The Mokuaikaua Church is a historic Christian church in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii. It is the oldest church in the state of Hawaii and was built by American missionaries in 1820. The church has an iconic arch and interior attractively decorated with Koa wood. The Mokuaikaua Church is one of the 11 most endangered Historic Sites in America according to the National Trust for Historic Preservation.
The most sacred place of the Kona
Dzmitry Mik — Google review
This church is rich in history, being billed as the first Christian church in Hawaii. It was undergoing intense remodeling while I visited, so I was not able to freely tour. I do recommend visiting when you can, as it provides a glimpse into Hawaiian history that is rich and intriguing.
Peter Copley — Google review
I love history and this church is living history. Great service and met real people doing God's work! Every time we come back to the Big Island this is our church home. Always see a multicultural gathering with a strong missions application. The building is beautiful and the people are very warm and inviting. Very blessed to have found this church so far from our church home of 29 years on the mainland.
Daniel Barachkov — Google review
Beautiful church, great service, and we got a tour and some amazing info afterwards!
Louise Meenk — Google review
Hawaiians oldest church and elementary school this church stands a sentinel of Hawaiian history.
Jerry ?My Majesty Sir? Duke — Google review
Beautiful, old (200+ y.o.) church. Too bad it was closed.
i pm — Google review
Fun place to stop for a quick history lesson
Did you know Christianity was introduced to the Hawaiians back in the early 1800s? That was something I learnt. The church is the proof of it.
The church is not that big so it will take you 5min although the introduction video by the entry is worth the few minutes. It is impressive to see the structure and learn its history. A fun stop on the big island.
Happy travels
Ling Watson — Google review
Hawaii's first Christian church built in 1837. Beautiful construction with lava walls with crushed coral for the mortar. Bring a fan, because there is not much breeze.
Sheila Latta — Google review
Church was closed for renovation.
Phil — Google review
You can feel spiritual energy inside this church!
Olek Y — Google review
The main church building s closed & still under construction. Service is held in adjacent open area until maybe December 2023.
Sheryl Weinstein — Google review
2
Courtyard by Marriott King Kamehameha's Kona Beach Hotel
This hotel is situated on the beach in Kona, and offers free WiFi and an outdoor pool. There are also 2 restaurants on site. The spa offers a variety of services, including massages, facials, mani/pedis and more.
Met at the door by lovely staff presenting us with a lei. Room was large, very well appointed and clean. Spacious bedroom and very comfy bed. Discovered a problem with the coffee maker and housekeeping had it replaced in minutes. Impressive. All the staff were friendly and efficient. Pool area was good, nice size with a convenient pool bar. Right on a gorgeous beach. We were here on a tour so only had two nights before moving on to another island, but we were sorry to leave.
Ken Fletcher — Google review
Location is good and easily able to walk to places to eat. The coffee shop and shaved ice spot are good! The pool could be better kept and a server checking to see if anyone needed anything rather then having to go to the bar to request a drink/food. The food a the grill by the pool wasn’t anything special and the drinks weren’t that great. Service was okay.
Biggest complaint, room only gets cleaned every 3 days. Even though on the website it says daily cleaning. They did not say this at check in, we had to ask why are room hadn’t been cleaned yet and that’s when we found out.
Mary Perez — Google review
The location and area of this hotel is phenomenal. In the heart of Kona, everything is walking distance! Right across the street is a laundry-list of restaurants, stores etc. The hotel has some great amenities, but the private beach is certainly the best of it all!
The only complaint/downside are the rooms. The rooms are the weakness. While not bad, they are far away from being class leading. The rooms resemble many $100-$150/night hotels that we've visited in the states... Very far from what a 450-500$/night room should be. Not horrible, but you'll definitely enjoy being out of your room more.
There is a mini mall and educational area on the base level of the hotel... Lots to see and do if you get caught in a rainy day. Some really cool educational material and art to learn about the Hawaiian culture and history!
Jas Chana — Google review
We had a great time at the Kona Courtyard. They have remodeled the rooms and the beds are very comfortable. It’s an older facility but has worked hard to keep up. The tennis courts are very well maintained. The hall that describes Hawaiian royal history is very interesting. There are lots of restaurants and shops near this location.
Brian Fore — Google review
I stayed here for 9 nights April 2024. The staff were kind and helpful - the place is clean. There are many tours and things to do. I Do think it is over priced - especially the restaurant on site. I was very disappointed - (the website said there was a steam room and sauna when I booked the room). There are both of those; however, they are part of the 'spa' - which is a third party and you have to pay like $50 per 30 minute session which is ridiculous. You should have to pay for spa treatments like massages and such but not to just access sauna. I have a sauna where I live and that's part of my lifestyle and you shouldn't have to pay for it per session.
Also, I think they are short on room cleaners. I had the do not disturb sign on my door most days because I don't need clean sheets everyday or towels or anything really. However, I took the sign down for 3 days and I was gone all afternoon on those days and my room was not cleaned or replenished with coffee or towels or anything. I suppose I should have picked up the phone and specifically asked if my room could be refreshed - however I figured that if I didn't have the don't disturb sign on room - they would at least check.
Had a nice stay though - safe and quiet place.
Philip Johnson — Google review
This is the second time I have stayed here. And the thing with this place is... location, location, location. It has one of, if not the best location in Kona. They have a nice pool and one of the only beaches around, so great for that. We had to change rooms when we arrived, as the toilet in the first room was broken and spraying water when we flushed it. That room had an Ocean view, but 2 queen beds (we booked an ocean view and a King bed) the second room had a courtyard view, and 2 queen beds... The room was clean, and the staff are very friendly, but for what we were paying... the experience was fine, but I don't know that we will stay here again in Kona, will probably take the worse location but better facilities of somewhere else
Dayne Cody — Google review
Don't forget to use ʜᴏᴛᴇʟʙoʟʟʏ.ᴄᴏm when booking your hotel. This web site will compare hundreds of booking websites and normally will have rates much cheaper compared to others! Thank me later on! This hotel is one of the most well known in this area. I've been staying here for years. If you stay for a few nights you won't be disappointed.
We've stayed here on several occasions. Location is Perfect ! Convenient to everything. Staff is Friendly, Helpful and Personable.
Alex Fermin — Google review
The very moment you enter Courtyard King Kamehameha's Kona Beach hotel, you're greeted with a friendly smile and a warm welcoming. Overall, the hotel is a great place to stay with a very affordable rate due to having the beach directly from the hotel. The pool, poolside restaurant, and access to the beach were a few wonderful caveats. The hotel staff were very friendly and to aim a high level of customer service. My partner and I were celebrating the start of our honeymoon on the big island and couldn't ask a better hotel for the first few days of our trip.
Jeremy Landreth — Google review
This hotel isn’t fancy but it is located in a bustling district with great restaurants and shops that are easy to walk to. It has a nightlife feel to it that we were pleasantly surprised by. The ocean access isn’t great, but there is a nice pool. We also enjoyed the Hawaiian artwork displayed in the lobby area. Overall, we’d stay here again next time we visit Kona.
Neil Townsend — Google review
Courtyard King Kamehameha's Kona Beach hotel is our families must stay hotel..We were greeted with such a welcoming vibe. The lobby is breathtaking and very well kept. And the smell. The scent of the lobby in the hotel was amazing. I need that scent in my home. Lol… This hotel is in the best spot in Kona. You are in walking distance to the beach, stores, rental gear, bars, and restaurants. The beach directly from the hotel was my kids favorite place to be. If you don’t want to get your pretty toes sandy they have an amazing pool and bar with great live entertainment. Like I said, this hotel has it all, basically your one stop location. The hotel staff were extremely friendly from check in to check out and made us feel like we were royalty. They accommodated all of our needs and gave great recommendations for activities and tours in the area. The room was gorgeous and the view from the balcony was to die for. But i cannot forget to mention how comfortable the beds were. It literally was like sleeping on a cloud. Even Security was amazing, they took great care of my iPhone when I left it at the pool side. This was by far one of the best vacations we have been on and we owe it all to the staff at King Kamehameha hotel. We will definitely be back.
Moana Koanui — Google review
This was a wonderful hotel, but I am short and it was a work out to get in bed since they are high up. Once in the bed, it was so comfortable that I slept like a baby. They also have so many things to do at the hotel that I didn't leave for 2 days. The 2 days in hotel was because they had a HUGE Craft Fair going on. Craft Fairs are one of my my Happy Places. The only thing that brought the rating from a 5 to a 4 was the view. I could see the ocean, but it was not full view and the buildings blocked the best of the view. Still beautiful though. Also, their Wi-Fi was constantly dropping.
Sherry Meske — Google review
Fantastic location in Kona on the beach and in a prime location on Ali’i drive. Upon checking in and all our experiences with hotel staff, everyone was so friendly and helpful. We stayed in an ocean view room on the top floor. Didn’t realize there was a second option for ocean front, but for clarity, the ocean view rooms give you an angled view of the ocean, whereas the ocean front rooms wholly face the ocean. Our king bedroom was spacious, but the bathroom was not cleaned well. There was hair all over the shower and sink upon our arrival. Overall though, I would recommend and stay here again.
Caitlin Brooks — Google review
We thoroughly enjoyed our stay here. The Staff is friendly and helpful, even going so far as to get us into a different room that fit our needs better on extremely short notice.
The little cove and beach are nice and groomed daily. The pool is also well cared for. With complimentary poolside drinks, and watersports equipment rental, this is a very enjoyable place to stay.
Michigan Diver — Google review
We thank the staff and management (Willie) for treating us so nice during our stay. The room we moved into was very clean and the staff supported us very well with new sheets, coffee, supplies as we stayed here. The location is very good as it is a relaxed atmosphere in Kailua-Kona. You are within walking distance of the beach, a kind of cove. The pool side bar staff is great. Not a brand new hotel by any means and could use some updating, but it was clean.
JO Q — Google review
Overall 4 star experience. Amazing location next to the pier and Hawaiian holy grounds. Hawaiian Luau on-site (though they don't show the pig etc like the traditional ones, the meat arrives all cooked). Service isn't great, was here for 3 nights straight with no service/room cleaning. Concierge is helpful to a extent with limited hours.
Hotel is clean and in a great area. Service though can definitely be improved upon.
Confidential — Google review
Kona stay sept 20-Oct 2
Worst customer service. Front desk was not knowledgeable and took me over 20 minutes just to check in… she kept going back and forth between her computer and to the back room to ask questions to see if she could check me in???? I had a reservation mistakenly made for the night prior… should have been a quick fix just change the dates. Or make a new reservation for me. Which I suggested.
It was supposed to be for 2 nights I had repeatedly asked for 2 nights. She then went back to the back office several times to get “approval”
Then finally got checked in then the following day the Marriott app alerted me I was due to checkout. Called reception desk. No answer so I Went downstairs, and of course same lady 🙄. She then spent another 20 minutes checking something…. Last thing you want to do in a place like Hawaii is waste time dealing with something that you already took care of the day prior. She ultimately couldn’t resolve it, she told me she would have her manager call me and took my phone number and sent me away, assuring me someone would call me back. This was at 9 am .. we returned several hours later and no phone call and no one at the front desk knew anything so I just went to my room as I was staying another evening. Assumed everything was sorted.
Then as we were leaving I asked the bellman if i could borrow a cart as I had many heavy luggage pieces. He said we do not loan out luggage carts. I said then can he assist me to get the luggage to my vehicle parked on hotel property. He said no and to pull up the car . (Which we didn’t want to do as the front area was extremely crowded with the iron man competition) for how much we are charged to stay at this hotel property (over $500 per night) it was very disappointing to be treated in this manner. God forbid you ask a bellman for assistance with luggage.
Then upon departing I was reviewing my hotel bill .. and they charged me for parking even though they also charged my colleagues for the vehicle as well (we only had 1)
Extremely poor customer service. As a titanium client I expected a better experience. Very disappointed. Please do a better job at training front desk staff (I previously worked as a front desk agent at 5 star properties for 15 years so I was beyond understanding with them) and hire more friendly accommodating employees.
Luckily, the spa staff was amazing and Brandon did a great job with my one hour massage. The spa, housekeeping & concierge was the only staff interaction that wasn’t an utter disappointment. I did not receive the aloha experience.
Christina K — Google review
Absolutely loved our stay here!! The hotel is very clean and updated. The staff in all areas is absolutely wonderful!! I cannot say enough about Marie & Annie in the restaurant when we had breakfast every morning!! They were so friendly and truly genuine, not just customer service nice! I would recommend this hotel to anyone based on the hotel, staff and walking distance to plenty of restaurants, bars and shops!!
Nathan Lewis — Google review
Great check-in, especially for a BONVoY member.
Luggage carts controlled by bell-persons. Waited for bell-person for 20 minutes before I needed to have front desk call bell-person. Self-parking $25/night.
UPDATE 09/22/2023: Great response from Courtyard by Marriott King Kamehameha's Kona Beach Hotel. As I suspected, there is a hotel policy related to the control of the luggage carts. The carts are controlled to ensure that, when needed, the carts are available and not left unattended after some guests fail to return them to the lobby. It is unfortunate that some guests make this policy necessary.
Tim Snyder — Google review
Missy at the front desk was very kind and helpful. She gave a great first impression.
Room 654 ocean front view (top middle) was just as pictured and described on your website. The views were great and you could even see the luau from the balcony. The views were beautiful. The room was also very clean.
A screen for the slider door would be great to be able to keep open more often.
The reason for the 8 and not 10 review was the frustration with the bathroom size and doors, and not having a full functioning restaurant on site. The pillows were also very uncomfortable.
The set up for the pool is very cramped and the poolside service was slow to almost non existent. The beach was perfect for relaxing.
The bathroom was frustrating. It was very tight but the biggest frustration was with the bathroom doors. They did not function correctly. Even when fully closed they did not offer much privacy with gaps on the sides. Hopefully they fix that.
The staff was friendly and accommodating. We enjoyed the buffet breakfast. The food selection quality and service were great. The museum area, paintings, and artifacts were fantastic to see coming and going. We loved seeing them daily. The beach was perfect for all ages to relax. The hotel is in a great location with lots of shopping, museums, and great restaurants. There is also another little beach on the other side of the doc.
Milissa McGuire — Google review
It’s fine for a night or two, but not worth staying at if you can get a condo or villa elsewhere.
Pros:
- Location
- Nice gym
- Decent beach/cabanas
Cons:
- Tiny, dated rooms that aren’t cleaned properly
- Grossly over priced for what they deliver
- Wifi was out of service
- parts of the pool are damaged
- Hot tub bubbles, but has no pressure
- Nobody available at the spa for treatments
- Resort fee, despite the above
- people from outside of the resort come and use the pool and hot tub, so it’s crowded.
- Lobby and hallways are so cold, you almost need a jacket (waste of energy).
Also had an “ocean front” room, though I’m not sure what that means anymore. We could only see part of it, and only from the balcony (I would have assumed ocean front means the front of the hotel, facing the ocean).
J — Google review
We stayed at this place during holidays period in Dec 2023. Though it is a Marriott, I don’t feel that they have the same service as other Marriott hotels. The front desk people don’t even have a smile on their faces. The room cleaning happens only once in 2 days. I called for room cleaning as we were going out for a few hours but they didn’t come and told us they don’t know when housekeeping will come. Hung the phone.
Outside of service, the room is decent but nothing to rave about. The location is excellent with beach and many eateries and probably the reason to stay at this place. Not a place where we will like to come back.
shalabh goyal — Google review
Big fan of this Marriott. Nothing like your normal courtyard. The staff is very good and the hotel is in an unbeatable location in Kona. There are two reasons to this Marriott is getting a 4-star instead of a 5-star rating and that is due to the housekeeping which only happens every other day (every three days in my unfortunate case) and due to the price. I have seen basic rooms for this Marriott range from about $290 a night to $650 for a basic king room. I paid closer to the low end of this range at which price I believe this was an excellent value. Had I paid closer to the high end I would have been greatly disappointed. You can easily walk all of downtown Kona or enjoy the beach right outside of the lobby.
Andrew Lynch — Google review
Ugh, so much mixed feelings in this one. The property is beautiful, right on the beach, some shops inside, hallways and common areas smell great. But... the room was not so hot. Definitely a moldy/pissy smell in there, it was not pleasant. We kept the ac on to try to keep it down but there were times it was terrible. Everything outside the room was perfect. Poolside bar is nice, cabanas are excellent and affordable, food looked good although we did not eat there, we opted for food trucks and small places on our trip. The beach is very nice and had ample sea life to see while snorkeling, and we saw many whales off the dock/pier there. Overall very nice but the rooms need a gut job, especially for what they are charging.
Nightmare Veronica — Google review
Definitely better locations to be had. DO NOT RECOMMEND.
Do not get a room facing the street! Loud cars and music late into the night. You will not sleep! Get a room facing away from the street.
Update. Dropped the rating to one star. After we checked out, we needed to use the restroom and they told us that we were no longer guests at the hotel and could not use the restroom. Bunch of garbage. Marriott, You may have been great at one time, but you have really lost touch with quality and how to treat guests . Honestly. We will never return to this location.
S J — Google review
Fantastic location for a Kona base on your trip to Big Island. We had two young kids in tow who loved the pool and the beach in front of the hotel. There’s great snorkeling just out past the bay as well. Fantastic value / experience here for families in my view. Staff were great leading up to the trip and during our stay. Particular shoutout to Matt whom I had spoken with in advance and helped us on check in. Made the experience great despite an elevator outage. Grateful for the reception that we received on late arrival after a big day of travel.
Joey St-Pierre — Google review
Great location! The rooms are nice and cozy. The hotel has good amenities. Gym is good, restaurants are good, beach access and the free snorkeling and beach chairs+umbrellas are perfect. The museum is good love that we learned the story of King Kemehameha. Stores near the lobby have everything you need. Car rental is super convenient.
Also wanted to say… Chelsea at the front desk was absolutely brilliant and friendly. She helped us reserve an extra day with ease.
We will be returning! Best family trip thank ypu kona and Marriott and staff.
CQ GameZ — Google review
Room was 1/10. It was marketed as ocean view and we paid for ocean view. We have to stick our heads out to peek at the ocean on the other side of the hotel. It wasn’t fair, but my family already offloaded their luggages and we needed to leave for dinner already.
Otherwise, location is both great and not so great. Near all the shops and restaurants, but the homeless population is growing in the area and it didn’t seem as safe as before. Just one pool and was crowded most of the time. I feel like it’s really just what you make out of it. We were out and about visiting national parks anyway so it was an ok stay and everyone there was very kind.
Big Island Divers is a comprehensive diving center that offers lessons, chartered trips, gear for sale or rent and apparel. If you visit during the months between December and April, you can directly sign up for a whale-watching cruise or an exciting Manta Ray night dive/snorkel. These tours are highly popular and recommended to book at least 48 hours in advance.
The dive masters spent a good amount of time first talking about the aquatic life and had a lot of interesting details about all the creatures we might see. The crew was generally very cheerful, including Captain Alex' awfully awful jokes. The dives themselves were very smoothly done - the equipment was set up quickly, the dive masters did a good job balancing everybody's weight and were generally very attentive throughout. The groups were relatively small, and the dive masters were always 100% in control of what's going on.
Serving pineapple, snacks, and drinks between dives is a nice touch. The real star of the experience - not Captain Alex' corny jokes, did I mention those already? - was the manta night dive. The mantas come up extremely close, and there's absolutely gorgeous. I've been on manta dives before in other places like the Maldives, but this is the only place where you get to see them at night. It's an amazing experience.
The same dive site during the day is "Garden eel cove", which is the first of the dives if this trip is booked as a two-tank dive, and it wasn't particularly interesting (of course, every single dive anywhere can be a hit or miss). But the manta dive was different from any other dive experience I had, and absolutely worth it.
Michael Krehan — Google review
Fantastic group!! Several fun and safe dives, including the night manta dive.
Even saw monk seals around the boat!
They had quality rental gear and random snacks.
At the end of our night dive, they had hot cocoa and turned off the deck light for us to enjoy the clear sky and stars.
Jeff Smayda — Google review
Amazing experience with the Big Island Divers crew. We picked the 2 tanks Manta dive to make the most of our outing. So after a first dive late afternoon we were all getting ready to finally see Manta rays! This was an amazing experience, definitely worth every penny. Our DM Cosmo and Captain Jon made the whole thing even better. These guys are very knowledgeable, professional, they care a lot about protecting this fragile ecosystem and on top of that they are very friendly and funny 😁
Patricia Elias — Google review
My family and I went on the manta snorkel with Captain Ben and Josh as our snorkel guide. It was the highlight of our vacation. We loved hearing all the information about the mantas and my boys (10 & 12) were very comfortable getting in the water due to the reassuring crew. Captain Ben made the trip fun and safe for the boys and Josh was an excellent snorkel guide. We saw 4 Mantas and it will be a trip my family always remembers. The crew was funny and also professional - we highly recommend Big Island Divers!
Stephanie Clements — Google review
Fabulous experience, saw lots of manta rays! Booked the 4:30 time slot, you can check in anytime that day, the earlier the better because you can try on the wetsuit before hand. Important to note where you check (big island divers) is different than the loading/launch site. They will give detailed directions to the meeting spot, less than 10 mins away. Big Island Divers includes a wetsuit, fins, mask and snorkel. The guides Jamie and Chris were very knowledgeable and guided us to different spots for better viewing! All in all a highly memorable experience not to miss!
Julie Moore — Google review
My dad and I had an overall amazing time with big island divers. We initially selected them for the manta ray experience because they offer the option to snorkel and dive on the same boat allowing families to stay together even if everyone isn’t doing the same thing. The manta ray experience is a MUST DO If you are on the big island. You really can’t express what it’s like having something massive yet gentle like the mantas come so close to you. Our team that we spent the evening with was Bri, Tyler and Laura. They were all very kind, knowledgeable and helpful with any questions or support that you needed. They were conscious about your safety while being able to sprinkle in humor making the trip more enjoyable.
I had such a good time with them that I went on a two tank morning dive two days later. We checked out underwater lava arches and hit a spot “Crescent” known for dolphin and tiger shark sightings. The team this time was with Bri and John. Again, they provided excellent service and made sure that we were comfortable and had everything we needed.
If you’re looking for a team to dive or snorkel with then you found the no brainer choice with big island divers.
Levi Beckett — Google review
My husband and I did the two tank Twilight and Manta Dive with Captain Alex and DMs Cosmo and Ashton. The ocean swell was at about the maximum Big Island Divers will let tours go out, and we were the first dive trip in a few days due to rough waters. Regardless, the crew did its absolute best to make sure we were comfortable and safe. The two tank dive occurs at the same anchored location and it is amazing to see the reef before and after the sunset. Ashton was our DM and was extremely informative, patient, and safe while under the water with our group. Our first dive took us to about 70 ft, where we saw various fish and the 'infamous' Frank the Eel. During our surface interval, we were able to watch the sunset and get briefed on Manta behavior and biology of the local marine ecosystem. We knew we were in for a show with a few Mantas already visible from the boat during this briefing. As soon as it was dark, we were equipped with high powered flashlights and down we went. When we got to the sandy ocean floor, Ashton got us into place and we watched as over a dozen magnificent Mantas swooped right over us. Truly amazing. Due to the strength of the swell, the 'campfire' was set up at about 60 ft of water, and we had a dive time of around 35 minutes. We headed back to the boat ecstatic about the amazing dive. This will forever be one of our favorite and most memorable diving experiences. Thanks to the crew for making us comfortable, keeping us laughing, and making this trip unforgettable.
Allison Jaycox — Google review
Breath taking experience! Chloe was unbelievably helpful from when we first checked in, and she provided us with step by step directions on how to get to the marina, to all of her knowledge of the Mantas and their history! Tyler was the calmest captain I’ve ever seen! When our anchor wouldn’t behave and things were more crowded than I’m sure he was comfortable with you could never tell! These 2 work so well together! Great crew! Their hospitality was unmatched with the fresh cut pineapple, snacks, refreshments and willingness to hold my moms hair while she chummed the fish. It’s the little things!
The Mantas were magnificent! Absolutely a once in a lifetime experience with a sunset like I’ve never seen before!
Elaine Palmer — Google review
Had an amazing manta snorkeling trip! I was a little anxious trying to coordinate our big group- but every step was smooth- from check to in, to getting on/off the boat. Sophia did a great job with the check in process and we were thrilled to have her as our guide as well! Sophia made sure we were all comfortable and having fun the entire trip! Captain Tyler, and guides Joe and Jamie were also excellent.
Megan Hammer — Google review
Sophia, Jamie, Captain Tyler, and Katelyn of Big Island Divers gave our family a great experience! We had huge manta rays doing back flips inches from our faces while we were snorkeling. The provided equipment (wetsuit, snorkel+mask, fins) was all fully functional and they took the time at check-in to size us all for a proper fit.
Definitely sign up for this experience. Being up close with these awesome animals was an amazing experience we won’t forget!
Kyle R — Google review
A once in a lifetime experience! A great crew with Sophia as our snorkel lead. Captain Dave, Josh, Tyler, Danny, and all the crew. Safe, fun, informative four our family of four. Highly recommend and we’d go again.
Tom Lukanen — Google review
Another great trip with Big Island Divers. This trip I did dives with three of the bigger dive shops. The difference with BID was evident from the upfront communication through the knowledge of the dive masters, to the safety of the captain. I loved that they have storage boxes to keep your personal items dry and together. They are my favorite dive boat on the Island. Thank you to the captain and crew.
Note to BID. A dry erase board showing the crews names and dive sites would be a nice touch.
Dewayne B — Google review
Had a private charter for 17 people with Jamie, Roslyn, and captain Nick. It was such an amazing experience. The crew was so accommodating to our needs between snorkelers and divers. We took a beautiful drive out in sunset before having a brief on the dive site. Our dive master (Roslyn) took us out to the “campfire” where we saw beautiful mantas. The crew made everyone feel safe and we all couldn’t stop raving about how much of a great time we had. Cannot highly recommend Big Island divers enough!
Mike Ly — Google review
The whole experience was awesome! Holly in the shop had exceptional customer service. She was very patient in providing details and answering my questions. This was my first ocean dive so I was a little nervous.
Then I got to the boat and captain John, Fernando, and the young lady in training were also very helpful. They not only gave all of us many details about manta rays, but did a great job, helping us with our gear and making everyone feel comfortable so that everyone on the boat had a great experience. there wasn’t a face without a smile on our way back. Highly recommend this company along with the people mentioned above.
As a sidenote, on this trip there were multiple divers that had been on over 100 dives, and they said this was one of their tops. The mantas put on quite a show for us all.
Ben Lovett — Google review
Such an amazing experience scuba diving off the Kona Coast with Big Island Divers last Saturday. My partner and I did the 2-tank afternoon and evening dive with Captain John and Cosmo who made the experience so wonderful, comfortable, and memorable. We saw mantas in both day and nighttime, a sandbar shark, and so many fish that Cosmo would point out. Captain John even took the time to talk to us about mantas in between dives. We are so happy we chose Big Island divers during our Kona trip!
Kayla Smith — Google review
BID was incredible. Paisley at the desk was super helpful.
Jack and Josh were the best snorkel guides. The mantas were the best experience in the water I've ever had.
Kaitlin was a fabulous dive guide earlier in the day. A++ dive briefing from her and Doug!
Both captains - yoho and nick were great captains.
And I'm sure we missed someone!!!
Matt Dressler — Google review
We went for a night snorkel with the manta rays. It was very well organized and such an amazing experience.
Be aware, I never felt sea sick before, but this was something ! Not the ride itself, but the snorkel. You will not be able to swim by you own. You need to stick to a paddle board which has light on it to attrack mantas.
Samantha — Google review
We booked the Manta Night Snorkel Charter for four of us, and had an absolutely fantastic time with Captain Mikey B, Josh and Ben. We unfortunately were not graced with the presence of any mantas, but the crew took great care of all of us. Mantas aside, we did get an incredible show from a couple of humpbacks, a beautiful sunset, and crushed a fear of swimming in the ocean at night. I was calmed from the moment I walked in the door to check in. You have many choices for your excursions, and I absolutely recommend Big Island Divers - you can truly tell that they really care about making your experience remarkable! (Honourable mention to Josh’s cow jokes!)
Ashley E — Google review
When we chose a dive guide we didn’t know what we were looking for except for the opportunity to dive with the rays. We were pleasantly surprised to find the folks at Big Island Divers were the most professional and thorough divers we had ever gone diving with. We especially enjoyed Cosmo’s spirit of adventure and knowledge of the ocean. Cosmo kept us laughing and having a good time, while also taking his job seriously and making sure we were safe. I could not recommend big island divers more for your manta ray dive adventure!
Lauren Bond — Google review
Must do! As an advanced diver it was so nice being in an environment that I didn't have to worry about the novice. I dove 8 times while I was in Hawaii and this was my favorite. Not only because of the beautiful experience but what makes a dive is your dive master. Fernando made sure everyone had air and was comfortable. Tyler drove like a boss and I normally get sea sick. Most of all I can't explain... these 16 foot creatures that come right over your head! Once in a life time!
Diana Farmer — Google review
Hugh, Josh and their team was amazing and gave us such a great experience. Especially Hugh, he’s super knowledgeable, passionate, caring and added so much fun to this trip. Our group was a mix of divers and snorkelers, with divers at the bottom with all the lightings and snorkelers above the lights. There were a lot of manta rays that night but hard to see them clearly throughout the strong lights, but it was still amazing to witness these beautiful creatures swimming around and blocking the lights with their shapes. We got lucky and saw two mantas clearly (not in the lights) on our way back to the boat.
We got fresh pineapple and snacks at the beginning of the trip and hot cocoa on our way back. Also got to see the beautiful sunset and starry night on the boat. Even though seeing manga is a pure base-on-luck thing, our guides and the crew made the whole experience very enjoyable no matter what. Highly recommend to anyone coming to big island!
Lin Zhang — Google review
Amazing experience with the Big Island Divers crew. They are professional and will make you feel safe. We picked the 2 tanks Manta night dive. So after a first dive late afternoon we went to the second dive and saw many Manta rays. They just dance for us! This was an amazing experience, definitely worth every penny. Our DM Cosmo and Captain Jon made the whole thing even better. These guys are very knowledgeable, they care a lot about protecting this fragile ecosystem and on top of that they are great host too. Loved all the dad jokes. 🦦
May Ji — Google review
I had such an amazing time with BID; I did the morning 2 tank dive and then the manta ray dive later the same day. Fernando, Tyler, Bri, and Doug were all so welcoming, friendly, and made me feel very safe and looked after. As a newer diver, I really appreciated their patience and experience as they helped me navigate through the dives. They set up your equipment, change tanks for you (on the 2 tank day dives), have lots of snacks for when you come up, and are knowledgeable about the local marine life. We saw lots of fish, coral, and eels on the day dives, and 8 mantas on the night dive, which was truly one of the most incredible things I’ve ever experienced. I would highly recommend BID for your diving needs on big island, and hope to return to dive with them again some day!
Amanat Bal — Google review
Rented multiple time for shore dives. They provided excellent information with local maps of where the reefs are.
Also did a night time manta dive which was amazing. Single tank dive means you go in when the sun sets. Even with lots of surge it was an amazing opportunity. Felt very safe and they seemed in control of the group despite less than ideal conditions.
S H (Seb) — Google review
A+ for our experience with BID! (2 divers and 2 snorkelers in our group) A very pleasant Holly welcomed us, fit us for equipment, and answered all our questions! Snorkel Master Sofia greeted us at the boat with high energy and a smile. Captain Tyler provided our safety briefing with necessary information with a touch of humor, then invited us aboard. Divemaster Doug provided additional information about the dive site and the history of mantas in the area.
Now the dive: it was awesome and incredible to see the magnificent mantas. Our bottom time was about 30 minutes and I saw five (5) at one time. There may have been more, but mantas came at our lights the entire time.
The site was set up as a “campfire” with lots of lights pointed upward. The mantas kept coming. What a night!
All the while, the Captain and crew took good care of us, with fresh pineapple to begin the trip. After the dive, they provided hot cocoa and cookies for our trip back to the marina.
I highly recommend Big Island Divers. I hope you enjoy our pictures and video.
Clifford Mayer — Google review
My husband and I had the opportunity to take a number of dive sessions this week with Big Island Divers, and they were amazing! We did 2 2-tank advanced dives (first captain was Tanner and second captain was Dan / dive master Kaitlyn for both). The crew was spectacular in making sure we had everything we needed and a great time during! We saw all sorts of wild life from octopus and eels, to a shark and a broad sting ray. The sites were beautiful and unique. We also enjoyed the Manta Ray Night dive with captain Tyler and dive master Rosalyn. Everyone talks about how magical the manta ray dive is, and they are completely right. I’ll be dreaming of mantas dancing above me for a long time. Thank you Big Island Divers for making a memorable trip, ensuring we dive safely and had a ton of laughs.
Natalie Davis — Google review
My husband and I had an incredible experience on a night dive with Fernando, Holly, and Chris! It was our best dive yet by far! The great experience started at the dive shop when they gave us great advice on some of the equipment we brought with us and a few of the items we were borrowing. Everyone was super friendly and knowledgeable! The dive itself was absolutely magical. Before getting in the water we learned so much about the rays we were about to see, the part of the ocean we were in, what they’d learned about the species in the decades they’d been hosting the night dives, etc. My husband and I are relatively new divers and they went out of their way to make us feel comfortable and more confident in our abilities. I can’t wait to go back! We say so many beautiful rays and the most gorgeous Hawaiian monk seal! The entire time we were down there it just didn’t even feel real! Thanks for an awesome experience!!!
Margaret Anadu — Google review
If you are debating a manta night snorkel and are a relatively good swimmer and snorkeler, definitely book right now! Our #1 favorite experience of the trip. Big Island Divers was a great company to use, great crew and some nice snacks (including cookies and hot cocoa after exiting the cold water) to add to the trip. Big thanks to our snorkel guides Jamie and Jack for keeping everyone safe and sharing all the fun manta knowledge. Also thanks for Captain Dan for taking us out there.
Emily Sterbis — Google review
Jake, Josh, and Captain Nick were wonderful! I’ve done a manta ray snorkeling trip a few years ago with another boat. Since we got our diving certifications since then, we wanted to try diving this time and decided to book with Big Island Divers.
Josh was super knowledgeable, helpful, and funny.. if you count dad jokes as funny, lol.
My favorite part was that the boat wasn’t as crowded as I’ve seen on some other excursions. We also had a great spot to view the manta rays from the ocean floor and got to see so many mantas!
Overall a professional and lovely group! Would book with them again.
Constructive feedback: Wish they had healthier snack options or electrolyte water on board after the dive.
Kelley Lu — Google review
We had an amazing experience snorkeling with big island divers! Josh, Jack, and Tyler were an incredible, clearly proficient, funny, and empathic crew.
We had a great viewing experience - we saw 8-10 manta rays and they swam VERY close to us! We felt safe and well-guided with Jack as our snorkel guide.
When I got seasick, Jack immediately brought me back to the boat, and Tyler brought me cold water to rinse. The little touches were meaningful too - starting the ride with fresh pineapple, inclusive wet suit sizing, kindness toward our kids. Highly recommend!
Clarissa Phillips — Google review
My first experience working with BID. They are an amazing outfit. They have my full recommendation for both seasoned groups and beginners and earned my repeat business!
(Context: Nitrox, Dry Suit, and Advanced Open certified, < 50 dives outside of certifications.)
We started our Tuesday with an Advanced 2 Tank dive (Captain Tanner and DM Kaitlyn) in Disneyland and the Kaloko Canyon, among large swells. They both made sure we were very comfortable and Kaitlyn pointed out so many little creatures. She found us “Nature’s Slowest Pounce” (a sea slug with a conch shell going after an anemone) and it was absolutely worth the five minutes at depth (~60ft) it took to watch. We even got to say hi to a Day Octopus on the last 12 minutes of our hour-long canyon dive.
After resting for a few hours, we joined Captain Tyler and DM Rosalyn for a one tank Manta dive. Rosalyn made sure we had amazing “seats” around the lights, knew how to act for the best “fly by’s” by the rays, and even rescued a couple among our group when Pickles the Monk Seal showed up! Tyler made sure we made it out of the uncharacteristically rough swells without incident, and drove expertly back to port.
We were so impressed with the care and professionalism of the team, we booked another advanced two tank that Friday with Captain Dan and DM Kaitlyn. For our second round, the waters were much calmer (barely any swell), but Kaitlyn and everyone made it extremely enjoyable. We managed to go through the Black Hole (a lava chimney) and saw many fish, little transparent lobsters, eels, and even a tiger shark patrolling outside!
At Eel Cove we found juvenile Gobi fish, shrimp and octopus, swam gently through colorful schools that didn’t seem to startle, and were surprised by a 15ft long Broad Stingray (not a manta!) that arrived and hung out at ~45ft on the bottom for about 5 minutes. Through it all, Kaitlyn made sure we saw every little thing, took care of those with difficulties, and overall let us “just do our thing” as seasoned divers.
I would absolutely recommend anyone at the shop, and especially the ones mentioned above, to be your guides to diving in Kona.
Tyler Davis — Google review
Absolutely magical!!!!
Captain Tyler and Sophia were magnificent!
Our kids have not stopped talking about how passionate and excited Sophia was about the manta rays, then the bottle nose dolphins showed up, THEN we heard whales! Absolute magic!!
This is an experience we will never forget and we cannot recommend Big Island Divers enough.
Do yourself a favor and book the late night manta ray dive (yes the late one).
You will not be disappointed!!!!
Kerri Blaser — Google review
Had a blast driving today with Holly and Big Island Divers. Girls up at the front counter were amazing and helped me get to dive when I messed up on scheduling. Holly is amazing, super chill and explains everything great. Give them a call today you won't regret it.
Kaloko-Honokōhau National Historical Park is a historic and cultural site in the Kona Coast of Hawaii. It preserves the ancient Hawaiian fishing village of Kaloko-Honokohau and features interactive educational programs and guided cultural tours.
If you're looking for calmer waters and diverse landscapes & views, this is your place. An easy walk from the parking lot, opens up to beautiful waters, with lots of sandy beachfront. Shallow waters for most of this area, with smaller rocks dispersed with sand. We saw MANY sea turtles floating in the water very close to the shoreline. Not too busy. Will definitely be back.
Brittany Prahl — Google review
There was some good surf on the beach and onto the lava during our visit. The parking here can be busy and there is a mix of small parking lots and "off the road" parallel style. Be careful as there are some sandy spots and the road is very narrow (one car width close to the beach). There is a coarse sand beach, families with popup covers and tents and a large lava platform with pools. Immediately behind the beach are some sacred area and a nice path through native and invasive plants which are lableled.
Martin Rudd — Google review
We spent 6 days in Kona and only saw one turtle so we came here right before heading to the airport (it's about a 10 minute drive) and had our turtle desires satisfied! We first drove up to the visitors center, where the hike begins. After checking the map we decided to take the shorter path without the hike. To get there you have to drive out of the parking lot and down the road near the harbor. From there it's only a short walk to the beach (about 3-5 minutes). Check the map and it'll show you the alternative route. If you choose to hike in, you would take the path from the visitors center.
We ended up spending more time there just watching the turtles swim around and poke their heads up. Please be respectful of the rules and the turtles when visiting. There were people trying to touch the turtles and getting extremely close to them. The reason we have places like this is so we can experience nature and what it has to offer, but that means we should be respectful of their space. There was a park ranger there giving some good information about the turtles, where they came from, and where they go when they leave. Overall a great time learning and seeing green sea turtles! Would highly recommend.
Natalie Partipilo — Google review
We had an amazing morning snorkeling and watching turtles here. The snorkelling is OK to good - visibility can be murky in a lot of places but easier entry than many other places. Snorkelling on the left hand of beach and then sit and watch the turtles on the right. Please let them be and don’t go too close. We chose to do the walk from the visitor centre which was nice but hot. Be prepared and bring water and snacks as there is nothing around. Definitely worth a half day trip here.
Rebecca Womersley — Google review
We entered the park via the marina harbor side, not the visitor side. If you enter via the visitor side you do have to walk a little over a mile to see the sea turtles. If you enter thru the marina, you will follow the road in, and take the first right turn. Keep driving until you reach the end. The sea turtles can be seen at the Kaloko- Fish Pond. There are no signs indicating turtles until you enter the path. Do head towards the visitor center-unless you wana walk in the hot sun. Plenty of sea turtles to see. Some are swimming in the ocean and others are basking in the sun. We did not pay to pay for parking or entrance fee.
yai vongsaphay — Google review
Pack your sunscreen! Or visit on a cloudy day! Lots of hiking here on pretty easy trails. Pleasant beach, but park near the harbor. Water doesn't fall down the mountain like it used to so it's a lunar landscape and hot hot hot around the visitor center, but understanding how Hawaiians used to survive and thrive isn't fully brought to life here but waking around the petroglyphs does spark the imagination.
paywall illiterate — Google review
We stopped on our last day on the Big Island and so glad we did. It was a nice walk to the beach after talking to the very helpful ranger. There were people, but it wasn't too crowded. Within 5 minutes we found 3 turtles relaxing on shore. It was so nice being able to hang out with them - from a respectful and safe distance. What a way to end our trip.
Don Duff — Google review
Beautiful park for the big island but rocky. You will see sea turtles. Be careful on the rocks they can be moss covered and slippery.
Beverly Meyer — Google review
Breathtaking views of the ocean!! Very peaceful and quiet. Sacred sites to see. Sea turtles can be seen swimming here and also come over to the shore. The water here is mostly calm and is perfect for swimming and some snorkeling as well. You'll enjoy your visit here. There are also some boats parked at the harbor. I saw some people fishing near the harbor as well.
Brenda C — Google review
This is a deceivingly large historic site once you begin to explore. The parking area is free to access and the visitors center with restrooms is nearby. However, most of the park is on the coast or on trails leading to the coast. If you can't walk a couple of miles or are short on time, you'll probably miss the bulk of the park. At least you can stop by and read the signs on the short nature trail near the parking area.
Michael Barton — Google review
Amazing place! A little hidden away, but just follow Google maps. We parked at a marina and then walked a few hundred yards to the beach. Light winds that day and beautiful! Saw sea turtles and other 🐠 fish in the waters. Great place to snorkel 🤿.
Sue Carlson — Google review
Beach was excellent! Large protected area would be good for kids and inexperienced swimmers as its waves were minimal, but its a bit rocky so swimming shoes are a good idea. Saw 5 turtles chilling in the water by the beach.
Didn't check out the walking trails or other facilities on my stay, but there was a portapotty by the beach for public use.
Doug Flannigan — Google review
Worth the small hike. Wish we brought our beach chairs and towels but not sure if you're really supposed to swim here. We saw lots of sea life: many honu, many sea urchins, and so many fish.
Carla Daily — Google review
This historic site is easily accessible but brutal on a sunny day. The paths lead across bare lava fields with no shade in sight. A hike down to the beach (0.7 miles) will reward you with skinny beaches that have biting black flies. The highlight of the beach is the green turtles that feed right off shore. Do not approach them as they are protected and should not be harassed. However, if you stand in the water long enough, they will cruise by close enough to see them clearly. I had a wonderful time time and got very sunburned.
PeterSu Copley — Google review
January 30th, 2024
This was one of the highlights of our trip to the Big Island! Saw 23 Green Sea Turtles in and out of the water. The hike was pretty far and the bathrooms along the trail were all closed for renovation, it would have been nice to know that ahead of time. (So I took off a star for that!!) Tide pools were full of life and we had a lot of fun seeking out odd creatures, but we had to leave before we were ready due to the bathrooms being closed.
Jeremy McCombs — Google review
Great park!! One of our favorites because of the beach and turtles. Lots of turtles and the only real sand beach on this side of the island. Stop at the visitor center and buy a T-shirt or something to support the park.
Party Penguin — Google review
Beautiful secluded beach that is not super crowded and is shady before noon. We saw turtles swimming around in the Crystal clear water. Bring your snorkel gear! One minus about this place is that there are no showers or bathrooms so keep that in mind if you have kids in your group. Parking is plentiful in the gravel lot near where the boats launch south of the visitors center and is a quick five minute hike to the water.
Joe H — Google review
An excellent stop to learn more about the native Hawaiian peoples and how they lived. Free admission. A very nice interpretive center and gift shop, bathrooms and plenty of parking. Beautiful beach and snorkeling area, saw several sea turtles. Access to the beach can be had by driving down to Honokohau harbor and parking.
Mark McCarty — Google review
It was the most beautiful place we visited in Hawaii. The entrance is free, and the views are to die for! This place met all the expectations and really portraits the Hawaii I had envisioned prior to visiting. We saw lots of green turtles just floating in the ocean, and the lava rocks and lava tubes told a story of growth and perseverance. It was really uplifting, definitely recommend a visit if you are in the area.
VeePhoenix — Google review
This is such a fantastic park in the national parks system. We loved coming here. Learned a lot talking story to the staff. Then hiking a bit along the trails. Such a rich cultural area. It’s very peaceful you can snorkel here as well but it’s not the best. There are Honu in the water but please keep your distance. The scenery is gorgeous and knowing the history just adds to the experience. And it’s free!!!
Carlos Archuleta — Google review
Great park! Has a nice boardwalk showcasing petroglyph carvings in the rocks, beautiful clean beaches, archaeological rock fish traps, and lots of turtles hanging out! I parked on the north side of the marina and walked in near the fish traps.
Allison Waters — Google review
Free parking and free entry. Gift shop. Long hot walk (less than a mile to beach), so bring water...available at entrance filling station. I would bet turtles are always around; we saw at least nine. Seeing the fish traps would be a worthy cultural gig, then let the kids play in the shallow water...with turtles right there (stay 20 feet away; camera zoom is nice).
The Hulihee Palace museum showcases Victorian artifacts and cultural events, such as storytellers and lei making. It is open to the public 9am-4pm, except major holidays. Admission is $6 for adults, $4 for seniors, $1 for students.
Very worth the price of the tour. You can only go in to see the grounds and the palace if you've bought tickets to the organized tour.
Abhijith Chandrashekar — Google review
A magnificent historic home filled with Hawaiian artifacts and early photos. If you are interested in history and culture, this is worth a visit. There is a sense of deep roots and reverence in this place.
dale kerrigan — Google review
Tour was very informative and the guide had a vast knowledge of the history of the royal families that have stayed there in Hawaii.
Andrea McClintock — Google review
Smaller summer palace of the Hawaiian royals. Great docent tour of the full two floors. Lots of great artifacts to view. Book a tour online to view on the weekdays.
Ashley G — Google review
Visiting Hulihe‘e Palace in Kailua-Kona on a rainy day turned out to be a delightful experience for our family. The historic charm of this former royal summer residence provided a captivating backdrop for learning about Hawaiian royalty.
Despite the weather, the well-preserved artifacts and royal regalia were fascinating to explore, offering a unique insight into Hawaii's cultural heritage. The staff was knowledgeable and friendly, making our visit both educational and enjoyable.
It's a must-visit for anyone interested in Hawaiian history and culture. A rainy day well spent!
Gregg Cochran — Google review
Nice tour of an interesting piece of Hawaiian history! Guide was very knowledgeable and happy to answer questions and go into details on the rich history of the royal family. A bit difficult to find parking so make sure to show up early to find spots that are cheap but it's well worth it!
Matthew Gordon — Google review
Beautifully kept museum with a great and informative tour by the docent, who knew the history and made it meaningful abd fun. I'd recommend a stop by next time you are in Kona.
Kyle Hunsberger — Google review
Great way to learn about the Hawaiian culture.. Very sad, what is happened to their culture. But this place is a great way to keep it alive.
Melissa Murcray — Google review
We came to Kona after snorkeling to specifically see the Palace. When we walked up, there was a sign that outlined the entrance requirements. It indicated that you could not enter in swimwear, or even if it had a swim cover. We were in swimwear and t-shirts- nothing immodest, and not different from anyone else walking around this part of Kona.
As we read the tour pricing, a guide explained the pricing and then suggested that we would be better off doing the free walkaround and then deciding if we wanted to go in. It was a little off putting- we go to historic sites all the time and I've never had a guide try to talk us out of it.
So, just walked around the property and read the PDF version of the history. Saved $100 bucks I was happy to spend.
Brandon Eckert — Google review
What a refreshing change of pace from all the retail and food choices here on Alii Drive.
So worth your time to stop in here and witness first hand the history, koa furniture, architecture, interior design, artifacts, historical photography, and pics of Royalty, (ask about Princess Ruth) throughout both floors of this well kept Palace. But first, you'll need to head towards the ocean and stroll around to the back, through the wonderfully manicured grounds to enter. The sounds, fragrance, and rhythms of the water, immediately relax you for your journey back in time.
The best part...
You are asked to take your shoes off and wander about barefoot, yes barefoot! If that doesn't sound appropriate for you, they will provide you with slippers for over your shoes. We absolutely chose barefoot 🤙 The flooring is immaculate and made with local materials, so the feel is incredible.
The "Daughters of Hawaii" currently run the Museum and offer tours if you like. Small donation fee at the back door, and it's definitely worth every dollar.
Richard Ward — Google review
Great summer palace with most of the original furnishings. There is a self guided tour but the tour with the guide was far more through. You learn about all the rulers of Hawaii since the Europeans arrived. Weapons, games, clothing, furniture, etc. are on display. 2 stories and a gift shop.
No parking nearby so we walked from our rental. Lots of shops and restaurants in the area. Get there early on cruise ship days as it can get crowded.
Gary Standke — Google review
The palace has a lot of interesting history and antiques. The guided experience isn't necessary, but they definitely have more information than is on the plaques and they seemed to be really into the content and history of the palace and the family that used to live there.
No shoes and no photography inside, but you can take pictures of the outside.
Brandon M — Google review
So glad we came here and paid for the tour. There is so much history, and it is complicated, to the home that I would not have learned as much by just reading the (helpful) pamphlet and walking around. Sunshine was our tour guide and she has so much knowledge to share.
Be prepared to remove your shoes, don't forget to check out the gift shop, and use the restroom ahead of time as there is no bathroom on site.
Meaghan Marshall — Google review
The building itself is interesting. They have some cases with artifacts but not a whole lot. Much of the furniture is original. If you are interested in more than just seeing the building, take the guided tour. The items will be explained as well as some history. Be aware that the coercive part of the history of how Europeans, read americans,displaced the royal government and took over is glossed over.
The brewery Kona Brewing Co. is a fantastic place to relax after exploring the shops and boutiques of Kailua-Kona on Hawaii's Big Island. Brewery tours are quick and personal, so visitors over 21 get to taste the products. In addition to cold mugs of Kona Brewing's top sellers, the pub also serves up pizza and live music on Sundays.
Came in for an early dinner around 5PM. Was seated in 10 minutes and service was great and fast. The beer menu had many options including wine and the non alcoholic Ginger Lemonade was delicious. Admittedly the food menu is slightly limited, including mostly pizza, apps, and a few entrees. Regardless, we ordered several pizzas and apps and everything was fresh and delicious. The Roasted Garlic App was to die for, would get that every time. The seating area was refreshing and beautiful. Definitely worth a stop if your in the area
Jacob Gibbons — Google review
We had an okay experience here. The beers were okay. The food was okay. The service was also just about okay.
The location is quite nice, so we expected more from it. We're just bummed.
We had the mixed grill plate. We only enjoyed the grilled sausage. The chicken and the pork were just okay.
Sneha Rao — Google review
Great food, mostly pizza, sandwiches, salads, and beer. They have a cool merch store, and you can get canned beers to go. The atmosphere was really low-key, and the food was really fresh. Nice staff all around. Parking is okay, but somewhat tight.
Robyn Jimenez — Google review
This brewpub is popular with both locals and tourists.
The food menu is geared toward standard pub grub. Their pizzas are a hit with most guests.
One of the charming things here is to try beers from Backyard Batches - limited editions experimental brews.
Joacim Mattisson — Google review
Really cool place. The food was good (pizza), and the waiter was attentive. We arrived at about 130pm after a brewery tour, and it was getting very busy. Food and drinks served in a timely manner. Definitely will come back if I travel to Kona again.
Tim S — Google review
5 stars for the service and the tour, which was a lot of fun, very informative, and very generous on the tastings. They even bus you to the brewery, even though it's only a 5 minute walk from the restaurant. We also stayed for dinner and drinks after and were seated immediately and had fantastic service. 4 stars overall for the beer... Good quality but between Kona and Maui, I personally found Maui to be much more interesting and flavorful.
Erin Y — Google review
The food and our waiter were on point, the hostess was a different story which is why there’s not 5 stars. We ordered the Beer Queso and two pizzas, pepperoni and The Captains. I had there two Porter beers, highly recommended. The waiter was on point and fast with bringing out our food.
The hostess was a different person all together, she was very rude. She was more focused on correcting our vernacular of calling the porch/patio a “Lanai”. I realize we’re in Hawaii and that’s what it’s called but we’re not local and was disappointed in the way she acted.
The Hawaii Kai location is definitely a better atmosphere and much nicer hostess team.
Mickey Young — Google review
When in Kona, on the Big Island, and you like beer, then you have to visit the Mother Ship for Kona Beer and some tasty food. This is where it all began for Kona Brewing and they have as many as 20 Kona beers on tap. Do a tasting flight of four or eight shots to pic you fav of the day and dig into one of their pizzas and a salad. Relaxed atmosphere, friendly wait staff and, oh yes, the Beer! We had the large Captain pizza and a small Cesar salad. Several small shops nearby for a nice stroll after eating. Most seating is outdoors under shade, small bar and a few tables inside. Be sure to walk around ... The walls inside are lined with some great Kona memorabilia and music legends. No reservations are being accepted, walk ins only. Was about $75 for two, including tip. Aloha!
William Boyer — Google review
Stopped here during our last day. Most seating is outdoors which is fine as weather was great. Recommend beer flight as there will probably be a few you want to try. We had the mana plate and pork tacos and both were terrific. Their Kona pulled pork, chicken and sausage were all very good with good portions.
Nick Kotch — Google review
Some of the best beer I’ve ever had! Their food is spot on as well. I got the Black sand porter, Castaway IPA, Lemongrass luau, and the Fire rock pale ale. I also got the pork tacos and a the brownie w/ice cream for dessert. Definitely recommend visiting!
William Rentz — Google review
So the restaurant is in the back of the brewery, a comfortable terrace, there is a host seating guests and they are very polite. The waitress was also fantastic and the food came very quickly. The waitress also made some recommendations for the beers and they were both great. The variety of the menu is very good for the beers. The food was a bit underwhelming, which can be understandable considering this is mainly a beer shack. The pizza was bland although the ingredients were plentiful, the pizza rolls were just pepperoni wrapped in a roll, nothing amazing, and the pulled chicken sandwich was mediocre. The chips served with it where crunchy, a bit too much I would say, but there are options for sides like mac and cheese and more. Prices are a bit high, but it's a local brewery in Hawaii, don't expect discounts. The music was good, and the ambience was making the whole place relaxed and laid back. There's a large parking lot right in front.
Nasos Laourdekis — Google review
A great option. We only had two of us and we were able to find seats in the bar area which is open seating. If you have a big party or come at peak times there may be a wait but I don’t think very long.. we had excellent service at the bar and the food was good. I think the best deal is for their slices of pizza. It was inexpensive. Husband raved about the buffalo chicken one I eat plant-based so I got the hummus which was so many vegetables that I could not finish it. I also believe they had an option for a plant-based burger, but I did not get it. We then did the brewery tour, which was cool to learn about the history and their processes. It seems to have plentiful parking that was not paid for however, we came by Uber (since we were at another excursion that an) and then we walked back to the cruise port which was about five minutes away. I had pre-booked the tour and needed a time change which would they were very accommodating and changed time with no issue. You get a free gift (key chain) on the tour that was a nice touch. I wish we could have just bought one of the cans of beer to go and not a six pack to take back on the ship but other than that a good time.
Patty Spradling — Google review
Nice open air shaded seating. Friendly attentive server got us started with a couple brews. I had the dark coconut beer which I enjoyed as a novelty. Then had the Kua Bay IPA which was excellent. For dinner we had Naahehu (loaded) nachos and a small Captain pizza. Both were very good and filled us up.
Mark Grudzien — Google review
Fun tour at sunset (indirect). The tour guide was great and we had dinner afterwards. Nice service all around. The pork tacos were the winner at dinner (not pictured). I’m going to have to come back tomorrow to try that pizza!
Kara Pritchard — Google review
I have been enjoying Kona Brewing Companies beer in Arizona for years now. My goal when I got here on Kona is to make sure I made it to the Brewery before I left. The Koko Brown Coconut Ale was INCREDIBLE. They certainly don't have that available in Arizona so that was a treat to have. Got the Pretzel Sticks and the Pepperoni Rolls for food and those hit the spot as well. Rounded out the whole experience with some Kona Seltzers which were very good. I would easily recommend stopping in for either food or definitely the drinks. Hope to be back in the future.
DejaVuDarkmist — Google review
One of the best brewery experiences I’ve ever had. Portions were a good size and even though we ended up sharing a small pizza we still had some to take home. The beer menu speaks for itself and since I couldn’t choose just one I went with a flight and was happy with all of my options. Would have loved to go back but the timing never worked out. We still can’t believe how good the pizza was!
Mary Fitzgerald — Google review
Didn't try the food, but we did a guided tour and had a great time. Blythe was a fun guide who made our tour funny and enjoyable. We got the chance to sample 5 beers each was unique and delicious.
Rodney Martinez — Google review
Good food great beer. It was a hot day so the fans were nice to have, otherwise there is indoor seating available. Service was a tad slow but they were slammed for the lunch rush so it was understandable. Recommend the pretzel and the BBQ chicken sandwich. The mac salad might just be the best I've ever had, I wish I could have gotten a growler of that!
Anthony Lanzarone — Google review
Been here 30 times.
While I always try to order something else I end up regretting it. Get the slice and the salad. This is the best thing on the menu. Simple, inexpensive and good.
The beer here is a lot of stuff you see at the stores. I always ask for seasonal options as they are ever changing and can be really great.
Service
While service is always pretty good what prompted me to leave the review today was Dan. Dan is really awesome at his job. He’s quick, attentive, polite. Everything a server should be. Thanks Dan.
Atmosphere
Good for young kids as they can play on the astroturf (small area). The outdoor seating is nice as there are many plants and shade. It can get a bit warm but that’s just Kona.
Byron Kay — Google review
We stopped in with our friends who live in Kona, so we could try some of our favorite beers from one of my favorite breweries. The service was exceptional and the pizza was delicious. I really liked the layout and we bought a couple of T-shirts.
Kino J — Google review
Really enjoyed our time at Kona Brewing! Great service and a beautiful spot for lunch. I’ll be back to sample the beer (I’m pregnant), but there were great alternatives and I loved the pizza and pretzels.
Cassandra Empey (Cassandra Taylor Empey) — Google review
Beer and atmosphere are ahhhhmazing! Staff was too! But don’t go here looking for a good “all around” menu. Just wanted to try some beers and chicken wings…with a hummus plate. The hummus plate was like a deconstructed fresh salad that was more than we could eat! BUT DON’T GET THE WINGS! ⚠️ They were the smallest, fatty, disappointing wings I’ve ever had. I think McDonald’s could do a better job if they wanted. They were so small that the bones broke just trying to eat them and fatty to the point where I stopped eating them. Beer and wings should go together so disappointing but all else was good. @Kona, get better wings especially for the price or take off the menu 😉 Cheers 🍻
Josh Gorsuch — Google review
Kona Brewing CO Brew Pub is an excellent spot where you can enjoy ordering delicious food and pair it with a delightful glass of beer. Due to its popularity, be prepared for a wait, especially in the evenings. We began with the beer flight, a good choice if you want to explore various beer options. Our order included Poke, Fish Sandwich, and Hawaiian Pizza, all of which were delicious. The Poke and fish sandwich are made from fresh catches, so be aware that these dishes may feature different types of fish on various days. I highly recommend trying the poke; it was well-seasoned with a delicious sauce. I definitely recommend visiting this place.
Katherine Melnyk — Google review
Food was really good, we hade fish tacos and it was delicious! Beer is also very good
But unfortunately the service and waiters are not very friendly. One of the waiters gave us a bad attitude!
Ghazal Khataie — Google review
I went reluctantly since I really wanted some local food. But : the location has outdoor seating, the beer is interesting and everyone found something they liked. The food was good and I strongly recommend the pork belly sandwich, the nacho chips were different then on mainland US, crispier, the pizza was tasty and we chose a garlic one/ you could really taste it. Kinda American food with a twist.
Anca Balinisteanu — Google review
My wife and I loved our dinner at Kona brewing!! We’ve always been huge fans of the beer so it was so cool to go in person and try the different flavors. Also, the food was really good!
It was pretty packed but our server Blake held it down through the chaos. It is a little pricy but so is everything in Kona!
Overall great experience and we’ll surely return in the future.
The Old Kona Airport State Recreation Area is a park located in Kailua-Kona on the east coast of the Big Island. It offers a beautiful view of the Kaloko mountain and is perfect for surfing, spear fishing, and swimming. There are also picnic areas and a jogging path to enjoy.
Looking for the perfect spot to unwind and bask in the sun? Look no further than this fantastic beach! This beach is a really nice place to kick back and relax on the shore. While the waterline may be a bit rocky and there's sometimes a strong riptide, you can still enjoy some quality beach time.
What makes this place even cooler is that it's a recreational area. There are picnic tables nearby so you are able to bring your lunch and just enjoy it at the beach. If you need to plan for a bday party or event, make sure to contact parks and recs so that you can reserve the tables.
Overall, this place is peefect is you are looking for peaceful relaxation by the ocean!
Maly Romero - Discover The Big Island Real Estate — Google review
Great place to watch the sunset!!!
Little tide pools that kids can play in safely. Obviously be aware of rising tides that will increase depth and waves.
Not a swimming beach. In my opinion.
1 thing I didn't like was how sketchy the old buildings in the area were. Homeless, etc .
Many people watching the sunset every night. But when the sunsets, keep it moving!
jacob walker — Google review
Loved this place. It felt like a hidden gem. Free and easy parking, beach, walking paths, and lava rocks. Very easy to get to and tons of space to park.
Seemed to be many more locals than tourists here.
I would give it 5-stars but the long-term campers might be uncomfortable for some visitors, though the entire place is very safe and friendly.
Thomas Rupp (Tom Rupp) — Google review
Best part is how much parking there is! And pretty cool the parking lot appears to be the old runway. Beach area is nice for lounging but closer to the water it gets rocky and isn’t great for swimming. With water shoes you can wade out a bit but the surf can also be a bit punishing coming over the taller rocks.
Ashley Alley — Google review
Beautiful beach. It's great for a picnic and beautiful pictures, but you have to be careful not to fall on some of the large slippery rocks. Not great for swimming in my opinion and there are some odd shady characters there in the late evening, so beware.
Nurse E — Google review
A nice quiet beach. Not too many people overall. Some parts are more sandy and some parts are more rocky. You can get some shallower areas if you do not like getting into the deeper water. I would not try and snorkel in the area. Rougher waters and rocky bottom. Plenty of other places nearby you can snorkel at easier.
Nirav Chaudhari — Google review
Great place to walk or run or workout, great place to picnic. Large enough that you have privacy. Can drive your car far into the part & enjoy the beach the whole day, although a bit rocky if you want to swim.
Rosie Y — Google review
Another Beachy type of place in Kona. Used to be Kona's old airport runway, hence the local name "Old A's." When you drive in be prepared for the uneven or potholed pavement that is not really up kept. To the left side when driving in is the beach. I noticed green trash cans every couple meters apart. I suggest those are probably the better spots to park and walk to the shore. The beach is not too far from where you would park so not too bad. It can be private if you want sometimes but others since more people live in Kona lots of people can be all around you. On the right side as, you drive in is a running track and a skate park. When the running track which is pavement not rubberized did not have much vegetation now there is. There is a little succulent garden to enjoy and some benches to eat on. I forgot to mention the beach is kind of rocky and shallow. There are certain areas where is easy to get in to swim but not a swim friendly place. Lots of rock, some nice parts to dip and sit or short swims. Beach shoes would be recommended if you have kids or do not want cut feet.
Victor Yurtola — Google review
That’s the heart of Kona recreation!
Unfortunately the living situation for locals and low income people, make them gather a lot out there, but rarely I see any trouble.
Fields are 24/7 accessible.
Parks close on sunset, so are the restrooms.
The gym holds lots of COVID tests, and vaccination.
The pool is nice and very taken care of.
AYSO is held on the main soccer field.
Little league baseball is available as well.
The walking path is awesome.
The trails are great .
There’s many people all the time not the most secluded place but you can find your space for sure.
You can spot wales, sharks, and dolphins eventually. Don’t touch the turtles please!
Have fun and enjoy!
Luiz Lodino — Google review
Lovely lava beach site with plenty of parking and well kept fitness track +.
James Adams — Google review
A great, very easy beach hike with incredible views and a very chill vibe.
Tony Triche — Google review
Absolutely gorgeous!! Lovely place to enjoy the beach and the rough beauty of the lava rocks with the ocean!
Katy Mullen — Google review
Lovely gardens and park to walk around. Just over a kilometre loop around the park. So many different flowers, plants and little gardens. Mongoose like animals and stray cats who are fed and looked after by locals. Peaceful place.
Beach is also really nice sign lots of tidal pools to look for fish and cool down. Quiet beach with picnic benches and shaded areas to sit. Portaloos as the change rooms seem to have been burnt down or collapsed. Showers and taps available.
Cindy Toms — Google review
Beautiful park. Would recommend walking up the coast and then back down through the park. It was so nice to see the turtles along the shoreline and the park is great for runners. There is plenty of parking and a book exchange which is well kept.
Marissa Quante — Google review
Nice place to stop and see the beach. There are pavilions, picnic tables, and outhouses. Beach is sandy along the coast but all black rock in the water. Tons of free parking and also free access.
Patricia Payne — Google review
Beautiful spot to have a picnic or just view the ocean! Saw a lot of Mongoose & cats roaming which was cool.
emily fuertes — Google review
Nice and quiet on a Thursday plenty of parking. NO swimming but nice for a picnic or yoga. Close to stores and restaurants. Some abandoned buildings around.
LORETAPATIA RUIZ — Google review
Well, it's a little difficult to explain this place at first glance. There's a .7 mile walking/jogging paved path that is surrounded by gardens managed by volunteers. Here you will see plants that you would expect and other plants like cactus that would seem out of place. On the other side of this recreational area, is a pebble beach with places to BBQ and eat at. Every indication is this is a local hangout. Right in the middle of these two different things appears to be an old runway for planes of the way back era. For car traffic, it's huge and it seems strange, but it's an interesting way to repurpose land that was used for something completely different..
The charm of Kailua lies in its seaside thoroughfare, Ali'i Drive. While the outskirts boast American retail giants like Walmart and Target, it's the drive that is worth exploring. Visitors are recommended to park near the Marriott by the pier and stroll along Ali'i Drive. The walk ends with a perfect view of sunset and a mai tai at any of the beachfront restaurants on Ali'i Drive.
The Kona Islander Inn Hotel offers quaint accommodations with kitchenettes and private terraces, as well as an outdoor pool, hot tub, and BBQ grills. Guests can enjoy watching the sunset while sipping on a mai tai at the Kona Inn or any of the nearby beachfront restaurants on Ali drive. It is recommended to get plenty of rest for busy days ahead.
We used points from our timeshare to stay here. Cute little condo with a mini kitchen. Excellent views of the ocean. Not a lot of parking.
But it was fine we had no problem finding parking away from the hotel.
Within walking distance of soo much!
We will be booking another trip to this location.
Marco Endymion — Google review
We had an ocean front 3 story walk up with coffee maker, microwave, and TV (that we didn't use.) It was wonderfully funky. If you're easygoing and not fussy, this is a good place. Each room is individually owned and rented by the hotel, so there is likely much variability to the accommodations. Worked for us!
Dianne Davis — Google review
First time visiting Kona and stayed here on recommendation from my step-daughter, her 4th time here. As others have said , it is hit and miss as all units are privately owned. Our daughter’s unit was much better than ours. The location is great at the centre of everything. Our unit had a comfortable bed, but no storage for clothes, we stayed for 2 weeks. For very little expense, the owners could have supplied a chest of drawers, a decent fridge, maybe a salad bowl and some beach chairs, all of which was in the other unit I mentioned. The pool area is well maintained. The barbecues cleaned daily. No late checkout, or storage for suitcases if you have a late flight. The parking very limited. Not the best experience in terms of accommodation, but a fun time with our family at a great location
Donna Miller — Google review
Check in was a disaster, as they had my reservation for the next day. The front desk lady was pretty rude and not helpful. Got my room in the end, which was nice but you can see that it's a very old building. Would recommend trying another place.
Alexandre Contreras — Google review
I liked my stay here. I booked through air bnb. The room was small, but had everything we needed. The front desk staff was nice, and the location can’t be beat. It’s walking distance from the water and some great restaurants. Our room was kind of close to the pool area where people were hanging out the evening we arrived. There were also some nice cats living around us that were going about their business and keeping to themselves, but who were quite adorable. Good spot, and I’d stay here again the next time I’m in Kona.
Patrick Jourdan — Google review
Awesome location and unit setup. Mine was a studio with an ocean view and a garden right outside the balcony, so I enjoyed gorgeous views 24/7. I also loved lots of greenery on the property (compared to public spaces in Kona) and proximity to dining/shopping/walking/tour opportunities. Free Kona trolley stops just outside the property on Ali’i drive. The pool and BBQ area is fine, has everything you need. Giving 4 stars because the staff basically said to contact your unit owner with questions, there isn’t much desire to answer your questions and support you. Also my unit didn’t have any BBQ related utensils (not sure why), so had to improvise.
Mindful Bamboo — Google review
This place awful it has roaches . Real real real bad all inside the refrigerator so you can’t store, food or drinks . They all the kitchen & bathroom , The rooms are dirty & outdated don’t waste your time on this place. Get this out room can with a can of Raid to help with the bugs I guess so disgusting. I only have tho 1 star ⭐️ because zero wasn’t an option
Tonya Caldwell — Google review
Check-in was relatively short. The room was very nice, and the view was great. A little hard getting a wheelchair chair into the room, but managed to get in.
If we return to Hawaii, will definitely check for availability.
jim patrick — Google review
We loved our studio and the location was great, right on the water. Our host was wonderful, very prompt, accommodating, friendly and communicative. Unlike the front desk lady who was not nice, friendly or accommodating. We set up a late check out with our host and we were not aware until later that we needed to get our keys reprogrammed. When we came back from snorkeling we were locked out. My husband spoke to the front desk woman who was very rude. We checked out on Aug. 20. We were approved by our host and made that clear showing her the email. I contacted the host over the phone, who took care of it promptly. It showed up on her computer and we were able to then get our key to the studio after being treated with utmost disrespect.
We thoroughly enjoyed our stay until we had to deal with this front desk lady at checkout.The customer is always right and should be treated with respect and aloha which unfortunately was not the case with her. We loved our host thru air bnb but the Kona Islander employee was anything but nice and zero aloha.
mantaflower7 — Google review
Most are cute and well furnished and the perfect place to be in the middle of Kona when you need a place to stay for a few nights - some need updating or someone else to decorate them, others really put in the work for a fabulous experience.
Most things you want are walkable- but strongly suggest to park your car before 4pm, there is very little parking on-site, second option is street parking, when that is full you can either drive in circles forever or pay $65 at a local lot for overnight…. Or do like I did and park as near as you can and get up early hoping there’s no tow or ticket.
With that being said, this is where I suggest for friends and family to stay on their visits …I love the location and price, but wish there was more guaranteed parking ….
The more I stay here I don’t expect a lot of privacy, walls are thin. If you like to meet people while at the grill and pool and hot tub, you’re in luck, there are always people out there.
You can not reach front desk after hours, the phone number on google is out-dated so I suggest you get all your questions out at check in, which was fast and easy and really pleasant
Sabel Scities — Google review
THE MOST HORRIBLE EXPERIENCE I HAVE EVER HAD!!
My entire experience at this stay was a COMPLETE DISAPPOINTMENT. First of all, when I
booked the room hidden fees were never disclosed. The original final price was $398 and after checkout I saw that I was charged OVER $700 for TWO NIGHTS!!! After this I immediately contacted the hotel to explain that this was not disclosed properly to me at the time at checkout and I never would have booked if I knew this room was going to be DOUBLE the amount I anticipated. They basically told me so sorry you missed that and said no cancellation policy and I
would be charged if I cancelled my stay. I was completely shocked at their lack of customer service or understanding. I called IMMEDIATELY after booking it was not as if I waited a week before I realized the price was double what was originally stated. During these times of the
pandemic I have seen many businesses blatantly try and trick customers into stealing more money from them and this is exactly what Kona Islander Inn Condos did to me. So disgusting and disappointing. Once we got to the room I was at least expecting it to be very nice and comfortable but NO. After $700 wasted our bed pulled out of the wall with sharpie written on it to be careful how we open it so the bed remains stable and doesn't fall after we pull it out and they
only had two flat pillows. The sofa felt as if it was made of stiff hay and was also extremely uncomfortable. And to top it all off one of the additional fees that were never disclosed was a cleaning fee of $150, yet there were signs in the kitchen that if we left any of our trash cans full or
dishes out WE WOULD BE CHARGED ADDITIONAL FEES. WHY ARE WE PAYING A CLEANING FEE FOR US TO CLEAN UP AFTER OURSELVES? After booking the room it was also approved that we
would have an ocean view and we certainly did not, we were staying on the inside of a back ally way. I could not be less satisfied with my stay, and I have let all of my friends know to never stay with Kona Islander Inn!!
Chiara Salomoni — Google review
The property here is well maintained. The walkways, lobby, pool and hot tub are clean. There are really cute friendly cats roaming the property.
I stayed in a unit booked through airbnb. The price was good, considering the location.
It's an interesting setup - all the units are privately owned. There are even some locals living here.
Tip: I'd check various booking sites, including airbnb, to find a good price, and decide which unit to book based on the reviews for the specific unit you're looking at. The unit I booked was newly renovated and great.
Also, walk across the street and sit on the beach for sunset. I did this daily and it was really great.
Ivan — Google review
One of the best locations in Kona. Surrounded by tons of restaurants and in close proximity to the tour pickups. There is a pool, outdoor grill, and hot tub. The walls are a little thin but everyone was quiet and respectful while we were there so it didn't really matter.
Benjamin Hoy — Google review
Host was fast getting back to you, the room was clean and comfortable with a great view.
The pool and hot tub were the perfect temperature day and night. The grounds were very clean. What a great stay! Thank you!
Pam Mccreight — Google review
Very dated, mold smell, and dirty but the location was awesome. Tiny area with a microwave, mini fridge, and coffee maker. Closet not deep enough to close if you hang any clothes. However, on the positive side, a very easy walk anywhere. Public beach across the street. Walking distance to many shops and restaurants.
Lorana Bancroft — Google review
Honestly, the location was great. But there was hardly any parking at the hotel, and so you end up having to park several streets down, and walk a ways to the hotel. Also, the rooms were covered in gnats - and I know that can't be helped, but it was still somewhat of a shock, especially as the kitchen cabinets were full of them. And those two things I can handle, if not for the last situation that occurred. A few nights prior, my husband and I noticed that the water to the shower and sink was ice cold - and despite trying the water at different times of the day, it was to no avail. So when my husband went to check on the situation and see if there was anything they could do. They said they had someone coming out to assess the situation a few days from now because the warm water was out for the whole complex - but we hadn't received any word, and furthermore, our stay ends a day after the person will come out to fix it. But figuring a single day of warm water is better than nothing, we waited and went to check on the situation that day, and they said that they can't help us - the lady at the front had no information whatsoever and refused to try to help despite the front desk from the night before saying that there would be someone to help out that day. Meaning, 3 out of the 4 nights we stayed in this hotel, we were shivering in the shower. Again, each of these things on their own isn't necessarily a big deal, but combined, it was a mess. I'm just glad that it's over and I'm going to a different hotel on the island. Again, the things I mentioned might not be a big deal to some people, but I figured those are key details someone ought to be aware of before booking.
Stacy Brinson — Google review
First, this stay was book in conjunction with my Hawiian Airlines booking. It is also through Expedia which has an awful refund policy (none). The 'help' if you want to call it that couldn't bother to come out from their office to greet us, flat out said we couldn't leave our luggage, and couldn't even help a gentleman that was waiting in the lobby for a while. We ended up at the Royal Kona hotel, saved about $200 for a much better experience at a nice waterfront hotel. Do not book your stay at this place.
William Temple — Google review
My friend and I lived in Hilo. We booked this hotel because we watched Brett Young's concert at Kona Brewery. When we arrived the receptionist was nice and smiling. She told me that if we go out at night just leave my car where I park because is hard to get a parking spot at night when everyone is back from their activities. Which was a good idea because I didn't wanna park my car outside the hotel. We took an Uber to go to the concert. That wasn't far we could walk but we dressed up nicely so we decided to get an Uber.
We checked in we got one bed and a couch is like a room that we rented. Is not that good space if you are big people and used to nice bed. My friend and I were okay with the place we are tiny people so no issue for us.
The next morning we asked then a creamer they told us the housekeeping would bring us the creamer we waited until Sunday morning we checked out no creamer lol. Overall 5 stars is perfect for this place.
Anahaw Sampaguita — Google review
Old, dirty, noisy, no parking inside (few parking always full), need a lot of time for an hour shower, nothing good.
We have found the kitchen dirty of a previous stay and reception said that they are not in charge of anything since the Apartment are private. We tried to contact someone but none answer us.
Federica — Google review
Location for this was so perfect! It’s so close to everything. Walking distance from the stores, food, and the beach! The only qualms we had were that we could never get parking on the property when we came back from the night. Rooms were nice and had AC which was necessary after a day out in the beating sun.
Mauli Patel — Google review
Fantastic location. Very close to great restaurants and cafés.
As people have mentioned previously, each unit is owned individually. Therefore it’s totally up to each owner how they keep their place. Therefore, you get totally different reviews about different units here. My unit was great. Lovely decor. It’s been renovated recently. So it’s really nice, clean and pleasant. Comfortable bed. I enjoyed my breakfast on the lovely terrace. There are great equipments for going to the beach provided by the owner of the unit although I never had a chance to use them. There are BBQ facilities by their poolside and a spa in the middle of the complex. They all seemed well maintained. I never got to use them as I was busy with my friends’ wedding events. My unit owner was very quick to respond to my messages and was very nice, I only got to know one receptionist who was there for my check-in and the last day when I checked out. She was also really lovely. Overall, this is a very comfortable and perfect place for me. I would stay here again.
Disliked-The air conditioner was noisy. But I understand it’s a standard one for this complex. I had it turned off during the night till late morning. So it was nice and quite. Then I heard lots of birds singing in the morning. With the air conditioning on, you wouldn’t hear them.
On the other hand, a couple I know got another unit on the same day. As they arrived the unit, they found some dead cockroaches and one half dead on the floor, mouldy coffee in the coffee machine and someone’s drink bottle on top of drawers. They checked out within 15 minutes and cancelled the unit immediately as there were health hazards. However, the owner only returned 50% of their 5 nights payments. So really depends on each owner. When you have problems with your unit, you need to deal with the owner directly, not the receptionists. Receptionists are basically there to give (for check-in) and receive (for check-out) keys for each unit.
Ocean Rider Inc is a fascinating aquaculture farm that offers unique guided tours of seahorse aquariums led by experts in conservation. Visitors to the farm get to learn about seahorses and their behavior up close, with the highlight being the opportunity to have a seahorse latch onto their finger. The gift shop at Ocean Rider Inc is also reasonably priced, and visitors can support efforts towards ocean conservation with their admission fee.
It was a very informative and educational tour about Seahorses. This little guys need our help to continue to survive. At the end of the tour you get to hold a seahorse. It’s about 90 minutes long but you will have an amazing time.
Ivette Ruelle — Google review
A nice tour to learn more about saving sea horses. Very educational. Great for kids and adults. About an hour long and they have dedicated sea horse ambassadors you can interact with at the end of the tour. Off the beaten path and near the airport.
John Askew — Google review
We took a tour here and it was super cool. The tour is a bit overpriced in my opinion, but if you are a big seahorse enjoyer I would recommend going anyway. You get an awesome opportunity during the tour to hold seahorses. It’s so cool seeing them at their various stages in life. This tour is very informative. Great for children and adults alike.
Hudson Hanson — Google review
We had a nice visit to Ocean Rider. Although the $70 price tag seems a bit steep for what the experience consists of.
The tour was informative and I did learn some interesting facts. I also appreciate their conservation forward outlook, but this is a sea horse farm and they are raking in the $$
Shana Antonissen — Google review
Great experience with people working to make a difference for ocean life. The admission price seemed high but no regrets after the tour. This is an effort worth supporting.
Joe Mayo — Google review
I absolutely love Ocean Rider! Their sea horse conservation is such wonderful thing for our oceans and delicate sea horses. Don't miss this tour! It's amazing what you'll learn and you get to have a seahorse latch on to your fingers at the end. There's also a touch tank and fantastic gift shop. 💙
Katherine Babbitt — Google review
We have been to the Big Island 3 times and I've always wanted to tour the seahorse farm. My husband has been reluctant but this time, he agreed reluctantly to go with me. It was super cool; Danny was an informative and interesting guide. After we left, my husband said, "That was pretty cool"😎. Great way to spend an hour or so. Totally recommend it 😊
monica prather — Google review
Not quite worth the amount that they are asking for the experience, but I see it as a tax on maintaining the high standards of their farm. Very fun to see everything from baby seahorses onward, and having one perch on your finger is a highlight! Staff was also very knowledgeable and we learned a lot!
Ruthie S — Google review
What an experience of a life time. Educational and intriguing. Lots learned. Tour guides very knowledgeable. More than what we had expected. You do need to book an appointment for the tour and there are three times available. I suggest booking ahead of time. We were on the cruise ship and booked at ourselves as our excursion and Uber there. We had no issues getting out there or returning back since it is close to the airport Uber were available though it seemed like it was out-of-the-way. Great for all ages but it I a walking tour on gravel terrain and out side. They also had a great gift shop with reasonable prices and cute things.
Make sure to read all information prior to booking. if you are planning to also do another animal interaction, make sure it is after the seahorses as they are very strict on cross contamination.
Patty Spradling — Google review
What a unique experience! Definitely focused on seahorses but you learn a lot about them while on the tour. Of course the highlight of the tour is actually getting the seahorse to latch on to your fingers. You cannot let them buy they put the seahorse so it latches on to you. Really cool to see them up close. Totally worth the cost of admission. The things in the gift shop aren't too pricey either. If you're on the island this is definitely a must do. I don't know where else you'll be able to do this.
Alfred Samson — Google review
Would not do it again and can’t ethically recommend it. This place farms seahorses for profit to sell as pets. They specialize in the domestication of seahorses. And then charges $70 per person to hold a seahorse and calls themselves a non profit. And the kids giving the tours are young, just new to the island and job and have basically read a handbook and give the tour.
MaryAnn Dakkak — Google review
Danny was a great guide - very knowledgeable and friendly! Highly recommend this for anyone visiting Hawaii. Come support our seahorses!!
Adam Miller — Google review
Very enjoyable hour spent visiting this seahorse farm. Guide did a good job educating us about these animals.
They gave us time to interact with the seahorses and observe…
They also have a small on site aquarium to view some of the larger ones.
Susan — Google review
A great educational Seahorse Farm tour is offered. It's a bit pricey, but you do get to have a Seahorse cling to your hands formed like a coral reef structure. Seahorses are one of life's mysteries of the sea, so we indulged. Tour guides are passionate about their work.
Barbara Leshovsky — Google review
What a blast! Our guide was excellent!! Knowledgeable and enthusiastic! We learned so much about Sea Horses - a very fun experience!
Melodie Durham — Google review
Our second favorite Hawaiian excursion was the Ocean Rider Seahorse Farm & Seahorse Hawaii Foundation.
The Seahorse Hawaii Foundation has made incredible strides saving and conserving seahorses. Their facility on the Big Island is impressive, informative and fun.
We were able to hold (or be held by) seahorses and even named two of them 🌺
Jen May — Google review
Great tour, our guide Erica did a fantastic job! The seahorses are incredible and supporting preservation is extremely important! Mahalo!
Trevor Soule — Google review
We visited on Halloween of 2023. Not only was the tour everything we had hoped for (holding a seahorse, viewing beautiful seahorses/their babies up close), it was extremely informative about the seahorse trade and how this specific place breeds them ethically. Be respectful of the animals if you visit, listen to the guidelines and keep your hands clean. Absolutely wonderful. Yes, there are large groups during the tours. They still make sure everyone receives a fully immersive experience. We were not upsold anything and genuinely enjoyed this once in a lifetime experience for our kid.
Melissa Finn — Google review
I didn't know you can farm seahorse but I'm glad they did! Aim to reduce poaching, the farm caters of conservation study and accessibility to pet trade without the dangers of harvesting these Majestic little creatures in the wild
Summer Pastor — Google review
Awesome find! Very interesting and informative. Does my heart good to know places like this exist. The good work done here is well worth our support.
Mark Duyvesteyn — Google review
Very interesting and informative. Learned a lot about seahorses. Was very impressed with their goal to produce seahorses that survive in home aquariums. Highly recommend this tour.
Dean Scott — Google review
Fantastic and informative tour about the endangered seahorse and Ocean Rider's efforts to breed them to prevent their extinction from being fished in the wild. You'll learn everything you want to know about seahorses and even get to feed them and hold one. Our tour guide (Erica?) was extremely knowledgeable and engaging. Highlights include: seahorse babies in the nursery, leafy sea dragon tank, and holding a seahorse.
Kara Seal — Google review
Seahorse tour was super fun and interesting, the tour guide Lawrence did a really great job of sharing just how cool seahorses really are. If you love the ocean and conservation, this is a great place to go!
We loved our visit to the Vanillerie!! Our tour host was very informative and passionate about vanilla! We purchased their kit to make our own vanilla extract and can’t wait to bring this amazing flavor home with us!
Emily White — Google review
This tour is a 'must do' on the big island! Definitely worth the nominal fee charged for the experience. Our guide, Lezleigh, did an amazing job of walking us through the vanilla production process, including surprising tastes of the vanilla produced. Her passion for what she does and the vanilla itself is obvious and contagious. You come away from the tour with a true appreciation and better understanding of this awesome spice! I bought a kit to make my own extract and am excited to start it when I get home.
Kim Howell — Google review
Made a pit stop here on the fly. Lovely lady was in the gift shop, she offered to show us around and gave us lots of interesting information about the vanilla orchids / beans. Fun stop, kids were impressed too and bought lots of things in the shop and had delicious vanilla ice cream.
Erica L — Google review
We were able to take part in a very interesting and entertaining tour of the vanilla farm. Aurora, our guide, explained the vanilla production process to us in a very understandable, charming and humorous way. We experienced the full cycle of the vanilla harvest: from the blossom on the tree, to the hand pollination, to the processing of the spice we know. At the end we were able to try vanilla ice cream 🍦 with different ingredients (the grill rub was our favorite) and broaden our taste horizons: vanilla has over 250 flavor nuances and goes well with much more than just desserts!
We can definitely recommend the tour and you will see vanilla with different eyes afterwards and combine it with more recent and other dishes in the future.
Sarah E — Google review
Our whole family (two adults, three kids ages 13, 11, and 8) really enjoyed the tour. The tour guide was very knowledgeable and interesting, and she was happy to answer our questions. She kept the kids engaged as we moved through the different greenhouses and orchard. It was fascinating to learn how process and time intensive it is to make vanilla! I'd definitely recommend this tour. The ice cream at the end is an excellent bonus.
Kristin & Tim Walker — Google review
Our tour guide was Lezleigh who has a passion for all things vanilla. This made for a very interesting and informative tour. Did you know the vanilla bean actually comes from an orchid. You'll learn this and so much more. Well worth the stop!
Bev Conover — Google review
Our group of 6 adults and 2 young kids took a tour of the Vanillerie and we had so much fun! It was very informative and interesting and perhaps the most fun was sampling and buying products made with the spectacular vanilla. Our guide Lezleigh was fantastic… very energetic, knowledgeable and fun. We learned a lot and came away with a new appreciation for vanilla. Highly recommend the tour or even just stopping by to pick up some delicious vanilla products.
Rachel Joyce — Google review
Very nice visit which is definitely worth it. For $20 per person, we agree that it's not expensive for the Big Island. We learn a lot of things, with a nice tasting of homemade ice cream at the end, and above all, the good smell of vanilla throughout the visit is just exceptional. We bought the little coffee spices that we love and the vanilla body cream that smells like heaven.
Najib Talhi — Google review
We learned a lot about vanilla. Very interesting tour. Ice cream tasting was nice to end on a sweet note. I think of this small-scale farm as specializing in education and tourism. It produces vanilla and related products predominantly for local sale to people who want to support local Hawaiian enterprises.
Sharon S — Google review
The Vanillerie is a great place to tour, or even just stop by. Seeing the vines and learning about vanilla production was awesome, and the place smells AMAZING. Everyone who works there was welcoming and a pleasure to interact with. The shop is very nice and I bought way too many vanilla products 😆
I took off one star because I was hoping for a bit more in the way of technical details on the tour. Despite that, I highly recommend touring this delicious spot!
Rachel Ellen — Google review
This place is amazing!!! What an amazing tour. I now have a new appreciation for the vanilla that I love to bake with and am surprised at the idea of using it for savory dishes as well! Given the amount of time and individual hand care it takes for us to be able to experience true vanilla, I will not think twice the next time I see the price tag on a vanilla bean!! Our tour guide Lezleigh did such an amazing job! Can't wait for my recipe book to arrive! If you're looking for a wonderful way to spend 1-1.5 hours in Kona, I would definitely encourage you to check this place out!! Enjoy
Sandy Samuels — Google review
The tour was very interesting and informative. Lezleigh has a passion for vanilla and is vanilla biggest advocate! I did feel she could have left off the stories about the mythical gods and some story about blood from a deceased person's heart, etc. I didn't think it was appropriate for anyone, but especially since we had children on our tour. Other than that, it was perfect.
Rebecca Cox — Google review
The Vanillerie did not disappoint! The land is beautiful and smells amazing and the tour was very educational! I had no idea vanilla was from an orchid, nor the amount of work it takes to pollinate and produce vanilla. (I wish I had the kids with me to experience it.)
🚗 Parking is plentiful
⌚️ Plan to spend an hour or so here
💰 Moderate
📅 Plan accordingly. Hours of tours are exact and they will not let people jump in and an ongoing tour.
Be aware when you're traveling what sizes you are limited to with carry on. We had honey, vanilla moisturizer, and some other products all seized by TSA we were not able to enjoy because they did not fit the size requirements for carry-on. It was highly disappointing and any size of honey must be shipped.
Definitely will be returning!!
Rebecca C — Google review
What a wonderful experience! It was amazing to see how vanilla beans are grown and processed! Located close to the Kona airport the vanilla farm was so lush and green! The vanilla vines were full of beans and some flowers were blooming.
I highly recommend the tour! There's a delicious vanilla ice cream at the end! They also offer vanilla goods at their gift shop. You can even make your very own vanilla extract!
Alison Patron — Google review
So amazing! Steve was so great, so nice and informative. Vanilla is an orchid? Who knew. Was really cool to learn about how vanilla is made but also just a beautiful little farm and shop. Bought a small bottle and already used it, it’s delicious.
Gemma Claessens — Google review
Aurora's off brodway performance of The Vanilla Bean was truly impressive. So much passion.
Very cool vanilla farm, with great products. Definitely a must see!
Sean — Google review
Such a hidden gem!!! Aurora was a fantastic tour guide!! We learned so much about vanilla!! The tastings at the end are a delicious bonus! Add this to your day in Kona for sure!
Elizabeth Hunt — Google review
Great educational tour to learn more about vanilla and the intense care it requires. We also enjoyed the vanilla ice cream and the products in the shop. Highly recommend!
Sophie Li — Google review
So, you think you know all about vanilla? I bet you really don’t!! BUT Aurora does!! Awesome guide that has a passion about what she does and what transpires here!! We were just astounded!! You will be too. DEFINITELY STOP BY!!
S J — Google review
The tour is incredibly informative, and there is so much I never knew about vanilla. It is an easy tour without much walking and some great ideas for using vanilla. They also have a number of products for sale from the Vanillerie as well as other local farms.
Crystal Graf — Google review
Visited in April 2024. This was a great time to visit as there were a few beans still ripening, a few blooms just getting started, and a lot of harvested beans being processed, so we got to see every step of the vanilla farm cycle! The guided tour is just a small area and there are lots of opportunities to sit down, so this tour is suitable for many. That being said, it isn’t short! Aurora has a vast amount of knowledge of vanilla history, biology, biochemistry, cooking applications, and puns. I highly recommend this tour and can’t wait to begin the process of making my own extract with the beans I purchased there!
Robyn Seely — Google review
Once you use the caviar of the vanilla bean, the pod still has many uses, so don't toss it!
I learned so much from Aurora, our tour guide! Would recommend!!
Magic Sands Beach Park, also known as White Sands or Laaloa Beach, is a public park located approximately 4 miles south of Kailua-Kona. This stunning beach boasts turquoise waters and breathtaking sunsets. It offers both lifeguard-monitored swimming and surfing opportunities for visitors to enjoy. The small but beautiful beach has limited shade and features a rocky shoreline on its north side. During high winter surf, the sands may disappear overnight, earning it the nickname Magic Sands.
Small beach with lots of character, people and views. Easily able to see little sea creature in the rocks. As others have stated its a little intense in the waves, especially when the tide is out. It can get rocky with a current that pulls you in. I fou d the spot much better for sunsets than the Pier in town. I could see myself coming back here again for sure.
Adam — Google review
Awesome beach when the sand is in but can be very dangerous when sand is out like it is right now. Lots of sharp rocks in the water and on shore and if you don't get in or out fast enough, you can get bashed onto the rocks. Lifeguards on duty from 930am to 5pm daily. Public washrooms and outdoor shower. Great place for watching the sunset.
Dianne Wilson — Google review
First the bad is the crowds and only because it's such a great beach to relax and body surf if the water is calm it's less crowded for the most part its friendly even the surfers, there is a lifeguard not sure what time they start but there is one. The water has a beautiful color a nice sunset when it's clear skies, I can't speak about the restrooms since we rent across the street so we walk back to our place. It's very clean sand the earlier you go the better, we usually go by 8am you can pick your spot and lots of parking (free) but the scenic part is closed during construction and yes at that time it's warm we have gone as early as 715am weather is warm as well as the water. You will get some good waves to body surf I'm no expert but I'm assuming 3-4 ft and I sure some bigger ones at times. 4 stars because I never used the restrooms to comment. This is a must to visit put it on your list also after watching the teal and blue ocean stay for the Golden sunset. I'm sure everyone will love this beach. My pictures are from 3 different days.
Andrew Zenitram — Google review
This beach is a spot for surfing/body boarding. This ain’t a friendly beach amongst kids as the waves are pretty raging.
Free parking across the street and couple of food trucks available to grab some kines. Not much shades though. Public bathroom and outdoor shower is available on the area.
Highly recommended beach!
Juander Bandit — Google review
This pace definitely lives up to its name!! Seeing the turtle's shadows while the waves where cresting was just MAGICAL!!! This is a place that is best viewed with the natural eye, no picture can do it justice, the crystal-clear water the turtles, the snorkeling all that just makes this place Magical. Great place for little ones, creates a lot of natural pools for them to enjoy and right across the street is a shaved ice stand makes this spot perfect!
Vickie Cervantes — Google review
Magic Sands Beach Park, although small and rocky, offers a unique experience for beachgoers in Hawaii. This is especially attractive to snorkelers, providing a chance to explore vibrant marine life when the waters are clear. However, it's important to note that the beach can become rough at times, making swimming and snorkeling challenging. Additionally, due to its popularity, Magic Sands Beach Park tends to get crowded, especially during peak times. If you're seeking a tranquil and spacious beach setting, this might not be the ideal choice. Nevertheless, for those who appreciate snorkeling opportunities and don't mind a bit of a crowd, Magic Sands Beach Park still offers a chance to enjoy the beauty of Hawaii's underwater world.
Sam — Google review
Such a great park, big canopy of trees to shade the area. I hung out and did a workout in the grass. There are some locals that were blasting music, but it was pretty good music. Plenty of free parking on the street. If you go to the park with the sand watch out for the waves First day I got here they were pretty big.
Kirt Kingzett — Google review
The allure of this beach is simply enchanting. From its breathtaking views to the pristine white sandy shores, the landscape is a testament to natural beauty. The presence of tide pools adds an extra layer of fascination, providing opportunities for exploration and discovery.
What sets this beach apart is the clarity of its water—a mesmerizing azure expanse that invites you to take a refreshing dip. The transparency of the water allows for glimpses of the vibrant marine life beneath the surface. Moreover, the beach boasts some noteworthy waves, adding a touch of excitement for those seeking a bit of adventure.
In the realm of Hawaiian beaches, this place stands out as truly magical. If I had to choose just one beach to visit on the Big Island, it would undoubtedly be this gem. The harmonious combination of scenic beauty, crystal-clear waters, and the rhythmic waves creates an experience that lingers in the memory long after leaving its shores. It's a slice of paradise that captures the essence of the island's coastal wonders.
Steve K — Google review
A good friend of mine took me to this beach for a kickback and I've found myself running back here literally from where I live. Wonderful place that has demonstrated how cool it is to meet new people. Enjoy life with a beautiful and unique sunset while the wind carries away your reservations on the life you deserve
mansa shaka — Google review
I got here at around 7 in the morning and there were a moderate amount of people here. This definitely isn’t a lowkey spot, as it’s posted on many tourist sites for the big island. Make sure you get here super early to have the beach to yourself for a few minutes, and definitely come by the evening to watch a beautiful sunset on the sands. Bring your own volleyball, and there’s a net hoisted up that you can enjoy with your friends. The beach is good for boogie-boarding with the kiddies and to sit back and relax. Definitely recommend this place to anybody that wants a nice beach to sit around on! NOTE: this isn’t a huge beach, it’s pretty minuscule compared to the other beaches on island. It’s about a similar size to the Green Sands Beach at South Point.
Jeriel Nunez — Google review
Gorgeous beach! Crystal clear blue warm water, with lots of tropical fish and sea turtles to swim with. Absolutely stunning sunset. The beach was crowded, there was plenty of parking.
Lifeguards on site.Waves can be rough suddenly.
Mou Halder — Google review
Great sand for your tired feet. They do have a lifeguard and restaurants near by. Beach is totally breathtaking so warm. It is considered a bit dangerous for snorkeling. So be cautious always.
Serenety Moon — Google review
Magic Sands Beach Park is a neat little beach across the street from the condo we stayed at. It features soft sand entry but also rocks. The upside of the rocks is very good snorkeling on either side (but easier on the right side). The waves and current can be challenging, so the ease of snorkeling and swimming varies by day and time of day. The new bathroom/shower building opened during our week there, and is small but nice. Really the only negative we found at this beach is certain annoying locals who hang out at the road above: loud music, pot smoking, and we nearly saw a fight. Sit closer to the water to give some buffer from the Ali'i Drive dwellers. I wouldn't really call this a "destination beach" but if you are staying nearby it is worth at least a day here.
Chris Chaney — Google review
My wife & I went to several beaches to check out, but this was by far our favorite. If you're lookin for a wonderful sandy beach to relax in the sun, & enjoy the beautiful warm water, then this would be it. There is a little bit of lava rock to the right side to avoid when you enter the water, but most of it is sandy bottom, & some small to medium waves to play in. It got a little crowded the times we were there, but not obnoxiously so. From my experience, over all the other beaches we went to, you'd wanna wear scuba or sand shoes to handle walking on all the lava rock. Still beautiful water to get into anywhere ya go, but the soft white tropical sand here is pretty darn perfect, & no worries getting scraped up.
Sean Anderson — Google review
Cute smaller beach. There's plenty of parking in a lot and by the road. Popular local spot. They have sand but also lots of volcanic rocks to the shore. Many people boogie board. We were able to see the fins of some whales while at the beach. There's also a volleyball net to play some beach volleyball. The people that played look profesh.
Caroline XD — Google review
Beautiful beach for body surfing and dancing with the waves! It is usually crowded. Easy access, if you can find a parking spot across the street. It is a good place to watch sunset, but again, a lot of people. If you want some solitude, better go somewhere else on the island.
Yeliz Gedik — Google review
Lovely beach with lifeguard stand and gentle wave action. Beautiful park with historical markers and a small interpretive trail. Parking is limited.
Kirsten Bolles — Google review
Amazing and beautiful beach! Worm ocean, sand and an impressive vawes. Have to be care becouse they can be very big. Lifeguards warn of them when they are coming.
Ane Ane — Google review
Highly recommend this beach for boogie boarding enthusiasts!
The waves here are impressively large, providing an exhilarating experience. It's reassuring to know there's a lifeguard on duty; they were quick to respond and provide guidance when someone was injured by the powerful waves.
Despite the beach's compact size, it's packed with amenities - from rinse-off stations to shaded areas, not to mention the delightful shaved ice and snack stand nearby.
Plus, the convenience of free parking is a big bonus. A fantastic spot that guarantees a fun-filled day!
Gregg Cochran — Google review
Small but beautiful beach. The waves this week were just a nice size. Not too large but big enough to make swimming interesting. Lots of tweens boogie boarding after school as well. There are washrooms at the south end of the beach and a nice restaurant and bar at the north end.
Paul Limacher — Google review
Beautiful beach with crystal clear water. Beach is a mix of sand and rocks. It's not a large beach so seating is up close and cozy but not too bad. The waves here are crazy big and strong though so be aware of that.
Tiana Noureddin — Google review
Beautiful beach, just a bit crowded, but understandable. Bathrooms available. Huge waves, so you couldn't go deep unless you were a very good swimmer. Life guards on duty and always advising people to be careful and watch their kids.
Kona Cloud Forest Guided Walking Tours provide an enjoyable and informative experience of the diverse plants and animals found at the preserve. The tours are great for nature lovers who want to see prehistoric trees and exotic fruit, while learning about the importance of biodiversity preservation.
What an extraordinarily magical place full of magical people! Cloud Forest Sanctuary was started by the host Drew’s grandfather, and he knows every single plant, tree, animal, and bird in the forest. You can see why they picked the Cloud Forest Sanctuary to film Avatar - it’s so lush and full of vibrant life.
Also, don’t miss Brooke’s sound bath - it was the best I’ve ever had and is in the most magical setting you can possibly imagine. Her instruments will leave you totally cleansed and in full vibration with the forest. We will definitely be back!
Tyler Roy — Google review
This was included with our cruise excursion package. Great place to visit. Many neat things to see, keep looking, as you will see more and more.
Daryk Campbell Sr — Google review
I recently had an amazing experience with Kona Cloud, Rain Forest Sanctuary. Our tour guide was incredibly knowledgeable and deeply passionate about the forest. Their enthusiasm for the beauty and uniqueness of the area, as well as their insights into re-forestation efforts in Hawaii, made the tour truly exceptional. If you have a love for trees, nature, and the rich history behind them, this tour is a must-do!
Tammy — Google review
Nestled amidst the lush greenery of Kailua-Kona, the Kona Cloud Forest Sanctuary beckons you to step into a realm of wonder and enchantment. As I wandered through this ethereal sanctuary, I found myself transported to a place where time slows down, and the ordinary dissolves into the extraordinary.
It isn’t just a place; it’s a portal—a bridge between worlds. Whether you seek solace, knowledge, or simply a moment of awe, this sanctuary delivers. Come, let the forest embrace you, and rediscover the magic that resides within ✨🌿
Evan Kiss — Google review
The Kona Cloud Forest Tour was an incredibly informative and memorable experience! My girlfriend and I absolutely loved our tour! Kelly is a kind, smart guide who is very passionate about nature and biodiversity preservation. If you’re a forest lover like we are, you’ll love the trip. I’d liken it to Willy Wonka - but with prehistoric trees and exotic fruit!
Noah Monty — Google review
The Kona Cloud Forest Sanctuary is magical. We joined the tour this past weekend with Norm and his grandson Drew and we were blown away. They have created an incredible experience and being that so much of this forest was them planting over the past 40 years, makes it even more special. Quite the labor of love! From the 100s of different varieties of bamboo and trees that were skyscraper tall, the ferns that seemed to be dancing in the breeze, to the beautiful flora, the forest was incredible. My favorite is the Blue Marble trees, with roots that are awe in size and majesty (picture), just beyond words. This amazing wonder is a short distance up the hill from The Kona airport on the slopes of the Hualalai Volcano and a must see!
Angela Aronica — Google review
We had an amazing wander through the cloud forest! Diana was an excellent guide and gave us so much interesting information that I previously did not have. Her family is doing great things by not only preserving this gem, but also by helping impart knowledge on people and sharing this oasis while continuing to grow what they already have. The views are breathtaking. I would definitely do this again to see the changes that have happened since this original visit.
Melanie Hampton — Google review
What an amazing experience! I booked this tour for my love, followed by the sound bath, for her birthday. She said it was the best birthday she’s ever had and the both experiences were her favorite thing she’s ever done in Hawaii! It was pure magic seeing her face light up during these experiences and both Sierra and Brooke were absolutely AMAZING! 10/10 recommend and would do again in a heartbeat!
Matt Bowman — Google review
I cannot begin to describe the unbelievable visit we had at the Kona Cloud Forest Sanctuary. Our family of 21 came to Kona to celebrate a big birthday and we had a private tour led by the founder’s daughter. Not only did she entertain kids ranging from 6 to 14, but she also took the time to help create lasting, emotional memories that we will all carry forever. We have visited Kona many times but this was our first visit to the Cloud Forest Sanctuary. The forest is so beautiful that at times the flora and fauna looked fake! If you have a few hours while visiting The Big Island, be sure to visit this amazing treasure.
Susan Gilbert — Google review
The most amazing cloud forest experience, rain or shine. Expect more of a guided nature education tour than a hike. I believe most of the trails are accessible for all ages (my elderly mom had no problem catching up), but you can probably ask for a steeper trail if inclined so. Although the tour lasts 2.5 hrs, it is not a strenuous or intense hike, but rather a casual stroll along the beautiful trail where you can admire one of the most diverse and beautiful forests remaining on the planet. The tour guide, Mr Dunn, has dedicated his life to the preservation of the forest and is a passionate educator. We learned so much about the unique plants populating the forest and were treated like close friends. I am not sure how many people usually sign up, but there was nobody else except our family on a tour that day, which felt very special.
Ilya Kuleshov — Google review
What a magical place!! Drew shared so much knowledge about the plants and the history of the land! The tour was a mild walk jam packed with fascinating information. I would recommend this amazing journey to anyone visiting the area! It feels like you’re deep in the forest without having to travel far. I can’t wait to go back and take in the magical energy again!
Fia Leek — Google review
I absolutely loved this tour. We did the 2.5 hour extended Montane Tropical Trail tour, and it was SO worth it! The tour was educational, engaging, and very grounding. It was fascinating to learn about native Hawaiian vegetation. Our guide, Sierra, was delightful and so full of knowledge and passion for the forest. She said, “plants tell us their stories in how they grow,” and I just loved that! What a beautiful way to look at the forest and gain a new perspective on plant life.
We saw all kinds of gorgeous plants, including redwoods, rainbow eucalyptus, flowers, carnivorous plants, ferns, and so much more. The forest has only been growing for 30 years, but I never would have known that because the trees are massive and so lush.
Please check this your out if you’re in the area. Bring bug spray, sturdy shoes, and rain-proof gear. Then, have fun!
G D — Google review
Wonderful tour of the amazing cloud forest. I can’t believe merely 35 years ago the same plot of land was deforested from cattle grazing! Love their vision and mission and gives me hope for the reforestation of the world. Tarren, our tour leader was great!
Yonathan Mickelsen — Google review
Amazing tour at the Kona Cloud Forest Sanctuary. Our guide Sierra was so passionate and knowledgeable about every aspect of the sanctuary, from its start 40 years ago as barren grassland to the thriving forest sanctuary it is today. It is wild to think the plants and trees are only 40 years old or less! Beautiful guided walk through different areas of the sanctuary and learning about each area. Very informative and a beautiful experience in all. Highly recommend if you are visiting the Big Island.
Esther Finley — Google review
We had a wonderful hike thru the Cloud Forest with our guide, Taryn.
She shared a wealth of information about the plants, trees, mushrooms and birds we heard and saw throughout our hike. A very Zen experience!!
R. Routier — Google review
What a wonderful experience! We did a tour here, plus a sound bath, silent disco, and potluck. Such wonderful people. A fantastic space and a transformative experience. We appreciated the deep knowledge of Hawaii's history, the importance of cloud forests, and the interesting plants there. This is definitely a wonderful thing to do whether local or visiting!
David Yastremsky — Google review
The guided tour was a great way to learn about the various native flora and fauna. I feel like I could take this tour a million times and always see and learn something new. Our tour guide was friendly and very knowledgeable, and the passion pouring into this place is palpable. Thank you for sharing this beauty with us.✌🏻🪷
Leah F — Google review
My children and I recently visited Hawaii for the first time. Ten days in total with six on the Big Island. Visiting the Kona Cloud Forest Preserve for 3 hours was my favorite activity of those six days. The place was utterly fascinating. Terri was my group's guide and she did a tremendous job explaining the ecology and hydrology of this unique forest type and how it was reforested from former pasture land over the past 40 to 50 years. Terri had a solid working knowledge of the ethnobotany of the many plant species despite just a few months on the job. Definitely, a place worth visiting.
Tammy Brose — Google review
Teryn was the best tour person we could have asked for. Her beautiful energy was palpable and she added so much more to our experience! Her passion for the sanctuary is remarkable and coupled w/ her knowledge, I would say this was one of my favorite parts of our honeymoon. Highly recommend! Wish I could give it more than 5 stars! And made me feel at peace knowing the history of how this started and hopeful for our future that there are souls out there protecting our earth ♥️
Michelle Weinstein — Google review
This was one of the most beautiful experiences of my life and I am so grateful that we decided to take this tour. We had a small group of 5, and 2 amazing guides, Teryn and Cheyenne. They were so knowledgeable about the forest and the island and had the most calming and welcoming presence as they led us through the trail. I had an incredible moment of peace near the eucalyptus after meeting Grandma Phyllis’s trees, and it’s something I will carry with me forever. Thank you guys so much for the work that you do and I hope to visit again someday!
This beach is a popular spot for snorkelers and divers because of the clear water and abundance of fish and turtles. It's also convenient to have a bathroom, shower, and parking nearby. Get there early to avoid crowds.
Fantastic snorkeling beach! So many fish and some coral in good shape. They have a stand up section for those newly snorkeling. This helps avoid killing the coral as people standing up does destroy them
Float and find yourself in a sweet area of the best varieties of fish.
Feel free to donate some extra funds for parking. It can help with conservation in the area
Rock Jocelyn — Google review
This is a beautiful beach, some rocks but enough sand to enjoy without getting too dinged up. A small shorebreak good enough for beginner boogie boarders, and enough coral for some snorkeling. Arrive early as it fills up fast and enjoy!
Guy Simons — Google review
The water was so calm and not cold at all. Good spot to snorkel, tons of fish to see. Bring your own snorkel.
Parking is easy, mobile pay was $12 for 4 hours. Bathrooms are decent. Lots of picnic tables and space to lay out. Although sand is rocky so maybe bring water shoes if you have sensitive feet.
They have a sunscreen dispenser with free sunscreen in case yours has the harmful ingredients. Zinc is pretty much the safest ingredient to use to keep the reef safe.
Tidepools have lots of little fish, crabs, and sea urchins here. Tons of things for kids to see and explore.
Also a lifeguard on duty. Will probably try to swing by again during low tide!
Marissa Feliciano — Google review
Amazing, the best snorkling..hard to enter so a must have is snorkle neoprene socks , has lifeguard, shower, and restroom..Uber to it..to hard to park. Get there by 8am to avoid the stupid peiple who ruin coral because they don't know how to snorkle. The walk all over it.
Amazing clear water and fish urchins and oysters if you look close. Cucumbers and eels too.
Shannon Fanning — Google review
Great place to snorkel. Best time was low tide. Could see fish while standing near edge of water. Water was nice.
You do need to pay for parking if using their lot. We were able to walk from our rental. There is also limited street parking.
Helen McCarty — Google review
We originally went for surfing lessons, but there were no waves, so we went snorkeling. Instead, it was beautiful! All these different colors, sizes, and shapes of fish! I even saw a sea turtle! It was crystal clear water! It was a little rocky, so just be careful! So, if you are in the area, rent or use your snorkel gear and snorkel at this beach!
Side note: there is a surf board/snorkel across the street if you need to rent snorkel gear!
Kat Meow — Google review
Great place to go snorkeling and see fish and turtles. Very safe and not very wavy. Life guards on duty. Change rooms available, not that clean but as you would expect from a beach side public bathr. Sand is black and very unusual.
Cindy Toms — Google review
They do an amazing job here! The beach is very clean, they are really helpful with telling you what to expect, rough times of when turtles are likely to show up, they have anti fog and reef safe sunscreen there free of charge. Staff ask over to show you things that you might not have seen on your own, life guards there. Make sure kids are comfortable swimming or snorkeling due to not being able to stand on the quarrel, or being life jackets or some sort of flotation will be helpful. First place so far where we attempted to Snorkel, but would say it would be the best place for kids out people trying it out. With the wave break there is nice and calm everywhere you would want to be.
Mike Dean — Google review
This isn't a glamorous hotel beach and that's OK! It's surprisingly fun place to snorkel and talk to locals.
The beach is a mix of lava rock and white sand, it almost looks like bagel seasoning on your feet. They're some good spots to catch sun and or shade.
The coal ref is an experience, with plenty of fish in many colors along with sea urchins. The urchins are mostly stuffed in the cracks but still be careful. Great for beginner and professional swimmers. Very kid friendly!
Life guards keep everyone informed, bathrooms are clean, beach and snorkel gear rentals are available, plenty of picnic tables and free parking.
Please step on sand not the coral...
Brandon Boone — Google review
Super spot to snorkel. South side of the beach has a lava rock wall/formation that keeps the larger waves at bay. The northern side waves are great for surfers, but the shoreline is all rock so not so much for boogie boarding.
There is sand up on the beach, but it's not the soft white kind that works well for sandcastles. More gray and crunchy, since it includes a lot of pulverized lava rock mixed in.
Reef shoes are ideal for traversing over the slippery/sharp lava rock between the beach and the water. But once you're in the water, be prepared with your goggles and fins to see some incredible sea life! Morays, coronetfish, butterflyfish, tangs of all types, wrasse, and many, many more! A feast for the eyes!
Lifeguard on duty, bathrooms, and outdoor shower to rinse off. Pretty good amount of parking in one small lot and one larger lot. There were also helpful folks from a reef safety nonprofit, offering reef-appropriate sunscreen to people who needed it.
Rebecca Wiegand — Google review
Overall this beach was good. It is rocky, but you have to be careful. There was a lifeguard on duty when we went. I would recommend wearing water shoes.
Vcobey73 — Google review
We stay across the street, but beach is small. Not your typical sand beach, its lava sand. That area is more for snorkeling and surfing. Fun to look at the surfers. Gorgeous sunsets!
Martine — Google review
This beach was close to our resort so we came back to it several times. It’s very rocky - a lot of beaches in Hawai’i are - so bring water shoes and walk carefully on any lava rocks that are at all wet.
Sometimes there are volunteers there advising you to float and not stand past a certain point to protect the corals. I appreciate protecting the coral, so I was okay with this advice. The volunteers also yelled at people for walking on the rocks because “it’s dangerous” but that’s literally the only way to reach the water - to go over the rocks… we walked all over lava rock on beaches all over the island, but not on the one morning we came here when the volunteers were there - because they were yelling at people for it. It *is* dangerous to walk on wet lava rocks, but if you walk slowly and carefully it’s doable. And again - you can’t reach the water without walking over at least some of the rocks…
If you bring a snorkel mask, this is a great place to see lots of colorful fish. We also spotted crabs and sea urchins in the rocks. It’s a pretty place to watch the sunset and there are showers and picnic tables and benches available - also a pavilion, but sometimes it’s rented out to a group and you can’t use it. There are bathrooms as well.
Hannah — Google review
The beach provides a captivating underwater world where vibrant fish gracefully swim amidst the coral reefs. Additionally, the presence of turtles adds a touch of wonder, creating a truly mesmerizing experience for nature enthusiasts and beachgoers alike. The marine life diversity enhances the overall charm of the beach, making it an ideal destination for those seeking both relaxation and a glimpse into the wonders of the ocean.
Oleg Protsyk — Google review
Beautiful beach for snorkelling. There are a variety of Colorful fishes. Check the pics to see their names. Parking is $12. They have outdoor showers and bathrooms. Parking is difficult to get so arrive early. The rocks on left are exposed during low tides. You are not supposed to walk on them as they have corals which the turtles love. So that is marked as protected area and you can’t walk on them. During high tides you can swim over them to see the turtles. There are instructors who tell you which way to go, and they encourage you to swim and go rather than walking near the entry points. They are some balls floating which indicate the area being has corals so you cannot stand beyond that. My son loved the variety of fishes we saw and we may plan to go again. Swimming shoes recommended.
Thomas George — Google review
Absolutely beautiful place to snorkel for the whole family and see tang, turtles, puffer fish, triggerfish, wrasse, parrotfish, butterfly fish! Recommend shoes and floater jackets for kids under 8. Ask the helpful reef volunteers the best way to enter / exit to avoid stepping in coral reef and if your sunscreen is coral reef safe. Restrooms and free snorkel mask cleanser. We went 3 times - couldn’t get enough!!
Alice Gavin Atashkar — Google review
What a beautiful beach and perfect place to go snorkeling! So many different kinds of fish and even saw a turtle swimming by! The water is so clear! Plenty of space for you to get suntan and other beach activities. Oh, they even provide mineral sunscreen! Parking is 4 hrs for $12 flat rate. I would park on street if you can find a space.
Grace Lee — Google review
Easily accessible snorkeling and surfing spot.
Parking was $12 with an easy to use interface. Parking did appear to fill up; we saw cars waiting when we left. Adequate restrooms with incredibly informative hosts, even multiple tents to answer questions. Lots of tables under cover.
The beach itself is sub-par. Very rough sand, walls preventing you from walking directly into the water except in one spot. The bay is divided into 50% snorkeling, 50% surfing. The snorkeling side is an immature reef with heavy rocks blocking the entrance; the surfing is on the other half.
We did beginner surfing lessons one day here and it was a fine spot. The waves are surfable but not too big.
The snorkeling was fine. The day we went was rough surf and a little cold. There were a number of other snorkelers and we did bump into them from time to time. There was a good variety of fish and types of coral. My wife saw a turtle out close to the rocks.
Overall, worth the visit if you want easy snorkeling or beginner surfing.
Brandon Eckert — Google review
Kahalu'u Beach Park was enjoyable, and the park itself is beautiful with all the palm trees. There was a good variety of fish to see while snorkeling. It's a bit of a challenge entering and exiting the water due to rocky conditions.
There was plenty of parking that cost $12.35 for up to 4 hours. Payment is only accepted online.
dcDalton — Google review
Found this beautiful sandy beach on the Big Island. Weather was perfect and the water was so so blue. Lots of space for everyone. Found out at the end of our day you can rent chairs , umbrellas and boogie boards about 10 minutes away.
Honokohau Small Boat Harbor is a bustling marina serving as a hub for sailing and snorkeling adventures. It's known for frequent turtle sightings and serves as a starting point for various cruises. While it lacks a fresh fish market, the harbor offers ample parking with handicap spaces and ramps to the boat areas. Visitors can also enjoy a secluded beach with shade and opportunities to swim in a serene cove.
I have had good "Bite Me" fishing charters, a wonderful night snorkeling trip with Jack's Diving Locker all out of the small boat harbor. I wish there was still a fresh fish market here. I miss the hustle- buscel of the morning and evening activity that is prevalent at a place like this.
Fronty Parker — Google review
Beautiful secluded beach hidden here, turtles , shade and a great lil cove to swim in
Vincent Fortunato — Google review
Beautiful place. Very clean.
Rene' Bennett — Google review
Great place to watch tourists drive their cars straight into the ocean
Zachary Nolting — Google review
The nicest spot to unwind and relax by the ocean on the Kona side of the island!!! The most beautiful sunsets I’ve ever seen. Off of the highway, it’s peaceful and the scenery is spectacular. It also has a dumpster for trash and restrooms for a quick stop. ⚓️🌊☀️
Jenifer Foss — Google review
No clean water to wash off with. No showers. Bathrooms are locked at night even when many people are still using the marina and need them.
M. M — Google review
Nice small harbor, plenty of parking with handicap spaces and ramps to the boat areas. Easy access from the highway and close to the airport.
Julie Nix Quevedo — Google review
If you’re looking for a stamp to get your junior ranger badge this is the place to see the turtles!
Jared Hatch — Google review
One of our favorite haunts. Stopped here right after deplaning!
Located on the scenic shores of the Big Island, Huggo's On The Rocks serves island bites and cocktails right on the water.
Nice little place with good drinks and food. The kitchen is a travel trailer but don't let that fool you. The staff was fantastic as well as the view. Absolutely would go again!
Jon Jen Wolfe — Google review
I am not one to leave bad reviews but I feel that this experience needs to be showcased for health/cleanliness reasons.
We went to On The Rocks to celebrate my birthday and take in the beautiful views… the ocean is beautiful but that’s about all you’ll get from this restaurant. We were unlucky enough to sit on the railing overlooking the views (which you’d think would be the best seats). It started off with battling several cockroaches from climbing on our table and chairs, which we fought off with another table of people next to us(with no help from staff)..until we decided to move tables completely. After we moved, it left the railing tables open which allowed the rats to come out. Walking over the tables and chairs, finding the dirty plates that were left for at least 30 minutes after other guests had left. Waitress was aware of the entire situation, offered nothing more than laughing it off and no apologies. Just absolutely distraught that the issues are well known and no one is concerned or attempting to resolve the issues. Not to mention, the food is very expensive for the quality that you get and service you receive.
This restaurant has so much potential and I was very sad that we had the experience that we did. After seeing everything that saw and the lack of action by staff members, I am very concerned for the health/safety protocols of the kitchen area. I am writing this in hopes that something is done for future guests.
Lynsie Fuller — Google review
Great place for happy hour! Drinks are a decent price (compared to others in the area) and the fish tacos are pretty good, but were small in portion size. My waiter, Victor, was very friendly. For cheap happy hour drinks and food this place is it! The only downside, arriving just as happy hour started, was having to sit in the sun as the spots in the shade were taken.
Chris Gamboa — Google review
Nice casual dining spot on the waterfront. This place was recommended to me by a local when I asked about live music. Because it was drizzly, I sat at the bar, and there are many umbrella covered tables.
Service was friendly, prompt, and not over zealous. I was able to sit and watch football, enjoy a drink, and eat some delicious fish tacos (grilled, not fried) without feeling rushed.
Carolyn Porter — Google review
Fabulous atmosphere: one of the few places with live music, crashing waves, and some tables you’re enjoying dinner in the sand.
Food was mediocre, nothing special. Service was non existent. Host was nice, server was not good. It seems like their section was large because we were ignored for most of our dining time, and it was difficult to find our server to let them know our appetizer never came. Food runners just did a drop&go, not interested in interacting. No check ins from anybody. Our neighboring table had a very attentive and friendly server, the complete opposite to ours.
Peak meal wait times are about 40mins-1hr.
Jan 2024
JESSICA — Google review
My burger was great, the meat was perfect and the bun was super flavorful. My mothers fish sandwich was great and my sisters chicken tenders were the best she ever had. I also got the lava flow and oh it was so good. I hope you can go to this place!
Carrie Berk — Google review
Service at the bar was SLOW. Bar tender walked by me five times. Had to flag him down. Ordered Kona Seasonal beer and it was great! Fish Tacos were interesting. The flavor was good as was the texture. Onion ring appetizer was really good & large! If you go here, I'd get a table. Not sure I'm going back.
Vince Martel — Google review
Delicious! Putting our feet in the sand was great with the food while we watched the sunset. Plenty of options and a few vegan/vegetarian options too. The drinks were great and wish we could go back before we leave. Would recommend to anyone visiting Kona!
Wesley The Weasel — Google review
Food was just OK. My dad’s tuna was overcooked as well as his French-fries. I ordered the Volcano fries with my fried shrimp and the fries were also overcooked. They put some sort of spices on it to make it “Volcano” but apparently it doesn’t contain any salt whatsoever. You can see my plate below. That was the entire dish. Got tarter sauce but no cocktail sauce. I suppose I could have asked for it but typically it comes with shrimp. Perhaps it was an off night for them. But the atmosphere was great. We really enjoyed the live entertainment and if you get there early there is a nice view of the ocean.
William Perdichizzi — Google review
Very cool places. The location is just amazing. You can feel the strength of the sea and smell the ocean while you are having your dinner. And this is something extraordinary.
I also have to say that is A bit expensive and some dishes could be bigger (a part the desserts. Cakes are huge)
samuele mastroianni — Google review
I really love that this place has the option of plant based meat in almost every single dish!
- The Taco Salad was super filling and delicious - highly recommend.
- My husband really liked the Fish Taco too.
- The Mai Tai and Hawaiian rainbow were both delicious too!
I just wish they had some vegetarian options for food in the happy hour as well a wider selection of cocktails.
Happy hour pricing is really good, and of course the views are spectacular 😍 Overall a 4.5 stars place!
Snigdha Agarwal — Google review
We went because the happy hour from 3-5 was raved about and it was at a nice spot on the ocean which would have live music at 5:00 pm. They do validate parking which helps but happy hour prices are on only two drinks which isn’t much to offer and they are $9 instead of $13. No appetizers can be ordered in the bar and I think they are unfortunately understaffed. Our server was pleasant and from Spain. We waited for live music but it never started before 6 🤨 Maybe it’s a Hawai’i thing as reviews are mainly good but I wasn’t impressed.
Laurie Mitchell — Google review
Cool spot to stop for a bite and a beverage. Beautiful view and great service! Didn’t stay for the sunset but I’m guessing it’s amazing from here! The tacos were bomb.
Heather Smith — Google review
Great spot for dinner or lunch with a view.
There was an artist there at lunch when we visited but they have music later. Menus pretty good. Prices are average. 6 people cost 180 ish. I had fish and chips which was great but portions were small. Taco salads are huge. Seafood chowder is great and comes in a bread bowl.
Robert Mahorney — Google review
We ate here 2 times during our honeymoon stay in Kona! This was our favorite restaurant. Danny was our server both times and was so helpful and kind. We love the Da Bomb Fries, Fish Tacos and burgers! So delicious! We will miss this place!
Athena — Google review
I mean, the service was horrible, but food was good and view was excellent and they were trying so I can't dog them. They just need more help. Took about 30 mins to get our order taken. We will be back though. Give them your license plate to your car or they will tow you.
Matt Reeves — Google review
My friend and I went to On the Rocks for dinner around 5 pm. The restaurant is located on a busy street with lots of restaurants. There are some parking spots outside the restaurant, but if those spots are full, then you can park at the parking lot next to Basik Acai. It's a shared parking lot between a few of the businesses.
The restaurant was packed when we got there, but still, we were seated right away. They gace bar seating and regular seating overlooking the ocean. They also have live music every day. When we went, we had an artist play Hawaiian music as well as some classic songs. Good music and beautiful sunset in the background definitely made for a great experience, but the food, not so much.
We started off with Da bomb fries for the appetizer. It was more so a full meal than an appetizer. The fries were doused in aioli and umami sauce, so their flavors were very overpowering.
For our main meal, we ordered quesdilla and poke nachos. Quesdilla was okay. Poke nachos was heavy of the nachos than fish and guac. It used the same sauces as the fries, so that was a bit disappointing.
Because we got there shortly before their happy hour ended, we were able to order drinks from their happy hour menu. We got mai tai and hawaiian rainbow. Mai tai was alright. Hawaiian rainbow was better and more refreshing. The second round of drinks included strawberry lava flow and a seltzer. Strawberry lava flow was pretty good and tasted like an ice cream shake.
Last but not least, we also ordered the kona coffee cheescake. It was very dense and greasy, so we only took a few bites of it.
Restaurant had a very tropical, relaxing, and chill vibe. Since it's all outdoor dining, there were a lot of birds flying around looking for food, but it wasn't anything that took away from our experience. The staff was super friendly and accommodating and constantly checked in on us to make sure we were okay. The ambiance and service were definitely the highlights.
ayush kalani — Google review
I like the atmosphere, the food is decent but nothing to scream about. The restaurant usually gets very busy (they don't have reservations, walk in only) - I was placed next to the live performers and the host was kind enough to check if I'm okay to be placed close to the performers of which I don't mind because that means I'm also close to the water. The staff are generally pleasant and I didn't have to wait too long for my food. The food is average, I had the clam chowder served in a sourdough bread with a side of poke and I also ordered fish tacos with a side of volcano fries to go for my friend.
Amalina Ariffin — Google review
You can't beat the atmosphere of sitting alongside the ocean, torches burning, live music & hula and .... sand under your feet! Add to that very good service and pretty delicious food! Started and ended our trip here🤙
MarkLouise Wildoner — Google review
Stopped in for some drinks with friends before leaving the island. Had a great time and loved the view. We didn't have time to eat anything but heard the food was good.
Kino J — Google review
Come a little before 5 and wait in line to get seated in the restaurant or walk in and sit at the bar for happy hour (4-5).
Sue was the best waitress—didn’t make me feel bad for being a solo diner and was super gracious; was super helpful when I asked questions about the menu.
Will def be back!!
Caitlin Mitchell — Google review
This was a neat spot to get some food and drinks and looked like the night life would be fun as well. Great view with lots of tables right up front to look over the Ocean and cool sand bar area in that seating. Service was good and drinks tasted great, also food was tasty and came out quick. I would come back for sure and hope to do so soon. Thanks
Scott Sailer — Google review
Loved this restaurant. We ate outside right in front of the water so we had a gorgeous view! Our server was very nice and friendly and was very attentive. The food was delish and so were the drinks! The Kona Coffee cheesecake was amazing. Hope I’ll be able to come back in the future!
Ashley Craig — Google review
The ambiance at On the Rocks is effortlessly casual yet enchantingly elegant, making it a perfect spot for both a romantic dinner under the stars or a lively gathering with friends. The open-air setting allows for an unobstructed view of the sunset, painting the sky with hues of orange and pink, while the gentle sound of waves creates a symphony with the local musicians' live performances, enhancing the dining experience.
As for the menu, On the Rocks boasts an impressive selection of dishes that showcase the richness of local cuisine. Fresh seafood is undoubtedly the star here, with the catch of the day always promising something exciting and delicious. The culinary team does an excellent job of marrying traditional Hawaiian flavors with contemporary cooking techniques, resulting in dishes that are both comforting and innovative.
Alongside the food, the bar serves a variety of tropical cocktails that encapsulate the essence of island living. The Hula Mai Tai, in particular, is a must-try, offering a refreshing twist on the classic.
In summary, On the Rocks is more than just a restaurant—it's a celebration of Hawaiian culture, cuisine, and hospitality. Whether you're a visitor looking to experience the local flavor or a resident in search of a picturesque dining spot, On the Rocks in Kona, Hawaii, is a destination that promises memorable moments and flavors that linger long after the meal is over.
Parking is tight.
Theresa_ SoCalRealty — Google review
one of the local favorite, so i had to come to try it. highly recommend to make reservation in advance, the space is not that big. We got a table on the sand, you can totally wear flip flop to dip your toes in the sand. They have their own parking space, but first come first serve they will take care of the parking fee.
There's a very small food menu, more like a bar bite / snack than a place for lunch/dinner. i had the fish and chips , very big container but small portion. only thing worth to mention is the fries are amazing. i wish there are more fish.
Service is ok , a little mixed up when they are serving but overall pretty friendly staffs.
Alex Zhang — Google review
Really good overall experience. This place has absolutely nailed the “good drinks on the beach” vibe. We arrived in Kona mid-afternoon and wanted to start our trip with quality mai tai’s - thankfully we found them quickly!
The ocean scene is amazing. Service was good, but a little slow. The staff is honest upfront that they are understaffed and that guests’ patience is important. We accepted the reality and really, everything was totally fine.
Drinks were excellent for the price (shoutout to the jungle juice). And the food we got was solid. The pork nachos were amazing and a great bang for your buck.
Bonus: these folks will validate your parking which is a huge deal in that main drag of Kona.
Located in the heart of Kailua-Kona, Scandinavian Shave Ice is a local favorite for shave ice. The shop offers an array of flavors and toppings, as well as espresso drinks and ice cream. On warm days, this spot is hard to beat for a heavenly refreshment!
My husband and I shared a large with natural flavors of mango, pineapple and passionfruit topped with coconut cream. It is the biggest shave ice I've ever seen, and their prices are very reasonable for what you get. Employees were very friendly and helpful! They spend lots of time getting your shave ice just right.
Erin Clayton — Google review
The service was great! Portions are large. The flavor was good. On the 1st visit, we ordered small and medium-sized ones. Shared a small blue bubblegum/banana with a child on the 1st visit. On the 2nd visit, we ordered a large for laughs, and 5 of us shared it. The kids said the wedding cake flavor was really good.
N D von Biedenfeld — Google review
Shave ice was not good. Ice was quite coarsely grated. The flavor syrups tasted artificial and bottom part of the cup did not have any flavoring.
Manoj Kumar — Google review
There was a line but it went quickly! It gives you time to look at all the options!
It’s crazy how many flavors they have but for those people wanting natural flavors with no artificial flavors or colors ( DYE FREE) They have several flavors! I got a Pineapple, passion fruit, guava made with natural syrups ( it’s a small fee more for those but worth it to me) then toasted coconut ice cream and coconut cream drizzle ( she wrote ALOHA with it on mine and snow cap ( sweetened condensed milk)
I don’t regret one bit of my order and loved EVERY BITE
GO GET ONE, no really GO ❤️🌴🍧
Jammie Hoffman — Google review
This is the spot to go for shave ice. They have so many different flavors and ice creams to choose from. I usually get a medium, and I am a person that always gets the largest size they have. I saw someone order the large and it is the biggest shave ice I have ever seen! Their blue Hawaii and fruit punch are amazing flavors to start.
Aaron Lascano — Google review
Stopped on our cruise - would do 0/5 if possible- upon entering the shop absolutely stinks so we chose to sit outside. We ordered a medium shave ice with a pineapple whip center and 3 natural flavors (up charged 75¢ each) and when I said the flavors the girl started pouring the fake ones in and I corrected her quickly so she scraped off the flavors and went to the fridge. Asked if I could do 4 and pay extra said no that’s not possible. Added a snow cap and it all tasted like stale ice - none of the flavors had any flavor so I’m confused how this place has such high ratings. Started melting in seconds. Husband got the pineapple whip- super tart and more than half the small cup filled with air. Ive had other amazing shave ice but this store falls short in every category including service - girl was just bothered by entire exchange
0/5 - don’t recommend
A B — Google review
Oh. My. Goodness.
Delicious and really hits the spot on a hot day. The staff was super friendly and quick to offer recommendations and answer any questions. Had we tried this sooner in our trip, probably would have hit it every day 😁
Parking can be tricky in this area; I would recommend coming on foot if you are staying close enough to do so.
Ashley Alley — Google review
One of the best places for shaved ice. Lots of flavors to choose from and they’re so good. If you vacation here in Kona, HI, you must try this place or at least shaved ice all together. It’s one of those things you must try in Hawaii. (Along with Poke, a Luau, malasadas, mochi, and plate lunches. )The staff are super friendly, fast, and efficient in getting orders out. There’s a limited amount of seating, but there are benches in front and nearby. You can find parking on the right side of building and it’s best to find this place through Google Maps.
trl1971 — Google review
It was scrumptious and had great service. Large portion peices and good prices. Forgot to take photos before eating a big cave in the back, but here's some later ones:
Wesley The Weasel — Google review
Not good. Their sign says best shave ice 2019, and I think I know why. Another shave ice place opened up locally around 2019, a better one, a block away. Sandi's had a lot of positive reviews and said they've been around since 80s (I think) so I wanted to give them a try, you know try something new.
Their shave ice was ice-y, it should be snow-y and fluffy. Their syrup is watered down, not kept cold, and probably why their snow cone gets ice-y. The syrup tasted like cough syrup unfortunately. I ate only the toping and the ice-cream and had to throw away the rest.
Also, another bad sign is how quickly they make each shave ice. It should take more than 1 minute to get the most fluffy and snow like ice, and soak in all the syrup slowly evenly. I felt rushed as well. Do yourself a favor and go someplace else.
Leesa Yim — Google review
I came here with low expectations since most of the shave ice I had before are way too sweet and without much favors. But this store is different. The half and half vanilla-pineapple soft serve in the middle is the perfect combination. We literally came back again the next day!
Alvin Su — Google review
The ice cream was AMAZING. With great Hawaiian twist and prices are reasonable, and service is attentive. They had Ube flavor which my 8 years old appreciated, macadamia nuts, lili... something cheesecake -great flavourful sour yellow ice cream, kona coffee etc etc. Make sure you don't miss them. The picture of entrance is provided.
Anna Iantchenko — Google review
About a long city block from the cruise ship unloading area so it's walkable for most everybody, it's around the corner from the front of the building so look for it, plenty of room while we we're there but most had went back to the ship and it was mid afternoon.
James Jenkins — Google review
Great shaved ice! The Mrs added ice cream inside of hers.
Nice place, glad we stopped.
Phil — Google review
I am VERY impressed with this shaved ice shop. I tried going to two other shaved ice shops. One had machine broken (Ululani’s) and the other ran out of shaved ice (Kona Wave Cafe) so I googled for a nearby shaved ice and directed me to Scandinavian shaved ice and I’m glad. I bought the medium with three flavors, ice cream center and condensed milk aka ice snow cap. It was worth within my budget. I sat by the shop and me eating it have them free advertisement 🤣. Got other customers going there since it was hot and humid. Highly recommended and you won’t be disappointed.
Quality: A+++++
Service: A+++++
Price: A+++++
The price is worth with extra topping. I’m definitely coming back but next time with hubby 🥰🥰
Lieu Tah Wei — Google review
The food was great, the staff seemed inconvenienced they were were even there, and even more unhappy we were there. Throwing stuff around the kitchen, un professional manner, and cursing. We ordered 5 shaved ice all with ice cream, but the service was very rude and we felt unwanted and we just dropped $30 on a snow cone. Severs should be happy to see their customer to make a shaved ice, it’s their job and what they’re paid to do….even if they’ve had a bad day….as everyone does, and that may be they should be a little more enthusiastic, and more friendly. Customers are sad for our poor customer service. 😡😢
Tavish Snow — Google review
!! Just a pineapple Dole whip review!! Pretty creamy and smooth. As a standard to compare it too, the Disneyland pineapple Dole whip, this is a bit more sour, but it's still very tasty. A bit disappointed that there was a hole in the middle, not a literal hole, but the ice cream was swirled around the cup instead of full. Overall the price was a bit to pricy for little ice cream, but the taste was not bad.
Umekes Fish Market Bar & Grill is a seafood restaurant with a laid-back setting that serves up some of Hawaii's most popular dishes, including poke bowls. The restaurant has a full bar and offers plenty of seating for both dog owners and human diners.
We heard about this restaurant before and our expectation is high. However taste of food still shocked us, it’s amazing! The fish in the poke bowl is super tasty! The tacos also very good. The best experience is the nachos, I never had such great nachos before! Unbelievable!
David Ren — Google review
Number one recommendation by several people on our first night upon arrival. I see why. The food was outstanding; fresh and flavorful. Highest quality fish. Creative cocktails with unique use of local flavors. Good local draft beer selection. There was quite a long wait list but we didn't wait more than 15 minutes to get a seat. Highly recommend!
Jerry Roe — Google review
Delicious food. I had the fish tacos, and they were wonderful. My husband had the Kamachi, raised just off the coast, and it was cooked perfectly. My daughter had the Mo Loco, it was disappointing, too salty and she is a salt lover! Our friend had the poke, it was delicious.
DeAnne Jang — Google review
We never miss a trip to Umekes when we visit. The poke is second to none, the cocktails are creative and perfectly balanced, and the staff are friendly and attentive. We had the tempura fish tacos, pork nachos, and fries ( not all in the same visit... lol) We actually purchased 4 filets of mahi mahi that was caught that morning, and it was the best grilled fish I've ever made. Don't miss this place!!!
Donovan Mote — Google review
Umekes is a great place to enjoy some delicious Hawaiian food. The portions are generous and the flavors are authentic. The wait time might be a bit long, but it is worth it. The staff are friendly and attentive, and the atmosphere is cozy and inviting. I highly recommend this place to anyone who loves seafood and poke.
Prithwish Tribedy — Google review
There was a long wait, but you get to see where you are on the list in real time on yelp. The food was delicious. I got a salad with poki on it. My husband got a combination plate with pork and ribs also delicious. Sat next to live music so conversation was a little hard but overall worth the wait. The bill came in a Spam can. 😆
Cheri Sparks — Google review
This place is wonderful! We were recommended to try it by one of the local tour guides and it was totally worth it. I ordered the Cajun fish tacos and they were finger licking good. My boyfriend ordered just regular grilled fish tacos and he agreed, mine were better. The combination of flavors was spot on. I wanted to try the poke appetizer but we were headed to airport and didn’t have time to wait. The only bad thing I experienced was that food did take a little bit of time to be served and restaurant wasn’t at full capacity. I highly recommend this place because it was worth the wait.
Athenas Canal — Google review
Popular seafood restaurant offering a variety of choices such as steak, poke, burger, and tacos. The meals are tasty and filling, as they come in large portions. The waitlist was 13-28 minutes long so make sure you sign in immediately. The burgers were juicy, the fries were addicting, and the tacos were flavorful. Highly recommend the poke.
Ed C — Google review
Stopped by on a weekday night approx 7 pm. No reservations, but there is an online wait-list that moves quickly. With both indoor and outdoor seating, the wait list moves fast. Once seated, our waiter, Andy, explained the specials and was personable. We ordered and the food came really fast. Appreciated there was cider on tap from Ola brewery! Payment option includes a 3% surcharge for use of a credit card. Plan accordingly.
A J — Google review
Waited over 15mins before we get someone to take our order, over 30mins to get the food. Service was slow and not good. Poke was so salty, and super sweet, I don't know how people eat it. So much sauce plus the seaweed is so salty. The oysters was cold, they either forgot to cook it at all or it sat there for an hour, the cheese on the rocketfeller was not even melted... We had to return the dish. The cocktail tasted like cough medicine. Definitely will not return or recommend.
Pearline Lam — Google review
It was a very enjoyable dinner. The vibe of the restaurant is relaxed and vibrant, with a lovely outdoor area. We loved our food - The Next Level Lau Lau was very flavourful and we loved the fried egg and the crunchy wrap. The Da Avo Poke (with mahi) was refreshing and tasty. Servings were very generous and service was quick and friendly.
Debbie Li — Google review
The place was busy when we were there. Parking was a challenge. We waited 10 minutes for a table. We were served water right away and ordered our food. It took 30 minutes to get our food, but it was worth the time. 4 pieces of fish and chips were filling, and the grilled fish tacos were great. The owner has his own boat and goes fishing in the morning and serves his catch at the restaurant in the day.
Charles Athan — Google review
I ate at Umekes because of the reviews. The Ono Fish Tacos were wonderful. I had such a great experience, I went back the next day. The bartender, Liam, recognized me and remembered what I drank. I ordered the Ahi Katsu with brown rice and the fiddle fern salad. That was the best meal I have had in a very long time. I will definitely return when I get back to the Island.
Emmalee Blender — Google review
Pricey option, but great for eating fish and all the ways you can find it here. The poke options are a stand out. The hottie and sweetie balance nicely but the spicy could be spicier. Try a sampler plate if you can to explore their flavors. Be sure to ask about the prices on market priced options before ordering because prices are subject to change daily. The drinks are strong but equally pricey. You can put your name down for a table and go explore the nearby area while you wait. You might be seated at a group table which seated about ten people but will get you seated faster.
Michael Barton — Google review
Great fresh seafood. One of the best poke dishes I’ve had. Good quality. Quick service. 2 minute walk to the Kona brewery so if there is a wait you can grab a beer!
George — Google review
I was really excited to try this place out. The reviews seemed great, but my experience there was mediocre. The hostess and waitress were very nice. I got poke nachos and they could have used a little more ingredients. Don’t get me wrong it was okay but I would have loved maybe some mango or something else to add to it. My husband was really hungry and got their big mixed plate but he left still feeling hungry. Overall it’s a cute restaurant, friendly staff but save your money. The price is way overpriced for what you get.
Lyza Wolfgramm — Google review
The pork nachos appetizer was absolutely excellent. The fish tacos were good and very large. Too large to eat like a normal taco. And the fish and chips were good. The staff was good and attentive.
Eric Sturm — Google review
Welcome to the average !
The dinner started with 2 too strong drinks - one was Shack something - tequila&coconut milk&ube. Tequila overpowered the whole drink, cant recommend. Other drink was ok but nothing what I want to order again. Main dishes - daily special grilled mahi mahi with coconut rice and steamed veggies - again very average. Second dish ahi fish taco was good but was missing some green elements in it e.g. coriander oil or something else. I thought that desert might save the nite but I was wrong. Despete the fact that we were waiting to get our cheesecake for at least 15 mins (breshly baked 🤣?) the taste was like the the whole nite - not bad but not too good to order it again. In general - spent a lot of money and left unsatisfied.
Kamil Vaško — Google review
Best of the ~5 poke spots we tried on the big island!
Food:
Poke: 5/5 - We got the big boy plate twice and both times were amazing. Each time we got the Hottie (spicy ahi) and their POD or poke of the day. The first time the POD was garlic calamansi ono and the second was garlic cilantro avocado ahi. Both were super delicious but we really liked trying the ono poke!
For sides we got the seaweed salad and lomi salmon salad the first day. Both delicious. The second time we got the ho’io salad (made with fiddle ferns and was sold out the first day) and the seaweed salad. We loooved the fern salad and wish we could find that on the mainland.
Bulleh fries: 5/5 - We got half spicy aoli and half garlic aioli. These are seriously so good.
Fried fish tacos: 4/5 - These were pretty good and I’d get them again if I was craving fish tacos. We really liked the sauce and slaw but with they were on top instead of underneath the fish. The tempura was a bit plain. We would have liked lime, cilantro, or something else for a fresh and brightening element.
Lau lau: 2/5 - We got this on our second visit after it was recommended but sold out the first time. Ours ended up being super dry. I’d still give it another chance since I know it’s not hard to tell if it’s dry or moist until being opened at the table.
Service:
Folks were generally friendly and helpful! We loved Michael who helped us on our first visit. There are a couple people that seem a little less happy to be there.
Atmosphere:
Not a bad place to hang out, bring a group, have a casual date. We enjoyed watching the surfing competition while we sat inside. We sat outside on our first visit and were harassed by flies, even with the fly fan.
Definitely a top choice for poke on the big island!
April Adventuring — Google review
5 out of 5 for sure! Our appetizer arrived promptly. The poke and the Lau Lau were fantastic. This was definitely one of my favorite meals on our vacation in Hawaii. They also had live music, and our server was very attentive and friendly. Thank you!
Casey Henley — Google review
Good staff, food were good, ambiance was great. We came here as it was recommended by a friend. We tried their loco moco version and fried fish, all were to our liking and were really filling. The only thing I can say is that it was a little pricey. Nevertheless, it’s a good choice when you are looking for a place to dine in the area.
Sb Rekab — Google review
I recently visited Umekes Fish Market Bar & Grill in Kona with my daughter and two moʻopunas. Had an amazing experience. Our waiter, TY, was exceptional. He was very attentive and made sure to check in on us often. He also gave us some great recommendations for appetizers, including the Poke Nacho which was absolutely delicious. The sauce that came with it was a real highlight. For our main courses, I had the Ahi Katsu which was filling and delightful. My daughter went for the Kona Mixed Plate which included Kalua pig and Da Avo poke. Everything we had was fantastic and we left feeling very satisfied with the whole experience. TY really made the experience even better, and we will definitely be back.
Millie Ho — Google review
Go for happy hour. It’s a steal. 3-5pm great drink prices and awesome appetizers. The short ribs were amazing. We enjoyed the chicken wings and the Hawaiian style poke was also fantastic. Super fresh. A must stop on your trip.
Hannah Mountford — Google review
Everything was so delicious. I ordered a Mai Tai and was really refreshing. The Poke Nachos and Poke Bowls were extraordinary. I really recommend this place. Everything is fresh and well put together. You won't be disappointed.
Massiel Negron — Google review
Food: as a tourist, the goal was to try something new, with flavor profiles that reflect Hawaiian culture. Their Ho'io salad was delicious. Many poke options, all of which had different yet delicious flavor profiles.
Service: i would like to personally mention the bartender Kris who served my boyfriend and i. Kris was very welcoming, personable, and elevated our dining experience. She works efficiently while being able to interact with her customers. Overall an amazing person!
Erin Dimanlig — Google review
Umekes Fish Market Bar & Grill is a must try in my opinion. There were so many tuna options and they even let us try a few huge pieces before ordering! Some had avocado in there, which made it a creamy flavour. I also thought their spicy crab side was pretty delicious too! Also, the lady who served us was just the sweetest person with the warmest energy. Absolutely loved the vibe.
Vanfoodiepharmily — Google review
Don’t miss the poke!! Wow this food is delicious. It was hard to pick a favorite out of the poke sampler. A must if you’re in Kona!
Cassandra Empey (Cassandra Taylor Empey) — Google review
Googleマップの高評価につられて行ってみたけど料理の味が好みではなかった。
ポキ丼とマグロカツ丼、ちょっと残念だった。
ビールは美味しかったみたい。
行列ができてて人気だったのでアメリカ人好みの料理なのかもしれません。
(Translated by Google)
I went there because of the high ratings on Google Maps, but I didn't like the taste of the food.
The poke bowl and tuna cutlet bowl were a bit disappointing.
The beer looked delicious.
It was popular and there was a long line, so it might be an American favorite.
The Island Breeze Luau features a lot of Polynesian dancing and an outdoor buffet that is abundant. The show features Hawaiian history and culture, as well as lots of dancing.
Lots of fun! The food is great and there's more than you could possibly eat, the open bar has awesome Mai Tai's and some local beers, you learn a bit about Hawaiian and Polynesian history and culture, and the dances are very impressive. Tickets are a bit pricey but for everything you get it's worth it.
Nean Hawe — Google review
What a wonderful experience we had! We were able to book our luau over the phone with ease. Upon arriving at the resort there was plenty of parking. We had no problems entering the resort to check in. Arrive early is key. The waiting was minimal only because we had to wait for the rest of the guest as soon as everyone showed up they marched us right in. Upon being seated we were let loose to go enjoy the buffet. The food was amazing. The entertainment was well rehearsed and enjoyable to watch. The whole experience lasted 3 hours. Warning all you can eat and drink.👌🤙🍹🍻💯
Freddie Oronia — Google review
Overall, wonderful experience and time at Island Breeze Lu'au. My partner and I had a blast and enjoyed all the food, drinks, and cultural entertainment. The only minor setback was the toilets for both men & women were flooded and we had to go back to the hotel lobby bathrooms which were a way. Other than that it was a wonderful time and thank you for showing us part of your beautiful history.
Jeremy Landreth — Google review
It's definitely a great show. along with the dancing, they give you small oral history about all the Polynesian islands, not just Hawaii. The food is just ok, but splurge for the best package. Comes with free lei, early entrance, free premium drinks until 730pm and front row seating.
famousaj1 — Google review
The Luau is held in a great location as the water glistens behind you. I was impressed with the great organizing with so many people for the event.We were greeted with a mai tai and a laid before taking our seats. Food was appetizing and plentiful; easy to get to from one's seat. I appeciated that all drinks were included in the price. The program was varied and maintained interest. Very worth attending.
Elvira Bayless — Google review
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ SHOW
⭐️ FOOD
Go for the show! Don’t expect much from the cuisine.
IMHO the show and the performers were some of the best I’ve seen! The food… not so much. But I guess you can’t expect much from buffet service.
Also, we opted for the more expensive package and even though we arrived 15 min before, we basically mixed right in with the GA. The bar service also wasn’t very good. Watered down drinks and small selection of alcohols and mixers.
Upgrade your package for viewing! The front seats are worth it.
The Jewel Riders Archive — Google review
Very nice evening dinner and show. Food was great, staff was fantastic. The show had a great mix of history, music, dancing and fun as we spun through a number of different Polynesian cultures. Our kids had at least as good a time as the adults did. Highly recommended.
Tom Fellrath — Google review
The atmosphere was awesome! The staff were friendly and the show are amazing we totally enjoyed.And the food are delicious! Btw, I love the the table cloth I wish somebody tell me of where can I find those😍Thank you!
Marie Kelly — Google review
This luau is worth the money. I highly suggest getting the upgraded package. My three boys and I had a front-and-center table (reserved seating), and we didn't have to wait in line. Get there early if you want to participate in the kid activities, and make sure to validate your parking.
Tina Jones — Google review
Best Luau show I have experienced. food was fresh with a good variety. Only issue was they ran out of pork and replaced it with an inferior pulled product pork. good poor on drinks.
Brad B — Google review
Such a great experience. The food was delicious, as we're the endless drinks. The entertainment was great as well. The fire dancing was the perfect way to end it. We could tell that the dancers were enjoying themselves too which made that much more of a difference to my and I.
Shawn Ford — Google review
When you think of a Lū’au, what do you think of? Well whatever that may be, (fire, hula girls, amazing music, etc) this is THE Lū’au to attend! The resort has incredible artwork with Hawaiian history you have to checkout! You get a photo taken walking to the show and then are greeted with an adornment of wonderful foods and drinks! The staff here were so fun and the bartenders made the night feel so special & authentic! There is food for everyone, from classic dishes to chicken nuggets! It’s unlimited food and drinks so for the price, it’s absolutely worth it. THE SHOW! I don’t even have words, the music, the dancers, the fire, it really leaves you speechless! I highly recommend this Lū’au!
Caroline Biela — Google review
First and only experience at a hawaiian luau and it did not disappoint. Food and drinks were great. Loved hearing about the polynesian island history through their show. Staff members friendly and interactive. Would recommend.
Cassandra Preece — Google review
Island Breeze Luau was spectacular! From the moment you walk in, you're greeted with a drink (or 2) in your hand. The food was fantastic and plenty of it to enjoy the entire evening (go hungry!). The performances and history of the Hawaiian culture was also a treat! Overall, an amazing experience one must try!
Jackie Lofe — Google review
My family and I had a great time. We ate great food, saw great entertainment, and learned about Hawaii's history.
Milton M. — Google review
Very fun evening and worth the GA ticket price. The performers livened up the evening, especially the Samoan fire knofe dancer!
All you can eat food was quality food, with a mix of “picky eater” options and traditional Hawaiian Luau fare. The open bar had a good selection and bartenders were generous.
Susan Grammer — Google review
Figured we would try out this luau. While the respect to the aina it is held on as well as the luau performance (and performers) is fantastic, the food and drinks were very lackluster. The fish was, well fishy, which no fish should be. The chicken was so-so and the meat, while flavorful, was tough. Granted no luau is 5 star quality, but for what you pay, you would think the food quality would be a lot better. While the beer choice was Kona Longboard, the Mai Tai was definitely geared towards the typical Hawaiian tourist who think Mai Tai's are nothing but pineapple juice and rum.
The service after we were initially seated was just about non existent at our table. Not once did anyone come by to ask if we needed anything or to clear our plates. But not sure if that had more to do with a lack of staff or what.
Mike Grabowski — Google review
Luau (outdoor) ended up being a bad experience. Food, staff and performers were good but the management was bad. When it rained in the middle, the show ended abruptly, 1 hr early - it was not moved indoors. Not even an apology or a partial refund. It was not worth my money. Some activities in the list did not happen. For a family of 4, I paid $830. People who sold the tickets did not pick the phone, I left them a voicemail. Management must plan for the rain and plan accordingly. Very disappointing.
madhavi kanaparti — Google review
So excited to experience a luau while in Hawaii. There were many options from the two islands we visited. Island Breeze did not disappoint. From the history of the islands to the performers to the food and atmosphere. It was an evening I won't forget.
Linda Dickerson — Google review
This is the second time I have been to this Lū'au. Both times I have visited Kona I have made the show.
Production quality is 5-star. Very well orchestrated. The show people are professionals and so a great job. It is engaging and entertaining.
The food is very good and it's all you can eat and drink. If you go to the event, parking is only 5$ with validation.
There are 2 options for seating. I have done the general seating the first time and the restaurant style seating the second. If you're there just to do it the general is less expensive and fine. Not a bad seat in the house. However if you are there for a special occasion, the restaurant seating is up front and offers some tables for 2 but you have to get there a little early to get checked in and be ready to get out to the eating area near the front of the pack. The restaurant seating is seated first, then the general seating.
The Kamakahonu National Historic Landmark, located on the property of the King Kamehameha Beach Hotel in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii, preserves artifacts from the residence of King Kamehameha I and provides a glimpse into Hawaiian history. The temple reconstructed as part of the site includes a place of worship, which can be seen by visitors.
Awesome recreation of Kamakahonu, the residence of King Kamehameha I, the Ali'i of the Big Island and unifier of the Hawaiian Islands (with an assist from the guns he obtained from European explorers/colonizers). A great photo op located directly at the Kailua-Kona pier.
Gainesvillain — Google review
While you can’t go inside the historical complex, being able to see the hei’au or ancient Hawaiian temple from across was impressive. I wish there was more historical structures standing in Hawai’i. The beach across it is open to public and the hotel even has an amazing ancient Hawai’i exhibit with paintings and explanations for those of us who love history.
Yonathan Mickelsen — Google review
It is a magic place with so much historical and spiritual meaning for Hawaii, but it is sad to see that the hotel made the beach besides it a swimming place where people have no respect for the area. It should not be a swimming beach. It should be treated as a sacred place and respected.
I doubt people would want to swim by a Catholic church. I was deeply disappointed by the hotel not making sure that is not a swimming beach and by the disrespectful tourists.
Iva Reis — Google review
It has a beautiful sandy beach and a protected area in which to swim if the surf is too high on other beaches.
Paul Taintor — Google review
After Kamehameha's death, a hale poki (mortuary house) was built next to the heiau to hold his bones. While the original buildings are now gone, the site has several reconstructed structures and is important as not only the last residence of Kamehameha I, who united all of the Hawaiian Islands, but also as the capital of the Kingdom of Hawai'i and the site were the Hawaiian system of kapu was ended and the first Christian missionaries landed on the islands.
Harsha N — Google review
There was no public access to this site. You can just watch it from the Kamakahonu beach at a distance. If you want access, you have to arrange with Marriott hotel.
G — Google review
Impressively recreation of the site. Free to walk up to from the beach.
Gary Standke — Google review
If you want to see green turtles, you’ll see many of them here. Walk to your left of the park, go there a few hours before the sundown. Beautiful place to catch the sunset( we found the short cut by parking at the end corner of the harbor. Walk for about less than 10 minutes and the beach is in front of you). If you decide to go for a long walk on the trail by the visitor center, it will be couple miles long round trip. Make sure to have great hiking shoes on. It’s sands and lava rocks throughout the trail. Towards the end of the trail, it’s so breathtaking.
Alynn Nguyen — Google review
Such an epic location. Also the home start and finish of the Kona Ironman swim. Great exhibits indoors too.
Scott Berry — Google review
Kayaking in the ocean? Best spot! We saw a school of flying fish right in front of us. Well, I saw one and a moment later my man saw a whole school, which somehow I completely missed. Either way, it was a spectacular experience with amazing views. The water felt amazing as well. I dove in for a second. We even watched a submarine submerge into the water from a pretty close distance with us being on a kayak. Definitely recommend going kayaking and this is a tried and tested location for that.
Irina — Google review
Beautiful white sand beach with very calm waters. Virtually no waves surrounded by a Hawaiian ceremonial temple. Dolphins can be spotted hanging out by the pier. The beach is located conveniently by many shops and restaurants.
Karla Esbona — Google review
Pretty and clean beach area with beautiful landmarks. The water is full of colourful fish.
V W — Google review
There are no "open" hours. This is a sacred site surrounded by a mass of snorkeling tourists. Glad it's gated off
Deborah Kocsis — Google review
A great view of the monument right from the Kamakahonu beach
Kanaka Kava is a small, unassuming cafe that serves up some of the best regional dishes in town. Whether you're in the mood for Hawaiian-style kava or organic noni juice, this place is a must-go.
First & foremost THANK YOU for serving *REAL* food. Also- Thank you for the insightful introduction to your offerings, and for the fun experience.
If you’re a foodie, and have a true appreciation for the local culture, do yourself a favor and ditch your resort for the afternoon. You won’t regret it!
Arienne Valerio — Google review
03.17.3024 celebrated our St Patty's anniversary with the idea of eating traditional Hawaiian food. The hostess was very nice and knowledgeable. We ordered and love the Pupu with a side order of Jasmine rice with furikake and drinks of gingerade for me and kava for my hubby. The Pupu came in a beautiful dish and enough for two to share. The gentleman who delivered our food was great as he patiently explained each dish. The open outdoor eating area was wonderful. Will definitely be back to try other dishes.
JoC (JoC) — Google review
So many different flavors that I’ve never tasted before. Interesting and fun experience. Everything is eco friendly! Vegan options as well.
Mar?a de la Torre — Google review
Great spot to chill and talk story. The kava is good and the environment is comfortable. Everyone here likes to talk story. Every time we come we find out new things and meet new people and see regulars return and say hi. Love this spot.
Carlos Archuleta — Google review
Kava is an experience everyone should try at least once. The plate dinner are amazing and perfect amounts for two to share. A must try in Kona for sure
Raina Young — Google review
This place is a MUST when you come to the Big Island. Amazing traditional Hawaiian food. The food is fresh and tasty (and very different) and ‘Awa (kava) drink is a unique experience. Had to go there twice to drink ‘Awa again and try other plates because we loved it. It’s a very different taste and you have to be open to try it.
Ana Paula dos Reis — Google review
We sat at the bar and enjoyed 5 cups of traditional Hawaiian 'Awa. We also purchased a coconut cup with a spoon as a keepsake.
Thank you, Liko, for the hospitality and sharing your knowledge and culture.
Eva Zapien — Google review
This is an interesting restaurant by Kona beach that serves authentic local farm to table Hawaiian food. The restaurant is located walking distance to the beach. Kona side is the best side for sunset. The food is interesting. First time I tried Kava juice, it’s a bit bitter earthy, and the lady told us to drink with apple juice instead if we were beginners and that was the best advice ever. The vibe is pretty chill with beautiful Hawaiian weather. I was there both summer and winter and loved it
Vicky T — Google review
Incredible local food, made with care. The laulau and breadfruit with coconut was incredible. Beautiful outdoor seating to enjoy the kava too
Jordan Owen — Google review
Every time my husband and I fly out from Seattle, we have to stop here immediately after landing. This is the ONLY place that has effective kava, let alone authentic Hawiian food. But the kava here really does deliver, unlike some kavas I have tried (they might taste like kava, but they don't work like kava). And I am obsessed with poi. I love poi. Sometimes I walk here just for that. Unless you go to some luau, I haven't found any other eatery that actually keeps poi on the menu. Anyway, if someone asks me if I have a favorite place to eat, I tell them Kanaka Kava. I have been to Paris. I have been to England. I have been to India, Netherlands, all over the USA, etc, etc. This is the only place that has truly left an impression on me. I hope they never leave!!!
S — Google review
Wow this was delicious! You get a chance to try unique Hawaiian foods and drinks here. The people were helpful and friendly and the place had a good atmosphere at night.
The pork was amazing and as promised the kava made me feel relaxed and slept great afterwards.
Don’t listen to the reviews that aren’t willing to try new and unique foods and experiences.
Alexander Dewhirst — Google review
Despite the grungy look, the food is really good. We shared a Pork lau Lau plate with rice and squid Luau.
If you don't know, pork lau lau is pork shoulder, salted butter fish, wrapped in taro leaves then steamed. The finished product is like salted pork butt/shoulder wrapped in something akin to a young and incredibly mild spinach.
The Squid luau is squid, octopus and taro leaves steamed in coconut milk. To me, squid in coconut milk and it's not curry sounds odd to me, but we tried it and wow, it's really good! Like I wish more places offered it good.
And now the kava drink. It looks like mud water, numbs lips and mouth, and gives you a buzzy high feeling really quick. It tastes like drinking an Asian herbal drink that was made using roots and it pretty much is. Try it for fun, they serve it in coconut shells. You'll definitely feel the effects half a cup in.
The only improvements I can think of is a different way of ordering instead everyone going to the bar for any type of order. The place is tiny, so you're up in another patron's space to get an order in. You also pay + top before you get anything. None of the service was bad and even though they told us it'll be a bit for our food, it still came out quickly. Just a bit more chaotic than it needs to be.
Definitely stop by and eat, the food is great. This is the type of place Anthony Bourdain would have eaten at when going local.
Daniel Bow — Google review
As a Google Local Guide, I have done lots of research on places to see and dine before our trip.
I bombed on this place 🤦🏽♀️ that people rated so highly on. Yikes!
As a foodie, I tried to be adventurous as much as possible but oh my Lord…
Trying to taste the very first local organic Hawaiian drinks and food.
Everything was served out of reusable coconut shells and plates.
Have anyone ever tried KAVA root drink before?
Our first tried, we thought we were drinking rain water mixed with mud🤭🤮.
My plate of food supposed to include somekind of roots similar to taro. It didn’t tasted anything like taro.
I thought I was eating hot clay mixed with salt and water.
The lau lau was ok.
This market is a great place to find unique souvenirs and fresh fruit, as well as international food. There are also many shops here, including some boutiques and crafts stores. The market is open Wednesday and Saturday, and it's a great place to spend an afternoon if you're in Kona.
Went to Paradise Bakery. OMG the donuts are FANTASTIC. So many to choose from. The Lilikoi are great
Diana Boyd — Google review
We've eaten at Swami's Dosa Grille several times and have enjoyed his unique South Indian cuisine. Zero atmosphere, but there is a place to sit down.
Rae H George — Google review
Well, not very huge market place. You do get one store with fresh produce and local ethnic foods. Reasonable priced. About 4 food venues in a small food court and a good amount of seating. A bakery, Spanish, Filipino, and a Japanese based venues. We tried the Japanese place and it was ok. And not much else to say. There are lots of free parking. And it’s very close another plaza called Kona Commons.
trl1971 — Google review
The market place is fairly empty, but I went to the Food Court and was very happy with that.
Diane Easley — Google review
Some of my favorite places to grab a bite to eat are in the international market area. Definitely worth checking out
L. Carr — Google review
This SOSS place open couple months ago inside Kona International Market highly recommend 👌. Very delicious dessert 🍨. Besides all the restaurants inside this building,this is a must to try.
maria atanes — Google review
There is lots of beautiful artwork and statues here. Definitely a must see place when you are here visiting. Like most Market You can haggle a little bit with the prices. Even one of our large group loved this place from the young to our elders
Jenah Winkler — Google review
Older open market concept. Well maintained grounds and buildings. Unfortunately the place looks like it is dying. Only a few stores open with a lot of empty spaces. No reason to go there unless you want something specific. I feel bad for the remaining hold outs.
Harry Willock — Google review
There was nothing there but two food places and one shop. Was disappointed when I got there. But the shop sold beautiful carved furniture and decor.
Kim Pinson — Google review
Great little bakery/coffee shop tucked in behind a gas station across from Target . It was the only shop open on Sunday, and the "locals" knew it, as there was a short wait line .
We had the "infused " sugar coated donut with raspberry jam and a pineapple macadamian nut crawler. Both freshly made and delicious ! You won't be disappointed in searching for it !!
Carl Wolaver — Google review
We went to go get donuts at Paradise donuts. Fantastic donuts! Been looking for a place that makes good donuts and they are tops.
Penney Mendez — Google review
Not a lot of of business's, went specifically to buy at Trini's, which had a lot of selection
Honl’s Beach is a small, quiet beach located on the sunny Kona coast of the Big Island. It offers swimming access to the water, but there are many rocks present. The area provides a nice spot to watch the sunset, although it's noted that homeless individuals inhabit the area, which may make some visitors uncomfortable. Despite this, it is recommended for a visit due to its peaceful atmosphere and limited crowds. The beach features clear waters and stunning views of lava rock formations.
Within walking distance of our resort. Sandy with some rocks and natural places to sit and enjoy. A little slice of paradise.
Elaine Torgersen — Google review
Nice little local beach. Some sand, some rocks, some scraggly grass. Good for boogie boarding or surfing in the mornings. There are drop-in beach yoga classes here every morning at 8:00. Dolphin 🐬 spottings aren’t uncommon.
Heidi Miller — Google review
Small quiet beach. No facilities. Street parking enough for 3 cars
Iv?n T? — Google review
Great sandy beach. Go early to get your shaded spot
Natella M — Google review
The place is beautiful but sadly it is crowded with homeless people. We didn't have any issues with them, though. They are just doing their thing. I wouldn't recommend swimming there. Lots of rock full of sea urchins.
Hale Halawai Park is a charming waterfront park in Kailua-Kona, offering a rocky beach, pavilion, and grassy areas for relaxation. It's a central spot in Kona with easy parking and features beautiful Kona flowers and plant life. Visitors can enjoy community events and watch the sunset from this peaceful park.
This is a great park in beautiful Kailua-Kona. It's quiet, easy to access, and typically not too crowded. My husband and I like sit in the sun and watch the waves.
Cindy Burlingame — Google review
This is a great facility for a variety of activities. Lots of stage space and lots of space for an audience. The feeling being right on the ocean adds to the relaxed and laid back experience.
Michael Markley — Google review
Aikido In the park with palm trees and the endless surf breaking on the Rocky shore. A magical beach perfect for picnics or meditation 🧘♂️ relaxation. Kid-friendly environment and clean bathroom available during business hours. Drone friendly. Get 1 of kind areal photos of Konas oceanside lifestyle and marine life.
Jerry “My Majesty Sir” Duke — Google review
We went to watch a concert by the West Hawaii County Band and had a great time. Concerts are free and donations for the band are gratefully accepted. Parking in the public lots is very expensive, $12.50/hour, or $4/25 minutes. If you plan on spending much time your best bet is to buy the 5 hour option.
Diane Callahan — Google review
Gorgeous spot, right in town and on the water (rocky beach) There really needs to be some benches and picnic tables, while there is grass, the park is not welcoming. We usually sit on the bit of wall then walk through on the grass.
Pam Brown — Google review
Great spot for ocean views. Sunset will be better earlier in spring or in later summer.
David Klotz — Google review
The park has a rocky shoreline and homeless camps on the waterfront. There was a crazy lady wandering around screaming when we were there. It is beside a building that claims to be a community center and police sub-office but both look abandoned. It is not the place you want to bring your family to. Go half a block to the Kona Inn shopping center. There's a safe park overlooking the water behind it.
Robert Halverson — Google review
Nice park right by the water oceanfront, great place to watch the sunset! Just be aware their is some locals who are currently tenting here!
Jacob Friesen — Google review
If you want an amazing time
You MUST ASK FOR FLETCHER! To the management - I hope you treat your employees right, it’s apparent fletcher knew everything about the menu and was able to answer every question. As well
As accommodate my special pasta order.
Drinks were amazing! We tried the traditional Mai Tai, Pueo , and PuLani and they were all delicious but there’s something about their mai tai that’s perfection!
View was a 11/10 duh.
Thanks for having us we appreciate such amazing food, views, dranks, and service.
Claire Oleson — Google review
Amazing view but limited access, road to cove closed to visitors
James Adams — Google review
Beautiful beachfront location with amazing views. Quiet and serine this place is perfect to go and meditate. Absolutely a must see. Tropical fish as far as the eye can see.
Jon Hartman — Google review
This park is a small sandy beach and a great place to watch the sun go down. Get there around 6 pm and if you like, take a towel to sit on while you wait enjoy!
Gigi List — Google review
The ocean waves and sunsets are the most beautiful things that I've enjoyed along with the colors of Kona flowers and plant life.
Lola Jay69 — Google review
Small local park, worth a stop while walking through town, sit on the wall and watch the surf.
Julia Trimarco — Google review
Centrally located great park. Make sure you know when the parking gates are closed if you are planning on parking at the park's parking lot.
Bogdan Pankovsky — Google review
Great beach and gorgeous sunsets. Loved going on the rocks and seeing fish and watching surfers as well. There were lots of homeless when I was there but they mind their own business.
Walmart in Kailua's outskirts is a convenient stop for all your shopping needs, offering unbeatable prices compared to other nearby stores. The store boasts a vast inventory and helpful staff, including the friendly receipt checker named Rosemarie. Visitors can find affordable touristy items and everyday essentials, making it a great option for both locals and tourists.
We thought this Walmart was the place to go to for all your needs. The prices can’t be beat, compared to other stores in the near area. We went there 3 times during our vacation to shop for food, t-shirts and souvenirs. There’s a huge inventory and a lot of staff working hard stocking shelves or greeting customers. We especially noticed one older lady at the exit checking receipts. She always had something nice to say to every customer she encountered. There’s lots of free parking and is located right off the main road.
trl1971 — Google review
Not the most friendly of staff, but lots of Hawaiian shirts tshirts and otherwise, as well as fresh leis. Good view for a Walmart too so it has that going for it.
Alex B — Google review
I want to give it nice stars for having tons of souvenirs, much better price than the shops! We loved finding good Hawaii souvenirs here. It’s just they were loading stuff on the shelves in the middle of the day with busy people walking around trying to find gifts. Maybe they should loading stuff after busy times.
Lila C — Google review
As a tourist here on the Big Island I want to leave a huge positive review to a member named Rosemarie
.. she has one of the most positive spirits and attitudes I've ever met. She was the receipt checker before we left... I was waiting for other members on my party near the exit for about 10 minutes. During this time Rosemarie greeted everyone and addressed different items they had to show they were individuals. For example she saw someone had charcoal she told them to have a great day and enjoy their BBQ, then saw a child in a stroller and talked to them and blew them a kiss and the child blew one back ... every interaction was special and I am fortunate to have seen her energy first hand and the spirit of Hawaii in her. She is truly a treasure to this Wal-Mart.
Kiks of Texas — Google review
Rose the check-out greeter is what makes the experience at sweet as the best Mom at home.
Joseph Urlacher — Google review
Manager is rude, hours completely inconsistent (routinely close 2+ hrs early and Customer Service won't help you as the sign says), and they will lie to you to make their job easier such as telling people they don't cash personal checks which they absolutely do so long as it's a 2-party check for $200 or less.
Samuel Hoogendoorn — Google review
Always an entertaining experience for an Aussie, this Walmart made us appreciate our supermarkets and their staff back home. My partner wanted to pick up some Pop-Tarts and after asking three different staff and getting told three different aisle locations, we gave up in the end.
Even so, exploring the bewildering array of grocery items is always fun. 😆
This picture was to demonstrate to my son that America has an evolved version of the Dagwood Dog. 🤣
Simon Hunter-Ward — Google review
Nice clean store. Was fully stocked. Friendly staff. Great view from parking lot.
S J — Google review
Nice, large store, has most everything a vacationer might need including groceries (sometimes the shelves are a little bare ) but everything is of good quality. Large parking lot, friendly staff. A safe place to shop.
Thomas Snyder — Google review
I love this store. It is clean and very well organized, staff is always available for help, great selection of products at lowest prices, multiple self checkout kiosks make checkout easy. I always shop here first before going to Safeway for canned and dry goods, juices, water, soda, etc. Don’t expect to find gourmet items here. I just wish it had a bigger produce section.
Susana Kay — Google review
Busy, but enough checkouts to get you out in a reasonable time. Being in Hawaii, there were foods not found in Oregon Walmart. Overall, it was a good shopping experience. I might add that I went hypoglycemic in the store, and the staff was very understanding when I grabbed a high sugar drink and drank it in the store. I did pay for it before I left, and no questions were asked.
Chuck Cook — Google review
Cheaper for everything compared to Safeway! A dollar or two more for the same stuff at Target. I was there around 9/10pm and it was pretty empty with lots of staff stocking products so keep the walk ways clear! Great for "affordable" touristy stuff. Don't forget to lookout for the clearance stuff!
Emily P — Google review
I'm just happy there was a Walmart nearby to get all of your forgotten needs. We also had an emergency first aid situation and it had everything a tourist or local could need to take care of your own first aid needs. Burn aloe, bandaids, Neosporin, eye contact solution, lotion, and even New skin for cuts. ♥️It also has an amazing view of the ocean from the plaza hill edge.
Mrs. Richardson — Google review
This place seems to be the Big Island's souvenir buying secret weapon and I bought a bunch of things here even though I usually avoid Walmart due to their labor practices and their general existence which removes money from communities. However, this Walmart has impressive T-shirt, Hawaiian shirt, and Hawaiian themed houseware collections in addition to the regular souvenirs. So, if you want to go home with a whole ton of macadamia chocolates to give away when you get home, this is the place to buy in bulk. But also remember to shop local when you can!
Jesi Vega — Google review
This is a nice Walmart, smaller than where we came from but they had what we needed. The grocery section is pretty small. Go to Safeway just a block away if needed. The Walmart parking entrance seems poorly laid out. It gets back up to the street pretty quickly. To avoid the backup stay to the left as you come in.
dcDalton — Google review
Walmart is a great place to shop. Good clothing and household items at a reasonable price. We ship there all the time. Convenient location and plenty of disability parking spaces. There are other shops in the plaza, too! Check it out!
Bob Morris — Google review
Walmart should be your second stop in Kona (after getting your $1.50 Hot dog + drink at CostCo). Start off your vacation with all the required goods from Walmart. Buy all your Hawaiian kitsch, tourist stuff, and gifts here at best prices and selection. This particular Walmart takes up an entire block and is Americana in full effect. You'll have to work hard not to go there every day of your vacay.
Andrew Malkhasian — Google review
Was very surprised of the low prices some better than my hometown Minneapolis.
Queen of sheba — Google review
Parking lot is always full, hard to get in and out. Service inside is typical , which is hit and miss. They do carry a lot of items unique to the islands. I do like that they hire a lot of the local seniors to meet and greet unlike many stores in the states. Mahalo and please keep Hawaii clean 🤗
Quyen Tran — Google review
Meats are all frozen, veggies are scarce, it's of few options, so be prepared. Bring your own bags! On the positive, the manager on shift was polite, respectful, and professional during a stressful situation with using a card for payment. This may be normal when traveling, just my opinion.
Da Shark Shack is a laid-back waterfront hangout with a casual Hawaiian menu, cocktails, and stunning views of the bay and pier. It's a great spot to enjoy the sweet pace of life with a maitai in hand or to catch some local live music after dinner. The staff is friendly and quirky, adding to the fun atmosphere of this island dive bar.
Great place with great drinks and great people. Our server was friendly and fun, she had us run across the street try to catch a picture of us getting splashes by a wave so they could ring the bell! My pina colada was refreshing and tasty, and the cute little geckos were having a good time with us too. The vibes were great.
Nolen Vaughn — Google review
Drinks are great and the food is fantastic. Right on the ocean with a front row view. Music was awesome, we visited 3 nights while in town. Staff is friendly and inviting.
Nightmare Veronica — Google review
Great little dive bar along the main drag of Kailua-Kona, and feels less touristy than the rest. Cocktails and food are excellent. Especially for a pretty small menu, I appreciated that they had a few vegetarian options. Bartenders & cook were attentive and fun to talk with.
Allison Waters — Google review
Stopped in for a few drinks while exploring the area. Very friendly place, good service and open air right across the street from the ocean. Open later than most places in town and the prices are reasonable.
E F — Google review
Best bar on the big island. Great bar geckos. Topnotch staff. Amazing sunset spot (and nearby delicious shave ice).
Jay Scherger — Google review
Only had snacks & happy hour...ono appetizer was okay as was the cocktail...a little more other items & not much mezcal. It is a great place to watch the ocean, grab a spot for sunset, see geckos. I will have to return another time.
Laura Longoria — Google review
This was our favorite place to drink at when we came to Kona. The drinks were good and the view was awesome. Bartenders were super cool and fun to talk with. Definitely come here and enjoy sitting outside with the lizards! They have wings and hotdogs for food also, we didnt try them but heard the wings were yummy. Popcorn is there to snack on too!
Cassidy Louise — Google review
Fun chill spot to enjoy and good priced cocktail. It reminds me of an island dive bar with stunning Ocean views. The staff is quirky and funny. The decor is out there, making the spot fun. We stopped here twice during our week long stay enjoying misc beers and mock tails. I ordered the chili garlic wings one day, which made for decent bar food. Must visit while in Kailua
DaMarcus Zeroth — Google review
A fun dinner with the sunset. This place has a lot of regulars and is super quirky. If you can deal with that, it's a great place to eat.
Food was really tasty, but I would say portions are small for the price. Also worth knowing that you get a sunset, but not over ocean. Geckoes licking fruit on the bar!
A last note: I think the menu is quite different from what Google has.
Bret Pearson — Google review
Loved this place!!!!! So much fun! And the food was really delicious!
Stephanie Sprouse — Google review
A random stop for a drink walking back to the cruise ship, turned into a few hours hanging out with some drinks and wings.
Cole was running the show solo, but he was on the ball the whole time. Between bartending, making the food (wings or hotdogs) and shooting the breeze he made it look like child's play.
If you're going to try the wings we'd recommend the Monkey Lotion sauce. It's a blend of two of the flavours and it's delicious.
We loved the Tangelo Cider...it was crisp, fruity, and most importantly.... refreshing.
The fresh popcorn at the end made the stop that much better 😁
I'd definitely recommend Da Shark Shack if you're visiting this side of the island. You won't be disappointed. Reminds me of the drinks only pubs in Ireland...but warmer lol
Cheers
The Puna Chocolate Company is a famous chocolate shop in the town of Volcano Village on the island of Hawaii. It's known for its decadent desserts and sinful bites of chocolate heaven. The shop has been satisfying sweet tooths for more than three decades, and it's a must-stop on any trip to Kona.
Phenomenal Bean to Bar chocolates, grown and handcrafted here on the Big Island. Absolutely delicious range of chocolates and love their store vibe.
In addition to all the deliciousness they make, they also sell local artist’s artwork as well as other locally made products. Perfect place to grab lots of little items to take back home and share with friends and family.
Seating available upstairs to relax and enjoy your chocolates.
Athena H — Google review
The drinks, holy cow the drinks! My wife tried the chocolate and espresso martini, and those were both amazing. I tried the old fashioned and that was great as well. We never got into the chocolate, but the smell in there was overwhelming in a good way, where you wanted to try everything. I purchased some coffee, and it's something I really look forward to in the morning. We will be stopping back when we visit the big island next.
Matt J — Google review
Stopped by the Hilo location for the first time and tried the cacao nectar (produced from slightly fermented cacao fruit pulp) and loved how refreshing it was. I've also never seen this offered at any other chocolate store.
Back in Kona, I noticed they had a location here and wanted to stop by to sample the hot cocoa and take a look at the chocolate bars. Unfortunately the cafe was closed pending permit approval, but they had the hot cocoa mix they use in stores, so I picked that up instead.
They had samples of some of their chocolates which helped us decide on the flavors we wanted to get! Loved the interior of the shop and the local art & other works to peruse.
Hannah Chen — Google review
If you are a chocolate lover, you much go here. They sell chocolate, drinking chocolate and sooooooo many drinks. We had the sipping chocolate which was like an espresso shot of chocolate. If ypu love coffee and chocolate both they have mochas too. They are kind enough to also give you and ice pack with your chocolate that you buy so that it does not melt. If you want to try drinks and cocktails that are chocolate themed, this is your place too.
Jennifer Joseph — Google review
The best chocolates on the island, they have 20,000 cacao trees planted locally and do regional chocolates for comparison tasting and a host of other tasty treats. Try an adult milkshake or chocolate margarita and sit in the upstairs lounge, or just load up on super premium chocolate.
Michaelangelo — Google review
A must-see place to check out when visiting Kona. The atmosphere is very cozy. I recommend doing a chocolate tasting before making any purchases. It was interesting to taste the differences in each type of dark chocolate based on the region the cacao was grown in. The drinks were absolutely delicious. Also, the staff was very friendly. The prices were on par for what you would expect for the experience and the quality of the chocolate. I highly recommend and will definitely be going back.
Caitlin Brooks — Google review
The staff was super sweet! The chocolate is a great thing to experience! I highly recommend Hilo Chocolate!!! Tastes warm like honey, whereas the other flavors were a little too fruity for me. Super fun, thank you Puna Chocolate!
Simply Sarah — Google review
First time Aussies visiting Kona - put into google best hot chocolate and this shop came up.
Small shop in funky area, with lots of other things to look at. A roasting was taking place out the front and the girl didn’t like having to talk to you! And there is a sign that says go inside for more info!! Still was interesting to watch.
We tried the samples out - milk and dark one.
Brought some
And had a ice hot chocolate made with oat milk. Very yum.
Definitely recommend the ice hot chocolate
Thanks for the reply - however the young girl was not wearing headphones - she was drinking a drink (ice coffee or chocolate) and engaging in conversation with her co- worker.. no safety elements were worn including PPE..
Andrea Welsh — Google review
They have so much to offer here! They have a little area with all locally made chocolate and treats that are delicious. They have the most amazing chocolate chip cookies and gluten free brownies. They have a full coffee bar and cocktail bar. The atmosphere is industrial and gives great vibes. They also have upstairs seating. Perfect date spot!
Karli Mckeehan — Google review
This is one of the best chocolates i have ever tried. Everything they sell is just amazing! We went to a chocolate and spirits event, absolutely worth it! They were amazing. They do some amazing chocolate drink!
Jhoa Val — Google review
LOVED our experience here.
Beautiful store, lovely service and mind-blowing adult milkshakes!!! What's not to love!? 😉
I was thrilled to see the grinders being used to make/churn their chocolate!!! A few of those are brands we used growing up in India. So this turned out to be quite a nostalgic visit too..
We bought a few bars of chocolates & also had the mudslide adult shake! And I couldn't be happier!! Lol I was so buzzed for the rest of the day!! It was fun!!
We'd hoped to revisit before we left the island, but we weren't able to. May be next time!!
Sneha Rao — Google review
Love this place! We visited twice while on the Big Island - the first was after dinner for the best affogato I've ever had (and I ate a ton while in Italy.) The second time we swung by in the morning and I got the rich dark mocha with oat milk and it was so good! We drove by their other location in Hilo, but were too full at the time to stop. Aside from coffee drinks, they have a bar with really creative drinks that we'll definitely be trying the next time we're on the island. They also have goodies for sale like chocolate bars, chocolate beverage mixes, stickers and more.
Lindsey Hiner — Google review
My friend and i had FUN here. Quite a great place for a fun innovative Chocolate 🍫 🫕 and Coffee ☕ experience!!!! New updated VIBEs. Fun knick nacks. The stickers are kool! The little pins are cute great gifts to take HOME. Also it's a bar!
Myra Ann Yoshida — Google review
Surprising visit! We enjoyed chocolate tasting for $7 and added adult beverages that were delicious! The Old Fashioned and Kona Mudslide hit the spot (even after our visit to Kona Brewing)!
Tom Heavey — Google review
The chocolate at this little shop is totally delicious, and it’s so cool to see it being made at the back! They have drinks available as a cafe and bar, and their chocolate is reasonably priced for single origin bars (about six dollars each). I recommend their 90% chocolate bar - it sounds like too much but is actually really good!
Kate L — Google review
One of the few places that did well on the mint chocolate combo; the shake was delicious.
So was the chocolate martini - high quality dark chocolate - albeit a little too strong.
The sipping chocolate is such a heartwarming drink - literally a melted chocolate bar!
The server was very patient with all our questions and modifications, and the seating area was cozy. Highly recommend for unique sweet adult concoctions!
Snigdha Agarwal — Google review
Really nice staff and good service. They have a variety of chocolates made on-site for purchase. They also offer tours if booked in advance. They have various coffees from around the island, as well as merchandise and stickers. There is a coffee bar and an alcohol bar. There is some upstairs seating you can stay at for 50 minutes if you buy something. Cool hipster vibe to the whole place.
Robyn Jimenez — Google review
I love this place and it's chocolate so much. It's my go-to for gifts for folks on the mainland and it's just a fun place to stop in! I haven't tried their cocktails, which look like a lot of fun, but I have had some of their coffee and tea beverages which are great and fresh!
Every bar of chocolate is great but the peanut butter bar is a particular favorite!
Sarah m — Google review
What a fun, chocolate universe! The store is decorated so well, even some local artists. Fabulous choices for all things chocolate, including a fun upstairs for adults to enjoy a cocktail or board game. Yum!
Lilikoi Inn, located on the Kona side, offers a laid-back and authentic setting at an affordable price. The B&B provides comfortable quarters with private bathrooms, a lanai, kitchen access, and a hot tub. Guests praise the warm welcome from hosts Shai and Trina, who offer delicious breakfasts and valuable advice on local activities. The fresh fruit and excellent food add to the overall experience. Visitors appreciate the outstanding views from the patio and feel spoiled by the hospitality.
This rental is quite amazing. Beautiful views tucked in the hills in an old coffee plantation. With avocados papaya, bananas, limes and lemons to enjoy. It's only 15 minutes up the volcano from Kona shopping/restaurant/resorts area. It's like living in a jungle with beautiful sunsets every night on the lanai. The staff were so friendly giving us ideas on the best places to see around the island.
Quentin Fleurat — Google review
What a treat! Shai and Trina were so welcoming and kind. The food was delicious, including our welcome smoothie. Shai really knows what he's doing. The fruit was so fresh and excellent. The view from the patio was outstanding - we felt so spoiled. The room was comfortable, but we spent most of our time outdoors, naturally! When we wanted to visit the beach, Shai and Trina told us their favorite places to go and how to get there. The driveway is a little steep, so be prepared for that, but it's such a cool location to be hanging out on the farm up in the hills. Would certainly stay here again.
C Fun — Google review
It has taken me 3 1/2 years to pluck up the courage to write this review. I saw how other reviewers were eviscerated by the woman owner. Let me just state the facts: 1). Long steep driveway, high up on the side of the mountain. The front end of the car rental would scrape a little getting to the location. 2). Parking space is dirt area with large rocks. 3). Approach into house is via a filthy porch with dirty toys and sleeping dog. 3). Room was not exceptionally clean. 4). Could not sleep because room was very hot due to no air conditioning. Our room faced the communal patio area where we could hear every conversation and other guests walking by. 5) Communal cooking area for guests was BEYOND disgusting. Old pots & pans, dirty refrigerator, full of clutter, etc. 6). My husband accidentally wore his flip flops into the dirty communal cooking area and was scolded like a 5 year old to take off his shoes. I'm sorry, but flip flops weren't going to hurt the already filthy room. 7). Good breakfast served at communal tables on patio. Everything in this area (seating, table) was covered in dust. We left after one night. The male owner is kind and chatty. Would never recommend this B&B.
Kathy Boegl — Google review
Mystery: Who says this inn is a 5 stars? Why the high reviews? We paid $225/one night for a room that was beyond filthy. The large, gross hairball in the shower was the top. Older reviews addressed all the problems we faced. Nothing changed and yet more positive reviews. A great mystery indeed. On the plus side, Shay, the husband, cooks a lovely breakfast and is a delightful person.
Weave TheRing — Google review
Nice place but no AC the whole house is very hot I can not sleep at night the owner said turn off all the lights utilities is very expensive and owner come check on us no privacy at all and they don’t provide toilet papers. This is very awful I am disappointed I paid almost 20,000 for this place I will never stay there again. It said breakfast there is no breakfast.🥲🥲🥲
Sue Phouthavong — Google review
What a very lucky find. My husband and I spent two glorious nights at Lilikoi Inn. Our hosts Shai and Trina were warm and welcoming. Shai is an amazing chef who made us amazing breakfasts. He gives great advice on what to do while in Kona. We followed his directions to a tee and we were thrilled with our itinerary ! Our room was beautiful, clean homey and delightful. We will return.
Lori Johnson — Google review
Pretty much the perfect bed and breakfast. The hosts are gracious to a fault and give wonderful suggestions of daily activities tailored to your adventure level. They provide beautiful and comfortable accommodation, and Shai cooks some of the best breakfasts I've ever eaten, all served on a deck surrounded by flowers and trees on one side, and a vast, sweeping view of the ocean all the way to Maui on the other. We have stayed here twice, and cannot wait to come back for a third time.
Nathan Anderson — Google review
Shai and Trina are an amazing couple that made my 7 day stay to The Big Island incredible . After reading some of the other reviews I can understand that some may be expecting a 5 star resort like the Fairmont Orchid where we dined on evening, but Liliuokalani is not that place. It’s was for us like visiting family, hosted by relatives we had never met but so were our instant good friends.This is an small inn run by a loving couple that show an honest interest in making your trip a wonderful event. There’s no manicured paths or ornate sculptures but it is a working coffee farm with a very comfortable bed, incredible views, and hosts that are the best.
My daughter and I have traveled pre-COVID to Europe, Central America and on a 3000+ drive across the US. We have stayed in mega resorts , Airbnb’s and motor ins.
Likikoi was none of these, it really felt like being home and made this vacation one of the best I have ever had.
My 21 year old daughter gave me the greatest gift (compliments from a 21 year old are few and far between)when she said I have a travel knack for finding great inn’s and out of the way gems but she said this was my best find so far.
Lilikoi is where we found that aloha spirt that is genuine and from the heart.
Fresh roasted organic coffee with a papaya fruit bowl followed by an variety for egg or vegetable dishes made fresh based on our dietary choices.
Morning discussion with hosts on best beaches, great shopping finds or special events to make our day trips special.
Always a restaurant recommendation for best local foods and how to avoid heavy traffic.
Sitting on the Veranda watching the sun set and having a fresh fruit smoothie appear from Shai kitchen made a great finish to a wonderful day.
Yes they have dogs and cats, but they are quite keepers of the pease , napping most of the day and appearing only to share the sunset.
There are many resorts changing hundreds or thousands of dollars per night for 5 star perfection but Lilikoi is not trying to be that sterile type of place. It’s Family. They get a five heart rating from us.
frank rogers — Google review
Trina and Shai have created a lovely B&B for guests to relax, unwind & rejuvenate. The views from the balconies are incredible, Shai’s homemade breakfasts are delicious and the bed we stayed on was very comfortable.
Orly Suveda — Google review
Breakfast was the highlight of the stay, with each breakfast being better than the previous one. Shai is an amazing chef!! We came for a stay and instead we got an experience!! We will definitely come back the next time we are in Big Island!! A big thank you to Shai and Trina for being so warm and welcoming!!
Honokohau Beach is a remote and beautiful spot with calm waters and a unique mix of black lava, white coral, and wave-tossed shells. While the water may be too cloudy for snorkeling, visitors can still catch glimpses of honu (green sea turtles) along the shore. The beach is also home to an ancient fishtrap and Hawaiian heiau at its southern end, as well as anchialine ponds inland that provide habitats for marine and plant life.
Excellent place to admire the green turtles. It would not be my preferred beach to swim, as there are a lot of rocks, but to walk along the shore and to watch the turtles it’s just perfect!
Cecilia Teixeira — Google review
This is the only beach you can swim on that we found in January. If you go see turtles 🐢 and keep walking (turn right at the turtles) you can get to this beach. Be careful as there are rocks in the water, but you can actually swim from the beach here.
Party Penguin — Google review
This beach is not ideal for swimming, but if you are looking for Honu, this place is it. I spent an entire afternoon just watching the turtles.
spi rit — Google review
Hapuna at Mauna Kea Resort is one of my favorite places to hangout with underwater animals in Kona. There's no entrance fee, and it's a very easy short walk to the beach.
It has a lot of green turtles swimming around and they are super friendly with humans.
It was incredible to watching a school of flying fish that performed a beautiful dance sequence up to the air, and so much more...
It was so relaxing, sitting and synching with the waves and enjoying the sky changing color at sunset.
This is a place everyone should check out whenever you are visiting the Big Island!!!
Tina Nguyen — Google review
Unless you want to walk on a beach that feels like broken glass and all rocks, don’t recommend. Did see some turtles though
Brittany Hester — Google review
The Honokohau Beach is within the Kaloko-Honokōhau National Historical Park. There is considerable opportunities to walk along the shoreline and the Ala Mauka-Makai trail. Portions along the shoreline are quite pleasing.
Fronty Parker — Google review
A rocky little hike just off the marina area with peppery sand and little cove area which is good for little ones. Lots of sea turtles in the water. Not the prettiest beach but pretty easy to get to and has parking.
Christine Ranum — Google review
Great views of the ocean, decent shade, and excellent turtle viewing. Not great for swimming.
Please respect the fish pond walls and turtles. Don’t climb on the walls and keep 50ft from the turtles.