HOLUALOA

HAWAII’S BIG ISLAND

Java is the juice that powers Holualoa, the little village beating in the heart of Kona coffee country. No coffee chains here – sip gourmet grinds outdoors in the shade of big trees on a coffee shop lanai. Tucked amid the rampant foliage and upland farms on the slopes of dormant Hualalai Volcano, Holualoa has become art central for the Kona-Kohala resort coast.

One of many galleries in the area, Holualoa Gallery features artwork in various mediums, including original paintings, ceramic sculptures, and limited edition giclee prints. Walk to the other galleries nearby, meet local artists and buy a print to preserve the moment, or enroll in a class at the Kona Art Center in the picturesque old coffee mill and create a masterpiece of your own.

For a great photo opportunity, step back into the early 1900s and visit the Kona Hotel, a landmark of Holualoa. Little has changed about the hotel’s fluorescent pink appearance since it first opened in 1926. Warm and welcoming, the Ineba Family still manages this cozy 11-unit hotel. Explore the two-story building or sit at the benches out front for a quiet conversation.

Coffee and art go hand-in-hand in this historic town. Sample the best of Holualoa at the annual Coffee & Art Stroll in the Fall. Taste exotic Kona coffee blends and meet local farmers and artists. Browse woodworks, handmade gifts and fresh flowers, then pick up a bag of Holualoa’s best beans for your trip home.

> Learn more about the Kona Coast