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.

Kailua-Kona part 1: Waikoloa living

I normally don't stay at fancy hotels, it's more of a once-in-a-while type thing, and only if I come across a good deal. But when I travel to the Big Island of Hawaii it's a given for me...I HAVE to stay at the Hilton Waikoloa Village for the majority of my stay (which is tied with the Hilton Taba in Egypt for my favorite/best hotel that I've ever stayed at).

This 62 acre resort is a destination in itself, you need a minimum of least 2 days at the Hilton Waikoloa to really enjoy/appreciate it. It's located 20 minutes from Kona International Airport, on the waterfront of the Kohala Coast, in the luxurious Waikoloa resort compound. They have 3 towers with 1,200+ guest rooms, and 3 ways of getting to these rooms: walking, tram or boat. The air conditioned tram and canal boat rides are completely unnecessary, unless you have a lot of luggage and have a room located in one of the far towers. But I absolutely love the idea of it and every chance I get (regardless if my walk time is significantly shorter) I will opt to ride the boat to whatever part of the hotel I need to get to.

Canal Boat to the room? 

Orrrrrr you can take the tram...

My favorite part of the resort: the salt water lagoon! It is connected to the ocean and Hawaiian sea turtles can roam around as they please. The lagoon also has a waterfall, which is the best place to snorkel with the turtles. FYI, it is against Hawaii state law to touch or harm these endangered turtles and is considered a serious offense. 

Hilton's own salt water lagoon

Sea Turtles swimming in Hilton's Lagoon

Other water sport activities you can do in the lagoon are kayaking, paddle boating, hydro biking, snorkeling, and stand up paddle boarding.

Still not convinced? Here's some other things the resort offers:

-Tropical Gardens and wildlife

-Museum walkways full of Polynesian and Asian artworks displayed all around the hotel (there's over 1,800 pieces in their collection)

-Restaurants and Lounges with live music & pool tables

-Shopping- Can't find what you need at the resort? Visit the 2 small shopping areas that are located close by in the Waikoloa complex. The King's Shops and Queen's Marketplace are both walking distance from the hotel. Feeling lazy? No worries, they also have a shopping shuttle.

-Golf & putting course

-Hawaiian classes & complimentary water aerobics and introductory snorkeling classes

-Dolphin Encounters

-3 swimming pools (2 have water slides, and with poolside bars next to them)

-Legends of the Pacific Luau

-Tennis courts

-The Kohala Spa- Did I mention the free toiletry sets they leave in the room are the best smelling shampoo/conditioner/lotion I've ever gotten from a hotel?  They're from Kohala Spa's signature "Coconut-Mango" collection. I love them, and I always try to ask for as many extra bottles they can give me. You can also purchase them at their store in the lobby but they do get a little pricey (example: $25+ for a 16 oz bottle of lotion).

The serene Buddha Point

Get close to the Hilton's various wildlife

Asian art found underneath the lagoon's waterfall

Kona Pool- the largest of the 3 pools.

Beachfront

*Keep an eye out the next couple days for my "Kailua-Kona part 2" blog which will be about what to see and do on the Big Island...