By Lars Tramilton
Kona is a moku (Hawaiian word for "district"), located on the Big Island of Hawaii. This Pacific Ocean paradise is famous for its beautiful national historic parks and for growing coffee. Kona Coffee is thought by many to be one of the finest premium coffees on the planet. If you are planning to visit Kona, there is no shortage of exciting things to do and see.
Exploring Parks
Pu'uhonua o Honaunau National Historic Park is also known as "The City of Refuge." A lot of work has been done to the park to restore it to its 1700s splendor. The park is the home of the Palace Grounds (ruling chief's residence) as well as the Place of Refuge. The park is divided into two by the "Great Wall." You will be able to see the beach nearby, in which only the royalty were allowed entry. Now you can stroll along the beach and look at the gorgeous coconut palm grove that looks down over scenic Honaunau Bay.
Hapuna Beach State Park is a great place to relax and enjoy the pleasant climate, fine white sand and clear, warm waters of the Big Island. The beach is a half a mile long and usually has optimal conditions for swimming. The south part of the beach is ideal for snorkeling and has a coral reef and a vast array of fish. You can boogie board, swim, sunbathe or picnic.
Pu'uhonua o Honaunau National Historic Park
PO Box 129
Honaunau, HI 96726
Tel: (808) 328-2326
Hapuna Beach State Park
Highway 19, slightly north of Puako
Kamuela, HI 96743
Tel: (808) 882-1900
Visiting Museums
Kealakekua, the Kona Historical Society Museum, is in what was formerly known as the Greenwell Store. This museum details the history of Hawaii's coffee industry, with old pictures and artifacts.
The Kamuela Museum, located inside a ranch house, displays Hawaiian artifacts and relics, such as Oriental furnishings, China, glass, mounted animals and souvenirs from Hawaiians who toured the South Pacific.
Kealakekua - Kona Historical Society Museum
81-6551 Mamalohoa Highway
Kealakekua, HI 96750
Tel: (808) 323-3222
Kamuela Museum
Box 507
Kamuela, HI 96743
Tel: (808) 885-4724
Snorkeling
Kona is a great place to go snorkeling because it is located on the western side of the island, and its waters have high visibility. The best places to go snorkeling in Kona are on the Kohala Coast, which is full of sea turtles and clear waters, and South Kona, with exquisite coral reefs and strong clarity in the water.
Fair Wind Kona Ocean Guides
78-7130 Kaleiopapa St.
Kailua Kona, HI 96740
Tel: (808) 345-0268
Hiking
There are a lot of beautiful and fascinating places to go hiking while in Kona, from barren and dry lava to sandy, quiet beaches, ancient Hawaiian trails and exquisite coastlines. Hiking in Kona helps visitors to the area develop a much stronger appreciation for the area, its traditions and culture.
Scuba Diving
Kona is often considered to be the best place in all of Hawaii for scuba diving. The Kona side of the Big Island is protected from rain, ocean swells and wind by volcanic peaks. There are no streams or rivers on this side, which results in the visibility underwater being approximately a hundred feet on average. There are colorful, vibrant and beautiful reefs to be seen, full of cauliflower coral, plate coral, massive antler corals and much more. If you want to see a diverse array of aquatic life while scuba diving in Kona, you will---everything from whale sharks to green sea turtles and sand bar sharks.
Torpedo Tours
PO Box 1732
Kailua-Kona, HI 96745
Tel: (808) 938-0405
About the Author:
Lars Tramilton has been writing professionally since 2007. His work has appeared in a variety of online publications, including CareerWorkstation. Tramilton received a bachelor's degree with a focus on elementary education from Kean University.
