Kailua-Kona part 2: Big Island loving

Lava cliffs

As promised on my last blog, here's some info for your Big Island vacay.
Kona is one of my favorite destinations (I even named my dog after this city)... full of natural beauty like volcanic deserts, deep lush valleys, rain forests, snow-capped mountain tops, waterfalls, and black sand beaches... 

Getting around: You need a car on this island! There is no public transportation, taxi is expensive and most of the major sites are too far away from each other to walk or bike to. When you drive on Highway 19 towards the Kohala Coast and a little bit on Highway 11 towards Kailua from Kona Airport, you'll immediately notice the black lava rocks found on both sides of the highway. One thing I love doing (as well as many other people) is to pull over and write my name using white rocks on the black backdrop. 

Volcanoes: The island is made up of 5 separate volcanoes overlapping each other, one of which, Kilauea, is the world's most active volcano and still spews out lava daily. You can see Kilauea's activity at Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park and explore the summit's caldera. Or you can also choose to explore the volcano underground at the Kilauea Caverns of Fire, which has the longest lava tubes in the world. 

"shark teeth" lava

"lava rose"

Black Sand Beaches: The Big Island has plenty of black sand beaches but Punalu'u Black Sand Beach Park is one of the better beaches to spot sea turtles, which like to roam the shores and nap on the beach. 

Culture: History runs deep in this island. Captain Cook was killed and memorialized at Kealakekua Bay, and in North Kohala the hometown of King Kamehameha the first is marked by a stone wall at the Mookini Heiau State Monument. Many other sacred heiaus (Hawaiian temple) and fishponds are found around the island and are essential to Hawaiian culture. Another sacred place I like to visit is Pu'uhonua O Honaunau also known as the Place of Refuge, which were once used as a sanctuary.

The Place of Refuge

Activities: You can find all the typical island activities here like luaus, scuba diving, catamaran sailings, surfing, zip lining, whale watching, etc. Located inland near the North Kohala Coast is Waimea, known as paniolo (Hawaiian cowboy) country, which many of the ranches offer horseback and ATV rides in a more unique setting.

Food: The Big Island is very fond of their (Kona) coffee and there are more than enough brands to choose from. If you love macadamia nuts as much as I do and have the time, visit the Mauna Loa Macademia Nut Factory in Keaau. You also HAVE to try a piece of Mac Pie, they really are "A Slice of Paradise". 

My fast food/dine in recommendation: Pine Tree Cafe in Kailua (close to the airport) off Highway 11. Cheap, has an extensive Hawaiian menu and I literally had their fried poke plate everyday. It's tied with McDonald's Portuguese sausage breakfast meal for my favorite thing to eat in Hawai'i. It's delicious!!!

Nightlife: If you're looking for some kind of big city life, you're in the wrong place. The Big Island is full of modest local towns, so if you think you can find something here that would be the equivalent of Oahu's Waikiki Beach and Honolulu nightlife you'll be disappointed. The closest thing to nightlife are the laid back bars and casual lounges of Kailua-Kona Town and Downtown Hilo.