatic terrain. Swing around to the southern coast, stopping as you wish on your way back to Kona.
To really see the island, a drive around is the best way. There are plenty of stops for enjoying Big Island activities like golfing, surfing and swimming. For the "Circle Island Drive", plan on an early start! It will take up the entire day. If the island journey sounds like an exhaustive journey, stick to the west Kona Kohala Coast and amp up your Big Island of Hawaii trip by opting for various tours in the area. Take in a Big Island luau, relax on your private lanai at sunset and simply let go of it all as you soak up all that the Big Island has to give.
Luau:
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The idea of a Hawaiian luau, a traditional way of celebrating events and holidays on the islands, is an intriguing concept and one most visitors want to experience. Although the main Hawaiian island is known as Big Island, there are relatively fewer luaus to enjoy than there are on the other islands of Maui, Kauai and Oahu due to less commercialism. Those interested in a Hawaii luau vacation adventure can choose from a handful of luaus and what they lack in number, most make up for in quality.
One of the best choices for a Big Island luau is held on the beautiful grounds of the King Kamehameha Kona Beach Hotel. The hotel is the former estate of King Kamehameha adding an extra dose of Hawaiian history to the royal experience. The Hawaiian greeting includes a special shell lei and a commemorative photo. Guest are encouraged to relax and participate in Polynesian arts and crafts and a meet-and-greet with the Big Island luau performers before they take to the stage. We suggest arriving early and seeing the wonderful portraits of Hawaiian Royalty in the lobby and halls of the Hotel. There are some nice Shops in the Hotel as well.
An open bar is available and Mai Tai fruit punch is served for kids. Following is the Royal Court procession and the uncovering of the traditional imu oven. The feast features tantalizing Hawaiian cuisine of succulent meats, tasty side dishes and a slew of delicious desserts. The Island Breeze Polynesian Revue is the magnificent highlight of the evening festivities featuring Maori and Fijian war dances, graceful hula dancing, and exciting Samoan Fire Knife dancing. Hawaii luau packages are available at the hotel.
Hawaii luau packages are also available for the Royal Kona Luau performed at the Royal Kona resort in Kailua-Kona. The packages can be paired with several island activities such as an exciting snorkeling adventure, whale watching excursions and Hawaii helicopter tours. The Big Island luau includes an incredible Polynesian buffet, live, traditional music and plenty of hula dancing. The buffet is brimming with local favorites like kalua pork, poi, lomi lomi and mahi mahi. The breathtaking seaside location adds an exciting element to the show during Hawaii luau vacation festivities.
Hawaii luau packages offered on the island often include a choice in seating. VIP seats, the closest to the luau shows, are the most expensive while basic packages often come with seats that could be obscured by others so make note of the seating arrangements before buying tickets. When choosing a Hawaii luau vacation packages can sometimes be deceiving. When pairing any Hawaii tours with a luau check the individual prices before purchasing a package to make sure you’re getting a good deal.
A Big Island luau is often set at an affordable price with smaller children usually attending for free. The feasts are normally all-you-can-eat and provide fare that caters to all tastes. Often there’s also a child’s menu for finicky eaters, but it is suggested to inquire first. Luaus offer a fast paced, hypnotic Polynesian revue featuring a detailed look into many fascinating cultural traditions from all over the South Pacific. A luau is one of the best ways to soak up the island culture while enjoying a fun family evening.
Beaches:
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Some tourists visit the Big Island and leave feeling a little disappointed because of the small number of beaches. Oahu, Maui and Kauai offer hundreds of stunning Hawaii beaches for sun worshipers and water sport enthusiasts yet Big Island exhibits its own unique and rugged appeal. This isn’t to say there are not any Big Island beaches worth visiting, because there are many, though they can sometimes be more crowded than other island beaches due to their small numbers. Big Island is the newest in the island chain and hasn’t yet enjoyed a large addition of Hawaii beaches created by thousands of years of ocean waves crashing into rocks and shells.
Along the popular Kohala Coast, Big Island beaches include the very family-friendly and highly regarded Hapuna Beach, 30 miles north of Kona. This pristine stretch of white sand extends into the ocean creating an expanse of soft ocean floor great for wading along the coastline. The many things to do on Hapuna caters to all ages and many interests. Big Island surfing, body and boogie boarding are all a great way to pass away a warm afternoon on the beach. Sunbathers enjoy the expansive width of the beach in the summer months, allowing for plenty of space to spread out and play. This is a very Family Friendly beach.
The best time to go to Hapuna Beach is during the week as the weekends are generally more crowded. The winter months sometimes present conditions unsuited for swimming with riptides creating dangerous situations, so it is best to check first. This Big Island beaches grassy areas, covered pavilions, restrooms and palm trees are ideal amenities for enjoying a full day seaside. Bring the cooler and pack a nice lunch to enjoy the whole day. Beach rentals are a convenience enjoyed by many interested in snorkeling and boogie boarding and numerous concession stands offer cold drinks, snow cones and other snacks.
Black sand beaches in Hawaii are a big hit with tourists who have never had the pleasure to experience them before. They’re created over time by tiny fragments of ground up lava rock. Black sand beaches on the Big Island to visit during Hawaii holidays include Punalu'u Beach on the southeast coast. The beach is popular for its incredible onyx hued sand and also because it’s a well known nesting site for green turtles. The trade off for visiting the beautiful area is facilities aren’t nearly as many as other beaches and the access is rocky. The perk is few visitors venture this far to the southern Ka'u district affording more privacy then many other beaches.
Also situated along the Kohala Coast is another of the best Big island beaches to spend some time on. Mauna Kea Beach is considered one of the top beaches in the world. Soft, golden sand is bordered by a large coconut grove on one side and crystal clear ocean water on the other creating a stunning, picturesque backdrop. One of the Big Island resorts maintains the beach and only permits a certain number of visitors per day so it’s best to arrive in the early morning. Parking is also limited furthering the incentive to get there before the area is staked out by others.
Wailea Bay “Beach 67”
Wailea Bay Marine Preserve's two beaches are locally nicknamed 69 and 67. Beach 69 is the larger and is great for snorkeling and diving. Beach 67, on the north side of the bay, is smaller and frequented by naturists and gay men. Easy to find...On Hwy. #19 at Mile Marker 71, turn into Puako Village, then right onto old Puako Road. Access Beach 67 by taking the gravel road at telephone pole #67, onward to the bluff, then hiking down to the beach. Nude sunbathing (unless authorities decide to enforce anti-nudity regulations). Bring Sunscreen! Better yet, relax in total comfort with all the amnenities right at the Pool!
Relax, You are at home!