Kailua-Kona (Hawaii Island)

Kailua-Kona is a port town on Hawaii Island (Hawaii USA, North Kona District) with population around 12,000. It is West Hawaii's center of commerce and tourism industries. Kailua is served by Kona Airport (to the north) with regularly scheduled domestic and international flights linking to California (Oakland, Sacramento, San Diego, San Francisco, Los Angeles, San Jose), Oregon (Portland), Washington (Seattle), Hawaii (Honolulu, Kahului, Lihue, Kapalua), Canada (Vancouver BC), Japan (Tokyo). Seasonal flights connect to Anchorage (Alaska), Bellingham WA, Dallas TX.

To the north is located Kawaihae. Kailua-Kona is the start and finish of the annual triathlon Ironman World Championship, Kona Coffee Festival, and Hawaiian International Billfish Tournament. Famous Kona coffee is a variety of Coffea arabica cultivated on Hualalai and Mauna Loa's slopes in North and South Kona Districts. Kailua Pier is a starting and finishing point for Ironman World Championship Triathlon held in October. North of Kailua pier is Kamakahonu royal residence and Ahuena Heiau. Parks include Laʻaloa Bay ("White Sands Beach" or "Magic Sands") and Kahaluʻu Bay, featuring some of Hawaii's best snorkeling.

Honomalino Bay (on the Big Island's / Hawaii Island's southwestern coast) is located south of Milolii (fishing village). The bay has a half-mile-long black-sand beach and is accessible only by boat (ship) or by foot (from the village). The beach (aka "salt-and-pepper beach") is lined up with high palm trees. A short hike to Honomalino Bay passes through a rainforest, also crossing lava flows from Mauna Loa (active volcano). At Honomalino Bay there are no any facilities, and camping and fires are forbidden.

From Kona are offered bus tours to Puuhonua o Honaunau National Historical Park (180-acres NP at Honaunau Bay/island's south coast) and also to Puu Waawaa Forest Reserve (State Wildlife Sanctuary on the island's north coast).

IMPORTANT: Effective January 1st, 2026, Hawaii extends its Transient Accommodations Tax (TAT) to include cruise ship passengers. Previously applicable only to hotel stays, the 11% TAT will be prorated for the duration cruise ships are docked in Hawaiian ports. For instance, tourists on a 14-night voyage with 3 nights in Hawaiian waters will incur the tax on those specific nights. The legislative change is anticipated to generate ~US$100 million annually, with funds earmarked exclusively for environmental protection and climate resilience projects. These initiatives include beach restoration, infrastructure reinforcement against storms, and the removal of invasive species contributing to wildfire risks.

Kailua-Kona tours, shore excursions, hotels

City Tours and Shore Excursions

Honomalino Bay