Kona123.com
The 123 list for a Big Island visit
Your Visitor Friendly People & Places
........You are now on kona123.com .........Click "map" for all about the Big Island. Things to do & see....... ......................................................................places to sleep, eat and shop.
Kailua- Kona
The city is set at the bottom of the Hualalai Volcano. In ancient times, this area was considered the premier place to live due to the excellent weather and good water. Many kings made their homes here. Later, missionaries built churches and residences turning the tiny fishing village into a small seaport. It is the center of commerce and of the tourist industry on West Hawaiʻi. Its post office is designated "Kailua-Kona" to differentiate it from the larger Kailua located on windward Oʻahu, although it is sometimes referred to as "Kona" in everyday speech.
The main street, Ali'i Drive, runs along the oceanfront through the heart of the city from Kailua Pier to the Kuamo'o Battlefield. Sights and things to do include: Kailua Pier, 'Ahu'ena Heiau, Kamakahonu Beach, Hulihe'e Palace and Mokuaikaua Church. The Ironman Triathlon starts in Kailua-Kona just to the left of Kailua Pier.
Kailua-Kona is typically a few degrees warmer and quite a bit more arid than tropical Hilo, and can stay warm well into the evening (unless you are higher up in the Kona hills.) It's almost always warm and sunny near the ocean, and partly cloudy in the hills. In parts of Kohala and Kona, a strong wind usually picks up in the late afternoons.
Kona coffee is the market name for coffee (Coffea arabica) cultivated on the slopes of Hualalai and Mauna Loa in the North and South Kona Districts of the Big Island of Hawaii. This coffee has developed a reputation that has made it one of the most expensive and sought-after coffees in the world. Only coffee from the Kona Districts can be legally described as "Kona". The unique Kona weather pattern of sunny mornings, cloud cover or rain in the afternoons, little wind and mild nights combined with porous, mineral rich volcanic soil, creates favorable coffee growing conditions. The Hawaiian translation for the word "Coffee" is Kope, pronounced "co-Pay".
Kona Brewing Co.
Kona Brewing Company was started by father and son team Cameron Healy and Spoon Khalsa. The pair had a dream to create fresh, local island brews made with spirit, passion and quality. Their love of Hawaii, and a desire to protect the pristine environment here, brought them to the Big Island to fulfill their vision. Kona Brewing continues to be headquartered right where it began, in Kailua-Kona on Hawaii's Big Island.Kona Brewing Company is committed to producing, marketing and serving the finest handcrafted beers and tastiest cuisine with its exceptional team of motivated individuals who are passionate about quality and care about working in an environment where integrity, good will and discipline are the codes.
(808) 334-BREW (2739)
Ocean Rider Seahorse Farm
Hawaiian seahorses, and many other marine ornamental fish that are taken off our reefs here in Hawaii for the pet trade. We would like to save these species from extinction by producing them here at Ocean Rider and offering them to marine aquarium hobbyists and public aquariums around the world as an eco friendly alternative to the wild caught counterparts. Come and take a fascinating tour!
(808) 329-6840
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NELHA
Come visit the Hawaii Gateway Energy Center and Natural Energy Laboratory of Hawaii Authority (NELHA), recognized worldwide as a unique and innovative Ocean Science and Technology Park.
FON Ambassadors, who are trained, certified docents, provide public outreach presentations at the Gateway Visitor Center. Each presentation is unique and focused on NELHA, its history, renewable energy and tenant aquaculture/mariculture activities.
(808) 329-8073 FON@keaholepoint.org
Ali`i Gardens
If you have only one opportunity to shop while in Kona,
our Marketplace is the place! Stroll, shop and enjoy the Aloha in a beautiful garden setting, planted with native Hawaiian trees, across the road from our beautiful beaches.Market Days: Wed thru Sunday 9 am to 5 pm (closed Monday & Tuesday)
Phone: 808-334-1381 carol@aliigardens.com
Dolphin Quest
Feel the thrill of a lifetime as you touch, swim with and even kiss a dolphin! Let loose, laugh and have loads of fun swimming with dolphins in our tropical paradise settings in Hawaii, Oahu and Bermuda.
Dolphin Quest celebrates 22 years of excellence in animal care, scientific study and environmental stewardship.
(800) 248-3316 (808) 886-2875
Hulihe`e Palace
Situated on Ali'i Drive in Kailua-Kona, Hulihe`e Palace was the vacation residence of Hawaiian royalty. Today it is a museum operated by the Daughters of Hawai`i and is a showplace of beautiful furniture and fascinating artifacts. Open Wednesday through Saturday from 10:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. (Plan on arriving by 2:30 p.m. to allow time to tour the Palace). Closed major holidays including New Year's Day, Easter Sunday, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day.
Guided tours are given frequently throughout the day and self guided tour brochures are available in English, Japanese, Danish, and German.
Admission Fees- $5; over 64, $4; under 18, $1. Admission to the Palace grounds, the giftshop and many of our concerts are free.(808) 329-1877
Click here for more info and pictures
Mokuaikaua Church
The first Christian church built in the state is located across the street from thu Hulie`e's Palace. The first and second structures built on this site were large thatched roofed structures constructed in 1820 and 1825. Both were destroyed by fire and the need for a more permanent structure was apparent.
In 1835 construction began on a permanent stone structure. Completed in 1837, Mokuaikaua Church sits today much as it did almost 200 years and remains an active church.
(808) 329-0655
An Ironman Triathlon is one of a series of long-distance triathlon races organized by the World Triathlon Corporation (WTC) consisting of a 2.4-mile (3.86 km) swim, a 112-mile (180.25 km) bike and a marathon (26 miles 385 yards, 42.195 km) run, raced in that order and without a break.
The Ironman format remains unchanged, and the Hawaiian Ironman, held in mid-October, is still regarded as the most honored and prestigious triathlon event to win worldwide.
Although thousands of athletes worldwide compete at an Ironman event each year, the vast majority aim simply to just finish the course if they are first timers, or set a PR (personal record) time if they've raced this distance before. Only very talented athletes realistically compete for a spot in Hawaii, and just finishing an Ironman race is often the highlight of many triathletes' career. Athletes with disabilities now compete in the event in the physically challenged category, and are required to meet the same cutoff times as able bodied competitors. Australian John MacLean was the first physically challenged athlete to complete the event.
Kona International Market
The Kona International Market is designed to combine the feeling of outdoor shopping with the convenience of indoor comfort. The shops feature unique and original merchandise that appeal to tourists and locals alike.
The design of the market lends itself to community gatherings with its expansive food court and umbrella tables and chairs spread throughout the common areas. The covered stage is an ideal venue for hula halaus and other performers. The food court features multiple flat screen TV's tuned to live football - NFL and major college games - everyday. Free WI-FI is also available in the food court.
(808) 329-6262 info@konainternationalmarket.com
Atlantis Submarine
Experience the magic of our Atlantis Adventure submarine tour and create lifetime memories as you explore our majestic coastal waters off the Kailua-Kona Pier. In addition to our spectacular underwater adventures, Atlantis Adventures Kona is pleased to offer special, money saving adventure packages including an authentic Hawaiian Luau, Sunshine Helicopter Tour, our Snorkel Adventure Cruise, or our world famous Whale Watch excursions (only available December through April).
1-800-548-6262
