KAILUA-KONA

KONA COAST, HAWAII'S BIG ISLAND

Located just south of Kona International Airport, Kailua-Kona is a lively seaside town that is in the heart of the Kona Coast. Once a sleepy fishing village and a home for Hawaiian royalty, Kailua town is now a place to shop, dine, and learn about Hawaii’s rich culture.

Stroll down the main road of Alii Drive and you’ll find a variety of points of interest beyond the shops and restaurants. Kailua Pier is a great place to watch the sunset and is the starting and finishing point of the world-famous Ironman Triathalon.

Historic Hulihee Palace and the Mokuaikaua Church are located right on Alii Drive. Later in life, King Kamehameha lived near the current site of King Kamehameha’s Kona Beach Hotel until his passing in 1819. The Ahuena Heiau also resides at the hotel, a reconstructed temple rebuilt by Kamehameha himself. This sacred site is on the register of National Historic Landmarks and is just one of the significant places on the Kona coast.

> Learn more about the Kona Coast