Tips and Places

 

It’s almost time for your trip to The Big Island. You’ve booked your airfare into KOA Airport. I have great tips and places for you to visit.

Hopefully, you’ve got a rental car. I always book through Costco for the best deals. Once you get to Kona Costco is the cheapest to refill your tank as well!

You’ve found our beach side home and now you’re ready for some fun!

Snorkeling

The BEST snorkeling! Kukio Beach: copy and paste this link into your browser http://www.kukio.com

Beaches

There is a law in Hawaii that no one can “own” the beach

  1. Although this beach is connected to the Four Seasons Resort – you are welcome to go there and enjoy. The only catch is that you must get a parking pass and they only allow 30 per day. It is well worth it to get there early, say 9:30 after breakfast. Enter off The Belt Road HWY 19 turn left on Kaupulehu Dr. Ask the guard for a parking pass to the beach and directions. He will have you make a U-turn around his station and follow the road until you reach the MOST amazing snorkeling beach we’ve found!Keep exploring and walking around to the North to find some amazing turtles!
  2.  Another beach worth searching for is Kiholo State Park. This is a little harder to find. Take Queen Ka’ahumanu Highway (Hwy 19) north from Kailua-Kona. The public access road is a left off the highway between Mile Marker #82 and 83. There is no sign on the highway indicating the turn-off, only a dirt pull-off with an access gate set back from the highway. Hold on a drive in. This is a camping site (to the south) as well as beach access and in 450 paces to the North (or to the right as you face the ocean) is The Queen’s Bath. an open-air lava tube that is filled with cold freshwater.  It is easy to miss it as you hike along the shoreline so keep an eye out about 450 paces or 20 minutes in on your right side.Keep walking after taking a refreshing dip and find a great snorkel area usually with turtles!

Food

We love to enjoy the local spots in town

  1. The best breakfast in my opinion is Lava Java. It gets busy but is sure worth the wait! For a breakfast that is on the lighter side and right on the sand, try Huggos. Both are walking distance from our condo. Lava Java is on Alii Dr, go North, it will be on your left. Huggos can’t be missed on the right side also North of the Kona Reef.
  2.  A little drive up into the hills of the Big Island is The Coffee Shack at 83-5799 Mamalahoa Hwy, Hōnaunau, HI 96726. I suggest using google maps to help get you there. Don’t blink or you may miss it. The views are out of this world and the Ono Benedict can’t be beat! They open at 7:30am and there are always people waiting.
  3. For a special occasion, we suggest Sam Choys Seafood Grill at 78-6831 Alii Dr, Kailua-Kona, HI 96740. It’s a 15-20 minute drive South of Kona Town but well worth it. The view is amazing and a great Happy Hour also!

There is so much to do in Kona. I hope I’ve given you a few ideas. Please feel free to email me if there is something specific you’re interested in and I will do my best to help.

Mahalo!
Wendy