Guidebook for Kailua-Kona
Food Scene
Best Sushi Rolls for $5.50. Please give the Hyashi's a big aloha from me, they are a very hard working, humble, and kind family!
26 locals recommend
You Make the Roll
75-5725 Ali‘i DrBest Sushi Rolls for $5.50. Please give the Hyashi's a big aloha from me, they are a very hard working, humble, and kind family!
Island Lava Java
75-5801 Ali‘i DrWalking distance to REAL Kona coffee.
Real Hawaiian food. Very local. Medium priced, lots of food, and all local choices.
61 locals recommend
Big Island Grill
75-5702 Kuakini HwyReal Hawaiian food. Very local. Medium priced, lots of food, and all local choices.
Great Thursday Mai Tai Happy Hour with Music and perfect waterfront dinner with varied menu- but the local menu fare. Medium expensive and a sit down atmosphere.
27 locals recommend
Royal Kona Resort
75-5852 Ali‘i DrGreat Thursday Mai Tai Happy Hour with Music and perfect waterfront dinner with varied menu- but the local menu fare. Medium expensive and a sit down atmosphere.
Beautiful restaurant. On the pricier side but very romantic. A great classy place to have a drink at a beautiful bar looking at the water but protected from the sun. I think this is the classiest place in downtown Kona.
69 locals recommend
Kona Inn Restaurant
75-5744 Ali‘i DrBeautiful restaurant. On the pricier side but very romantic. A great classy place to have a drink at a beautiful bar looking at the water but protected from the sun. I think this is the classiest place in downtown Kona.
Fish Hopper is an excellent seafood choice. All local fare that is caught can be had here. Prices vary but I would put in the medium to expensive side for dinner. Great breakfast as well. Water views available. 5-8 minute walk from my place. The owner owns a famous sister restaurant in Monterey, CA.
60 locals recommend
Fish Hopper Seafood & Steaks
Fish Hopper is an excellent seafood choice. All local fare that is caught can be had here. Prices vary but I would put in the medium to expensive side for dinner. Great breakfast as well. Water views available. 5-8 minute walk from my place. The owner owns a famous sister restaurant in Monterey, CA.
100% locals favorite spot. This is walkable- about a 25 minute walk from my place. It is the larger formal version of the lunch spot across from the library. This is an excellent choice for "bowl" style meals. VERY much the LOCAL favorite.
154 locals recommend
Umekes Fish Market Bar & Grill
74-5599 Pawai Pl100% locals favorite spot. This is walkable- about a 25 minute walk from my place. It is the larger formal version of the lunch spot across from the library. This is an excellent choice for "bowl" style meals. VERY much the LOCAL favorite.
The home of some of the best beer ever brewed. Walkable from my place about 20 minutes. Food and beer. Also growler's to go.
226 locals recommend
Kona Brewing Company
74-5612 Pawai PlThe home of some of the best beer ever brewed. Walkable from my place about 20 minutes. Food and beer. Also growler's to go.
Drinks & Nightlife
On the Rocks
75-5824 Kahakai RdGreat Happy Hour and sunset views.
Great Happy Hour for schooners and a view of the marina. Enkoy it after a day at the National Park right next door!
34 locals recommend
Harbor House
74-425 Kealakehe PkwyGreat Happy Hour for schooners and a view of the marina. Enkoy it after a day at the National Park right next door!
Great place to have a fresh fish sandwhich and a schooner beer while watching the boats come in with Marlin and Ono. The restaurant closes early so I suggest lunch or happy hour. This is very local with a mix of visitors. My personal favorite place to just chill.
Gentry's Kona Marina
74-425 Kealakehe PkwyGreat place to have a fresh fish sandwhich and a schooner beer while watching the boats come in with Marlin and Ono. The restaurant closes early so I suggest lunch or happy hour. This is very local with a mix of visitors. My personal favorite place to just chill.
Everything Else
A spectacular full day trip- a must for visiting The Big Island.
880 locals recommend
Hawaii Volcanoes National Park
A spectacular full day trip- a must for visiting The Big Island.
Plan your visit to the volcano around market days in Hilo. Hilo is the wet side of the island, so be prepared for an afternoon shower.
246 locals recommend
Hilo Farmers Market
Mamo StreetPlan your visit to the volcano around market days in Hilo. Hilo is the wet side of the island, so be prepared for an afternoon shower.
Beautiful swim beach- especially before 11 AM. In February and March you will be treated to spectacular whale shows!!
174 locals recommend
Hāpuna Beach State Park
Old Puako RoadBeautiful swim beach- especially before 11 AM. In February and March you will be treated to spectacular whale shows!!
Pu'uhonua O Hōnaunau National Historical Park
State Highway 160Fascinating history of Hawaii.
Good beach but gets very crowded- surfing lessons and other rentals.
Keolonahihi State Historical Park
Good beach but gets very crowded- surfing lessons and other rentals.
There is a great public beach. You must ask for a public beach pass at the gate to the resort and they will guide you to the public beach.
15 locals recommend
Four Seasons Resort Hualalai
72-100 Ka'upulehu DriveThere is a great public beach. You must ask for a public beach pass at the gate to the resort and they will guide you to the public beach.
There is an amazing public beach at Mauna Lani. You must park at the public parking and walk across a path through lava fields- about .25 miles to get to the beach.
Mauna Lani Resort Golf Courses
There is an amazing public beach at Mauna Lani. You must park at the public parking and walk across a path through lava fields- about .25 miles to get to the beach.
Free wifi, value menu, and best price on large lattes and they are good. Value menu side salad and ice cream cone best deal on island. They open at 6 AM.
McDonald's
75-5729 Kuakini HwyFree wifi, value menu, and best price on large lattes and they are good. Value menu side salad and ice cream cone best deal on island. They open at 6 AM.
Sightseeing
Hawi is old Hawaii up the coast. It is a tiny little town with a big personality for those who like exploring.
88 locals recommend
Hawi
Hawi is old Hawaii up the coast. It is a tiny little town with a big personality for those who like exploring.
Waikoloa Beach Marriott Resort & Spa
69-275 Waikōloa Beach DrResorts, shopping, food.
Parks & Nature
Fantastic National Park to visit with excellent beach and swimming. Just 10 minute drive from my place. Probably my most favorite beach to enjoy sealife, swims, and beauty near Kona.
8 locals recommend
Kaloko-Honokohau National Historical Park
Fantastic National Park to visit with excellent beach and swimming. Just 10 minute drive from my place. Probably my most favorite beach to enjoy sealife, swims, and beauty near Kona.
I have never done the actual dive but probably 20% of my guests have and rave about it. I think an easy way to book is to walk down Alii Drive towards the center of old town and find a booking agent or look on Google. A cheap way to do this is to have dinner or drinks at the Sharaton about 5 miles from my place and they feed the Manta's at sunset and you can see from the terrace.
28 locals recommend
Manta Ray Night Dive
78-127 Ehukai StI have never done the actual dive but probably 20% of my guests have and rave about it. I think an easy way to book is to walk down Alii Drive towards the center of old town and find a booking agent or look on Google. A cheap way to do this is to have dinner or drinks at the Sharaton about 5 miles from my place and they feed the Manta's at sunset and you can see from the terrace.
One of the best beaches on the Big Island. You have to go to the main gate and get a beach parking pass and they will direct you to the beach. There are public bathrooms and showers at the parking area. I also think you can eat at the bar restaurant at Hualalai a short walk from the beach. Great swimming. Both sand and grass areas to relax.
15 locals recommend
Four Seasons Resort Hualalai
72-100 Ka'upulehu DriveOne of the best beaches on the Big Island. You have to go to the main gate and get a beach parking pass and they will direct you to the beach. There are public bathrooms and showers at the parking area. I also think you can eat at the bar restaurant at Hualalai a short walk from the beach. Great swimming. Both sand and grass areas to relax.
Essentials
KTA Super Stores
74-5594 Palani RdLocal assortment- my favorite as it feels like Hawaii
Safeway
75-971 Henry St
Sack N Save Kona
75-5595 Palani Rd
ABC STORES
75-5744 Ali‘i DrMix of touristy stuff and basic groceries
ABC Store #71
75-5660 Palani RdABC STORES
75-5744 Ali‘i Dr