Kailua Kona

Stayed in Kona for 5 days, had a blast. I watched the lunar eclipse from the top of Mana Kea. Car broke down and we had to sleep outside at 9,000 feet. Hitch hiked back to Kona the next morning. Also swam with dolphins 2 days later. AWESOME!

We stayed at the Royal Kona Resort when we went… you MUST do their luau “Lava – Legacies and Legends”, it is one of the only ocean front luaus on the island and the performances are spectacular!
On the other hand, it is very commercialized, and if you’re not looking for that, Hilo is a better place to be. I was on the Big Island for a month and stayed below Hilo most of the time, and there is much more scenery without the industrialization, and more of an authentic Hawaiian feel to it.

Loved it so much I got married here on a private beach!

i loved kona it was so pretty and so sweet. i was on a local beach when a geint sea turtle came up to shore.

I went with my mom in 2001 and had a blast!

Kailua-Kona is a great place to come and visit. Of course the majority of tourists that we see over here are just off of the cruise ships. Instead the majority of people over here are in the construction trades. A strong economy and good interest rates have spurred people to buy houses over here with almost reckless abandon. If you are looking for great surfing or body boarding there are a few places that are ok, but for the most part that is done on other island.

If you do find yourself desiring to come here though please remember to bring water and sun-block. This is the desert side and the sun will eat you alive. Remember the Iron Man is run here for a reason – does the term worst conditions on earth mean anything to you.

The small hotels on the beachfront are well-worth staying at for the convenience. Camping at the Volcano national park is a cheap way of seeing the place – free accommodation. In Hilo, on the other side, a park permit is required so make sure you have one before pitching!
Kona Joe’s coffee rates as the best cup of coffee I’ve ever had, anywhere, bar none! (and my list includes Tanzania,Italy, Spain, France, etc.)

This is where I ran my first Marathon, Hawaii was fantastic!

I came to Kailua Kona years ago on a two week vacation. I left home (Laramie, Wyoming) in the dead of winter and I wasn’t but 1/2 way down the stairs from the jet (it’s so small they still roll stairs up to the jets!) when the thought struck me: “You know? I’m vested in my retirement!” I called my partner that day, resigned my research position and I’ve never been back to Wyoming.

Imagine living, as I do, in a town where almost 2 million women come each year simply to take their clothes off in public…truly, Kailua Kona is Paradise!