Visit The Kona Coast In The Big Island Of Hawaii

The Kona Coast is another must see place in the Big Island of Hawaii. Beautiful, unique, historic and cultured, that is what Kona Cast is famous for. But above all of these wonderful things, Kona Coast is known for its diversity. So for your next visit to the Big Island of Hawaii, take note of these places you need to visit at the Kona Coast.

Kealakekua Bay
This beautiful Bay which is located 12 miles south of the Kailia-Kona is noted for its diverse and rich marine life. Be dazzled by the creatures of the sea and its unique ecosystem of corals and plants as you snorkel and scuba dive. The water here is so clear and clean that these beauties can also be seen even if you go just kayaking. If you are lucky, you may even spot a spinner dolphin or two playing and swimming in the area. Because of this, Kealakekua Bay has been named as a Marine Life Conservation District. But aside from this, Kealakekua Bay is also known for its historical significance in the area as this location is also the spot where British Captain James Cook died back in 1779. Captain Cook discovered Kauai when his ships docked the shores of the island on his way to Alaska in 1778. He was treated as god by the Natives only to kill him shortly after his ships encountered trouble setting sail a year after. To memorialize his death, an obelisk was erected on shores of the Kealakekua Bay State Historical Park.

Puuhonua o Honaunau National Historical Park (Place of Refuge)
This national historical park’s history states that it is once a place where ancient Hawaiian fugitives take refuge. Ancient Hawaiians believe that their laws are sacred and a lawbreaker’s only chance of survival and being able to make it back to society was to go to a place of refuge. Here absolution will be given to the lawbreaker and he will be able to go back to society and be accepted. 180 acres big, the Puuhonua o Honaunau National Historical Park was beautifully restored and is still considered as a sacred and historic place in Hawaii.

Kona Coffee Plantations
Kona is also known for its coffee plantations. More or less 600 farms are located in this region. Educational tours on how coffee is grown and harvested are available as well as the processing of these beans. Kona coffee is extremely valued in the world market because of its distinct taste and delectable aroma.

Kailua-Kona
This picturesque seaside town is dubbed as the center of the Kona Coast. Its history includes being the home of royalty in Hawaii where King Kamehameha lived until he died on 1819. Places that are important in the history of Hawaii like the Hulihee Palace as well as the Mokuaikaua Church are still erected and preserved in its Alii Drive. Hulihee Palace receives a large number of visitors daily. Once a summer house for the royalty of Hawaii, this place now serves as a museum that features artifacts from the Victorian era when King Kalakaua still reigns in the 1800’s. Unfortunately, a natural disaster has hit the place causing the palace to be damaged in 2006. Currently, the Hulihee Palace is still being restored and educational tours are being limited for safety reasons. Aside from these, Kailua-Kona is now also known in the Big Island of Hawaii as the place to be to go shopping and dining.