Kona coastline at sunset with traditional Hawaiian elements

The Ultimate Guide to Kona

From Sacred Histories to Local Secrets

Written by a Local Expert

Aloha mai kākou!

The first thing you feel in Kona isn't the heat; it's the history. It rises from the black pāhoehoe lava rock, whispers through the coffee trees on Hualālai's slopes, and greets you in the salty spray along Aliʻi Drive. I'm Leilani, and this isn't just a place I write about; it's my home. I've surfed these breaks since I was a keiki, I know the best auntie to buy mangoes from at the market, and I've felt the profound silence at Puʻuhonua o Hōnaunau as the sun dips below the horizon. This guide is my invitation to you—to experience the Kona I know and love.

This isn't your average list of tourist spots. We'll journey through Kona by exploring the elements that define it: the endless blue of the kai (the sea), the rich, volcanic ʻāina (the land), and the ono (delicious) food that brings us all together. We'll travel from the bustling heart of Kailua-Kona to the quiet, sacred shores of the south.

Beautiful Kona coastline showcasing the dramatic volcanic landscape and pristine waters

As you explore, I ask that you travel with pono. This concept is central to our way of life here. It means more than just "leave no trace"; it means moving with righteousness, balance, and respect for the culture, the people, and the sacred stories of this land. It means choosing reef-safe sunscreen to protect our fragile corals, giving our honu (turtles) and other wildlife their space, and listening more than you speak. In return, the ʻāina will share its truest self with you, and your experience will be all the richer for it.

So, grab your slippahs, an open heart, and let's explore my Kona.