Guidebook for Kailua-Kona
Essentials
The closest market for grocery basics, Hawaiian style bento boxes and gas station all in one.
16 locals recommend
Matsuyama Food Mart
73-4354 Hawaiʻi Belt RdThe closest market for grocery basics, Hawaiian style bento boxes and gas station all in one.
Great natural food store with a hot deli, juice bar, local produce, and organic food.
61 locals recommend
Island Naturals Market & Deli Kailua-Kona
74-5444 Makala BlvdGreat natural food store with a hot deli, juice bar, local produce, and organic food.
Best one-stop-shop for all your grocery needs. They carry a mix of national brands as well as local vendors.
130 locals recommend
Safeway
75-971 Henry StBest one-stop-shop for all your grocery needs. They carry a mix of national brands as well as local vendors.
Local market carrying many Hawaiian/Japanese staples. Much smaller than Safeway but great if you want to get a taste of where the locals shop!
156 locals recommend
KTA Super Stores
74-5594 Palani RdLocal market carrying many Hawaiian/Japanese staples. Much smaller than Safeway but great if you want to get a taste of where the locals shop!
No trip to Kailua-Kona is complete without a trip to Costco! Great for quick food from the outdoor food court, groceries, gifts, local food, and much more.
153 locals recommend
Costco Wholesale
73-5600 Maiau StNo trip to Kailua-Kona is complete without a trip to Costco! Great for quick food from the outdoor food court, groceries, gifts, local food, and much more.
Food Scene
Great local joint serving Hawaiian/Asian fare. Get the Korean chicken wings with potato/mac salad.
45 locals recommend
Pine Tree Cafe
73-4040 Hulikoa DrGreat local joint serving Hawaiian/Asian fare. Get the Korean chicken wings with potato/mac salad.
Breakfast, dessert, or post beach fix! Great acai bowls with a nice view overlooking the ocean.
32 locals recommend
Basik Cafe
75-5831 Kahakai RdBreakfast, dessert, or post beach fix! Great acai bowls with a nice view overlooking the ocean.
A local gem! Cheap, bang for your buck sushi made fresh to order! Expect to wait at least 30 minutes. You can choose all the ingredients in your roll and pay per ingredient.
26 locals recommend
You Make the Roll
75-5725 Ali‘i DrA local gem! Cheap, bang for your buck sushi made fresh to order! Expect to wait at least 30 minutes. You can choose all the ingredients in your roll and pay per ingredient.
This is everyone's favorite local coffee joint. There's a great lanai where you'll see people have meetings, study, bring their dogs, and the usual beach crowd. They make a great acai bowl!
46 locals recommend
Kona Coffee & Tea
74-5588 Palani RdThis is everyone's favorite local coffee joint. There's a great lanai where you'll see people have meetings, study, bring their dogs, and the usual beach crowd. They make a great acai bowl!
An absolute MUST when you're in Hilo! Cash only. Get the strawberry mochi and remember, you can't bring these back to the mainland so eat as much as you can while you're here.
44 locals recommend
Two Ladies Kitchen
274 Kilauea AveAn absolute MUST when you're in Hilo! Cash only. Get the strawberry mochi and remember, you can't bring these back to the mainland so eat as much as you can while you're here.
Magics Beach Grill
77-6452 Ali‘i DrGreat food, stunning view!
Izakaya Shiono
74-5599 Pawai PlaceGreat sushi and ramen.
Parks & Nature
Fantastic local beach with white sand and mellow waves perfect for body surfing and bodyboarding. The water is super blue and clear! There is very little shade, so bring an umbrella and the parking gets packed so come early.
159 locals recommend
Kua Bay
Fantastic local beach with white sand and mellow waves perfect for body surfing and bodyboarding. The water is super blue and clear! There is very little shade, so bring an umbrella and the parking gets packed so come early.
Gorgeous white sandy beach, plenty of parking ($4 for non-locals), bathrooms, and even barbecue pits. This is a very popular beach with the locals and tourists alike, but there's enough room for everyone. There is no shade on the beach, so an umbrella is a must.
241 locals recommend
Hapuna Beach
Gorgeous white sandy beach, plenty of parking ($4 for non-locals), bathrooms, and even barbecue pits. This is a very popular beach with the locals and tourists alike, but there's enough room for everyone. There is no shade on the beach, so an umbrella is a must.
This hike is the most bang per time! It's about a 20 minute walk down and 45 minute hike back but the views are spectacular! At the bottom of the hike, you can wade on the black sand beach, build a "rock tower" and play on the giant ripe swings.
140 locals recommend
Pololu Valley
This hike is the most bang per time! It's about a 20 minute walk down and 45 minute hike back but the views are spectacular! At the bottom of the hike, you can wade on the black sand beach, build a "rock tower" and play on the giant ripe swings.
Drinks & Nightlife
Family friendly restaurant but go for the drinks and sit at the bar.
100 locals recommend
Foster's Kitchen
75-5805 Ali‘i DrFamily friendly restaurant but go for the drinks and sit at the bar.
Live music every night with a small dance floor. Dining room has a great view of the ocean!
60 locals recommend
Gertrude's Jazz Bar
75-5699 Ali‘i DriveLive music every night with a small dance floor. Dining room has a great view of the ocean!
Shopping
Beautiful batik dresses, skirts and aloha shirts made in Indonesia! All of their pieces are made of high quality fibers that don't bleed or fade.
Noa Noa
69-250 Waikōloa Beach DrBeautiful batik dresses, skirts and aloha shirts made in Indonesia! All of their pieces are made of high quality fibers that don't bleed or fade.
Sig Zane Designs
122 Kamehameha AveMade in Hilo, high quality aloha shirts and dresses!
Hana Hou
160 Kamehameha AveGreat locally made goods!
Forgot anything? Go to Target! They have it all as well as great gifts to take home. At the entrance, they have a huge Hawaii section.
70 locals recommend
Target
74-5455 Makala BlvdForgot anything? Go to Target! They have it all as well as great gifts to take home. At the entrance, they have a huge Hawaii section.
Sightseeing
Plenty of parking, a small grass area to picnic, and zero hiking to get to the falls. It's best to come in the morning to actually catch a rainbow over the falls.
337 locals recommend
Rainbow Falls
Plenty of parking, a small grass area to picnic, and zero hiking to get to the falls. It's best to come in the morning to actually catch a rainbow over the falls.