Jesse’s guidebook
Beaches
Fantastic white sand beach with lots of public parking. Fantastic spot to watch the gorgeous Kona sunsets. Be advised, it gets pretty busy on the weekends.
66 paikallista suosittelee
Manini'owali Beach (Kua Bay)
Fantastic white sand beach with lots of public parking. Fantastic spot to watch the gorgeous Kona sunsets. Be advised, it gets pretty busy on the weekends.
Gorgeous stretch of white sand beach. Lots of parking and lots of sunshine too! Bring your sunscreen, beach gear, and enjoy the clear blue water!
241 paikallista suosittelee
Hapuna Beach
Gorgeous stretch of white sand beach. Lots of parking and lots of sunshine too! Bring your sunscreen, beach gear, and enjoy the clear blue water!
In my personal opinion, one of the most beautiful beaches in the world. It is accessed by 4x4 only, or a 30+ minute hike through a lava field, but well worth the trip. Pack water and everything you need, and please take it with you when you leave. Unspoiled beauty of Hawaii.
80 paikallista suosittelee
Makalawena Beach
Hawaii 19In my personal opinion, one of the most beautiful beaches in the world. It is accessed by 4x4 only, or a 30+ minute hike through a lava field, but well worth the trip. Pack water and everything you need, and please take it with you when you leave. Unspoiled beauty of Hawaii.
Easily accessible beach park if you'd like to park and watch the sunset. Not known for high quality sand, but it's close to downtown Kailua-Kona, and offers ponds to wade in, as well as some rougher sand entries. Pine Trees surf spot is located at the end of the access road. I don't recommend Pine Trees for surf beginners, as the reef can be very shallow.
16 paikallista suosittelee
Kohanaiki Beach Park
Easily accessible beach park if you'd like to park and watch the sunset. Not known for high quality sand, but it's close to downtown Kailua-Kona, and offers ponds to wade in, as well as some rougher sand entries. Pine Trees surf spot is located at the end of the access road. I don't recommend Pine Trees for surf beginners, as the reef can be very shallow.
A bit of a tourist trap, but mostly because you can consistently see turtles and an abundance of fish. I highly recommend this place to learn how to surf. There are a handful of surf lesson companies that operate out of the beach park, and you can easily inquire about a surf lesson while at the beach. Please use reef safe sunscreen.
239 paikallista suosittelee
Kahaluu Bay
Ali‘i DriveA bit of a tourist trap, but mostly because you can consistently see turtles and an abundance of fish. I highly recommend this place to learn how to surf. There are a handful of surf lesson companies that operate out of the beach park, and you can easily inquire about a surf lesson while at the beach. Please use reef safe sunscreen.
A gorgeous stretch of black sand beach where turtle's can be found sunbathing on a regular basis. It's a bit of a drive, but you can stop at Punalu'u Bakery and enjoy some local delicacies. The road to Punalu'u also offers some great sightseeing.
175 paikallista suosittelee
Punalu‘u Beach
A gorgeous stretch of black sand beach where turtle's can be found sunbathing on a regular basis. It's a bit of a drive, but you can stop at Punalu'u Bakery and enjoy some local delicacies. The road to Punalu'u also offers some great sightseeing.
Food scene
Fantastic local delicacies to include fresh poke. Try the poke bowl!
154 paikallista suosittelee
Umekes Fish Market Bar & Grill
74-5599 Pawai PlFantastic local delicacies to include fresh poke. Try the poke bowl!
Beautiful ocean front setting. A little pricy, but a fantastic spot to have a romantic dinner.
162 paikallista suosittelee
Huggo's
75-5828 Kahakai RdBeautiful ocean front setting. A little pricy, but a fantastic spot to have a romantic dinner.
Great place to get locally made beer and pair it with a fantastic pizza or salad. I highly recommend grabbing lunch here, but it does get busy at times, so be prepared to wait for a table. Longboard on draft is one of my favorite beers.
89 paikallista suosittelee
Kona Brewing Co.
7192 Kalanianole HighwayGreat place to get locally made beer and pair it with a fantastic pizza or salad. I highly recommend grabbing lunch here, but it does get busy at times, so be prepared to wait for a table. Longboard on draft is one of my favorite beers.
I recently discovered Ola Brew beer. Their Ma'a beer is my new favorite lager. I've never been a huge beer drinker, but I've been drinking a Ma'a beer at sunset on a regular basis recently. It's delicious.
64 paikallista suosittelee
Ola Brew
74-5598 Luhia StI recently discovered Ola Brew beer. Their Ma'a beer is my new favorite lager. I've never been a huge beer drinker, but I've been drinking a Ma'a beer at sunset on a regular basis recently. It's delicious.
Fantastic local Cafe that is open Tuesday through Saturday. I love their breakfast burrito and spiced chai latte!
Island Corner Cafe Corp
75-5595 Palani RoadFantastic local Cafe that is open Tuesday through Saturday. I love their breakfast burrito and spiced chai latte!
I recommend this venue for guests who would like to sit on the waterfront and enjoy watching the surf at nearby Magic Sands. It is a fantastic spot to watch the surf from when there is a surf swell on the island.
91 paikallista suosittelee
Magics Beach Grill
77-6452 Ali‘i DrI recommend this venue for guests who would like to sit on the waterfront and enjoy watching the surf at nearby Magic Sands. It is a fantastic spot to watch the surf from when there is a surf swell on the island.
Foster's is one of my favorite places for consistent delicious food. They have a great appetizer menu with some delicious calamari, bruschetta, and seared tuna sashimi. I highly recommend the food here.
100 paikallista suosittelee
Foster's Kitchen
75-5805 Ali‘i DrFoster's is one of my favorite places for consistent delicious food. They have a great appetizer menu with some delicious calamari, bruschetta, and seared tuna sashimi. I highly recommend the food here.
Hands down my favorite spot for a fresh fish burger. It is declicious and I don't think you'll find a better one in this town.
163 paikallista suosittelee
Island Lava Java
75-5801 Ali‘i DrHands down my favorite spot for a fresh fish burger. It is declicious and I don't think you'll find a better one in this town.
Authentic Japanese Sushi Experience! The owner Sam can be found in the Sushi bar serving delectable Sushi. Reservations highly recommended.
Sushi Sam
Authentic Japanese Sushi Experience! The owner Sam can be found in the Sushi bar serving delectable Sushi. Reservations highly recommended.
This is my go to spot for good food and fast service. Their cauliflower caesar salad with coconut shrimp is my favorite. The pizzas are also delicious and your order will usually be at the table in 10-15 minutes. Highly recommend!
Coffee @ Kai
75-5776 Ali‘i DrThis is my go to spot for good food and fast service. Their cauliflower caesar salad with coconut shrimp is my favorite. The pizzas are also delicious and your order will usually be at the table in 10-15 minutes. Highly recommend!
For quality and authentic Hawaiian food, super J’s is a must. It’s a throwback to a simpler time in Hawaii and it feels like you are walking into your Aunty’s house for lunch. The staff are friendly and the food is ‘ono (delicious)! No frills good food cooked and served by a wonderful Hawaiian family. One of my absolute favorites. Call ahead if you head their way as they sometimes close when sold out for the day.
35 paikallista suosittelee
Kaaloa's Super J's
83-5409 Mamalahoa HwyFor quality and authentic Hawaiian food, super J’s is a must. It’s a throwback to a simpler time in Hawaii and it feels like you are walking into your Aunty’s house for lunch. The staff are friendly and the food is ‘ono (delicious)! No frills good food cooked and served by a wonderful Hawaiian family. One of my absolute favorites. Call ahead if you head their way as they sometimes close when sold out for the day.
Sightseeing
Although you might not see lava pouring into the ocean at the moment, the Volcanoes National Park offers a wide variety of activities from hikes, steam vent viewing, and lava tube exploring. The rural setting is absolutely stunning and the native forest habitat is a wonderful place to spend at least a few hours.
880 paikallista suosittelee
Hawaii Volcanoes National Park
Although you might not see lava pouring into the ocean at the moment, the Volcanoes National Park offers a wide variety of activities from hikes, steam vent viewing, and lava tube exploring. The rural setting is absolutely stunning and the native forest habitat is a wonderful place to spend at least a few hours.
Step back in time to the Paniolo (cowboy) era in Hawaii.
16 paikallista suosittelee
Parker Ranch Headquarters
66-1304 Mamalahoa HwyStep back in time to the Paniolo (cowboy) era in Hawaii.
Many waterfalls require your traverse unforgiving terrain and a long trail. 'Akaka Falls is a beautiful, large, and sometimes thundering waterfall with parking nearby.
64 paikallista suosittelee
‘Akaka Falls
Many waterfalls require your traverse unforgiving terrain and a long trail. 'Akaka Falls is a beautiful, large, and sometimes thundering waterfall with parking nearby.
Hawi is an artistic small town nestled along the coast on the slopes of Kohala mountain. It is a great place to stop for coffee and browse local art.
88 paikallista suosittelee
Hawi
Hawi is an artistic small town nestled along the coast on the slopes of Kohala mountain. It is a great place to stop for coffee and browse local art.
Pololu Valley is a great day trip for people who enjoy hiking. It is not a difficult hike and offers fantastic views with the opportunity to take a nice dip in the ocean upon arrival. Photo opportunities abound in this beautiful valley.
140 paikallista suosittelee
Pololu Valley
Pololu Valley is a great day trip for people who enjoy hiking. It is not a difficult hike and offers fantastic views with the opportunity to take a nice dip in the ocean upon arrival. Photo opportunities abound in this beautiful valley.
Get a glimpse into pre-contact Hawaii. A beautiful setting where you can leave the modern world behind and imagine a time when Native Hawaiians lived untouched by the modern world. It is an old “sanctuary” where people could
come to be spared from punishment. The bay nearby is home to turtles and a large variety of tropical fish.
270 paikallista suosittelee
Pu'uhonua O Hōnaunau National Historical Park
State Highway 160Get a glimpse into pre-contact Hawaii. A beautiful setting where you can leave the modern world behind and imagine a time when Native Hawaiians lived untouched by the modern world. It is an old “sanctuary” where people could
come to be spared from punishment. The bay nearby is home to turtles and a large variety of tropical fish.
Kaloko-Honokohau National Historical Park
You can hike down to the bay, but it’s great to book a catamaran such as Fairwind to cruise down the coast in style and enjoy a catered lunch.
89 paikallista suosittelee
Kealakekua Bay
You can hike down to the bay, but it’s great to book a catamaran such as Fairwind to cruise down the coast in style and enjoy a catered lunch.
Learn about the Hawaiian astronomy world on the slopes of Mauna Kea. You will ascend to over 8,000 ft. on what is one of the world's tallest mountains (measured from the sea floor). Bring a jacket and some warm clothes as temperatures can reach freezing and the mountain snows in the winter months. You should check their website to verify the road is open as they sometimes close the road if weather is hazardous.
48 paikallista suosittelee
Maunakea Observatories Support Services
177 Makaala StLearn about the Hawaiian astronomy world on the slopes of Mauna Kea. You will ascend to over 8,000 ft. on what is one of the world's tallest mountains (measured from the sea floor). Bring a jacket and some warm clothes as temperatures can reach freezing and the mountain snows in the winter months. You should check their website to verify the road is open as they sometimes close the road if weather is hazardous.
Neighborhoods
This quaint ranch-style town might surprise you. While most people think of beaches in Hawaii, Waimea is a lush, often wet, mountainous ranching town nestled between the slopes of Kohala and Mauna Kea. Parker Ranch Museum will shed some light on the unique ranching history of Hawaii.
78 paikallista suosittelee
Waimea
This quaint ranch-style town might surprise you. While most people think of beaches in Hawaii, Waimea is a lush, often wet, mountainous ranching town nestled between the slopes of Kohala and Mauna Kea. Parker Ranch Museum will shed some light on the unique ranching history of Hawaii.