Guidebook for Kailua-Kona
Food Scene
Great upscale dining. Excellent drinks and dishes, and very close to the house! Favorites are scallops and baby-back ribs.
127 locals recommend
Jackie Rey's Ohana Grill Kona
75-5995 Kuakini HwyGreat upscale dining. Excellent drinks and dishes, and very close to the house! Favorites are scallops and baby-back ribs.
Impressive fusion-inspired Asian food. Favorites are the lilikoi chicken and the chicharrón appetizer. Also do shabu-shabu.
11 locals recommend
TK Noodle House Kona
75 Hanama PlImpressive fusion-inspired Asian food. Favorites are the lilikoi chicken and the chicharrón appetizer. Also do shabu-shabu.
Awesome local Hawai'ian food spot! Favorites are everything, but especially the shrimp and char siu omelette, "Big Saimin" and hamburg steak
61 locals recommend
Big Island Grill
75-5702 Kuakini HwyAwesome local Hawai'ian food spot! Favorites are everything, but especially the shrimp and char siu omelette, "Big Saimin" and hamburg steak
When you need a huge, satisfying breakfast, with giant pancakes and a pile of meat, look no further. Probably the best breakfast you'll find on the island. Favorites: bacon, bacon and pancakes.
58 locals recommend
Hawaiian Style Cafe - Waimea
65-1290 Kawaihae RdWhen you need a huge, satisfying breakfast, with giant pancakes and a pile of meat, look no further. Probably the best breakfast you'll find on the island. Favorites: bacon, bacon and pancakes.
You just need to eat here if you like Thai. I don't think you'll find anything as fresh outside of Thailand. Favorites: tom yum soup, garlic pepper anything.
25 locals recommend
Sombat's Fresh Thai Cuisine
88 Kanoelehua AvenueYou just need to eat here if you like Thai. I don't think you'll find anything as fresh outside of Thailand. Favorites: tom yum soup, garlic pepper anything.
Best pizza in Kona. And when they say XL pizza, they aren't kidding ... Warning: won't fit through the front door without tilting. Seriously.
8 locals recommend
Longboard Legends Pizza
75-5742 Kuakini HwyBest pizza in Kona. And when they say XL pizza, they aren't kidding ... Warning: won't fit through the front door without tilting. Seriously.
Because you NEED Malasadas (Hawaiian/Portuguese donuts) and a cup of coffee.
185 locals recommend
Punalu'u Bake Shop
95-5642 HI-11Because you NEED Malasadas (Hawaiian/Portuguese donuts) and a cup of coffee.
El Maguey
74-5563 Kaiwi StBecause you are craving a delicious burrito.
Because you already love their beer, but you need to try their great food too. Pickup a growler or two while you're there!
226 locals recommend
Kona Brewing Company
74-5612 Pawai PlBecause you already love their beer, but you need to try their great food too. Pickup a growler or two while you're there!
Amazing local dinner in a funky old hotel. Local sides are served family style, and you just order the meat you want ... which is fried pork chops in gravy and onions ... trust me.
35 locals recommend
Manago Hotel Restaurant
82-6155 Hawaiʻi Belt RdAmazing local dinner in a funky old hotel. Local sides are served family style, and you just order the meat you want ... which is fried pork chops in gravy and onions ... trust me.
#1 on Yelp's top restaurants in the US 2013, and #15 in 2016! Extremely fresh line-caught poke (raw yellowtail), pork and chicken at a reasonable price. Second location opened in 2014. https://www.yelpblog.com/2016/02/yelps-top-100-places-to-eat-in-the-us-for-2016-fast-track-to-a-food-coma
132 locals recommend
Da Poke Shack
76-6246 Ali‘i Drive#1 on Yelp's top restaurants in the US 2013, and #15 in 2016! Extremely fresh line-caught poke (raw yellowtail), pork and chicken at a reasonable price. Second location opened in 2014. https://www.yelpblog.com/2016/02/yelps-top-100-places-to-eat-in-the-us-for-2016-fast-track-to-a-food-coma
#1 on Yelp's top restaurants in the US 2013, and #15 in 2016! Extremely fresh line-caught poke (raw yellowtail), pork and chicken at a reasonable price. Second location opened in 2014.
https://www.yelpblog.com/2016/02/yelps-top-100-places-to-eat-in-the-us-for-2016-fast-track-to-a-food-coma
132 locals recommend
Da Poke Shack
76-6246 Ali‘i Drive#1 on Yelp's top restaurants in the US 2013, and #15 in 2016! Extremely fresh line-caught poke (raw yellowtail), pork and chicken at a reasonable price. Second location opened in 2014.
https://www.yelpblog.com/2016/02/yelps-top-100-places-to-eat-in-the-us-for-2016-fast-track-to-a-food-coma
Excellent diner food, pies, cakes, pastries and other goodies. Great stop on the way to the volcano.
Try the liliko'i lemonade!
40 locals recommend
Hana Hou Restaurant
95-1148 Naalehu Spur RdExcellent diner food, pies, cakes, pastries and other goodies. Great stop on the way to the volcano.
Try the liliko'i lemonade!
#89 on Yelp's top US restaurants of 2016. Great fresh poke (raw marinated fish) and sides. https://www.yelpblog.com/2016/02/yelps-top-100-places-to-eat-in-the-us-for-2016-fast-track-to-a-food-coma
154 locals recommend
Umekes Fish Market Bar & Grill
74-5599 Pawai Pl#89 on Yelp's top US restaurants of 2016. Great fresh poke (raw marinated fish) and sides. https://www.yelpblog.com/2016/02/yelps-top-100-places-to-eat-in-the-us-for-2016-fast-track-to-a-food-coma
Like eating traditional Hawaiian food out of someone's kitchen. Try chicken and/or pork lau lau, lomi lomi salmon and a host of other treats.
35 locals recommend
Kaaloa's Super J's
83-5409 Mamalahoa HwyLike eating traditional Hawaiian food out of someone's kitchen. Try chicken and/or pork lau lau, lomi lomi salmon and a host of other treats.
Great place to stop for plate lunches, sandwiches, burgers and lots of other good food. It's near the airport and a great place to stop on your way out or your way into Kona. Chances are you'll find yourself stopping here more than once if you try it.
45 locals recommend
Pine Tree Cafe
73-4040 Hulikoa DrGreat place to stop for plate lunches, sandwiches, burgers and lots of other good food. It's near the airport and a great place to stop on your way out or your way into Kona. Chances are you'll find yourself stopping here more than once if you try it.
Sightseeing
I highly recommend this dive shop for their nighttime Manta Ray snorkel and dive trips. Definitely need to experience this once in a lifetime!
19 locals recommend
Big Island Divers
74-5467 Kaiwi StI highly recommend this dive shop for their nighttime Manta Ray snorkel and dive trips. Definitely need to experience this once in a lifetime!
Excellent shop for certification or recreational diving. Great instructors, guides and captains.
39 locals recommend
Jack's Diving Locker
75-5813 Ali‘i DrExcellent shop for certification or recreational diving. Great instructors, guides and captains.
Best botanical garden on the island. Is actually the old Hilo dumps, but you never would know unless you read the sign.
192 locals recommend
Hawaii Tropical Botanical Garden
27-717 Mamalahoa HwyBest botanical garden on the island. Is actually the old Hilo dumps, but you never would know unless you read the sign.
[CLOSED AS OF 2016-01-31] Great local botanical garden, focusing on ethnobotany.
10 locals recommend
Amy B.H. Greenwell Ethnobotanical Garden
82-6160 Hawaiʻi Belt Rd[CLOSED AS OF 2016-01-31] Great local botanical garden, focusing on ethnobotany.
Best lookout on the island. Don't attempt a descent without 4x4 with low gear! Beach below can be dangerous too!
201 locals recommend
Waipio Valley Lookout
Best lookout on the island. Don't attempt a descent without 4x4 with low gear! Beach below can be dangerous too!
Black sand beach with spots to take pictures of turtles. Great stop on your way to the volcano.
175 locals recommend
Punalu‘u Beach
Black sand beach with spots to take pictures of turtles. Great stop on your way to the volcano.
One-stop-shop for all your water rental and tour needs. You can get snorkel and water-wear rentals, as well as book snorkel and kayak tours.
16 locals recommend
Snorkel Bob's Kona
75-5831 Kahakai RdOne-stop-shop for all your water rental and tour needs. You can get snorkel and water-wear rentals, as well as book snorkel and kayak tours.
Kona Mike's Surf Adventures
96740 Kuakini HwyLearn to surf on your trip to the Big Island
Everything Else
If you have a membership, this is the spot to get all your big supplies and the cheapest gas in Kona. Best price for 100% Kona coffee.
153 locals recommend
Costco Wholesale
73-5600 Maiau StIf you have a membership, this is the spot to get all your big supplies and the cheapest gas in Kona. Best price for 100% Kona coffee.
Kona International Airport
73-200 Kupipi StOnly 11 miles away!
For Ohana guests: Self-serve laundromat (inquire with staff on machine payment/usage instructions)
J & K Wash & Go
74-5565 Luhia StFor Ohana guests: Self-serve laundromat (inquire with staff on machine payment/usage instructions)
For Ohana guests: Convenient drop-n-go laundromat. Please check for hours and pricing, but it averages $20 for them to wash/dry a large bag of laundry.
6 locals recommend
Tyke's Laundromat Inc
74-5483 Kaiwi StFor Ohana guests: Convenient drop-n-go laundromat. Please check for hours and pricing, but it averages $20 for them to wash/dry a large bag of laundry.
Hawaii Life Real Estate Brokers
75-5909 Walua RoadAre you ready to move here yet? Heidi White is an AMAZING Realtor!
Shopping
Target
74-5455 Makala BlvdBecause, Target
Walmart
75-1015 Henry StIf you must Walmart
Longs Drugs
78 6831 Ali‘i DrBecause you forgot sunblock.
Essentials
Safeway
75-971 Henry StGroceries
KTA Super Stores
74-5594 Palani RdHawaii grocery chain
Sack N Save Kona
75-5595 Palani RdHawaii grocery chain
Entertainment & Activities
If you come to the island, you need visit here. Plan your trek around the weather forecast or you'll be taking pictures of fog. See my guide for things to do in the park.
880 locals recommend
Hawaii Volcanoes National Park
If you come to the island, you need visit here. Plan your trek around the weather forecast or you'll be taking pictures of fog. See my guide for things to do in the park.
Awesome tour of a real Kona coffee farm. Get a chance to see how it's been done for generations and hear stories directly from the people who lived it.
17 locals recommend
Kona Coffee Living History Farm
82-6199 Hawaiʻi Belt RdAwesome tour of a real Kona coffee farm. Get a chance to see how it's been done for generations and hear stories directly from the people who lived it.
Closest movie theater to the house. 7 screens at the Keauhou shopping center.
18 locals recommend
Regal Keauhou
Closest movie theater to the house. 7 screens at the Keauhou shopping center.
Parks & Nature
Akaka Falls State Park
875 Akaka Falls RdBeautiful falls, and a paved hike around the jungle.