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Romantic Kailua-Kona Town is the shining jewel of the Big Island’s golden west side, famous for its sunny beaches, azure-blue sea, stunning sunsets and prime real estate. With endless beach activities along the coast—world-class deep-sea fishing, scuba diving, snorkeling, surfing and sailing—and fascinating day tours into the cooler mountain slopes of Kona coffee fame, the Kona District deserves several days of exploration.
Once the capital of King Kamehameha the Great, the region is also rich in historical sites, including Hulihee Palace, Kealakekua Bay (the site of Capt. Cook’s death) and nearby Puuhonua o Honaunau National Historical Park (328-2288), a completely reconstructed “place of refuge” where defeated warriors and commoners who had broken taboos could seek sanctuary. Located on Highway 160 in South Kona.
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click photos to enlarge
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Kailua-Kona’s Alii Drive
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Hulihee Palace
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St. Peter's Church
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 Kailua to Honaunau:
From quaint Kailua-Kona town, Alii Drive meanders south to Keauhou. Kamehameha III Road connects with Highway 11, which heads “up mauka” (toward the mountains) to the wonderful boutiques and shops of Kainaliu, Kealakekua and Captain Cook (see South Kona map). Various lookouts offer great ocean views and several nearby shops sell tasty cups of fresh Kona coffee. Hikiau Heiau, an important Hawaiian temple, is located at Kealakekua Bay and overlooks Capt. Cook’s Monument, visible across the bay. Set aside at least an hour to stroll leisurely through the historic site of Puuhonua o Honaunau, an important historical site where you can learn a great deal about Hawaiian culture.
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Holualoa:
Highway 180 leads from Kailua to Holualoa (see Kona Coast map), a delightful little town with an intriguing collection of art galleries and restaurants, plus breathtaking views of Kona. Beyond Holualoa, the road travels upland and meets Highway 190, where you can either head back to Kailua town or continue on to Waimea, a trip that takes about 40 minutes and provides panoramic coastal views as you drive through a moonscape of lava fields..
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