An Upcountry Aloha: Hōlualoa

Aloha mai kākou

When most people dream of Kona, they picture the sun-drenched coast. They see waves crashing on lava rock. They imagine the vibrant energy of Aliʻi Drive. That Kona is beautiful, no doubt. But for those of us who call this place home, there's another Kona. A place where the air cools and the pace slows. Where the true soul of the island reveals itself. To find it, you have to turn your back to the ocean and head mauka—upslope.

As you drive up Hualalai Road from Kailua-Kona, you feel the change. The air grows sweet with wild ginger and night-blooming jasmine. The land transforms from stark lava fields to a lush, emerald world. Giant ferns and towering monkeypod trees line the road. This is the journey into Hōlualoa, a small village nestled on the verdant slopes of the dormant Hualalai volcano. The heart of Kona's famed coffee country.

Even its name whispers of a deeper history. Hōlualoa means "long slide." It refers to the ancient Hawaiian sport of heʻe hōlua, where aliʻi (royalty) would ride long wooden sleds down the mountain slopes. This land was once part of a great royal complex. A place where Queen Keakealaniwahine held court in the 17th century. Where a young Kamehameha I likely learned to surf in the bay below.

This is the Hōlualoa I want to share with you. A place that asks you to slow down, to breathe deeper, to look closer. It's a town where every cup of coffee and every piece of art has a story. Come, let's take a walk together and discover the authentic upcountry experience that awaits.