Located on the central western coastline of the Island of Hawaii, historic Kailua-Kona is a lively seaside town in the heart of the popular Kona Coast. Once a sleepy fishing village and a retreat for Hawaiian royalty, Kailua-Kona is today a centre of commerce and tourism, servicing a widespread area which stretches towards the south along the lava-lined coast. Along this coastline, which starts from the Kailua-Kona Pier and is served by the Ali’i Drive, visitors can enjoy the best that Hawaii offers, from great shopping and good restaurants, to historic Hawaiian landmarks. Providing visitors with good fishing, scuba diving, snorkeling, kayaking and great hiking, which is available in the nearby Hualalai volcanic area, Kailua-Kona is well known for its variety of accommodation which ranges from affordable B & B’s to luxury resorts.
During the 18th century the area of Kailua-Kona was the home of the famous King of Hawai’i, Kamehameha I, who was originally the Chief of the historic village of Kona. After Kamehameha founded the Kingdom of Hawai’i in the late 18th century, Kona became the capital of the newly unified country and the historic settlement and royal fishponds, which are protected by the Kaloko-Honokohau National Historic Park, formed the hub of traditional Hawaiian culture. When King Kamehameha I chose Kailua-Kona to be his final home, the town remained the capital of the Kingdom of Hawai`i for many years which has left a few historic buildings which are worth seeing. These include Hulihe`e Palace which today houses a museum, the Ahuena Heiau which is a reconstructed temple rebuilt by Kamehameha himself and has been placed on the register of National Historic Landmarks, Moku`aikaua Church which was founded in 1820 and recognised as the oldest Christian church in the Hawaiian islands, and St. Michael the Archangel Catholic Church which dates from 1840. It is possible to learn more about Kailua-Kona’s colorful history by joining the Kona Historical Society’s award-winning Historic Kailua Village Walking Tour. Another, more recent landmark in Kailua-Kona, is the Pier which is now well known as the start of the Ironman World Championships, while the town is also popular for the Kona Marathon and Family Fun Run which takes place in June and follows the scenic Ali’i Drive.
Interestingly Kailua-Kona is synonymous with Kona coffee for which the slopes of Hualalai and the southern Mauna Loa are cultivated. Confined to just these areas, Kona coffee plantations provide an interesting break during a short holiday with the historic Kona Coffee Living History Farm open to the public in the southern town of Captain Cook. The nearby Kealakekua Bay is a Marine Life Conservation District, and offers great kayaking and some of the best snorkeling and scuba diving in Hawaii. More importantly the bay is a historic location as it was the site of the death of Captain James Cook in 1779, the actual site of which is marked by the Cook Monument.
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