- Kona is the sunny west coast of the Big Island, making it the popular destination of tourists instead of the rainier Hilo side (see our weather data page).
- In addition to new housing being built in existing Kona residential areas, especially Kailua-Kona, in the wake of the post 1950s tourism economy boom, recent years have seen new luxury master-planned communities like Hualalai, Kukio & Kohanaiki created as well.
Kona subdivisions include:- Alii Point - Oceanfront community. 19 lots of 4.6K Sq Ft - 1 acre with 2 - 5BR, 1 & 2-story homes built from 1970 to 2004. Amenities include community pool, tennis court, BBQ. Gated community. Vacation rentals allowed.
- Bayview Estates - 99 lots of 15K Sq Ft with 3 - 4BR, single-level homes built from 1994 to the present. May still be empty lots available. All residences have ocean views and most have their own pools and hot tubs. Gated community.
- Hokulia - Opened in 2002. 1.26K acre master-planned community with 3 miles of coastline. 538 lots of 1.1 – 1.34 acres with 3 – 4BR, 1 & 2-story homes as well as vacant homesites. Mix of more inland & golf course fronting lots as well as oceanfront. All homes have ocean views. The Clubhouse features a restaurant & bar as well as a spa, fitness center, pool, men’s & women’s lounges and open-air yoga studio. Also features The Club at Hokulia golf course, designed by Jack Nicklaus and organized ocean activities, including outrigger paddling, fishing, diving & more. Technically located in Kealakekua, but since it is near the border between North and South Kona, we included on this list.
- Holualoa - Lots of 3K Sq Ft to 6 acres with 1 - 7BR, 1 - 3-story homes. Residences are both oceanfront and across Alii Drive on the inland side. Most are wooden beach cottage style structures, built from the 1950s to the present, with some luxury homes built in recent years. Keolonahihi State Historical Park is a short walk away. Vacation rentals allowed.
- Hualalai Resort - Built in 1994. 625 acre oceanfront master-planned resort community. Homesites of 11K Sq Ft to 2 acres are sold vacant for custom builds by owners in a number of subdivisions. Current homes are 1 & 2-stories with 3 - 7BRs. There are additionally 11 condo communities primarily made of 2-story buildings with single-level units or 2-story townhomes. The exception, Na Hale at Kahikole, has 8 single-level standalone units. Hualalai Residents have 2 golf courses, designed by Tom Weiskopf & Jack Nicklaus, plus the Hualalai Sports Club & Spa (pool, tennis courts, fitness center & more), as well as shopping and dining options, including access to Four Seasons Hualalai amenities.
- Kahakai Estates - Built by Stanford Carr in 1994. 101 ½ to 1 acre lots with 3 - 6BR, 1 & 2-story homes. Mix of developer designed homes on smaller lots and custom homes on 1 acre lots. Most look out to ocean. Amenities include private community park, fitness center, tennis courts. Gated community. Vacation rentals allowed.
- Kahaluu Beach Lots - Lots of 1.3K - 20K Sq Ft with 1 - 5BR, 1 - 3-story homes built from 1940s to the present. Lots are both beachfront and just across the street. Vacation rentals allowed.
- Kaloko Mauka - A few smaller lots, but majority are 1 - 24 acres with 1 - 9BR, 1 & 2-story homes. Many residents use lands for farming & keeping horses. Elevations go from 1600 to 5000 ft, the larger properties generally higher up. Sweeping views out to the ocean.
- Keauhou Estates - Built in 1985. 138 15K - 32K Sq Ft lots with 2 - 6BR, 1 & 2-story homes. Some empty lots are still available. Location is 500 feet above sea level, opening ocean views from every residence. Most have own pool. Gated community.
- Kohanaiki Resort - Oceanfront, 450 acre master-planned community. Lots of 11K Sq Ft to 1.2 acres sold vacant or with homes by partner-architects (3 - 6BR, 1 & 2-story) within a few subdivisions. Residents have Kohanaiki Golf Course, designed by Rees Jones, and clubhouse with amenities including movie theater, bowling alley, pool, spa, fitness center, restaurant & more.
- Kona Bay Estates - Built in 1984. Oceanfront. 46 lots of 7K – 26K Sq Ft with 2 – 6BR, 2 & 3-story homes. Nearby tidal pools are used for the kids to swim safely. Amenities include walking path along ocean, 24/7 security. Gated community. Vacation rentals allowed.
- Kona Sunshine - 20 lots of 22K Sq Ft to 1.1 acres with 2 - 5BR, 1 & 2-story homes. Hillside location brings panoramic views out to the ocean.
- Kukio Resort - Oceanfront 675 acre master-planned community. Lots of 14K - 26K Sq Ft with 3 - 7BR, 1 & 2-story homes. Vacant lots also available for custom builds. Community has 2 golf course, 18-home & 10-hole, both designed by Tom Fazio. In addition, Beach Club (fitness facilities, dining, spa, pool) and Sports Complex (pool, playground, tennis/volleyball/basketball courts) are exclusively for use of residents. Maniniowali Villas - 97 lots of 3.4K - 8K Sq Ft with 3 - 6BR, 1 & 2-story homes. Subdivision is outside Kukio, but is part of the overall Kukio project, so owners have same privileges at Golf Club, Beach Club & Sports Complex. Properties overlook Kua Bay beach sands. We show Maniniowali Villas properties on our Kukio Resort page.
- Makalei Estates - 80 lots of 3 - 4 acres with 3 - 5BR, 1 & 2 story homes. The elevation, 1K - 1.8K feet, provides cooler temperatures and views down to the Pacific. Agricultural zoned, so some owners grow fruits, vegetables & coffee. Amenities include pool, hot tubs, sauna, steam room, fitness center, tennis courts, BBQ. Gated community.
- Puapuaanui Waiaha 1st - Built in 1970. High elevation lots of 1 - 9 acres with 3 - 5BR, 1 & 2-story homes, built from the 1970s to today. Land is Agricultural zoned and some lots have multiple buildings. Views extend across the entire area and to the ocean. Gated community.
- Wehilani - 12 lots of 1.25 - 5 acres with 3 - 7BR, 1 & 2-story homes built from 2000 to the present. Ocean views from every residence. Agricultural zoning allows owners to grow fruits, coffee. Gated community.
Things to Do in Kona Kona is where the big events happen on the Big Island. The world renowned
Iron Man competition each October. Hawaii’s showcase of hula dancing every April at the ‘
Merrie Monarch Festival’. November’s 10-day
Kona Coffee Cultural Festival with tours, tastings, competitions & even a parade.
Despite those high-profile events, Kona remains a slower-paced, old Hawaii kind of place. Outside of some of the resort hotels, there are no high-rises and Hawaii history surrounds you, from ancient Hawaiian fishponds and heiaus along the coastline to Kailua-Kona’s downtown historic district.
Living in Kona, you can shop at a
farmer’s market, swim in the waves and the hike the side of a volcano, all in the same day.
Hikes- Makaeo Walking Path - Actually 2 paths - 1 is 7/10 mile, the other 3/10 mile - that both circle these gardens. A great place for walkers and runners who want to enjoy some beautiful tropical flora & fauna along the way.
- Kaawaloa Trail at Kealakekua Bay - 3.8 miles roundtrip. Trail takes you to Kealakeua Bay and the Captain Cook memorial. The bay alone is worth the trip. Good snorkeling and dolphin sightings are common. Hiking boots & a lot of water recommended, especially for uphill parts of return trip.
- Makaula Ooma Trail - 3.7 mile trail that’s on the Hualalai volcano, but feels like a trek through a tropical forest. A hike for when you want cooler temperatures. A favorite for local birders, too.
- Makalawena Beach Hike - 20 to 30 minute walk through lava fields that ends at a beautiful secluded beach. Can be hot so take water and sturdy footwear. The cool ocean will never feel better.
Golf- Nanea Golf Club - Designed by David McLay Kidd, the course is laid out between areas of lava rock. It’s location at the foot of Mt Hualalai gives every hole a view of the ocean in the distance. Extremely exclusive, Golf Digest has rated it Best In State every year since 2013.
- Kukio Championship Golf Course - Designed by Tom Fazio. A challenging course, partly due to its changes in elevation, approximately 400ft total. Golfers can look out at the coastline from Kona up to Kohala.
- Kona Country Club - Designed by William Bell. This public course has a number of oceanfront holes and beautiful scenery the entire way. Not the hardest course around, but a pleasure to play.
- The Club at Hokulia - Designed by Jack Nicklaus. The course regularly makes the ‘Best’ list, but it’s also one of the hardest and longest. Demands a good iron game from players. Wonderful ocean views and scenery.
- Kohanaiki Golf Course - Designed by Rees Jones. Known for 4 holes along ocean with stretches of lava rock that players must play over. The 14th green is an ‘island’, surrounded by volcanic rock. Course is exceptionally maintained
Beaches- Maniniowali Beach - Soft sand and crystal-blue waters made for boogie boarding and snorkeling. Wear shoes because you may have to hike over some lava rock to get to a less crowded stretch of sand.
- Kukio Beach - Arrive early because the resort has only a few free parking passes for the general public. Rocky in places, but the sand is excellent and you can do the 1 mile beach walk there. Turtles are spotted here often.
- Keike Beach (Queen’s Bath) - Protected cove so the waters are calm, especially good for the kids. Many like it as a good beginner’s snorkeling spot. Only issue is getting there, the public access path is a little hidden away.
- Kamakahonu Beach - Small, but family-friendly since there aren’t many waves, which makes it attractive to paddle boarders also. Tropical fish are usually plentiful here so bring your snorkel gear.
- Mahaiula Beach - Rarely crowded, sometimes just you and the turtles at sunset. Soft sand to lounge on or get your mask on and delight in the tropical fish all around. Road in can be rough going. High clearance vehicle recommended.
Tennis A few public courts are available, including 1 at
Higashira Park and 4 in the
Old Kona Airport Recreation Area. For more frequent players, one of the private facilities could be considered.
- Holua Racquet & Paddle - Hawaii’s biggest Tennis & Pickleball center, with 7 lit tennis courts and 20 pickleball courts. Offers lessons, Jr. Tennis camps and tournaments. Non-Members can rent courts.
- Royal Kona Resort Tennis Club - Open to the public. Oceanfront USTA facility with 4 tennis courts and 2 pickleball courts. Youth and Adult classes, league play and tournaments.
Dining- Magic’s Beach Grill - Local cuisine. Primarily seafood, with their fish tacos being the standout item. Restaurant looks out on the ocean, so great place for a sunset meal or drink. A perfect choice for a romantic dinner.
- Sushio Shiono - Some call it the best sushi on the Big Island. Small, so reservations recommended. Daily special menu is always worth trying, but can’t go wrong with anything they offer.
- Broke Da Mouth Grindz - Local cuisine. Mainly serves ‘Plate Lunch’ style, meaning meat entree with scoops of rice and macaroni salad. Locals love it, so you know it’s the real thing and it’s good. Large portions, too. Take-out only.
- Da Poke Shack - Fresh poke every day, but don’t wait, because it often sells out. Good prices & great tastes have made the Shack a must-try. Kalua pulled pork and lau lau for non-poke eaters.
- Krua Thai Cuisine - Large menu selection - 60 items - of authentic Thai food. The Hawaiian & Green curries are favorites, but just about everything gets a thumbs up from diners. Sometimes a wait for tables, so takeout is a good option sometimes.
History of Kona The history of Hawaii has played out across Kona from the very first Ancient Hawaiian settlements here. Many of the fishponds they built to sustain their people still can be seen, as well as carved petroglyphs and the heiaus that were the center of their religious life.
Captain Cook landed at Kailua-Kona in 1799, changing the Islands forever. Just as significant was a man Cook met then, an alii who would become Kamehameha I. Kamehameha would make Kailua-Kona the capital of all Hawaii once he united the Islands a few years later. Like much of the Islands, Kona would be covered by plantations and farms by the latter half of the 1800s, its coffee becoming world famous at this time.
The tourism boom of the post-WWII years opened Kona to the world traveler, prompting development of housing and tourist-centered properties, but never on the scale of Oahu. A new wave of development would follow at the very end of the 20th-Century and continues today as arrivals here have grown, but, equally important, investment has as well. The more recent additions of planned communities like Hualalai and Kukio are evidence of this, taking Kona into a new era.
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