Dining & Attractions

Culinary Adventures: Dining Near Sacred Waters

The dining scene around Kamakahonu Bay reflects both Hawaii's multicultural heritage and the area's evolution from royal center to modern resort destination. The concentration of restaurants within walking distance of the bay makes it easy to combine historical exploration with culinary adventures.

Huggo's has anchored the Kailua-Kona dining scene for over 45 years, earning its reputation as one of Hawaii's most enduring oceanfront restaurants. The establishment sits so close to the water that waves occasionally splash against the dining room windows during high surf conditions.

The restaurant's commitment to featuring locally caught seafood reflects both environmental consciousness and the superior quality of fish landed daily at nearby Honokohau Harbor. The kitchen's signature macadamia nut-crusted preparations showcase Hawaii's agricultural heritage while creating dishes that have become synonymous with island dining.

Huggo's wine list features selections from around the world, but the tropical cocktail program captures the restaurant's true spirit. The mai tais and other rum-based drinks pay homage to the Polynesian cocktail culture that flourished in mid-20th century Hawaii.

Papa Kona Restaurant & Bar represents the newer generation of Kona dining, combining elevated gastropub cuisine with stunning water views. The restaurant's island-influenced menu reflects contemporary Hawaiian regional cuisine while maintaining accessibility for visitors unfamiliar with local ingredients.

The brunch program has earned particular acclaim, featuring dishes that combine traditional Hawaiian ingredients with international techniques. The avocado fries have become a signature dish, representing the creative fusion that characterizes modern Hawaiian cuisine.

Huggo's On The Rocks offers a more casual alternative to its upscale sister restaurant, creating a "toes-in-the-sand" dining experience just yards from Kamakahonu Bay. The restaurant's open-air design maximizes the oceanfront location while maintaining a relaxed atmosphere that appeals to families and couples alike.

Don the Beachcomber at the Royal Kona Resort pays homage to the man who created modern tiki culture and invented the mai tai. The restaurant's Polynesian design and tropical cocktail program transport diners to the golden age of island entertainment.

For authentic local cuisine, Umekes Fishmarket Bar and Grill offers some of the island's best poke bowls and traditional Hawaiian plate lunches. The restaurant's no-nonsense approach focuses on quality ingredients and traditional preparation methods.

Da Poke Shack represents the most authentic local experience, operating from a simple takeout window that often sells out of its daily preparations. The restaurant's popularity with local residents demonstrates its commitment to traditional quality and preparation methods.

Kona Brewing Co. provides a family-friendly dining option with a large outdoor seating area that can accommodate groups of various sizes. The restaurant's craft beer selection includes both flagship brews and seasonal specialties that incorporate local ingredients.

Beyond the Bay: Exploring Kailua-Kona's Historical District

The historical significance of Kamakahonu extends throughout the broader Kailua-Kona area, where additional sites provide context for understanding Hawaii's complex cultural evolution. These attractions are easily accessible on foot from Kamakahonu Bay, making it practical to combine beach activities with historical exploration.

The Kailua Pier serves multiple functions that reflect the area's evolution from royal harbor to modern recreation center. The pier's role as the start and finish line for the annual Ironman World Championship triathlon has made it famous among endurance sports enthusiasts worldwide.

The triathlon connection brings international attention to Kailua-Kona each October, when athletes from around the world gather to compete in one of sport's most challenging events. The pier becomes the focal point for celebration and heartbreak as competitors complete their 140.6-mile journey through swimming, cycling, and running.

Throughout the rest of the year, the pier serves as the departure point for various ocean adventures. Deep-sea fishing charters leave daily in search of the massive Pacific blue marlin that inhabit the waters off the Kona coast. The afternoon return of these charters often provides entertainment for spectators as large fish are weighed and photographed.

Huliheʻe Palace, just a short walk south along Aliʻi Drive, represents the next chapter in Hawaiian royal history after Kamehameha's reign. Built in 1838 by Governor John Adams Kuakini, the palace served as a vacation home for Hawaiian royalty during the kingdom's later period.

The palace's architecture reflects the cultural fusion that characterized 19th-century Hawaii, combining Western building techniques with tropical adaptations and Hawaiian design sensibilities. The use of local lava rock and coral mortar demonstrates the continued importance of traditional materials even as architectural styles evolved.

The interior furnishings provide insight into the lives of Hawaiian royalty during the kingdom's transition from traditional to modern governance. Exquisite koa wood furniture crafted by Hawaiian artisans stands alongside imported pieces that reflect the royal family's international connections.

Mokuʻaikaua Church, directly across Aliʻi Drive from Huliheʻe Palace, represents the religious transformation that followed the collapse of the kapu system. As the oldest Christian church in the Hawaiian Islands, Mokuʻaikaua tells the story of Hawaii's spiritual evolution during the 19th century.

The church's congregation was founded in 1820 by the same missionaries who first landed at Kamakahonu Bay. The timing of their arrival, just months after the kapu system's abolition, demonstrates the rapid pace of change that characterized this period of Hawaiian history.

The current stone structure, completed in 1837, showcases the architectural fusion that emerged as Hawaiian builders adapted Western construction techniques to local materials and conditions. The walls of lava rock and coral-lime mortar reflect traditional Hawaiian building materials, while the overall design follows New England church architecture.

Deeper Historical Context: Regional National Parks

For visitors inspired by Kamakahonu's historical significance, two nearby National Historical Parks provide opportunities to explore different aspects of ancient Hawaiian civilization. These sites offer context for understanding the sophisticated society that Kamehameha I united under his rule.

Kaloko-Honokōhau National Historical Park, located just north of Kailua-Kona, preserves one of the most complete ancient Hawaiian settlement areas in the islands. The 1,160-acre park includes fishponds, heiau, petroglyphs, and residential areas that demonstrate the complexity of pre-contact Hawaiian society.

The park's fishponds represent some of the most sophisticated aquaculture systems developed by any Pacific island culture. These carefully engineered structures allowed Hawaiian communities to raise fish in controlled environments, providing reliable protein sources that supported larger populations than would otherwise have been possible.

The Aimakapā fishpond, the park's largest and best-preserved example, covers 15 acres and demonstrates the engineering skills of ancient Hawaiian builders. The pond's walls, constructed from carefully fitted lava rocks, created a controlled environment where fish could be raised from fingerlings to full size.

Puʻuhonua o Hōnaunau National Historical Park, located about 20 miles south of Kailua-Kona, preserves the most complete example of a traditional Hawaiian place of refuge. This sacred site provided sanctuary for those who had broken kapu or been defeated in battle.

The concept of puʻuhonua reflects the sophisticated legal and spiritual systems that governed ancient Hawaiian society. Rather than simply punishing lawbreakers, Hawaiian communities provided mechanisms for redemption and social reintegration that maintained community harmony.

The park's Great Wall, standing over 10 feet high and 17 feet thick, demonstrates the monumental construction capabilities of ancient Hawaiian builders. This massive structure, built without mortar from carefully fitted lava rocks, has withstood centuries of earthquakes and tsunamis.

Both parks offer opportunities to participate in volunteer programs that support ongoing archaeological research and cultural preservation efforts. These experiences provide deeper connections to Hawaiian history while contributing to the protection of irreplaceable cultural resources.