The Kona Coast

Kailua-Kona is a census-designated place located in Hawaii County, Hawaii, in the North Kona District of the Island of Hawaii. It is the center of commerce and of the tourist industry on West Hawaii. It is famous in the sports world as the site of the annual Hawaii Ironman Triathlon usually held in October and the Hawaiian International Billfish Tournament in July/August. The town's post office is designated Kailua-Kona to differentiate it from the larger, Kailua located on windward Oahu, although it is referred to as "Kona" in everyday speech. Many place names in the Hawaiian Islands are repeated on several islands, but the two Kailuas are the only confusing conflict in this regard. The city is served by Kona International Airport.

Kailua-Kona established by King Kamehameha I to be his seat of government (he originally was the chief of Kona, before unifying more and more of the archipelago under his rule), and the capital of the newly unified Kingdom of Hawaii. (The capital was later moved to Lāhainā, Maui then, to Honolulu Oahu.) Royal fishponds at Kaloko-Honokōhau National Historical Park were the hub of unified Hawaiian culture. The town then functioned as a retreat of the Hawaiian royal family. Up until the late 1900’s, Kailua-Kona was primarily a small fishing village. More recently, this region has undergone a real estate and construction boom fueled by tourism and investment.

Kailua-Kona is located along the shoreline of Kailua Bay and up the southern slope of Hualālai volcano. There are no major rivers or streams in Kailua-Kona or on the Kona side of Hawaii.

The coldest month in Kona is February and the average high in February is 80 F while the average low is 64 F. August is the warmest month and the average high is 87 F while the average low is 69 F. Humidity is between 50% and 80%. The temperature change between night and day is greater than the temperature change between winter and summer. Mornings are typically clear while thermal clouds created in the day raises the temperature during the day. And elevation has lots to do with how cool the mornings and evenings are. Vog can cover parts of the Kona coast from time to time depending on the activity of Kilauea and the island winds. Kailua-Kona is located in the lee of the Hualalai Volcano sheltering the town from wind and rain.
 

The Kohala Coast

King Kamehameha the Great was born here and went on to unite the islands of Hawaii under his rule and the southernmost tip of the island is significant as the landing spot for the earliest voyagers from Polynesia who claimed Hawaii for their own.

Along an approximate 20-mile stretch of the Big Island’s Kohala Coast, luxury resorts exist in harmony amongst reminders of past civilizations. Heiaus and Petroglyphs intermingle with championship golf courses; luxury hotels, resort condominiums and distinctive homes and estates that bow to the beauty of this exquisite island paradise.

Decades of generations have found Big Island’s Kohala Coast the perfect vacation location, selecting from a growing number of luxury resorts and resort amenities. Golf, Tennis, the Sea, Spa, Cuisine, Romance and uncompromising quality are just a few of the reasons the Kohala Coast has become a favorite of the discriminating traveler. Prudent travelers realizing the time has come to do more than vacation once a year or so are making The Kohala Coast home.

The North Kohala district is situated on the gentle green slopes of the Kohala volcano at the northern tip of the island. On a clear day you can see across the channel to the island of Maui. North Kohala is where you will see towns like Hawi, frozen in time like the plantation days of yesteryear, Kapaau and Pololu at the end of the road.
 

 The Hamakua Coast

Rugged coastlines dotted by glorious waterfalls, wild beautiful beaches and forested interior slide past on the Big Island's east coast. Less visited than other parts of the island, the main road winds past old sugar towns, now quiet, and sandy shores where the silence is broken only by the crashing surf.
Sometimes referred to as the "Hawaii Riviera".

The Hamakua Coast runs for about 50 miles north of Hilo to Waipio along highway 19 and Route 240. Break the drive with side-trips into the small towns off highway 19, or stop for some exercise on the trails of Kalopa State Recreation Area before the road branches, continuing north on 240 or heading east on 19. The drive itself is probably one of the region's biggest attractions—the landscape, from blustering seas to calm, sunny skies over green valleys and steep headlands is something like the Pacific Northwest with tropical foliage. Foamy surf breaks here on relatively rocky beaches.

The road ends at Waipio Valley, where the lush green lowlands stand in sharp contrast to the looming mass of land behind, a bluff from which waterfalls cascade into the dark blue sea below. Be forewarned that the road down to Waipio Valley can be all but impassable for anything other than 4WD vehicles.

This part of the big island is revered for its beauty, cooler weather and clear air. Beautiful ranches and exquisite estates are tucked away on this lovely expanse of Big Island eye-candy.