Kailua-Kona
The town of Kailua is the largest town in the western coast of Hawaii. Kailua-Kona is a popular and important tourist destination, known throughout the world for being the place where the annual Ironman World Championship takes place. One of the advantages of visiting, is that the airport is located just 15 minutes away from the town, making it a great destination for tourists who visit the island and a great place to stay in the hope of finding rest and relaxation. Kailua-Kona is a coastal town with a rich history in the fishing industry that draws thousands of visitors who want to learn more about this culture, hear the stories of the local craftsmen and see all the amazing variety of fish that can be found here. For coffee fans, the name of Kona is not unfamiliar, since this area is home to a selection of coffee that is famous all over the world and is regarded as some of the best. Kailua-Kona is a beautiful land of waterfalls, volcanoes and black sand that enchants all who visit here.
Courtesy of Peter Liu Photography at flickr.com
Ali’i Drive
This is one of the most popular strips in Kailua. Is visited by thousands of tourist every year and it offers many diverse businesses and great hotels as well. For lovers of the nightlife, Ali’i Drive is a great spot to get a feel of the Hawaiian scene with great places to eat, drink and perhaps catch a live performance of a local band, everything as you enjoy your island getaway. The main street offers also a great selection of stores and small shops with traditional wares and artisans selling their creations. Restaurants are also very popular here with some of the best culinary choices the island has to offer. Down the road you can find Mokuaikaua, a church that is the oldest one built in the town. It was constructed back in 1820. The inside is all made with wooden finished but due to some damage that it received in a fire, it was remodeled with some areas made of stone, mostly on the outside of the building.
Hulihe’e Palace
The palace is located right on Ali’i Drive and is a place filled with history and beauty that visitor shouldn’t miss. The place is a perfect spot to visit with your family and to learn more about the history of Hawaii while being surrounded by beautiful trees and a peaceful atmosphere. This museum used to be a vacation home where some of Hawaii’s royalty would spend their holidays. Traditional Koa hand-made furniture can be found here, something that is still characteristic of the region. Concerts featuring local traditional music are a sight to behold and they are completely free of charge. John Adams Kuakini, Governor of the island of Hawaii during the Kingdom of Hawaii, built the palace in 1838 out of pieces of coral and lava rock. After the governor’s death, the palace was passed down to many different heirs through the years and its appearance eventually changed after using plaster to give it a more refined look. Inside the museum visitors can find a large display of historical artifacts from the times of the reign of the Hawaiian monarchs.
Courtesy of canterbury at flickr.com
Mauna Kea Summit
This international astronomical observatory is located at the top of an inactive volcano names Mauna Kea. The best time to visit is when the sky is dark and the humidity and atmospheric water vapor are low in order to get the best visibility. At his place you can witness some of the most beautiful sunsets, so the best idea is to arrive early, way before the sun comes down. At night it may get a bit cold, but there are hot drinks like coffee, chocolate and soup available for the visitors.
Hours of operation for visiting the summit start 30 minutes before sunset and end 30 minutes after sunset. Visitors are not allowed after dark and must not remain once it gets dark because of safety concerns. It is important to watch out for motion sickness and to avoid scuba diving at least 24 hours before you visit the summit.
Manini’owali Beach (Kua Bay)
A beach famous for aquatic sports like surfing, snorkeling and scuba diving. The sand here has a beautiful pale grey color and waters are crystal clear. The area has plenty of showers and lockers for visitors. Umbrellas and tables with chairs are also available for your comfort.
The Kona Coast Resort is a great place to stay, close enough from everything you can’t miss in your next visit to Kailua-Kona.
If you want to know more about the most beautiful destinations to visit, the best ways to spend your time there, the places you can’t miss and the tastiest food to try, please check out more of our articles at Royal Holiday Destinations today.