Guidebook for Kailua-Kona
Food Scene
World class food options throughout the island…
Great food, drinks and people watching on the beach at the tip of Kailua Bay. Great views of the bay and canoe races!
60 locals recommend
Fish Hopper Seafood & Steaks
Great food, drinks and people watching on the beach at the tip of Kailua Bay. Great views of the bay and canoe races!
Umekes Fish Market Bar & Grill
74-5599 Pawai PlBest poke in town
Costco Wholesale
73-5600 Maiau StCheapest lunch in town, Gas too!
Huggo's
75-5828 Kahakai RdBest views, cocktails and music. Directly OVER the bay.
Best Lanai sunset view in the area... and super close, just above the Keauhou Shopping Center.
75 locals recommend
Sam Choy's Kai Lanai
78-6831 Ali‘i DrBest Lanai sunset view in the area... and super close, just above the Keauhou Shopping Center.
McDonald's
75-5729 Kuakini HwyBecause they serve SPAM and eggs with rice for breakfast!
Great stop on the way to the volcano and Hilo, wonderful and famous bakery. Nice grounds with a koi pond to enjoy your bread pudding and malasadas. Large clean restrooms
185 locals recommend
Punalu'u Bake Shop
95-5642 HI-11Great stop on the way to the volcano and Hilo, wonderful and famous bakery. Nice grounds with a koi pond to enjoy your bread pudding and malasadas. Large clean restrooms
Donkeys Balls Chocolate Factory
79-7411 Hawaiʻi Belt RdFun and delicious!
Bianelli's Gourmet Pizza and Pasta
78-6831 Ali‘i DrBest pizza around, walking distance!
Pineapples Island Fresh Cusine
332 Keawe StreetGreat food and fun cocktails in Hilo
Jackie Rey's Ohana Grill Kona
75-5995 Kuakini HwyAmazing food with a more local clientele
Los Habaneros
Fun little authentic taco stand
Kenichi Pacific
6831 Ali‘i DrGreat sushi
It will blow your poke mind... they do lunch and run out of the best stuff early
132 locals recommend
Da Poke Shack
76-6246 Ali‘i DriveIt will blow your poke mind... they do lunch and run out of the best stuff early
Entertainment & Activities
Great Luau, just a few blocks away from the condo. The only luau I have ever been to where the food was actually GOOD!
Island Breeze Lū'au at the Sheraton Kona Resort
78-128 Ehukai StGreat Luau, just a few blocks away from the condo. The only luau I have ever been to where the food was actually GOOD!
Kona Country Club
78-7000 Ali‘i DrGolf next door to condo!
Island Breeze Luau
75-5660 Palani RdA great luau in a very historical setting. Great food
Native Flesh Tattoo
35 Shipman StGreat place for Hawai’ian freehand tribal ink. Yes, he’s Hawai’ian....
Body Glove Hawaii
Fun booze cruises and more
Pu'uhonua O Hōnaunau National Historical Park
State Highway 160Excellent, must see!
Super interesting. There is a Hawai’ian language (olelo Hawai’i) mass every Sunday.
35 locals recommend
St Benedict Catholic Church
84-5140 Painted Church RdSuper interesting. There is a Hawai’ian language (olelo Hawai’i) mass every Sunday.
Mo'okini Heiau
4wd to get there.
Kuemanu Heiau
78-6676 Ali‘i DrHamakua Macadamia Nut Co Inc
61-3251 Maluokalani StShopping
Keauhou Shopping Center
78-6831 Ali‘i DrJust a block up the hill, everything you need!
Hilo Farmers Market
Mamo StreetYou need to go!
KTA Super Stores
74-5594 Palani RdLocal grocery store
Longs Drugs
78 6831 Ali‘i DrEverything you need because the TSA took it out of your carry on....
Kona Farmers Market
75-5767 Ali‘i DrFun, close and all the kitch for the folks back home
Parks & Nature
Natural beauty is why people come to Hawai’i. It is well worth the time and effort to experience all you can while you are here!
Amazing Japanese gardens and park in Hilo. The largest Japanese garden outside of Japan.
103 locals recommend
Liliuokalani Park and Gardens
189 Lihiwai StAmazing Japanese gardens and park in Hilo. The largest Japanese garden outside of Japan.
Tough to get to, locals will drive you there for a small fee. Truly amazing
148 locals recommend
Papakolea Green Sand Beach
Tough to get to, locals will drive you there for a small fee. Truly amazing
Pu'uhonua O Hōnaunau National Historical Park
State Highway 160Amazing cultural heritage site
Beautiful falls just a few miles from downtown Hilo. You can drive right up to them if the lot has space. Make sure to read the plaques to learn the story of Maui and his mother at this spot.
337 locals recommend
Rainbow Falls
Beautiful falls just a few miles from downtown Hilo. You can drive right up to them if the lot has space. Make sure to read the plaques to learn the story of Maui and his mother at this spot.
‘Akaka Falls
Another beautiful natural waterfall well worth the visit.
Kona Cloud Forest
73-1865 Hao StHula Daddy Kona Coffee LLC
74-4944 Mamalahoa HwyExcellent small estate coffee growers
Bigger production Kona coffee. Does great tours with a small cafe with the most amazing view!
23 locals recommend
Kona Joe Coffee LLC
79-7346 Mamalahoa HwyBigger production Kona coffee. Does great tours with a small cafe with the most amazing view!
Drinks & Nightlife
Best places for everything from mimosa to maitai...
Good food and apps... Close by and you can walk home from the one at Keauhou Shopping Center!
12 locals recommend
Tropics Ale House - Waikōloa
69-1022 Keana PlGood food and apps... Close by and you can walk home from the one at Keauhou Shopping Center!
You can’t get much more beachy than this, unless you climb the tree to get your own coconuts...
149 locals recommend
On the Rocks
75-5824 Kahakai RdYou can’t get much more beachy than this, unless you climb the tree to get your own coconuts...
Wonderful evening live music and truly breath taking views from comfortable couches... (traditional tables and chairs too)
162 locals recommend
Huggo's
75-5828 Kahakai RdWonderful evening live music and truly breath taking views from comfortable couches... (traditional tables and chairs too)
Magics Beach Grill
77-6452 Ali‘i DrGreat food, seating on the water
Laverne's Sports Bar
75-5819 Ali‘i DrGood view of the bay
Gertrude's Jazz Bar
75-5699 Ali‘i DriveFor when you get tired of Hawai’ian music
Great happy hour starting at 3. Then hit Hapuna Beach for the sunset
56 locals recommend
Seafood Bar and Grill
61-3642 Kawaihae RdGreat happy hour starting at 3. Then hit Hapuna Beach for the sunset
Disappointing, bad food, bad drinks and lousy service. Unless you like that...
8 locals recommend
Pancho & Lefty's Cantina
75-5725 Ali‘i DrDisappointing, bad food, bad drinks and lousy service. Unless you like that...
Beaches
Why else do you come to Hawai’i? Sun and sand!
If you are looking for the big white sandy beach... this is the one. $5 to park (sometimes), has restrooms, showers, pavilions and lots of powdery white sand and decent waves to play in.
241 locals recommend
Hapuna Beach
If you are looking for the big white sandy beach... this is the one. $5 to park (sometimes), has restrooms, showers, pavilions and lots of powdery white sand and decent waves to play in.
Very nice and very close white sand beach with good waves. It is also called Majic Sands because the sand can disappear overnight and turn to boulders. Has a great little espresso and snack bar next to the restaurant.
7 locals recommend
La'aloa Park
77-650077 Ali‘i DrVery nice and very close white sand beach with good waves. It is also called Majic Sands because the sand can disappear overnight and turn to boulders. Has a great little espresso and snack bar next to the restaurant.
Great beach walking distance from the condo, close to the house. Well sheltered from the waves for a great snorkeling experience. The north side of the cove has great waves for beginning surfing. There is also a surf shop across the street for rentals!
8 locals recommend
Kahaluu Beach
Great beach walking distance from the condo, close to the house. Well sheltered from the waves for a great snorkeling experience. The north side of the cove has great waves for beginning surfing. There is also a surf shop across the street for rentals!
Magic Sands Beach Park
Ali'i DriveClose and fun beach
A short walk from the condo, across from Kahalu’u Beach Park. Rents gear and offers surf lessons right there!
14 locals recommend
Kahalu'u Bay Surf and Sea
78-6685 Ali‘i DrA short walk from the condo, across from Kahalu’u Beach Park. Rents gear and offers surf lessons right there!
Diving Adventures
Kona Honu Divers
74-5583 Luhia StHighly recommended by several guests for single day dives