Erin’s guidebook to KAILUA KONA
City/town information
Small quaint downtown, perfect scenic walk or drive down the coast. Lot's of people watching, eating, library and shopping.
93 locals recommend
Kailua
Small quaint downtown, perfect scenic walk or drive down the coast. Lot's of people watching, eating, library and shopping.
We have not traveled to this side of the Island yet as much as we have liked to, so I will not give much advise about this side. However, there are many many more beautiful things to see as this island is huge. So please google, waterfalls, ATV's, horseback riding, kayaking tours, and depending on when volcano sight seeing.
120 locals recommend
Hilo
We have not traveled to this side of the Island yet as much as we have liked to, so I will not give much advise about this side. However, there are many many more beautiful things to see as this island is huge. So please google, waterfalls, ATV's, horseback riding, kayaking tours, and depending on when volcano sight seeing.
Food scene
Delicious!!! Try the cuban rolls, and burgers. Walk the small town when you are done.
38 locals recommend
Rebel Kitchen
79-7399 Hawaiʻi Belt RdDelicious!!! Try the cuban rolls, and burgers. Walk the small town when you are done.
Huggo's
75-5828 Kahakai RdOkay food, amazing views.
Dip your feet in the sand while you eat with an amazing view on the water.
25 locals recommend
On the Rocks
75-5824 Kahakai RoadDip your feet in the sand while you eat with an amazing view on the water.
Island Lava Java
75-5801 Ali‘i DrTry the lilikoi margarita!!
Great way to end a busy hot day!
27 locals recommend
Gypsea Gelato Kailua-Kona Coconut Grove Marketplace
75-5809 Ali‘i DrGreat way to end a busy hot day!
Herbivores
75-5722 Hanama PlAll Vegan!! Pizza is amazing.
Da Poke Shack
76-6246 Ali‘i DriveGreat poke next to beaches you can park and eat at.
Shaka Tacoz
82-6167 Mamalahoa HighwaySuper friendly, great panoramic views.
Super knowledgeable staff. This fruit stand is different because they make their own juices, candies, flavored nuts, packaged goods etc. They have a ginger juice and a turmeric paste that is really helpful when trying to cook healthy foods. You can make your own health shots back at the house with these items.
Cooks Bounty Fruit Stand
82-6087 Mamalahoa HwySuper knowledgeable staff. This fruit stand is different because they make their own juices, candies, flavored nuts, packaged goods etc. They have a ginger juice and a turmeric paste that is really helpful when trying to cook healthy foods. You can make your own health shots back at the house with these items.
Neighborhoods
Walking/biking trail near the house. About 3 miles to the dead end take the same road back for 7 miles round trip.
Walua Road
Walua RoadWalking/biking trail near the house. About 3 miles to the dead end take the same road back for 7 miles round trip.
Cloud forest hike! Use a hiking trail app, or the blue Big Island guide book at the house to look up directions.
Kaloko Drive
Kaloko DriveCloud forest hike! Use a hiking trail app, or the blue Big Island guide book at the house to look up directions.
Sightseeing
Best snorkeling also next door is Pu’uhonua O Honaunau National Historical Park. Not to be missed.
114 locals recommend
Two Step
Best snorkeling also next door is Pu’uhonua O Honaunau National Historical Park. Not to be missed.
Snorkel at the bay in front of this hotel next to an old historic sight.
28 locals recommend
Courtyard by Marriott King Kamehameha's Kona Beach Hotel
75-5660 Palani RdSnorkel at the bay in front of this hotel next to an old historic sight.
LUAU! This luau is my favorite. Look up the Marriott website to find the schedule.
28 locals recommend
Courtyard by Marriott King Kamehameha's Kona Beach Hotel
75-5660 Palani RdLUAU! This luau is my favorite. Look up the Marriott website to find the schedule.
Hike! Easy on the way down, rough on the way up. Depending on your expertise, use a hiking app to look up directions and difficulty level. You can snorkel at the bottom. Bring lots of reef safe sunscreen, lunch, snorkel gear, hat, and hiking shoes. Not for kids.
64 locals recommend
Captain Cook Monument Trail
Napoopoo RoadHike! Easy on the way down, rough on the way up. Depending on your expertise, use a hiking app to look up directions and difficulty level. You can snorkel at the bottom. Bring lots of reef safe sunscreen, lunch, snorkel gear, hat, and hiking shoes. Not for kids.
Yummy smoothies, fruit, and sandwiches on your way back from two steps snorkel.
15 locals recommend
The South Kona Fruit Stand
84-4770 Mamalahoa HwyYummy smoothies, fruit, and sandwiches on your way back from two steps snorkel.
You can dive or snorkel and see great big rays at night. Very cool experience.
50 locals recommend
Manta Ray Dives of Hawaii
74-380 Kealakehe PkwyYou can dive or snorkel and see great big rays at night. Very cool experience.
Free donation based yoga daily on the beach! Great friendly teachers. Google their website for current schedule. Bring yoga mat or towel, and water.
Hawaii beach yoga
77-6452 Ali‘i DriveFree donation based yoga daily on the beach! Great friendly teachers. Google their website for current schedule. Bring yoga mat or towel, and water.
Mauna Kea is a dormant volcano and the highest peak on the Big Island. It's elevation is 13,000ft. The Mauna Kea sunsets and sunrise will truly take your breath away with the picturesque scenery and color-changing sky. The night sky and astronomy after sunset is like no other as well. There are many tours available for this.
Mauna Kea Summit Road
Mauna Kea Summit RoadMauna Kea is a dormant volcano and the highest peak on the Big Island. It's elevation is 13,000ft. The Mauna Kea sunsets and sunrise will truly take your breath away with the picturesque scenery and color-changing sky. The night sky and astronomy after sunset is like no other as well. There are many tours available for this.
Kahaluu Bay
Ali‘i DriveGreat snorkeling, 7 mins from the house, surf lessons as well.
If you head over this way this hotel has dolphins, snorkeling, turtles, etc. While you're out this way there is a mall next door, luxury movie theater and a Lava Lava Beach Club Restaurant on the sand to eat.
27 locals recommend
Hilton Waikoloa Village
69-425 Waikōloa Beach DrIf you head over this way this hotel has dolphins, snorkeling, turtles, etc. While you're out this way there is a mall next door, luxury movie theater and a Lava Lava Beach Club Restaurant on the sand to eat.
Beautiful location! Food trucks. Good famers market. The baklava and Liliokoi butters and jams are great.
19 locals recommend
Waimea Midweek Farmers Market
67-139 Pukalani RdBeautiful location! Food trucks. Good famers market. The baklava and Liliokoi butters and jams are great.
City advice
Don't miss
Fruit at the house
We have a lot of plants growing at the house. You can eat whatever is in season, or producing fruit at the time. Out front there is guava, banana, lilikoi, dragon fruit, peppers, turmeric, ginger, and pineapple. Out back there are cherries, oranges, limes, and avocados.
Getting around
Rental car is best, but there are taxis as well.
Google a number for taxi service. They are pretty fast.
What to pack
Sun
Always have a hat, sunscreen, water shirt, water shoes, towels, sunglasses, snacks and water. Almost everywhere you go is a walk, hike, beach, something in the sun. Always be prepared. Always carry your snorkel gear with you in the car as well, you never know when you'll want to take a dip.
Book before you go
Manta Ray Snorkel, Mauna Kea Sunset or Sunrise, and Luau
You will need tickets in advance for these activities.