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Kona Coast

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Moku'akaua Church, Kailua Kona.

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Overview

The main access point to the Big Island presents visitors with multiple destinations possessed of very distinct identities. Kailua-Kona is the urban heart of the west side, although you're free to place air quotes around 'urban.' Here you'll find tour offices, shopping centers and some very fine restaurants. Up the mountain, Holualoa is a breezy artists' enclave.

Attractions

Must-see attractions

  • Makalawena Beach on Big Island Hawaii, USA, a beautiful remote white sand beach and turquoise water.; Shutterstock ID 1583199166; your: Sloane Tucker; gl: 65050; netsuite: Online Editorial; full: POI 1583199166

    Makalawena Beach

    Kona Coast

    If what you're after is an almost deserted, postcard-perfect scoop of soft, white-sand beach cupping brilliant blue-green waters, head to 'Maks.' Although…

  • A thatched canoe house in Kaloko-Honokokau National Historical Park. 1196591794 beaches, big island, canoe house, clean, clear, halau wa'a, hawaii, hawaiian islands, honokohau beach, island of hawai'i, kaloko-honokokau national historical park, kona district, landscape, lush, outdoor, pacific ocean, pristine, scenic, sea, water, waterfall

    Honokohau Beach

    Kona Coast

    The water is usually too cloudy for snorkeling at this beautiful hook-shaped beach with a mix of black lava, white coral and wave-tossed shells, but just…

  • United States, Hawaii, Big Island,

    Magic Sands Beach

    Kailua-Kona

    About 4 miles south of central Kailua-Kona, this small beach (also called White Sands and, officially, Laʻaloa Beach) has turquoise water, great sunsets,…

  • Maniniowali Beach - Kua Bay, Big Island, Hawaii; Shutterstock ID 1467691745; purchase_order: 65050; job: ; client: ; other: 1467691745

    Kua Bay

    Kona Coast

    This sublime crescent-shaped white-sand beach is fronted by sparkling waters in alternating bands of pale cyan, deeper turquoise, and rich blue. Kua Bay…

  • Hulihe'e Palace in Kona Kilauea. Thsi is a view of the back of the palace which has an ocean view. One of three palacesin the United States. 185086175 Travel, Tourism, Photography, No People, Royalty, Hawaiian Culture, Kilauea, Outdoors, Horizontal, Rear View, Kona, Palace, wood building, Architecture And Buildings, Monuments, Hulihe'e Palace

    Huliheʻe Palace

    Kailua-Kona

    This palace is a fascinating study in the rapid shift the Hawaiian royal family made from Polynesian god-kings to Westernized monarchs. Here’s the skinny:…

  • 26467-54 Big Island, Hawaii, Kailua-Kona, North America, United States Surfer at Kahalu'u Beach Park, Kailua Kona.

    Kahaluʻu Beach Park

    Kona Coast

    Whether young or old, triathlete or couch potato, everyone appreciates the island's most easy-to-access (and admittedly busy) snorkeling spot. Protected…

  • Green Sea Turtle at Kaloko-Hono Kohan National Historical Park, Kailua Kona.

    Kaloko-Honokohau National Historical Park

    Kona Coast

    Just north of Honokohau Harbor, on the ocean side of Hwy 19, this 1160-acre national park may be the Kona Coast's most underappreciated ancient Hawaiian…

  • USA, Hawaii, Big Island, Kona, Mahai'ula Beach 1158873301 cloud, hawaii, mahai'ula beach

    Mahaiʻula Beach

    Kona Coast

    Kekaha Kai (Kona Coast) State Park's largest beach has salt-and-pepper sand, rocky tide pools, shaded picnic tables and pit toilets. Swimming usually isn…

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