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You are here: Home / Travel / Things to do in Kona Coast Part 2 – Big Island

Things to do in Kona Coast Part 2 – Big Island

October 3, 2016 by Lisa Grable 4 Comments

The Kona coast is the leeward (western) side of the Big Island. If you are a coffee or Ironman fan, you’ve heard about it. There are lots of things to do in Kona along the coast south of Kailua Kona. The Kona coast is home to Kona coffee farms, famous Kealakekua Bay, and one of the most sacred ancient Hawaiian sites. In Part 1, learn more about Kailua Kona village.Kailua Kona village and the Kona coast have fascinating things to do on the Big Island. Coffee farms, Kona historical society, and sacred Hawaiian sites.

Kealakekua Kona Coast

Driving south on Route 11 Mamalahoa Highway takes you through the small towns of the Kona coast. You can get a feel for the rural life and beautiful views of the ocean.

kona-aloha-theatre
kona-theater

If you want some outdoor adventures, Kona Boys can probably set you up. They rent surfboards, kayaks, stand up paddleboards, and snorkel equipment. They also give lessons and conduct tours (they have an outrigger canoe!). This is a good place to plan an excursion into Kealakekua Bay.

The Kona Historical Society in Captain Cook takes you into the past of the Kona coast. I was first attracted to visit here by the communal stone Portuguese oven that was built in the pasture. Every Thursday Portuguese sweet bread (pao doce) is made and baked in the wood fired oven. If you go early you can help make bread, but you can also go by to buy some warm bread. Monday through Friday you can explore the Living History Coffee Farm with costumed interpreters explaining farm life. The Greenwell Store Museum is also onsite. The store recreates the days of the 1890s and is the oldest surviving store in Kona. It’s pretty amazing to look at what was available in canned goods and how saddles were made.

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Kealakekua Bay is a great place for snorkeling and other water sports. A little piece of Britain is on the north shore of the bay, the memorial to Captain Cook. Cook and his crew first landed here in 1778 and he also met his death here during an argument with the Hawaiians in 1779. You can take the quite difficult hike down to the monument or visit it by water from the Napo’opo’o Pier.

  • http://www.konaboys.com/
    • Kona Boys rentals and lessons
  • http://www.konahistorical.org/
    • Kona Historical Society
  • http://www.bigislandhikes.com/kealakekua-bay/
    • Hiking to the Captain Cook Monument

Captain Cook and Honaunau, Kona Coast

One of the many Kona coffee producers in Captain Cook is the Royal Kona Coffee Center. Here you can learn about the coffee process, from farmers bringing in their “cherries” to bean separation, to drying, to roasting. There is a lava tube on the grounds and a coffee tasting bar and gift shop. If you go, be sure to check out the Kona coffee history display downstairs. I loved the photos of the Miss Kona Coffee winners!kona-coffee-queens

In 1899, Father John Velghe built St. Benedict’s on a bluff above the ocean. Also known as The Painted Church, this Roman Catholic sanctuary is painted with Bible stories. The Hawaiian people did not spend a lot of time indoors and Father Velghe thought he could make the inside of the sanctuary look like sitting under the sky while teaching the Bible through murals. In addition to enjoying the spirit of the paintings, you can also enjoy the graveyard with beautiful tropical plantings in front of the church.

painted-church
kona-st-benedict-altar
kona-st-benedict-garden

South of Captain Cook on the Kona coast is the ancient Hawaiian Place of Refuge, Pu’uhonua o Hōnaunau. No harm could come to Hawaiians who made it to this place. The early religion was based on a strict set of rules called the kapu system. If a person broke kapu, they could escape a death sentence by going to Pu’uhonua o Hōnaunau, and receive forgiveness and refuge. This spot by the ocean has so much mana (power). There are two heiaus (religious sites), a great wall built of lava stone, and ki’i (tikis). Beautiful yellow butterflies congregating on the sand stopped me in my tracks. There is a nice Visitor Center, listed on the National Historic Register. Cultural demonstrations are part of the park’s program to help you learn about baskets, lauhala weaving, and canoe making. Right outside the National Park is a favorite snorkeling area called Two Step.

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  • https://www.nps.gov/puho/index.htm
    • National Park Service Pu’uhonua o Hōnaunau
  • http://www.thepaintedchurch.org/
    • St. Benedict Roman Catholic Church
  • http://royalkonacoffee.com/visit/
    • Royal Kona Coffee Center

Big Island map – Kona Coast

Let’s talk story

He’eia is one of my favorite Hawaiian songs. It tells of King David Kalakaua majestically riding the waves at He’eia Bay, in the Keauhou area. You can feel the kingly surfing rhythm in the song.

There at He’eia

We go surfing on the waves

Surfing on the crest

Returning on the diagonal wave

Tis I who criss-crossed

The edge of the shore

Resource links

  • https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/heeia/id6934845?i=6934827
    • He’eia by Hapa
  • https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/heeia/id478998882?i=478998975
    • He’eia by Gabby Pahinui

See Part 1 for more about Kailua Kona!

horizontal bar with plumeriaAffiliate links: if you make a purchase using these links, I’ll receive a small compensation towards maintaining this blog, at no extra cost to you.

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Filed Under: Hawaii, Travel Tagged With: big island, captain cook, Hawaii, Kailua kona, Kailua kona activities, kealakekua, kona coast, things to do on the Big Island, visit kona

Previous Post: « Things to do in Kona Hawaii – Big Island
Next Post: Lisa’s Home Bijou: The Spirit of St. Louis »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. rawsonjl

    May 30, 2018 at 8:09 pm

    How neat that you can help make the bread! It all looks so neat. I’ve always wanted to visit Hawaii.

    Reply
    • Lisa Grable

      May 31, 2018 at 2:31 pm

      Hey Joanne, Hawaii, the Big Island, has so much to do. The Kona coast is well out of the Kilauea eruption event. Making the bread in a wood burning oven is so much fun! I hope you let me help you plan your trip when you go to Hawaii!

      Reply
  2. thewritesteph.com

    October 14, 2016 at 5:10 pm

    Hi Lisa! I’m linking up with you after posting on Katherine’s Corner link party. My mom taught school for about 30 years, 17 of those in Kindergarten. 🙂 I tried teaching for a year or two but then ended up as a technical writer, which I liked much better. I did this until I had my baby who is now a tween.

    My brother and his wife just got back from HA about two wks ago and loved it. It’s on my husband and my bucket list!

    Reply
    • Lisa Grable

      October 17, 2016 at 6:44 am

      Hey Stephanie! I hope you get to go to Hawaii soon. I’ll be glad to help you plan your trip!

      Reply

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Hey, I’m Lisa

Lisa Grable, Casa BouquetI’m an educator, grandmother, classic movie fan, sewer and crafter, and I love Hawaii. Read more about me …

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