Honu Ohana Guidebook
Beaches
Just a few of the local favorites
Public park with white sand beach & rocky shoreline, offering lifeguard-overseen swimming & surfing.
181 locals recommend
Magic Sands Beach Park
Ali'i DrivePublic park with white sand beach & rocky shoreline, offering lifeguard-overseen swimming & surfing.
White-sand beaches, lava rock & tranquil waves are the draws at this remote cove with 2 lava pools.
80 locals recommend
Makalawena Beach
Hawaii 19White-sand beaches, lava rock & tranquil waves are the draws at this remote cove with 2 lava pools.
Destination for beach swimming in turquoise water as well as majestic sunset views.
159 locals recommend
Kua Bay
Destination for beach swimming in turquoise water as well as majestic sunset views.
Food scene
Microbrewery with informal tours, pizza, live music on Sundays & a lanai with a corrugated tin roof.
226 locals recommend
Kona Brewing Company
74-5612 Pawai PlMicrobrewery with informal tours, pizza, live music on Sundays & a lanai with a corrugated tin roof.
Colorful, casual eatery is a bustling local go-to for seafood specials, pupu platters & wine.
127 locals recommend
Jackie Rey's Ohana Grill Kona
75-5995 Kuakini HwyColorful, casual eatery is a bustling local go-to for seafood specials, pupu platters & wine.
Casual, waterside eatery is a go-to for surf 'n' turf, clam chowder, Hawaiian fare & happy hours.
60 locals recommend
Fish Hopper Seafood & Steaks
Casual, waterside eatery is a go-to for surf 'n' turf, clam chowder, Hawaiian fare & happy hours.
Sightseeing
Over 1,800 species of tropical plants including orchids, banana groves & more in a tranquil setting.
192 locals recommend
Hawaii Tropical Botanical Garden
27-717 Mamalahoa HwyOver 1,800 species of tropical plants including orchids, banana groves & more in a tranquil setting.
Unique destination to spot live lava flows, lava tubes & glowing craters is popular with tourists.
880 locals recommend
Hawaii Volcanoes National Park
Unique destination to spot live lava flows, lava tubes & glowing craters is popular with tourists.
This lookout is stunning. You should absolutely check it out if you're in the area.
You can drive to the bottom of the valley to the black sand beach if you have a proper 4 wheel drive vehicle. There are a lot of folks online that exaggerate the difficulty of driving from the lookout to the beach, but it's not too difficult if you have the right car, take it slow, and only make the drive when the weather is decent.
You can also hike to the bottom of the Valley if you're not comfortable driving on the roads, but it would be a strenuous hike back up.
201 locals recommend
Waipio Valley Lookout
This lookout is stunning. You should absolutely check it out if you're in the area.
You can drive to the bottom of the valley to the black sand beach if you have a proper 4 wheel drive vehicle. There are a lot of folks online that exaggerate the difficulty of driving from the lookout to the beach, but it's not too difficult if you have the right car, take it slow, and only make the drive when the weather is decent.
You can also hike to the bottom of the Valley if you're not comfortable driving on the roads, but it would be a strenuous hike back up.
Bars
Buzzing bar & grill featuring American grub, seafood, dozens of draft brews & live music. Every Tuesday @ 7:30pm is Trivia Night!
77 locals recommend
Humpy's Big Island Alehouse
75-5815 Ali‘i DrBuzzing bar & grill featuring American grub, seafood, dozens of draft brews & live music. Every Tuesday @ 7:30pm is Trivia Night!
Busy, neighborhood hangout offering fish tacos & daily specials, plus happy hours & outdoor seating.
36 locals recommend
Oceans Sports Bar & Grill
75-5811 Ali‘i DrBusy, neighborhood hangout offering fish tacos & daily specials, plus happy hours & outdoor seating.
Snorkeling
Scenic inlet with snorkeling & boat tours, plus a monument to Captain Cook & an ancient temple.
89 locals recommend
Kealakekua Bay
Scenic inlet with snorkeling & boat tours, plus a monument to Captain Cook & an ancient temple.
Keauhou Bay
Great snorkeling and likely you'll see a turtle (or 5!)
Manta Ray night dive & snorkel, scuba diving & whale watching
50 locals recommend
Manta Ray Dives of Hawaii
74-380 Kealakehe PkwyManta Ray night dive & snorkel, scuba diving & whale watching
Hiking
This is a nice little trail. There aren't any big vistas or any big points of interest, but it's nice change from hiking on the beach or volcanic rock. The full loop is about 4 miles long, and it took me around 90 minutes to get through it. Most folks should be fine hiking this, but there are a few spots where the elevation makes things a little challenging.
There is no parking lot or facilities. Just drive to the end of the street and park on the side of the road. The trailhead is right where the pavement stops.
10 locals recommend
Makahi St trailhead
73-4365 Makahi StThis is a nice little trail. There aren't any big vistas or any big points of interest, but it's nice change from hiking on the beach or volcanic rock. The full loop is about 4 miles long, and it took me around 90 minutes to get through it. Most folks should be fine hiking this, but there are a few spots where the elevation makes things a little challenging.
There is no parking lot or facilities. Just drive to the end of the street and park on the side of the road. The trailhead is right where the pavement stops.
City/town information
Kailua-Kona is a town on the west coast of Hawaii Island (the Big Island). Hulihee Palace is a former royal vacation home dating from 1838. Mokuaikaua Church, from the 1800s, is Hawaii’s oldest Christian church. On Kailua Bay, reconstructed thatched houses at Kamakahonu National Historic Landmark mark King Kamehameha I’s residence. Colorful coral lies off Kamakahonu Beach. Kailua Pier has boat moorings.
93 locals recommend
Kailua
Kailua-Kona is a town on the west coast of Hawaii Island (the Big Island). Hulihee Palace is a former royal vacation home dating from 1838. Mokuaikaua Church, from the 1800s, is Hawaii’s oldest Christian church. On Kailua Bay, reconstructed thatched houses at Kamakahonu National Historic Landmark mark King Kamehameha I’s residence. Colorful coral lies off Kamakahonu Beach. Kailua Pier has boat moorings.
Hilo is a town on Hawaii, commonly called the Big Island, in the state of Hawaii. It’s known for Wailuku River State Park, featuring Waianuenue, or Rainbow Falls, with its colorful mist effects. The bubbling basalt-lava rock pools known as the Boiling Pots are nearby. To the south is Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, home to rainforests and the active Kilauea and Mauna Loa volcanoes.
120 locals recommend
Hilo
Hilo is a town on Hawaii, commonly called the Big Island, in the state of Hawaii. It’s known for Wailuku River State Park, featuring Waianuenue, or Rainbow Falls, with its colorful mist effects. The bubbling basalt-lava rock pools known as the Boiling Pots are nearby. To the south is Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, home to rainforests and the active Kilauea and Mauna Loa volcanoes.
Volcano is a census-designated place in Hawaii County, Hawaii, United States located in the District of Puna with a small portion of the CDP in the District of Kaʻū. The population was 2,575 at the 2010 census, up from 2,231 at the 2000 census.
71 locals recommend
Volcano
Volcano is a census-designated place in Hawaii County, Hawaii, United States located in the District of Puna with a small portion of the CDP in the District of Kaʻū. The population was 2,575 at the 2010 census, up from 2,231 at the 2000 census.