Kailua Kona Attractions

The Ala Kahakai National Historic Trail traverses hundreds of ancient Hawaiian sites with cultural resources along the way including several significant heiau (temples), loko 'ia (fishponds) ko`a (fishing shrines), ki'i pohaku (petroglyphs), wahi pana (sacred places) and royal centers.

Hotels, shops, boutiques, restaurants, cafés and historical monuments line this lively shopping street and beach promenade running along Kailua Bay. It is a good place to begin a walk round the town and to enjoy the colorful atmosphere.

Hulihee Palace is a simple building with verandas overlooking the harbor of Kailua Kona. The palace was once a royal vacation destination, which enjoys a rich interior of wood, artifacts and much of the original furniture.

Kahaluu is a black sand beach south of Kailua Kona. It is a good place for swimming and snorkeling, with a rocky beach and opportunities to see sea turtles and fish. This is particularly good for beginner snorkelers, with generally calm, shallow waters.

Authorized by toy-maker Mattel, the Hawaii Loves Barbie Dolls Museum has one of the most complete collections of Barbie's, which has become an icon to little girls and a symbol of our age. The museum also display rare Barbies from Japan and G.I. Joes.

Kailua Pier lies opposite Ahuena Heiau in the north-west of Kailua-Kona. It is a center for pleasure cruises and the departure point for deep water fishing trips as well as the commercial fishing industry, which is so prevalent around Kona. Snorkeling equipment and underwater cameras can be rented. Marine traffic dominates the scene here almost all day long.

Kaloko-Honokohau, an 1160ac park, is the site of an ancient Hawaiian settlement which encompasses portions of four different ahupua'a, or traditional sea to mountain land divisions.

This bay at the end of Alii Drive is characterized by a series of historical sites and the remains of several temples (a map showing most of the places of interest is available from the Keauhou Bay Hotel). Also here is the Kona Surf Hotel, whose beautiful gardens containing 30,000 plants, flowers, fruits, shrubs and trees from the South Sea Islands are well worth a visit.

The nearby Kona flea market opens on Saturdays.

The Kona International Airport lies north-west of Kailu Kona. The airport handles domestic, interisland and international flights. Several flightseeing tours depart from here.

Magic Sands Beach is located just south of Kailua Kona. The beach is sometimes sand covered and at other times it is void of sand leaving a rocky shore. It is a good location for swimming or snorkeling.