Kailua Kona Hawaii

Hawaii’s Big Island is filled with supremely satisfying sights, but none is quite equal to Kailua Kona. Nestled at the bottom of Hualalai volcano and tucked along the picturesque shoreline of Kailua Bay, this stretch of vacationing heaven is just what you need to replenish your energy and recharge your soul.

Not to be confused with Kailua of Oahu, Kailua Kona is an attractive locale sometimes referred to only as Kona. If you can keep all of that straight (it’s really not too hard), you’ll be free to discover everything offered here, and we promise it’ll be worth it.

Start out by exploring the main street, Ali’i Drive, where you’ll get a taste for the history of this region as a playground for kings and later on, a site for sea fishing and missionary work. Modern conveniences now add to the flavor, so be assured that you’ll see plenty of grocery stores, shopping opportunities, and restaurants. The Ali’i Gardens Marketplace is the location for all the Hawaiian arts and crafts, Kona coffee, and fresh produce that you’ll want to sample while you’re here, so make some time to soak it all in.

Kailua Pier is a must-see in order to gain a true perspective of your surroundings. Watch the sunset from your perch on the seawall, or charter a boat for some angling in what are supposedly some of the best game-fishing waters around. In fact, every summer this is the site of the International Billfish Competition, so grab a rod and reel if this is your kind of thing.

From the pier, you might have caught a glimpse of an interesting landmark; further investigation will reveal to you that this is King Kamehameha Kona Beach Hotel, a place that is available for a closer look. Head over there to see the well-restored religious site that now exists on the grounds of the hotel and is open to the public on a daily basis. Historical walking tours will reveal to you the secrets of this worshipping site and explain the significance of the tall statues. Luaus are also held nearby, so make this the spot to uncover Hawaii’s authentic past.

If you’d like a calm beach to enjoy some leisurely activities upon, look no further than Kamakahonu Beach right next door. Go for a swim, rent some snorkel gear, or guide a canoe down the sandy slope and into the waves for an adventurous tour of the shoreline. Shallow waters and soft sand make for great conditions for all sorts of activities, but don’t be surprised if you end up sitting back for a long-overdue snooze in the sun. Bring the sunscreen and a towel, and the rest will take care of itself.

If your rest amps you up for a bit more historical sightseeing, then you’ll want to check out Hulihe’s Palace just down the road. Built in 1838 by Governor John Kuakini, this long-ago vacation home now operates as a museum. The interior has been restored to its original state, and several artifacts are under display. Free monthly concerts are also held here, so it’s really quite the place to continue to educate yourself about Hawaii while having fun as well.

To round out what is looking to be a distinctive vacation, be sure to plant yourself in the kind of lodgings that will increase your pleasure factor rather than bring it down. You might not realize it, but this cozy area of the Big Island is packed with vacation rentals that range from luxury condos to romantic, beach side villas. Choosing a rental property over a hotel usually means that you’ll have access to a greater supply of amenities and probably a bit more privacy, so it’s worth looking into.

Whatever you decide to do, you’ll surely be enjoying yourself in Kailua Kona. Improve your knowledge of Hawaiian history, stroll the beach with some delicious shaved ice in hand, or reconnect with that special someone as you recline on your lanai while the sun goes down. This is the kind of escape you’ve probably been dreaming about, so get the planning process started today.

Go online to check out all the Kailua Kona Vacation Rental options, and prepare to say goodbye to the mainland for a few precious, rejuvenating days.

Picking the Perfect Hawaiian Vacation Package on Kauai, Maui and the Big Island

With all that the Hawaiian Islands have to offer, it can be difficult to decide which island to go to, and what to do once you get there. A good way to take some of the stress out of planning a trip to these wonderful islands is to book a vacation package. When planning a vacation, it can be difficult to decide what activities to participate in. A vacation package can take some of the stress out of this. Many times with your package, activities can be included with the price. Many Hawaii resorts have a concierge service that would be happy to help plan activities ahead of time. Another nice thing about booking activities through the hotel is that they often times offer discounts to many of the areas most popular attractions.

Now that you have decided that you want to book a vacation how do you decide which Island to go to? Each island is beautiful and offers unique adventures for your enjoyment. Let’s explore the different islands and see which one is right for you.

Kauai Of the eight islands, Kauai offers the most relaxed setting. This island is also known as the Garden Island. Kauai is world famous for its many beaches and wonderful golf courses. Other activities include boat tours, helicopter tours, snorkeling, scuba diving and surfing. If you have a rental car, be sure to take a drive into the Waimea Canyon. This drive offers spectacular views of the canyon and the Napali Coast at the north end of the island. This canyon features Mount Wai-‘ale-‘ale, which is the rainiest place on Earth, which has more than 350 rainy days per year. Don’t let this discourage you because this is a breathtaking drive with spectacular views. Give yourself about 3 hours to drive and view. If you plan to hike, give yourself more time. The 3 distinct vacation areas of Kauai are Wailua/Kapaa, Poipu and Princeville. Wialua/Kapaa is the area with the most shopping and restaurants, while Poipu is famous for its beaches and golf courses. If you are looking for luxury, Princeville offers upscale resort accommodations. With all there is to do on this island you will want to plan many more Kauai vacations for years to come.

Maui Maui also known as the Magic Isle, is a beautiful island, known for its white sand beaches and crystal clear water. It is easy to see why humpback whales make this a part of their annual migratory route. Maui offers something for everyone. Here you can enjoy sunbathing, snorkeling and just plain snoozing under a palm tree. Once you are done relaxing, Maui offers great shopping, sightseeing and dining. Maui’s 3 distinct vacation areas are Kaanapali, Kihei and Wailea. You will find some of the best Maui Resorts in these towns. Kannapali features some of the best shopping golf and magnificent shoreline. This town also offers great dining and a free whaling museum. Kihei is known by travelers who don’t want to break the bank. This town offers beach after beach along miles of pristine shoreline. The great thing about this town is when you leave your resort or hotel; many beaches are right across the street from where you are staying. Other activities include bird watching, fine dining and shopping. Wailea is known for world class resorts, acclaimed beaches spectacular golf courses and first class dining. This city is also home of the annual Wendy’s Champions Skins Game that brings big name golfers from around the world. This town is truly paradise where surfers swimmers and snorkelers can truly enjoy themselves.

Hawaii (The Big Island) The Big Island of Hawaii (also known as Kona) is one of the best honeymoon destinations on the planet. This island offers white sand and black sand beaches. While Mt. Kilauea is probably the most famous volcano, the 13,679 ft Mauna Loa is the worlds largest. Mauna Loa last erupted in 1984 and covers about half of the island. To get more information about Hawaii’s volcanoes be sure to visit Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. The Big Island also offers many golf resorts outdoor activities and festivals. The most popular vacation destinations seem to be along the western coast of the island. These areas are known as Kailua-Kona and Waikoloa. Here you will find many shops, fine dining and Resort hotels. If you are looking to save a little cash, choose Kailua-Kona over Waikoloa.

The Hawaiian Islands offer some of the best views in the world. Over the years many movies and TV shows have been filmed on these famous Islands. These islands are also the getaway choice of celebrities and sports icons. Whichever island you choose for your next getaway, you will not be disappointed. These islands offer so much to see and do, they will keep you coming back for years to come.