Guidebook for Kailua-Kona

Terri
Guidebook for Kailua-Kona

Food Scene

Great home-cooked meals, wonderful desserts. Try the flourless chocolate torte!
18 locals recommend
Strawberry Patch
79-7491 Hawaiʻi Belt Rd
18 locals recommend
Great home-cooked meals, wonderful desserts. Try the flourless chocolate torte!
Superb coffee and gluten-free baked goods
57 locals recommend
Kaya's Kawanui Inc
79-7300 Hawaiʻi Belt Rd
57 locals recommend
Superb coffee and gluten-free baked goods
Local grass fed beef make the best burgers on the island
45 locals recommend
Annie's Island Fresh Burgers
79-7460 Hawaiʻi Belt Rd
45 locals recommend
Local grass fed beef make the best burgers on the island
Try the lamb chops! Divine.
18 locals recommend
La Bourgogne French Restaurant
77-6400 Nalani St
18 locals recommend
Try the lamb chops! Divine.
I love the way Sam Choy grills fish.
75 locals recommend
Sam Choy's Kai Lanai
78-6831 Ali‘i Dr
75 locals recommend
I love the way Sam Choy grills fish.
Some of the best Thai food on the island
Bangkok House
75-5626 Kuakini Hwy
Some of the best Thai food on the island
Good place to watch waves and passersby.
163 locals recommend
Island Lava Java
75-5801 Ali‘i Dr
163 locals recommend
Good place to watch waves and passersby.
Really good brunches and dinners. Very fresh food, lovingly prepared.
61 locals recommend
Holuakoa Gardens and Cafe
765897 Kona Belt Rd
61 locals recommend
Really good brunches and dinners. Very fresh food, lovingly prepared.
Wonderful Indian food. Palak paneer and Lamb curry are my favorites.
23 locals recommend
Kamana Kitchen
75-5770 Ali‘i Dr
23 locals recommend
Wonderful Indian food. Palak paneer and Lamb curry are my favorites.
Even though I try to avoid pasta, I generally can find some fish and vegetables I love here.
47 locals recommend
Cafe Pesto - Kawaihae
61-3665 Akoni Pule Hwy
47 locals recommend
Even though I try to avoid pasta, I generally can find some fish and vegetables I love here.
Beautiful location on Keauhou Bay
Akule Supply
78-7138 Kaleiopapa Street
Beautiful location on Keauhou Bay
Wonderful Italian food. Small, family owned restaurant with excellent food.
26 locals recommend
Mi's Waterfront Bistro
75-5770 Ali‘i Dr
26 locals recommend
Wonderful Italian food. Small, family owned restaurant with excellent food.
Good Italian food in Kailua-Kona
Amici Vista Italian Restaurant
78-7000 Ali‘i Drive
Good Italian food in Kailua-Kona
Very reasonably priced, simple Mexican food
12 locals recommend
El Maguey
74-5563 Kaiwi St
12 locals recommend
Very reasonably priced, simple Mexican food
The best view ever. Great breakfasts.
137 locals recommend
The Coffee Shack
83-5799 Mamalahoa Hwy
137 locals recommend
The best view ever. Great breakfasts.
Delicious crepes, both sweet and savory, and good coffee
16 locals recommend
Peaberry & Galette
78-6831 Ali‘i Dr
16 locals recommend
Delicious crepes, both sweet and savory, and good coffee
Local farmers grow this estate coffee. Really delicious.
Kona Coffee And Tea
14-4960 Waiopae Rd
Local farmers grow this estate coffee. Really delicious.
Distinctive menu and fantastic food... Venison, rabbit, antelope... many dishes you simply won't find anywhere else. Divine home made millet bread.
102 locals recommend
Kilauea Lodge Restaurant
19-3948 Old Volcano Rd
102 locals recommend
Distinctive menu and fantastic food... Venison, rabbit, antelope... many dishes you simply won't find anywhere else. Divine home made millet bread.
The local waiters and busboys stop and do hula at lunchtime. Its not polished, glitzy hula, but more like your neighbor's luau-style hula. Full of character, this place.
47 locals recommend
Bamboo Restaurant & Gallery
55-3415 Akoni Pule Hwy
47 locals recommend
The local waiters and busboys stop and do hula at lunchtime. Its not polished, glitzy hula, but more like your neighbor's luau-style hula. Full of character, this place.
Lunch specials are very good, relaxed atmosphere.
127 locals recommend
Jackie Rey's Ohana Grill Kona
75-5995 Kuakini Hwy
127 locals recommend
Lunch specials are very good, relaxed atmosphere.
Delectable sushi and sake, even if you like your fish cooked (as I do!) Try a 'Trio' of small samplers.
50 locals recommend
Sushi Rock Restaurant
55-3435 Akoni Pule Hwy
50 locals recommend
Delectable sushi and sake, even if you like your fish cooked (as I do!) Try a 'Trio' of small samplers.
Vegan raw, yet scrumptious! Try their spaghetti squash cooked in coconut milk, with cashews. Or their 'better than beef' burgers. The breakfast menu includes healthy alternatives and baked goods, as well as eggs.
19 locals recommend
Under the Bodhi Tree
68-1330 Mauna Lani Dr
19 locals recommend
Vegan raw, yet scrumptious! Try their spaghetti squash cooked in coconut milk, with cashews. Or their 'better than beef' burgers. The breakfast menu includes healthy alternatives and baked goods, as well as eggs.
Great location on the water, serving coffee, kombucha, and good food.
69 locals recommend
Daylight Mind Coffee Company
69-201 Waikōloa Beach Dr
69 locals recommend
Great location on the water, serving coffee, kombucha, and good food.
Delicious food in Waimea.
51 locals recommend
Red Water Cafe
65-1299 Kawaihae Rd
51 locals recommend
Delicious food in Waimea.
Try the fish tacos with lettuce wrap, if you want a really low carb lunch. The Mango Chicken salad is delightful too.
66 locals recommend
Tommy Bahama Restaurant, Bar & Store
68-1330 Mauna Lani Dr
66 locals recommend
Try the fish tacos with lettuce wrap, if you want a really low carb lunch. The Mango Chicken salad is delightful too.

Parks & Nature

Wonderful place to kayak and snorkel across the bay, at the monument. Also try snorkeling at Two Step, era the City of Refuge Park.
89 locals recommend
Kealakekua Bay
89 locals recommend
Wonderful place to kayak and snorkel across the bay, at the monument. Also try snorkeling at Two Step, era the City of Refuge Park.
One of my favorite snorkel spots
109 locals recommend
Waialea Beach
Old Puako Road
109 locals recommend
One of my favorite snorkel spots
Spectacular coastline view of secluded valley, steeped in Hawaiian history.
117 locals recommend
Waipio Valley
117 locals recommend
Spectacular coastline view of secluded valley, steeped in Hawaiian history.
Iconic Hawaiian waterfall
341 locals recommend
Akaka Falls State Park
875 Akaka Falls Rd
341 locals recommend
Iconic Hawaiian waterfall
What's Hawaii without waterfalls? This one is magnificent, particularly after a rain.
337 locals recommend
Rainbow Falls
337 locals recommend
What's Hawaii without waterfalls? This one is magnificent, particularly after a rain.
Windsurfing and a great place for ocean sports. Rocky beach.
29 locals recommend
Anaehoomalu Bay
29 locals recommend
Windsurfing and a great place for ocean sports. Rocky beach.
Beautifully powdery white sand beach; worth the effort to get there.
80 locals recommend
Makalawena Beach
Hawaii 19
80 locals recommend
Beautifully powdery white sand beach; worth the effort to get there.
Another beautiful but rocky beach. Check out the Queen's Bath.
10 locals recommend
Kīholo Bay
10 locals recommend
Another beautiful but rocky beach. Check out the Queen's Bath.
An idyllic spot to bask in turquoise waters for a perfect morning's swim
6 locals recommend
Kua Bay Access Road
Kua Bay Access Road
6 locals recommend
An idyllic spot to bask in turquoise waters for a perfect morning's swim
Easy snorkeling, shallow a long way out, lots of turtles and colorful reef fish
239 locals recommend
Kahaluu Bay
Ali‘i Drive
239 locals recommend
Easy snorkeling, shallow a long way out, lots of turtles and colorful reef fish
The world's best observatories take advantage of clear skies at 13, 796 ft elevation. A stop at the Visitor's Center at 9,200 ft is a must.
161 locals recommend
Mauna Kea
161 locals recommend
The world's best observatories take advantage of clear skies at 13, 796 ft elevation. A stop at the Visitor's Center at 9,200 ft is a must.
Luxuriate in natural volcanic heated warm ponds while swimming with reef fish and turtles. Divine! This isn't a sandy beach, but a very interesting hot pond surrounded by lava.
83 locals recommend
Kapoho Tide Pools
83 locals recommend
Luxuriate in natural volcanic heated warm ponds while swimming with reef fish and turtles. Divine! This isn't a sandy beach, but a very interesting hot pond surrounded by lava.
The massive stone walls of this ancient "City of Refuge" may have inspired the design of the Onion House.
270 locals recommend
Pu'uhonua O Hōnaunau National Historical Park
State Highway 160
270 locals recommend
The massive stone walls of this ancient "City of Refuge" may have inspired the design of the Onion House.
Good place to spot whales, and to interact with them if you're extremely lucky. I like to walk along the ocean from the end of Puako Drive, heading south.
9 locals recommend
Puako Bay
9 locals recommend
Good place to spot whales, and to interact with them if you're extremely lucky. I like to walk along the ocean from the end of Puako Drive, heading south.
I love the snorkeling here, but be careful getting in and out if the water's rough. You enter the water not from a sandy beach, but from a shelf of lava rock. Great place to see spinner dolphins 'up close and personal' if they're in the mood. Let them approach you.
21 locals recommend
Two Step diving & snorkeling
21 locals recommend
I love the snorkeling here, but be careful getting in and out if the water's rough. You enter the water not from a sandy beach, but from a shelf of lava rock. Great place to see spinner dolphins 'up close and personal' if they're in the mood. Let them approach you.
After the tidal wave, a huge area was set aside for green space, which gives Hilo its unique charm.
22 locals recommend
Liliʻuokalani Botanical Garden
123 N Kuakini St
22 locals recommend
After the tidal wave, a huge area was set aside for green space, which gives Hilo its unique charm.

Everything Else

This hotel has an interesting collection of artwork, set in extensive grounds that can be accessed by boat or monorail. Some of my featherwork is in their permanent collection!
27 locals recommend
Hilton Waikoloa Village
69-425 Waikōloa Beach Dr
27 locals recommend
This hotel has an interesting collection of artwork, set in extensive grounds that can be accessed by boat or monorail. Some of my featherwork is in their permanent collection!
Night diving with manta rays in Kona is one of the top rated diving experiences on the planet. This is one of many dive shop excursions.
50 locals recommend
Manta Ray Dives of Hawaii
74-380 Kealakehe Pkwy
50 locals recommend
Night diving with manta rays in Kona is one of the top rated diving experiences on the planet. This is one of many dive shop excursions.
Easy stroll through a lovely neighborhood, within walking distance of the Onion House.
Walua Road
Walua Road
Easy stroll through a lovely neighborhood, within walking distance of the Onion House.
Fantastic setting. I love three botanical garden.
55 locals recommend
Umauma Falls Zipline & Rappel Experience
31-313 Old Mamalahoa Hwy
55 locals recommend
Fantastic setting. I love three botanical garden.
This helicopter company rescued me, and about 80 other people, out of the wilderness area of Kalalau Valley on Kauai, hours before Hurricane Iniki blasted the island with 225 mph winds. I'm grateful!
6 locals recommend
Blue Hawaiian Helicopters
99 Kaulele Pl
6 locals recommend
This helicopter company rescued me, and about 80 other people, out of the wilderness area of Kalalau Valley on Kauai, hours before Hurricane Iniki blasted the island with 225 mph winds. I'm grateful!
Knowledgeable guides will make the most of your opportunity to learn about this unique history and landscape.
21 locals recommend
Hawaii Forest & Trail Kona Headquarters
73-5593 Olowalu St
21 locals recommend
Knowledgeable guides will make the most of your opportunity to learn about this unique history and landscape.

Arts & Culture

I've sold my artwork through this gallery for decades, and Maria has one of the finest collections of Pacific art on the island.
9 locals recommend
Gallery of Great Things
65-1279 Kawaihae Rd
9 locals recommend
I've sold my artwork through this gallery for decades, and Maria has one of the finest collections of Pacific art on the island.
See the wide variety of arts created on this island at the Harbor Gallery. Cafe Pesto is a great place to eat next door, with changing art exhibits on the walls.
Harbor Gallery
See the wide variety of arts created on this island at the Harbor Gallery. Cafe Pesto is a great place to eat next door, with changing art exhibits on the walls.
Uncle Robert Keli’iho’omalu's free-spirited Wednesday night market, with jovial Hawaiian music and awa bar, has become the liveliest scene on this island. He declared it "Sovereign Kingdom of Hawaii"
59 locals recommend
Kalapana
59 locals recommend
Uncle Robert Keli’iho’omalu's free-spirited Wednesday night market, with jovial Hawaiian music and awa bar, has become the liveliest scene on this island. He declared it "Sovereign Kingdom of Hawaii"
This art center has classes, events, and pot-luck dinners you can drop in and join, with a small exhibition space. It's got a friendly atmosphere and is an easy place to meet fellow artists.
16 locals recommend
Donkey Mill Art Center
78-6670 Mamalahoa Hwy
16 locals recommend
This art center has classes, events, and pot-luck dinners you can drop in and join, with a small exhibition space. It's got a friendly atmosphere and is an easy place to meet fellow artists.

Sightseeing

One of my favorite small towns in the state. It's got an aura all its own.
88 locals recommend
Hawi
88 locals recommend
One of my favorite small towns in the state. It's got an aura all its own.
Watch the glow of molten lava from Halemaumau Crater, literally from your bed. The restaurant is quite good, but the view is spectacular.
79 locals recommend
Volcano House
1 Crater Rim Drive
79 locals recommend
Watch the glow of molten lava from Halemaumau Crater, literally from your bed. The restaurant is quite good, but the view is spectacular.
If you want to browse through unique artist's galleries and individual craftsmen's products, this is the place for you. Eat at Holualoa Cafe while you're there.
57 locals recommend
Holualoa
57 locals recommend
If you want to browse through unique artist's galleries and individual craftsmen's products, this is the place for you. Eat at Holualoa Cafe while you're there.
Spectacular coastline views and a good hike. One of seven remote valleys... Waipio Valley is on the other end of this chain of untouched wilderness valleys.
140 locals recommend
Pololu Valley
140 locals recommend
Spectacular coastline views and a good hike. One of seven remote valleys... Waipio Valley is on the other end of this chain of untouched wilderness valleys.
This magnificent stone temple, or heiau, was built by Kamehameha, and is still the site of important Hawaiian cultural gatherings.
27 locals recommend
Pu'ukohola Heiau National Historic Site
62-3601 Kawaihae Rd
27 locals recommend
This magnificent stone temple, or heiau, was built by Kamehameha, and is still the site of important Hawaiian cultural gatherings.
Fascinating rock art done by Native Hawaiians.
18 locals recommend
Puako Petroglyph Park
1 N Kaniku Dr
18 locals recommend
Fascinating rock art done by Native Hawaiians.
I love going up on this sacred mountain, and observing the island from this vantage point. Sunsets and sunrises are spectacular.
48 locals recommend
Maunakea Observatories Support Services
177 Makaala St
48 locals recommend
I love going up on this sacred mountain, and observing the island from this vantage point. Sunsets and sunrises are spectacular.

Essentials

This is where I met my sweetheart! (A friend asked, "What aisle?")
51 locals recommend
Island Naturals Market & Deli - Hilo
1221 Kilauea Ave
51 locals recommend
This is where I met my sweetheart! (A friend asked, "What aisle?")
Good place for a quick bite and to stock up on healthy snacks.
61 locals recommend
Island Naturals Market & Deli Kailua-Kona
74-5444 Makala Blvd
61 locals recommend
Good place for a quick bite and to stock up on healthy snacks.
Best fresh fish in town.
156 locals recommend
KTA Super Stores
74-5594 Palani Rd
156 locals recommend
Best fresh fish in town.
If you're cooking for a crowd, this is the answer! If you're a member but forgot your card, they can look it up for you by your phone number.
153 locals recommend
Costco Wholesale
73-5600 Maiau St
153 locals recommend
If you're cooking for a crowd, this is the answer! If you're a member but forgot your card, they can look it up for you by your phone number.

Getting Around

This seems to be one of the best ways to get a good deal on car rentals. I've used them many times.
Discount Car Rental Corporation
This seems to be one of the best ways to get a good deal on car rentals. I've used them many times.